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I think the big boys would be more effective when fatigue sets in the opposition big boys. Obviously it’ll depend on whether smaller forwards aren’t going to get completely dominated to start the match. Also controlling the ball and field position is very important
What utility value does Lussick bring? The merkin can barely perform in his specialist position FFS
And playing smaller players off bench is revolutionary?
Failing to see where our tactical advantage would be then starting big forwards. The good old softening period then we bring our small forwards on to battle theirs? Thats been the general concept since they got rid of unlimited interchange yet you call my idea old school. Unless you mean last season was old school when we looked better starting Ofahengaue and having Paulo on bench?
If Greig's in the team them we are f**ked.Act of Squad: Eels predicted team and 2025 overview
New head coach Jason Ryles has wasted no time in making his mark on Parramatta's roster, but it'll take more than re-arranging the deck chairs to impress the club's long-suffering fanbase.
The decision to part ways with captain Clinton Gutherson and senior prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard signifies a changing of the guard on the field, while it's the first time in over a decade that Parramatta have prepared for a campaign with someone other than Brad Arthur as head coach, with Ryles also bringing in a bunch of new assistants.
As they crashed to a 15th-place finish – which marked their worst season since collecting the wooden spoon in 2018 – the Eels ended up with the second-worst defensive record in the competition behind only the Wests Tigers, leaking nearly 30 points a game and missing nearly 37 tackles per game on average.
On a brighter note, they had no trouble scoring them and actually finished the regular season with more points to their name than top eight sides the Bulldogs and Knights. The addition of Zac Lomax and Josh Addo-Carr only strengthens them in that area of the game as well.
Incoming Penrith youngster Isaiah Iongi looks the ready-made replacement for Gutherson at the back, while Jack Williams, who joins from the Sharks, was one of the NRL's best impact players off the bench last year and will add some much-needed punch up front.
After back-to-back finishes outside of the top eight it's unlikely many Parra fans will dispute Ryles' policy of change, but that probably won't mean much if they can't show signs of ending the club's almost four-decade long premiership drought.
Predicted Round 1 team
1. Isaiah Iongi
2. Joash Papali'i
3. Zac Lomax
4. Will Penisini
5. Bailey Simonsson
6. Dylan Brown
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Junior Paulo
9. Joey Lussick
10. Joe Ofahengaue
11. Shaun Lane
12. Bryce Cartwright
13. J'maine Hopgood
14. Brendan Hands
15. Jack Williams
16. Ryan Matterson
17. Wiremu Greig
Act of Squad: Eels predicted team and 2025 overview
New head coach Jason Ryles has wasted no time in making his mark on Parramatta's roster, but it'll take more than re-arranging the deck chairs to impress the club's long-suffering fanbase.www.nrl.com
Lane, Kautoga , Cartwright and Tuilagi are the edge options going off past history and the trials. Those players can be rocks or diamonds. Scary for the opposition or the fans. Not very defensively sound either.
Good analysis,
