The Tip Sheet – 2026 Ep 11: Eels Gear Up For Gosford, Origin Changed Forever

We have arrived at the final week of preseason trials as Jason Ryles and the Parramatta Eels prepare a full strength outfit for the Sydney Roosters in Gosford. The Tip Sheet looks at the ins and outs of the team list this week, who has stolen a march in the battle for positions and which rookies look to have the early running. Sixties and Forty20 recap the week that was for the Eels including final thoughts on their trial against the Sharks before touching on the latest media comments on the Zac Lomax saga. One Bulldogs has escaped serious injury but another wasn't as lucky. While Matt Burton will be on the plane to Vegas, Leo Thompson is set to miss up to 10 weeks for the Bulldogs with a calf strain. The luckless Te Maire Martin is looking at 3 months on the sideline after breaking his leg as the toll of the trials hits teams. State of Origin has been changed forever. After years of discussion over eligibility rules the NRL has blown selection protocols wide open by removing the requirement to declare for Australia to the formula. Henceforth, as long you meet the other key criteria (Born in NSW/QLD, resided in NSW/QLD by 13, father player for NSW/QLD) you can be selected for the relevant side regardless of your national allegiance. What does this mean for the game's showpiece series?