The Rams under 18s clashed with the Eels’ under 18s development squad at Blayney’s King George Oval, a game the hosts started the better in but faded poorly late in the first half to concede victory.

After his side progressed through to the final of the country championship in 2016, Greenhalgh has high expectations for the 2017 crop of Rams, but just who is in that final squad remains to be seen.

The Forbes-based mentor took 18 players into the Eels match, but may be looking outside of that squad to fill key positions ahead of the titles.

“I wasn’t impressed at all, to be honest, not with the first 35 minutes,” Greenhalgh said, his side butchering several opportunities to post first points.

“We had a talk at half-time. We’ve only really had one solid training run, we need to do a fair bit of work between now and the championships.

“I told the boys before the game that there were positions still up in the air, just to put a bit of pressure on them and unfortunately we started flat. We can’t afford that.”

Early on, however, Western looked anything but flat.

The hosts started brilliantly, props Riley Cheshire and Joey Hobby making easy metres up the middle of the Parramatta side.

The only hurdle was crossing for points, with the last pass on several Rams attacking raids going astray.

To the Eels’ credit, their goal-line defence was stout, and it was rewarded with three quick tries to Asaeli Vuicakau, Jayden Yates and Jayden Tanna to race out to a 12-0 advantage at the break.

Western’s finally cracked the Eels’ defensive resolve early in the second period when crafty young Magpies hooker Jayden Burke darted over next to the sticks.

That joy was short lived though as Eels halfback Jayden Millard left his mark on the game, scoring his side’s only second half try while also having another disallowed.

It was an impressive display from a player who’s worked hard just to get a gig in blue and gold.

“He travels three hours, 15 minutes to training of a Tuesday, from Ulladulla,” Eels coach John Michael said.

“He came up and trialed and impressed then and he went to another level there (on Saturday).”

Western’s improved second half was led by Nyngan’s Clayton Couley and Macquarie backrower Luke Gale.

“It’s up to me to work with the 17 guys we chose from here on in. The onus is on me to polish these boys up and get them to the standard we should be playing at,” Greenhalgh added.