1997 - I’m leaving Parramatta Stadium after watching the eels win a R1 thriller over Norths. There’s Chris Lawler in his tracksuit chatting to fans having played in the reserves earlier - having lost his wing spot to off season recruit Shane Whereat. Surprising perhaps given Lawler had (out of necessity) reinvented himself from a mediocre halfback to really good winger the previous season. He was also a solid goal kicker.
As the eels had an up and down season with injuries, form and concerns around a consistent goal kicker, the question was constantly posed by commentators: “why isn’t Chris Lawler getting a game?!”.
It became obvious first year Eels coach Brian Smith had put a line through Lawler’s name. I also remember the ironic cheers of “finally!” that went up went Lawler snuck a bench spot in the finals loss to Norths that year - our last game of the season.
Which brings me to Bevan French. By all reports of 1EE’s on here he’s having a solid season for Wenty- in the halves I’m told?!?! Yet here we are (ala 1997) sorely lacking a experienced first grader who is also a proven back (another area of need), and Bevan still can’t get a look in?!?
If his attacking prowess is unquestionable, surely the pro-defensive Brad Arthur has concerns about French’s front line tackling?
Has the dye cast on French’s eels career, and Arthur’s opinion of him?
Replies
To play where? Dogs signed DWZ to play 1 so not sure where French will play
French is losing in reserves. He'll do the same in first grade. Gutherson is losing in first grade, he too will do the same in reserves. Swap Evans and Mannah, same result will happen. Swap Mahoney and Mcilwrick and same result, both will lose. Swap the Jennings brothers, same result. You could literally swap the reserve grade and first grade side and both will probably lose or come close. Sad times.
Was thinking the same thing. Wouldn't hurt putting him back in first grade. Honestly what do we have to lose? We're already losing.
Idk why nobody suggests French for a bench spot I know our pack is too soft to have a utility but he’d do more Han Peni and Niukore
Well I resisted another Will Smith bashing, but he’s just another Luke Kelly - very one dimensional. Surely French deserves his shot.
love to see Arthur challenged by a journo’ on it during his next post loss press conference
I think you will find French has been playing fullback. Although he did play 1 or 2 games at 5/8 earlier in the year. I’m only going off the team list so could be wrong
Read back over the blogs throughout the season son
Not sure about that, Will Smith offers very little in the 6, and Bevo hasn,t been given a shot, BA,s just to dumb to try Bevo,
Bloody good question timbo.
But then again - Imo, Mr 45% (working on lowering that) could not pick his nose let alone pick good players from mediocre or lousy players.
Mr "We have three attacking options" (1. five up the middle, kick and hope. 2. Slow predictable pedestrian sweep to left. 3. slow pedestrian predictable sweep to right. Please note difference between 2 & 3) is obviously on this issue with his usual aplomb.