The Pirtek Parramatta Eels have kicked off preparations for Toyota Cup season 2009 with a 34-man squad coming together Monday to begin pre-season training.

The depth of the squad is a highlight with a total of 15 players having featured for the Eels at some point during season one of the national under 20’s competition in 2008.

New recruit Lachlan Gowland also has Toyota Cup experience having played five games for St. George-Illawarra last season.

Head Coach Matt Cameron says while he’s enthusiastic about the quality of the 2009 squad there is a lot of hard work to be done before it’s ready to take the field.

“You can’t replicate experience so it’s a definite plus to have so many players having already played Toyota Cup,” Cameron said.

“However last season counts for very little with so many new guys coming in.

“We’re fortunate to have three 2008 Australian Schoolboys in Tim Auremi, Albert Kelly and Daniel Galati in the squad and we’ve recruited strongly if selectively from outside.

“But ultimately Parramatta’s focus is on developing our juniors and this squad is reflective of that, with the vast majority of the squad coming from junior clubs within our district and through the club’s district representative program.”

The Eels finished fifth on the 2008 Toyota Cup ladder and were eventually bundled out in week two of the Finals.

PIRTEK PARRAMATTA EELS
Toyota Cup Squad 2009

Mitchell ALLGOOD (Position: Front Row/2nd Row Born: 27/4/1989 Junior Club: Brothers Penrith)
Ramis AMANOEL* (Position: Front Row Born: 20/2/1990 Junior Club: Guildford)
TK AMOSA (Position: Halfback Born: 3/5/1990 Junior Club: Wentworthville)
Tim AUREMI (Position: 2nd Row/Lock/Centre Born: 8/4/1990 Junior Club: Greystanes)
Jason BAITIERI (Position: 2nd Row/Lock Born: 2/7/1989 Junior Club: Hills Bulls)
Boyd BROWN (Position: Front Row/2nd Row/Centre Born: 29/1/1990 Junior Club: Cabramatta)
Shaun COX (Position: Wing Born: 2/7/1989 Junior Club: Guyra)
Daniel CROSS (Position: Fullback/Utility Back Born: 10/2/1990 Junior Club: Caloundra [Qld])
Daniel GALATI (Position: Hooker Born: 27/7/1990 Junior Club: Greystanes)
Nathan GARDNER (Position: Fullback/Wing Born: 7/3/1990 Junior Club: Cabramatta)
Lachlan GOWLAND (Position: Lock/Centre Born: 17/4/1989 Junior Club: West Arana Hills [Qld])
Brad GRAHAM (Position: 2nd Row/Centre Born: 8/10/1990 Junior Club: Red Bend Forbes)
Jamie GRAHAM (Position: Hooker Born: 8/10/1990 Junior Club: Red Bend Forbes)
Scott HARTIGAN* (Position: Lock/Hooker Born: 15/7/1989 Junior Club: Guildford)
Royce HURA (Position: 2nd Row/Lock Born: 15/7/1990 Junior Club: Wentworthville)
Ellis JAMES (Position: 2nd Row/Front Row Born: 22/6/1990 Junior Club: Hills Bulls)
Mitchell JOHNSON (Position: Front Row Born: 5/8/1990 Junior Club: Wentworthville)
Albert KELLY (Position: Five Eighth/Halfback Born: 21/3/1991 Junior Club: Smithtown Juniors)
Sam KELSO (Position: Wing/Centre Born: 6/11/1990 Junior Club: Halswell Hornets [NZ])
Solomone LASALO* (Position: 2nd Row Born: 28/7/1990 Junior Club: Wentworthville)
Taniela LASALO (Position: 2nd Row/Lock/Centre Born: 23/9/1989 Junior Club: Wentworthville)
Joel LATHAM (Position: Front Row/2nd Row Born: 16/5/1989 Junior Club: Cabramatta)
Fred LATULIPE (Position: Utility Back Born: 19/11/1990 Junior Club: Cabramatta)
Owen LAUOFO (Position: Centre/Wing Born: 22/5/1989 Junior Club: Wentworthville)
Patrick MATAELE* (Position: 2nd Row/Lock Born: 9/12/1989 Junior Club: Guildford)
Anthony MITCHELL (Position: Hooker Born: 27/5/1989 Junior Club: Brothers Townsville [Qld])
Ryan MORGAN (Position: Centre Born: 4/5/1990 Junior Club: Greystanes)
Daniel MORTIMER (Position: Halfback/Five Eighth Born: 13/6/1989 Junior Club: Orange CYMS)
Domenic NASSO (Position: Fullback/Wing/Centre Born: 17/7/1989 Junior Club: Hills Bulls)
Rulon NUTIRA (Position: 2nd Row/Lock Born: 11/2/1990 Junior Club: Hornby Panthers [NZ])
Pat O'HANLON (Position: 2nd Row/Lock Born: 14/3/1991 Junior Club: Northern Marlins [Qld])
Cameron SPEECHLEY (Position: Halfback Born: 7/3/1989 Junior Club: Guildford)
Kene TE WHATA (Position: Front Row Born: 3/4/1989 Junior Club: Northland [NZ])
David THOMAS (Position: Centre/2nd Row Born: 22/2/1990 Junior Club: St Pats Blacktown)
    
*Denotes Train/Trial   

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