Eels NRL side taking shape

The Penrith trial will be the last chance for Parramatta's fringe NRL players to show what they're capable of, but Stephen Kearney has indicated that it will be close to a Round One team that takes the field this weekend.

Parramatta will go into this weekend missing only front rowers Justin Poore and Fuifui Moimoi, but both are expected to be fit for the Round One clash against New Zealand. At this stage Joel Reddy looks like being the side's only unavailable player. After a tough pre-season that saw plenty of sore bodies and a number of minor injuries, the Eels will hopefully go into the competition with close to a full roster if they make it through the Penrith match unscathed. NYC star Patrick O'Hanlon is another Eel that has missed the trials but who is also expected to be ready for Round One.

At this stage, centre and hooker appear to be the positions still yet to be settled. Eels junior Ryan Morgan has come from nowhere to put himself in contention and with Paul Whatuira not having had the same solid pre-season, he probably looks favoured to partner Chris Walker at this stage. At the post-match press conference against the Tigers, Kearney said Morgan had again impressed, while boom teenager Jacob Loko probably hasn't done enough in the trials to force his hand.

Kearney also admitted to being impressed by Casey Macguire, who was handed the number nine jersey last weekend in front of rival rakes Matt Keating and Anthony Mitchell. Macguire certainly appears to have done enough to guarantee a spot in the 17 so the heat will be on Keating and Mitchell to push their claims against Penrith.

If there was any doubt about Justin Horo's position in the 17 he has clearly erased them this pre-season continuing on his impressive progress from last year and indeed it will be tough to leave him out of the 13 because he brings another dimension to the side. With Taniela Lasalo also proving impressive in the pre-season, competition for second-row positions are going to be cut-throat in 2011.

I love the fact that we are having a conversation like this a couple of weeks before the start of the competition. It was that long ago that there was a lot of negativity around about our signings and depth, and now it's a case of who will miss out, and actually not having enough positions in the 17 to fit the talent that we actually have available. Sure a lot of this positive talk comes due to a strong trial win against the tigers. The most impressive thing for me from the trial was that sure, the Hayne Plane scored a try and did some good things, but the other points came from elsewhere including our halves, whcih jsut couldn't fire or build pressure last year. If this is the shape to come of our season where every player can be replaced, in some cases by several people, and everyone is being pushed by their own competitive natures, it can do nothing but good for a team that has consistantly sat back in the past and waited for an individual to do something (ie Hayne) to get them oiver the line. The second part was after a lot of our 'stars' were rested for the second half we only let 1 try in, and against an attacking team like the tigers to limit them to two tries all up, both of those being scored out wide, it shows a strong dedication to defence and pride in their line. Looks good.

"I think compared to the rubbish we've had since Reed Ryley is a breath of fresh air. I reckon a role as a 14 doing a bit in the middle isn't out of the question but for now I'm impressed with how hes travelling "

"Music...yes, no, sorta, always, but i am just not feeling it atm. I am doing fine, Randette is good. I have been feeling dark about the state of many folks psyche in the western world, and i could just not be fucked right now.....angry/protest music…"

"Without Moses we struggle to score points. Plenty of NSW cup tries involved Papalii so I was hoping for this move. He can create tries which we need in Moses absence."

Replies

5/8 February 23, 2011 at 11:52am

you think o'hanlon will get a spot in the rd 1 team?
Johnny Suede February 23, 2011 at 11:55am

Horo was "in doubt"? He was our best bar none in 2010.
1Eyed Eel February 23, 2011 at 12:02pm

No I simply meant he'll be available for Round One. He'll be in the NYC side.
Joey February 23, 2011 at 12:08pm

Plus we have Maitua to come back after his suspension.. So many options in the Second Row/Lock positions
Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" February 23, 2011 at 12:09pm

Bring it on.

Confidence quietly building.

Who am I kidding? Eels fans are NEVER quiet with their confidence and optimism. LOL
HH - Love You Iongi Time! February 23, 2011 at 12:11pm

Has anyone seen Morgan play? What are his assets? With Loko, Whats & Hicks he would have to be defesive and attack minded to get the nod from Kearney?
1Eyed Eel February 23, 2011 at 12:27pm

I agree, but purely in terms of seniority he's probably behind the likes of Hindmarsh, Smith and Shacks (which is not to account for form or talent). I actually had one less second row position in my head when I originally wrote this up for some reason.

Question to people who saw the Wests trial. Did Webb play solely a prop forward role and did Shacks play in the second row?
Daniel P February 23, 2011 at 12:45pm

I love the fact that we are having a conversation like this a couple of weeks before the start of the competition. It was that long ago that there was a lot of negativity around about our signings and depth, and now it's a case of who will miss out, and actually not having enough positions in the 17 to fit the talent that we actually have available. Sure a lot of this positive talk comes due to a strong trial win against the tigers. The most impressive thing for me from the trial was that sure, the Hayne Plane scored a try and did some good things, but the other points came from elsewhere including our halves, whcih jsut couldn't fire or build pressure last year. If this is the shape to come of our season where every player can be replaced, in some cases by several people, and everyone is being pushed by their own competitive natures, it can do nothing but good for a team that has consistantly sat back in the past and waited for an individual to do something (ie Hayne) to get them oiver the line. The second part was after a lot of our 'stars' were rested for the second half we only let 1 try in, and against an attacking team like the tigers to limit them to two tries all up, both of those being scored out wide, it shows a strong dedication to defence and pride in their line. Looks good.
blueNgold February 23, 2011 at 12:53pm

I don't think depth will prove a problem this season, there doesn't appear to be a lot between a number of outside backs and we also have a lot of depth in the forwards and arguably the halves as well.

I can only question the pure class that the team posesses as a negative, hopefully this season will prove that quantity over a period of time can triumph over quality.
This reply was deleted.
- Tragiceel February 23, 2011 at 4:18pm
  
  Michael, I think the spark from the bench will be Taniela Lasalo. Not sure if SK will pick him and if he does who will miss out, maybe Shacks to frontrow and Webb missing out?
  
  Personally I would go with a bench of: Fui, Allgood, Lasalo and Keating/Mitchell. This would be the best attacking bench that we could field IMO.