Paramatta eels star decided to quit and never return back…

2022 NRL Grand Final: Squad Breakdown of the Parramatta Eels

Parramatta’s co-captain and stalwart at the back, Gutherson hails from Sydney’s northern beaches and played his juniors for the Cromer Kingfishers. He debuted with the Sea Eagles in 2013 and made the switch to Parramatta at the start of 2016. Now 28, he has overcome early-career injury issues to represent his state and skipper the blue-and-golds to a Grand Final. Gutherson and co-captain Junior Paulo will look to join Steve Edge and Ray Price as the only men to skipper Parramatta to premiership glory.

A native of Nadi, Fiji, Sivo burst onto the scene for Parramatta in 2019 and has scored 67 tries in just 82 matches. A late bloomer, he played bush footy out in Gundagai before working his way into the NRL. Sivo, who turns 29 next Monday, is set for an emotional Grand Final week reunion with parents Joeli and Mere who will make a mad dash to Sydney to see their boy for the first time in three years.

Cashing in expectation-shattering young guns is always a factor when it comes to building premiership contenders and, at just 20, Penisini fits that bill superbly. A Parramatta junior, Penisini spent his juniors at the Rouse Hill Rhinos before entering the Eels system at 14. An accomplished union player at The King’s School, he chose to pursue rugby league professionally and made his international debut for Tonga in June.

The son of former-All Black Paul, Simonsson was born in Sydney and spent time in the Canberra and Canterbury pathways systems before representing the New Zealand rugby-sevens as a 20-year-old. He signed back with the Raiders ahead of the 2019 season and made his NRL debut that same year. He spent three seasons under Ricky Stuart in Canberra before linking up with the Eels prior to this season. He is one of only two Parramatta players to have played in a Grand Final.

Born in Lautoka, Fiji, Blake moved to Sydney as nine-year-old where he played juniors with the Brighton Seagulls before settling in Perth and spending time with the Joondalup Giants. Whilst a member of the West Coast Pirates S.G. Ball side, he caught the eye of Penrith scouts and made his NRL debut with the Panthers in 2015. He made the move to Parramatta midway through the 2019 season and has appeared in 69 games since.