In part three of 1Eyed's coverage of the Fan Forum, we look at the questions that were asked, mainly of Stephen Kearney in regard to the club's roster.We haven't included audio in this blog, due to the Q & A format, but we've quoted extensively to try and give you a strong feel for exactly what was said.
Chris Sandow
It probably wasn’t a surprise that the first question pitched at Stephen Kearney about his roster was whether Chris Sandow’s free-flowing style of play would fit with the Eel’s more structured processes.
Kearney said it was similar to questions he was asked last year about Jarryd Hayne, and that while he was mindful of the way that Sandow has played in the past, it was important to fit
“We have to mindful that it’s going to be a team efffort, but I’m sure with the structures, the processes and the gameplan that we play with, Chris will get the opportunity to play how we’ve seen him in the past.”
“With his skill and his ability and [applying that] to the stuctures that we’ve got I’m sure that will be of great benefit”.
Asked whether Sandow or Burt would kick, Kearney said the club was blessed to have the “top two goalkickers in the comp last year” with Burt kicking 82 per cent successfully and Sandow 85 per cent. “At this stage, I haven’t made my mind up yet”.
Our other halves
Kearney didn’t blink when asked where Jarryd Hayne would play and stated definitively: “He’ll be at fullback”. Ben Roberts would be first choice five-eighth and in the event of Chris Sandow being unavailable as he was this week, Roberts would go to half-back with McGuire to shift to six. On Roberts, Kearney noted his experience but acknowledged the Eels were seeking more from him than he had delivered for the Bulldogs in recent seasons.
“I don’t think he’s quite reached his potential yet and bringing him to the footy club [here], we hope to bring that out of him”.
It was noted that in the case of McGuire moving into the halves, our hooking ranks would be further depleted with Matt Keating, the only recognised rake, however Kearney was confident new recruit Nathan Smith would provide coverage
“He’s spent the pre-season training at hooker. At some stage, whether it’s this year or next year, we’ll see some of him in the NRL. I think he’s got a lot of potential”.
Outside backs
I actually brought up depth in the centres, and Kearney acknowledged the loss of Jacob Loko was “devastating”, not only for the side “but for Jacob personally to have two knee reconstructions in 12 months in a real blow”. However, he said between the Tonga brothers and Ryan Morgan (he noted Morgan was another who had come on really well, adding he had been impressed with his pre-season), as well as Cheyse Blair (“has a great deal of potential’) and Troy Savage (“had a good year for Wentworthville last year”), he thought the depth was adequate.
“Obviously you want your top-liners in the line-up but I think we’ve got adequate coverage there”.
Forwards
Kearney said that, for the most part, he thought Parramatta pack “did a great job of matching most forward packs last year” and said he believes we’re well-served given the club’s group of senior forwards including Tim Mannah, Fuifui Moimoi, Nathan Hindmarsh, Ben Smith and Reni Maitua.
However, he said what he was really looking forward to seeing from his pack, was significant improvement from some of the other less-senior forwards.
“Justin Horo has a lot more improvement in him,” Kearney said. “Mitchell Allgood, who really came on in the last 12 months, I expected a big year out of him and in my opnion in 12 to 24 months I think he’s a representative player”.
“Taniela Lasalo is another guy who has some real potential in him”, while Taulima Tautai would be viewed as a front rower this year. “I think we’re well-suited in the forwards”.
Second-tier players
Kearney was asked to nominate some of the lesser-known players that had stood out to date and he said it was difficult to name any single player as “to be honest they’ve all surprised”.
“A lot of the guys we’ve bought as our second-tier players who will spend a bit of time playing with our feeder club Wenworthville have brought a real energy to the group”. He nominated Tautai as a great example, having previously been at the club and now having come back, looking to kickstart his career again.
“There are a number of guys in the same predicament, that haven’t quite kicked on and they’ve brough a real hunger and passion to want to try and do well and I think that’s really helped the way the pre-season has gone”.
Competition for spots
Luke Burt noted that there was stiff competition between the players, across all facets of training whether it just be who could lift the heaviest weights in the gym, or who might be contesting for what positions on the park.
“There is competition in every spot... it’s going to be a year where you want to be on your best because there are blokes who are waiting in the wings if you aren’t playing your best,” he said.
That said, there was also a high level of comraderie in the camp.
“It’s a really good group and it’s probably one of the closer groups I’ve been in for a long-time.”
Fan Forum Part 4 will look at the recruitment discussion, and will give Eel fans the chance to hear from the club's impressive recruitment manager, Peter Nolan.
Replies
Don't forget the Tonga brothers and if Horo can bring back his best there's more excitement
Willie is lucky to make it to round six
They have the potential to make for some exciting plays
They have the potential for ultimate embarrassment too !!
With the on paper team in the comp ,we must not forget it takes hard work to achieve results.
We have had fantastic sides in the past fall beside the waste .
Last year is a year we wish to forget , yes i know its a different look in 2012, but we
have to achieve from round 1 not round 14 .
Getting off to a great start is a massive leap to a good year ahead .
We must get a few wins on the board before we can even have any idea of what to expect in 2012.
Yes the spirits are high , the team appears focused but that is only the basics .
The EELS must get back to learning how to produce everything on the field .
Do that and we will all be smiling in the end .
They did say that they had a good deal of confidence in both the NYC halves and that they were potentially future first graders. The one player, SK didn't mention was Marmin - it's going to be interesting to see just where he fits in.
Perhaps he trying to keep Marmin under wraps, He has been through alot and having Ben Barba as his brother will attract more media and expectations then the usual up and comer.
Anyway... On the outside backs, did SK drop any hints about who might be first cab off the rank if a first choice centre goes down? So if it seems like the Tonga bros in the centres, and Loko out long-term, is it Morgan? I thought Morgan was solid in defense but aside from a few runs where someone gave him a saloon passage to the line and his part was left to just bull-charge at someone or sprint hard, he did not offer anything in attack. Maybe he has more in attack in him?
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