NRL Friday LIVE: Legends reveal issue with Eels debutant; Phil Gould makes huge ‘value’ call amid continued Mitchell Moses absence
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NRL Sea Eagles vs Eels LIVE: Paulo shifts to bench, Manly remain 1-17
One late change for the visitors, with Junior Paulo reverting to the bench and Joe Ofahengaue named to start in the front-row.
Manly will remain 1-17 as per program.
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Corey Waddell 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Karl Lawton 15. Ethan Bullemor 16. Matthew Lodge 17. Nathan Brown 18. Aaron Woods
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Morgan Harper 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Ethan Sanders 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 16. Joe Ofahengaue 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. J’maine Hopgood 10. Junior Paulo 14. Brendan Hands 15. Makahesi Makatoa 17. Kelma Tuilagi 18. Sean Russell
NRL Friday LIVE: Legends reveal issue with Parramatta debutantEthan Sanders will make his NRL debut for the Eels on Friday night, becoming the latest young playmaker to transition into the top grade.
The only issue? He won’t be at Parramatta next season and will instead move to the Canberra Raiders in a huge blow for the club.
Speaking on Wide World Of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth, league great Brad Fittler explained the issues facing the Eels and their pathways system.
“There’s a nursery that should really set up the Parramatta juniors,” he said.
“No one wants to play for them, you don’t have people staying there because they want to wear blue and gold. Ethan Sanders is the latest example … he is leaving.”
Andrew Johns also pointed out the lower grade struggles at Parramatta, as well as acknowledging the tricky situation Sanders was facing at the club.
“His pathway is blocked from Mitchell [Moses] and Dylan [Brown] you can understand that one,” Johns said.
“NSW Cup they are coming last and in Jersey Flegg, they haven’t won a game.”
NRL Friday LIVE: Gus reveals next move for Schuster after Manly saga endsQuestions about Josh Schuster’s career in the NRL are beginning to lighten, as league legend Phil Gould reveals he has “no doubt” fans will see the young star back on the field in 2025.
Schuster was contracted with the Sea Eagles until the end of 2027 after inking a $800,000 per season deal late last year. However, the deal is not set to begin until the 2025 season.
The club revealed on Wednesday they had finally come to an agreement to terminate the second-rower’s deal and acknowledged that Schuster’s time at the club didn’t “work out” the way things were expected to.
NRL Friday LIVE: Turuva exit confirmed as Penrith suffer another blowPenrith has added to their list of players departing for another club at the end of the season, with star winger Sunia Turuva officially set to join the Wests Tigers.
Turuva has agreed to a three-year deal worth an estimated $1.3 million — far more than the Panthers were willing to offer – with the Tigers confirming the news on Friday.
The 21-year-old informed his Panthers teammates of his decision this week, which will see him leave the reigning premiers in 2025.
NRL Friday LIVE: Phil Gould makes huge Mitchell Moses callPhil Gould believes the value of Eels halfback Mitchell Moses has “escalated” during his time away from the NRL, with his side struggling to replace his quality.
The 29-year-old remains sidelined due to a broken foot and Parramatta has been unable to replicate some of their early-season form without their leading man in the No.7 jumper, highlighted by a diabolical effort against the Dolphins last week.
Speaking on Wide World Of Sports’ Six Tackles With Gus, the rugby league expert explained the importance of Moses to the blue and gold outfit.
“When Mitchell comes back, things will change very quickly at Parramatta,” Gould said.
“They have changed very quickly while he’s been injured and they will change just as quickly when he comes back.
“You talk about the value of players – some of these players should be lending money to other guys in their team, because they are the ones that make them.
“But the value of Mitchell Moses has actually escalated by not playing – his value has gone up. They have seen just how effective he is.
“I think the major playmakers in the game are underpaid compared to some other positions and I think that we’ve got such a shortage of them.”
Blaize Talagi and Daejarn Asi have both filled in for Moses but haven’t succeeded, opening the door for Ethan Sanders to make his debut on Friday night against Manly.
NRL Friday LIVE: Welcome to the blog!Welcome to Wide World Of Sports’ LIVE coverage for Friday night’s NRL game!
Parramatta will be looking to rectify a horror performance last weekend against the Dolphins, but face an uphill battle at Brookvale Oval against a capable Manly side.
Brad Arthur has made a number of changes for the Eels, including young gun Ethan Sanders earning his NRL debut in the halves.
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