BA likely to pull a big switch

Team Tips: Parramatta centre Tom Opacic looks set to miss the club’s preliminary finals clash after suffering a hamstring injury last week. The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio revealed the 28-year-old could return should the Eels make it to the grand final. Riccio also said Brad Arthur could make a shock play to fill his centre void, slotting Marata Niukore into the outside backs. “The one I understand that he’s favouring and will name tomorrow on team-list Tuesday is playing Marata Niukore,” Riccio said on SEN. “The bigger body, the back-rower, in the centres, keeping Waqa Blake on the wing.” Bailey Simonsson is another option to take a spot on the wing, with Blake shifting to the centres. If Niukore moves into the backs, Bryce Cartwright or Nathan Brown will likely slot onto the bench.

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  • I like the bigger body, he will be hard to stop out wide. Hopefully brown comes into the bench and has a blinder 

    • Niukore has always done a good job in the centres. Though I fear they will lose the great go-forward he has been providing in the starting pack. Also Cowboys have a lot of speed in their outside backs which could prove dangerous 

    • I think if Brown has a blinder Jack it will be embarassing for BA.

  • Not sure whether you noticed it, but have a look at the highlights in the sheds after the game and you'll see BA talking to both Cartwright and Brown. It seemed like he was telling them to get ready.... 

    • Yeah get ready to stay in Sydney next week lol.

    • I did notice that BrissyFlip but the coach wasn't talking to Nathan Brown at all and in fact Nathan Brown was actually leaning up against the wall looking quite forlorn and like he was being left out. Can't help but feel for Brown as he's contributed a lot over the years.

      • He was talking to Nathan Brown, don't try change what the vision was.

  • Not big news , didn't BA allude Marata to centre at the press conference after the game that would be the likely replacement 

  • Not Blake to the centres.

    Please, for the love of the footy gods.

    Anything but Blake to the centres. 

  • Nathan Brown has been 18th man for a few weeks now. That generally means he is close to a call-up, so it wouldn't surprise me if he moves onto the bench.

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