New Eels No.1 shines among star recruits as Tigers prevail

Josh Addo-Carr, Zac Lomax, Terrell May, Royce Hunt and Jack Bird all stepped out in new club colours, but it was one-game NRL rookie and new Eels No.1 Isaiah Iongi who shone as bright as any in a 30-18 Tigers win at Leichhardt Oval.

New coach Jason Ryles’ emphasis on pace at Parramatta saw him back Iongi as his fullback as his first major selection call at the club, with skipper Clint Gutherson shifting out of position, and then moving on entirely.

Isaiah Iongi takes on the Wests Tigers defence.Credit: Getty Images

While Addo-Carr cooled his heels for an hour on an Eels bench featuring a dozen players, Iongi showed the swerve and verve Ryles is planning to build around in 2025, opening the scoring with a scything solo try where he left Tigers hooker Tallyn Da Silva for dead.

Iongi, 21, followed up with a fine cut-out pass for Sean Russell to score Parramatta’s second try of the night and finished with 123 running metres and seven tackle busts from a 60-minute stint.

The Tigers spine, led by Lachlan Galvin, had their moments too as $6 million halfback Jarome Luai watched on from the stands. The Tigers storyline was at one point dominated by grave concern for centre Brent Naden, who by the evening’s end had been diagnosed with a dislocated kneecap.

After he was on the end of an Adam Doueihi for the Tigers opener, Naden’s left knee was caught awkwardly as he was driven backwards in a tackle before half-time.

Players on both teams immediately signalled to the sideline given the distress the Indigenous All Star was in, though fears of any ACL damage were allayed by Tigers medical staff and Naden was able to join his teammates on the bench later on.

Brent Naden leaves the field on Friday night.Credit: Getty Images

As Galvin again looked the goods for the Tigers, May churned through 147 running metres and was ably supported by new front-row partner Fonua Pole and Hunt.

Bird scored with his second touch of the ball as a Tiger and new winger Jeral Skelton also finished off a Galvin line break before half-time. The former Bulldogs flyer landed the shot of the match on Charlie Guymer, while for Parramatta, Lomax whacked Galvin with an excellent hit of his own but was otherwise well-contained in his 40-minute stint.

Addo-Carr finally saw action wearing No.25 after 60 minutes, but spent more time calling for the ball than getting near it as the contest wore down.

In the earlier game, a second-string and then some Penrith side easily accounted for a similarly under-strength Manly outfit 38-22.

While Panthers halfback Trent Toleau was best on ground, MVP awards were reserved for the couple of hundred fans who stood on the hill in the rain for a trial between two reserve grade sides, for the low, low price of $42.50.

More chaos here from a high kick – Parramatta’s Joash Papalii spills the bomb, Jack Bird grabs the loose ball for the Tigers and charges for the line, only to be carried over the sideline – but the Tigers get another chance from a scrum. They turn it over on the first tackle.

It’s an apt way for a trial game to finish but there has been a lot to like for the Wests Tigers especially in this one, although Brent Naden’s dislocated kneecap will be a concern going forward. Naden was at least able to take his place on the bench to watch the final stages of the match.

Wests Tigers 30, Eels 18 at full-time

Errors are starting to mount for both teams here as fatigue starts to take its toll in February footy. The game is starting to lull a little and then – bang, Jeral Skelton has absolutely smashed Charlie Gumer with a rocking tackle that forces a turnover.

The Tigers take full advantage with a sharp backline move down the left, finished off by Solomona Faataape at centre. Adam Doueihi kicks yet another goal; it’s been a perfect night for the sharpshooters this evening.

Tigers 30, Eels 18 after 76 minutes

Josh Addo-Carr has been very vocal on the sideline – doing his best to throw Tigers goalkicker Adam Doueihi off his game at one point – and now the former Bulldogs and Storm star is finally on the field for the final 15 minutes, his first action as an Eels player.

Wests Tigers 24, Eels 17 after 65 minutes

Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr.Credit: Getty Images

Former Shark Jack Williams is another new recruit to grab a try tonight, going over for the Eels to level the scores. Zac Lomax, who is set to take the goalkicking duties off Mitchell Moses at Parramatta this season, has left the field in a planned substitution (expect more big names to exit early in the final half hour) and so it’s halfback Ronald Volkman’s turn to add the extras.

Tigers 18, Eels 18 after 50 minutes

An Eels bomb goes up, nobody can control the ball on the way down and it falls to Eels big man Charlie Guymer who strolls over the line to score – but it’s called back and the bunker confirms Parramatta winger Sean Russell had knocked on from the bomb.

Tigers 18, Eels 12 after 47 minutes

The Tigers get the second half started and they’ve got a chance to add to their lead right away, with Eels forward Luca Moretti penalised for an incorrect play-the-ball. Samuela Fainu crashes over from short range but it looks like he’s held up. The bunker is taking a closer look and rules he’s lost the ball over the line.

Tigers 18, Eels 12 after 41 minutes

Terrell May, the former Roosters forward who ran a marathon in the off-season, has made a very good first impression for his new team with 13 carries for 125 metres in the first half. It’s the most run metres for any player in either team by some margin, with fellow Tigers prop Fonua Pole next best among the forwards with 72.

Some really good stuff from the Tigers here, Lachie Galvin taking the ball to the line, breaking through and linking up with with Adam Doueihi, who draws the final defender and flings an offload for winger Jeral Skelton to score down the left.

Doueihi keeps a very good half with the sideline conversion and Benji Marshall will be a happy man at half-time, despite the injury to Brent Naden.

Wests Tigers 18, Eels 12 at half-time