Eels Blogs

Replies

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  Blue & Gold Blood December 10, 2010 at 12:28pm

  we have to see how webb and maitua go. We get shacks back mannah will be the same fui is fui. Poore wont do much again. He will bethe fine china again. But potentially we do have one of the best meter gainers. Thats never been our problem.
  
  When we gain 60 metres we dont know what to do with it. Thats our problem. Thats why we need a playmaker.
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  EeLmatiC December 10, 2010 at 12:34pm

  I agree!! We have the best, or at least we are right up there! Souths have a pretty good pack too, but they are a vulnerable bunch.. always getting injured...
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  Fiddy December 10, 2010 at 1:37pm

  statistically, our forwards in 2010 were one of the best. Unfortunately, this means zero if you dont have halves that can take advantage of this. I expect the same in 2011
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  1Eyed Eel December 10, 2010 at 3:05pm

  I think we're missing a bit of offensive firepower this year. If Justin Horo can keep developing and become a player who regularly breaks tackles like an Anthony Watmough that's going to make a big difference. If Carl Webb is back to his best that will make a big difference because right now we look too dependent on Fui to bend the line back. If Renai Maitua recaptures his best form, it will make up for some of the skill we lost in Mateo. Or if Pat O'Hanlon step up and can make the kind of impact he has done in junior grades.... I think there are too many questions surrounding our pack as it stands, potentially it might be the best pack in the comp but we need a few blokes to find another gear.
  • 2m55ehehnnw5k > 1Eyed Eel December 10, 2010 at 5:35pm

    exactly one eyed

     

    currently no where near the best forward pack in the comp

    current players need to find something extra to have that tag
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  Ricky December 10, 2010 at 3:47pm

  There's no doubting we have a great forward pack with Poore, Fui, Webb & Mannah in the front-row, and Hindy, Smithy, Shack & Horo in the second-row/lock position, but at the same time, there are a few clubs with great forward packs.

  
  The forward pack of the Sharks and the Tigers springs to mind, and they'll no doubt be tough to deal with.
  
  Having said that, I'm excited about the prospect of seeing guys like Rory Brien & Patrick O'Hanlon making their way into first-grade whether it's in 2011 or later, and seeing whether they can have the same impact in the NYC/NSW Cup in the NRL.
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  N1cK December 10, 2010 at 3:47pm

  Up front they're pretty much a completely new team which hasnt played together yet. guaranteed starters would be Hindmarsh and fui fui thats it all other spots are probably up for grabs which is a good thing but will mean there will probably be a bit of chop and changing for the first couple of weeks to get combinations right.
  
  I hope SK can get a stucture going where we can at times have Fui hitting the fringe players like 2 passes wide one on one similar to how Us v bulldogs 2009 preliminary final we had him targeting Brett kimorley he is nearly unstoppable one on one and generally breaks the line. I love watching fui charging in open space.
  
  Also last off season i predicted Mannah would crack origin this year if he improves i think he could get himself a starting position in the team..
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  Zip Zip Man December 10, 2010 at 4:08pm

  True that our halves have to fire this year or our pack will have little impact.
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  EeLmatiC December 10, 2010 at 4:08pm

  Mannah, Poore, Fui Fui, Webb, Maitua, Horo, Smith, Shackelton... looks impressive on paper.. If they take their game up another level next year, then we no doubt will be a force to be reckoned with!!
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  1Eyed Eel December 10, 2010 at 4:52pm

  I think the guy who is going to be under pressure to retain his spot in the starting side is Benny Smith. For me he really has to bring to us the same impact as Ben Creagh does for the Dragons. Hitting those holes on the fringes and getting away offloads to supports. Last year was probably his first full year in the second row and the first where he didn't cop an injury that kept him out for months of the time, so I'm looking for him to mould into a genuine impactful runner of the ball and to be a leader in defence in terms of aggression. He has to provide something different than say Hindmarsh does, because if he doesn't our pack just doesn't have enough teeth.

   

  I want Horo to start. The form he was showing at the end of last year, suggests he can be a genuine rep-quality player this year and I think he's potentially the most dangerous runner we have in 2011.