The Tip Sheet – 2026 Ep 18: Nothing Learned, Nothing Gained + Jnr Reps Rd 5 Previews

Evidently, the Parramatta Eels learned absolutely nothing from their humiliating Round 1 loss last year as they did just about everything possible to make their lives a nightmare last night against the Melbourne Storm. Sixties and Forty20 have to wearily tread on familiar opening night ground as they review a bitterly disappointing 52-4 loss in a game where the Eels constantly looked for shortcuts and got exactly what they deserved on account of it. There is no other way about it - the Eels embarrassed themselves. So where to from here? The Tip Sheet looks at what the humbling reality check means for Parra and how much should fans react - or over react - to the brutal loss. Given the compressed nature of this week, the Junior Representatives - in the form of the Lisa Fiaola and Tarsha Gale Cups - find themselves somewhat unfortunately hitched to the reaction pod today. The boys look at how the two teams stack up against the North Sydney Bears on Saturday as they look to follow up strong victories against the Steelers.