Trials always present the double edged sword of fans getting excited that footy is finally returning, while trying to hold back on any bold predictions given the chopping and changing that occurs at this time of year.
Parramatta fielded a mix of youth and experience in their starting 13 against a Sharks side that were NRL-heavy in the forwards, while fielding a NSW Cup backline.
Ryles opted for a fairly young forward pack with Kelma Tuilagi the most experienced in the engine room, although he was surrounded by players who all featured, if not nailed down first grade spots in 2025.
The backline featured Isaiah Iongi alongside Joash Papalii and a first run in Blue and Gold for Jonah Pezet.
A 40-6 win capped off a dominant display by the Blue and Golds, with plenty of bright spots throughout the match highlighting both the talent at disposal for this year, and those who could be knocking down the door to first grade in the years to come.
Backline
Iongi has shown himself to possess a deft touch, classy passing while also being physical in his carries. His footwork and nicely waited kick to Bailey Simonsson to begin the scoring was everything we've come to expect of the custodian. Speaking of Simonsson, he looks fit and firing for 2026, keen to nail down his spot after a couple of difficult injury plagued seasons. Will Penisini showed his explosiveness and footwork, putting his opposite in a blender a couple of times.
But the real discussion was on the left edge. Jake Tago was solid but it was his centre, Sean Russell, who appeared to take another stride forward. Rusty has always been a dependable, tough player and sometimes it's easy to forget that he's only 23 and that he debuted at 19. His full array of skills were on display in an afternoon where he scored a brilliant solo try and set up Ryley Smith.
Pezet and Papalii may feature as the halves of choice at some point in 2026 and the arrival of the former Storm half showed the class and composure he's known for. While producing nothing outstanding, Pezet marshalled his side well, kicked to the corners and played the role of a controlling half. The livewire Papalii was more difficult to handle for the Sharks defenders, regularly bouncing out of tackles and threatening to break the game wide open.
After the NRL players had their run, it was the turn of Parramatta's juniors who were all introduced as the match wore on. Iongi and Pezet were the first to be withdrawn, allowing Papalii to drop back to fullback and giving Ronald Volkman his turn to steer the ship.
By the second half Parramatta's backline resembled that of their Jersey Flegg side with Apa Twidle, Araz Nanva, Mohammed Alameddine, Lorenzo Talataina and Lincoln Fletcher joining the field alongside Jordan Samrani.
Nanva and Alameddine showed their wares with the pair marauding up the left edge a couple of times and bringing particular physicality in their runs while Twidle netted himself a classy double and Samrani powered his way over following a quick backline shift.
Talataina and Fletcher showed no nerves or concerns over playing against men, with the pair seemingly comfortable in their football.
Forwards
Ryles went with his most experienced NRL players upfront outside of the veterans. Sam Tuivaiti took real ownership of the middle early with bruising defence couple with hard running. Ryley Smith was his typical terrier self, netting himself a try off a Sean Russell bomb take and kicking well. Perhaps the biggest highlight came from Jordan Teancum Brown who crashed over from a nice Matt Doorey short ball. Doorey himself showed neat leg speed, short passing and hard running to put himself in the frame for 19 man NRL squad. His mobility could be a big asset for a Ryles side that values hard running, leg speed and ball skills in the forwards.
The NRL forwards overall had a mixed bag. Kelma Tuilagi was underwhelming considering the opposition while Kitione Kautoga seemed a little off the pace. As the changes were made, the middle maintained the rage. Jeziah Funa-Iuta hit the ground running, while Doorey churned out big minutes following the unlucky concussion of the hulking Ryda Talagi. Tallyn Da Silva took a few moments to get up to speed before Meni Luke replaced him for the final 20 minutes.
Attack
Parramatta's opening salvos all seemed to hit the mark. Playing direct, flat and fast, they exploited the space they created on the edges while also showing a willingness to play off the cuff. Doorey really impressed from a ball-playing perspective. Without a middle consisting of Junior Paulo, Dylan Walker, J'maine Hopgood and Jack de Belin, you could be excused thinking the Eels would lack the short passing of 2025, but Doorey admirably filled the gap and netted himself a nice try assist.
Iongi continued to build on his impressive full debut season and with his experience at 5/8 for Tonga, seems to be showing more of a playmaker's skillset which will only benefit the side moving forward.
Ryley Smith was also a big part of Parramatta's opening 20 minute blitz. It's hard to see Da Silva displacing the Maltese international, with Smith everywhere and then some, grabbing himself a try by simply putting himself in the frame to collect a Sean Russell offload.
