1. Isaiah Iongi
2. Bailey Simmonson
3. Will Pensini
4. Sean Russell
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Jonah Pezet
7. Mitchell Moses (c)
8. J’maine Hopgood
9. Ryley Smith
10. Junior Paulo
11. Jack Williams
12. Kitione Kautoga
13. Jack De Belin
Interchange:
14. Dylan Walker
15. Sam Tuivati
16. Matt Doorey
17. Tallyn Da Silva
Reserves:
18. Charlie Guymer
19. Kelma Tuilagi
20. Joash Papaili
21. Brian Kelly
22. Jordan Samrani
23. Ronald Volkman
24. Araz Nanva
25. Jake Tago
26. Lorenzo Talataina
27. Teancum Brown
Referee: Wyatt Raymond
The Mitch Moses-Jonah Pezet show rolls into Gosford on Saturday night as Parra fans dare to dream big in 2026. Josh Add-Carr comes in on the wing after representing the Indigenous All Stars last weekend while J'maine Hopgood, Junior Paulo, Jack de Belin, Jack Williams and Dylan Walker step out for the first time this season. Former Titan Brian Kelly has been named on the extended bench along with Joash Papalii, who played five-eighth last week, while the likes of Jordan Samrani, Teancum Brown and Lorenzo Talataina get another chance to impress after strong showings against the Sharks.
Replies
There's 2 players I just love, nothing special about them but good things just seem to happen around them because they always compete. Samrani and Guymer. I know it's hard to find a spot for them but gees I'd love it if we could
They're 2 guys that I think give you that competitiveness across a squad. They're always knocking on the door, they're consistent, they're the first cabs off the rank when we need someone to step up. You need these guys whose form and commitment always have them on the cusp of or in the 19 man squad. It was something we were sorely missing in 2023/24 both due to injuries and recruitment. Samrani and Guymer means the guys ahead of them can never feel comfortable performance-wise because these 2 will step into their spot.
Just read an article ( fox sports, I think) stating how Parra and Ryles are now under pressure and this year will be a confirmation or failure basically. What a load of bullshit we are a young side finding our feet and identity and while I believe we can make the 8, its a long season. Realistically im hoping for continued improvement and staying in the fight. Journos turn the screws and wait for something to pop, pressure is what you put on yourself. Go Parra
The Lomax story must be running out of steam. That's lazy journalism. Did they even interview Ryles or any of the players? The probably asked Copilot to write the article - actually no, I'm sure Copilot would have done a better job. And they wonder why no one wants to pay subscription fees to read this crap.
Well any club is, considering how we finished 2025 and played on Sunday, with a fit Moses there are expectations for us to make finals or there abouts.
Ryles is under no pressure with the club. Particularly with how we finished 2025. Had we continued with the bad start of 2025 then Ryles would have some pressure for 2026. He is getting 2027 season regardless of how we go.
Every team is under pressure to perform. I wouldn't call it pressure, its expectation from fans members, sponsorship, and most importantly every individual at the club- (besides Matterson who's on another planet), to put their best foot forward each day to improve. Some of these media clowns think they're bigger than the game
There are expectations, but teams fail them every year.
As far as I am concerned for our sake, my redline is we don't regress.
In simple terms, if we get 10 wins again and players keep improving, I am fine. Not necessarily delighted, but satisfied. How could this happen?
Maybe Iongi, KitKat, Ryley, Tuivati, even Da Silva/Hopgood/Penisini all catch form and improve, but Moses is injury prone, Paulo's age catches up or injury, Jack Williams regresses to his mean, Addo-Carr gets injured or age catches up.
Shit happens. It's OK. But the goal should be to continue the general direction and building our young core. HOWEVER...
I feel Ryles is one of those coaches where he wants exponential improvement. I have no doubt in my head he's starting the season targetting top 4.
I'm going against the grain a bit here.
This is now Ryles's team except for Matterson. (obviously trying to get rid of him). This team has been put together and the recruitment guys have tried their best to get players. Wheather they succeeded is another story, and results this year surely must determine if they are good enough to put together a premiership team in the next few years.
Nothing short of semi final football is acceptable in my mind. If we fail in that then we must look at what or whom has let the organisation down. My feeling is it won't be the coaching staff.
I don't fully disagree. Getting 10 wins is not far from finals. Last few seasons 12/13 wins got you 8th. So really we should be able to add up to 5 wins this year IMO.
But if we don't and we stay at 10/11, but there are excuses, I'd accept it. As I said above not delighted.
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