After months of pre-season speculation, the Penrith trial probably gives Eels fans a pretty clear view of who is going to line up in Round One and which players are where on the pecking order.
At this stage, there are no surprises. Bevan French at the back; Taka and Jennings Snr in the centres; Radradra and Hoffman on the flanks, with Corey Norman and Gutho leading the boys around the park. Really, that backline was never in question.
The forwards were a little less clear cut. Perhaps the biggest question was who would partner Tim Mannah up front, and Suaia Matagi appears to have claimed that position. For me, Matagi complements Mannah well. Matagi is all power, while Mannah uses his leg speed and footwork to try and get the team on a roll.
The only question behind the pairing is, whether it leaves the Eels short on size. Neither player bests 185cm or 110kg, which tends to be a bit of a benchmark for props these days.
However, the one thing that the Eels do have, is plenty of punch off the bench. There probably isn’t a better impact second rower than Kenny Edwards, Nathan Brown will cause trouble with his aggression and ballskills and Frank Pritchard is a beast. Daniel Alvaro is currently holding down that last spot in the pack but it's likely that Siosaia Vave would be in that role were he not injured. That’s one hell of a bench.
The decision to take four forwards on the bench, suggests a couple of things to me. Medium term, I think that will be the strategy. It was notable that Nathan Brown dropped into dummy half during the nines and I think Brad Arthur will prefer that strategy to carrying a bench hooker.
Round one may be a different proposition. I still expect IDG to be starting hooker. Arthur will likely want to give his new halves pairing as much assistance as possible, and Kaysa is not renowned for his control at this point in his career. That said, he impressed in the Titans trial and another big game against Penrith, could see him hold down a bench spot at least until Vave is back in the mix
The final selection that deserves mention is Troy Dargan. Dargan has obviously impressed in pre-season to warrant this opportunity, which is a great sign. He really does have all the tools to be the type of all-round half the Eels have been missing for a long time, in my view. I’m sure Brad Arthur will be paying very close attention to his defence, because if he can prove himself on that front, he has the opportunity to establish himself as the Eels first-drop half, and that will mean playing first grade at some point in the year.
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No, but I expect that he may make the 7 jumper HIS at some point?
I will note that I also said even before the nines last year that Bevan French wouldn't finish the season as first choice fullback because the first chance he got, he'd be a sensation. I won't be as bold with Dargan, but I do think he'll play first grade this year and go on to have a first grade career. Whether it's with us or not, will depend on a bunch of factors, I'd suggest.
I remember when tim Smith came from no where and started 2005. I had never heard of him and he was barely mentioned by us "expert" fans prior as far as I remember.
I still haven't seen a better passer of the footy than Tim's Myth.
Your such a nitpicker....
I am.
My youngest daughter admitted she had nits this morning. I helped her out...
It's better to be a nitpicker than a fudgepacker, EE.
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