Your Team list v Dragons - Kelma must stay - Eels Blogs

1. Iongi

2. Fox

3. Russell

4. Samrami/Penasini

5. Simmonson

6. Pezet

7 Mo

8. Jnr

9 Smith

10. Williams

11. Kelma Tuilagi

12 kit Kautoga

13. Debelin

14. Da Silva

15. Sam Tuivaiti

16. Walker

17. Doorey

18. Hopgood

* Kelma did enough and is a strike weapon out wide. Although Williams is a steadier player, i really think Kelma creates opportunities both on and off the ball. He also had a massive pre season as Ryles pointed out. Without Kelma we don't beat the donkeys

* Also, i don't know what to do with Hopgood/ Williams fighting it out for a prop rotation position.

* I think Ryles will opt for Penasini over Samrami if fully fit. If Samrami is kept at centre i have no issues.

* The bench must be retained, each of the four turned the tide for the eels in the second half

* Williams & Hopgood. Williams the player of the year 2025 wont be left outHopgood returns after suspension - a good headache for Ryles to have having a number of choices

Debelin/Hopgood. One of these two will.be left out

Some interesting choices

"I think with the current speed of the game and the increasing amount of HIA's I really think having a 6 man bench which all 6 can be used during the game at the coaching discretion is the way to go. If the game was slower ( get rid of repeat sets)…"

Replies

The Badger March 13, 2026 at 5:58pm

I reckon Doorey is the guy to drop out. Williams to 2nd row. Tuilagi to bench. Hopgood to prop.
- Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 > The Badger March 13, 2026 at 6:09pm
  
  Doorey did ok. He and Sam Tuivaiti changed the momentum when they came on. You could be right though
  - Clintorian > Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 March 14, 2026 at 9:13am
    
    I think Tui had more of an impact than Doorey did. And is the prop that MUST be on the bench every game.
    And if Tualagi can do that against the Broncos, he can do it against the Dragons. I'd be keeping him in at edge, or at least the bench. The player that makes way is probably Doorey.
- Parraboy > The Badger March 13, 2026 at 6:13pm
  
  Why kautoga so locked in that edge? His pathetic, Tuilagi & Williams backrowers any day.
  - Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 > Parraboy March 13, 2026 at 6:23pm
    
    Kautoga made a few errors. I don't think he's locked in
  - Michael W. > Parraboy March 13, 2026 at 11:48pm
    
    Kautoga started the same last season, everyone wanted him out of the team. By the end of the year he was our most dangerous attacking weapon, and was hitting hard in defence. Give him time, he will come good.
    - DYNASTY.LOADING > Michael W. March 14, 2026 at 12:06am
      
      Reckon they give their players a few weeks to get fit enough to do their job in Penrith? Hell, everyone on this site would go into meltdown if we signed Leka, but Webster has him on the bench because of standards.
      Kautoga isn't a first grader, it takes more than talent, professionalism and dedication, consistency and reliability across all aspects.
- LB > The Badger March 13, 2026 at 7:13pm
  
  Yep same sediment
- Zip zip > The Badger March 14, 2026 at 2:27pm
  
  I'd drop Kautogo for Hopgood
  
  I'd drop JDB for Morretti
  
  I'd also drop Simonsson to keep Samrani.
  
  Wingers: JAC and Samrani
  
  Centres: Penisini and Russell
  
  Halves: Mosses and Pezet
  
  Props: Jr and Hopgood
  
  Backrow: Tuilagi and Williams
  
  Hooker: Smith
  
  Lock: Walker
  
  Bench: Doorey, Tuivati, Da Silva, Moretti
  
  18/19 bench: Papalii and JDB
Coryn Hughes March 13, 2026 at 6:06pm

Against the Dragons I'm taking my physical line up.

Make no mistake this is a trap game for us if we get cute and don't physically matchup with the Dragons this is a loseable game.

We need to establish go foward and as above we need to be physically up for this contest.We have the fire power but it's back to the little things that win this.Lessen errors high completion bury them in corners kick chase stay connected defensively.