Team List - Eels v Dragons, Trial - Eels Blogs

The Parramatta Eels team to take on the St George Illawarra Dragons in the team's first trial game of 2022 has been named.

BUY TICKETS NOW

Shaun Lane has been named captain for the first time in his NRL career and will head up the 24 man squad.

Bailey Simonsson and Mitch Rein will make their debuts in the Blue and Gold, after signing with the Club last year.

Reed Mahoney returns to the side for the first time since being sidelined with a shoulder injury last year.

Experienced players Clint Gutherson, Junior Paulo, Mitch Moses, Dylan Brown, Waqa Blake, Ryan Matterson, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Isaiah Papali'i, and Nathan Brown have been rested from the side.

Kick off is at 6pm on Sunday 20 February at CommBank Stadium.

1. Haze Perham

2. Haze Dunster

3. Tom Opacic

4. Will Penisni

5. Bailey Simmonson

6. Jordan Rankin

7. Jake Arthur

8. Oregon Kaufusi

9. Reed Mahoney

10. Makahesi Makatoa

11. Marata Nuikore

12. Shaun Lane (c)

13. Ray Stone

Interchange:

14. Mitch Rein

15. Bryce Cartwright

16. Sean Russell

17. Luca Moretti

18. Ky Rodwell

19. Ofahiki Ogden

20. Elie El Zakhem

21. Brendan Hands

22. Solomone Naiduki

23. Matt Komolafe

24. Josh Tuipulotu

Replies

Driza February 16, 2022 at 3:42pm

Thanks Lurker . It looks like a NSW CUP team with a only few NRL 1st grade players being those who are leaving the club at the end of the season . Might be only 1st grade games they play this year Lol.
- Frank The Tank > Driza February 17, 2022 at 3:45pm
  
  Let's hope that's the case for a few on that list - not mentioning any names....
EA February 16, 2022 at 3:51pm

Looks like Moretti is higher in the pecking order than Rodwell and Ogden. Idk why Lane is captain. Hopefully everyone doesn't follow the leader and drop the ball atleast twice during the game. Interesting that Russel is also preferred over Naiduki. Perhaps due to versatility. Rather Carty start on the edge and Lane be used in the middle.
- This reply was deleted.
  - Perpetual Motion February 16, 2022 at 7:14pm
    
    Me too.
- LB > EA February 16, 2022 at 4:16pm
  
  I don't think we should look too much into jersey numbers as it could purely be who fits into what number, I doubt no.14 on Rein would fit on Wiremu Greig too haha.
  
  Or maybe that is a way to look at it, we will see on Sunday, more first graders then i thought, and i think a good decision to name Mahoney for this one give him a bit of both games ready for 2022, if he beats himself up oh well Canterbury can deal with it in 2023.
- ParraPride > EA February 17, 2022 at 4:05pm
  
  Haha yeah hopefully not..
Eelectric Power February 16, 2022 at 3:53pm

Hope Rein out plays him and get the 9 Jersey

Hogdson coming next year Hands and Authur coming through the grades.

Maybe Reed is now expendable!!
- Clintorian > Eelectric Power February 16, 2022 at 8:39pm
  
  Reed was outstanding at the start of last year, in fact, he was probably the best hooker in the comp for the first 10 rounds, so I hope that trend continues. But, I'm sure an injury will play a hand in Rein getting more time in first grade than we expect.
Tad February 16, 2022 at 4:02pm

I think it is great to give others a taste of first grade.It will be a long season and we should look after players better who are carrying injuries.
SneakyEel February 16, 2022 at 4:27pm

Great side should thump whatever dragons field