A little note on Russell, he again showed why Ryles seems to trust him as a front line option in the NRL squad. He's always been a consummate professional and while he's headed to the Bears in 2027, he could have a real impact on the backline this season.
Defence
This would be the most pleasing part of the trial. Defence is mostly about effort and intent regardless of the grade you play. The Eels absorbed plenty on their own line, and while the Sharks were without the attacking trio of Will Kennedy, Nicho Hynes and Brayden Trindall, Parramatta's youngsters turned Cronulla away again and again.
The edges seemed well connected with virtually no overlaps being presented while Cronulla only managed 3 linebreaks to Parramatta 7. A rather low total given the ragged way in which trials can go as more and more teenagers are thrown into the fray.
Probably the only disappointing mark was against 2 NRL-experienced players in Kelma Tuilagi and Tallyn Da Silva becoming so disconnected on their line that Cronulla's Sam McCulloch strolled through untouched to score their only try of the match.
Plenty left to build on for Ryles' charges and a match against the Roosters next weekend set to feature a lot more NRL-level players looms before the real deal kicks off in March.
Replies
When it comes to watching trials, I watch players more than overall scores. I don't cheer too hard for tries or get angry over mistakes. I mainly watch players and structures. Plus it is hard to get a gauge as teams are mismatched in terms of who plays. Some teams stack their team full of first graders, others play Flegg squads. So when it comes to performance it sometimes is a false economy due to who plays against who.
What was more impressive was our 2nd half with quite level competition.
I think it was a good hit out for our first trial, but do agree we need to temper our expectations as Cronulla didn't provide much threat at all, it was almost as though Fitzy purposely told them to hold back on their attacking plays and the goal was to just complete their sets.
Our young forward pack outplayed their experienced pack with some really good signs in the middle, I can see why Ryles hasn't pulled the trigger on bringing in just anyone, a couple of these guys will be ready for first grade soon.
Honorable mentions
As fringe first graders that are yet to really establish themselves as stars, Tuivaiti, Doorey, Smith, Russell, Pezet, Papalii, Samrami all stood up and played a key role in that win. They were quite stable for our first game of the year and will play key roles in this season. Ryles got these guys 100% correct.
Promising rookies for 2026
Teancum Brown: Confident he will get some 1st Grade time this year like Tui did last year, he really stood up and performed well in the middle against the stronger Sharks pack. Strong in defence and attack and was busy the whole time he was on.
Api Twiddle: He was busy and carved up the Sharks in the 2nd half, we'll need to find a spot for him in Cup and just give him some more time as he provides some utility depth with his attack and footy IQ.
Ryda Talagi: He wasn't on the field long, but in his first two sets in defence he was busy and was like a brick wall when he had to make a tackle, as soon as he made contact, the opposition stopped in their place. It's not hard to see that this guy will be a regular first grader with his surprisingle large frame and athletic ability. Bit of a shame we didn't get to see more runs, but I hope he gets some game time in Cup tackling larger body's to get that physicality ready for first grade.
Players that will be questioned over the season
TDS: I'm not too worried about him as he is still young and will come good with time, but he should have made that tackle or at least given it a go. The fact that their player ran straight through our line means he's a liability and will be targeted by opposition teams.
Tago: I'm not going to pile on, but i'm not sure what Tago offers us in 1st Grade potential? He was dominated in every tackle and while his effort was clear, he's just too small to have an impact and make the metres we need from a winger. I'd be cutting him loose and trying to recruit somone with more speed or power. Same could be said for Alameddine, just not sure what exactly he offers and are too small and slow for 1st grade wingers.
Neither Kelly or JAC were playing yesterday. That's why Tago started. I didn't mind Alameddine. He did good ruck work and when given some room he seemed fast enough to take advantage of it.
I get the succession plan and why Tago played, my point is based on the fact that we've struggled in the wing position for the last few years, so why are we investing in small guys that don't make the metres and don't offer much speed?
Shouldn't we focus on Power (Metres), or Speed (Finishing), or Evasion (post-contact Metres)? If we don't have that, stack the wing positions with gun fullbacks or utilities that give you some added value other than wing.
I'm just struggling to see why we're still investing in him when he's not a 1st Grade prospect. I know this is negative, and not the best light to shine on someone that busts their guts for the club, i'm just being more narrow focused on performance and outcomes for the 1st grade squad.