As the seasons comes to a wane for the Parramatta Eels in most grades, Friday night represents hope for differing reasons. The Tip Sheet jumps into the how and why as our NRL team fights to keep an unlikely push for the finals alive. That dying flame is still hope in one form or another with a win over the Roosters keeping an 8th placed finish in the frame.

The real hope though comes in the curtain raiser where the NSW Cup team is filled to the brim with young players including a trio of debutantes in Richard Penisini, Matt Arthur and Sam Tuivaiti. Sixties and Forty20 run right through all 4 grades as the Jersey Flegg fight their way to the finals while the Cup takes a longer view as Generation Next take over.

The NRLW head to Canberra without one of their stars with Elsie Albert gone for the season but they too are looking to build. As much for 2024 and for this year. Young talents like Cassey Tohi-Hiku, Zali Fay and Tyla Amiatu get another chance to shine against an impressive expansion team.