Humble to come onto bench as Eels go on notice

In a bid to address his team's poor attack of recent weeks, Daniel Anderson is understood to have lit a match underneath his halves and forwards this week and is set to bring Tom Humble onto the bench at the expense of Matt Keating.

Halves Daniel Mortimer and Kris Keating, as well as the forward pack are believed to be on notice to perform this week and the move to add Humble to the bench can be seen as a tactic to put pressure on his halves to lift the attack. We can expect Humble to enter the game in the halves if either the six or seven fail to match up to Anderson's expectations.

It appears the immediate future of both halves are riding on this match. Indeed, there will likely be longer term ramifications as well - with Kris Keating's contract yet to be signed and the club appearing to be stalling on moving forward. Meanwhile, Daniel Mortimer's position as a long-term number seven could also be shaky on the back of a poor match. I have heard a few whispers in recent days that if Cooper Cronk is one of the players that Melbourne has to let go, the Eels will go all-out for his signature. As I've previously stated, the decision of Folau to defect to AFL will make it very tough for the Eels to match Brisbane for Greg Inglis' signature.

Parramatta's forwards are also believed to be under pressure to lay a better foundation for the Eel's attack and give the side more options in attack. A poor showing this week, will almost certainly see Anderson making changes.

Please be reminded of the negativity moratorium!

"You are entitled to your opinion Clint, but Mahoney's passing is one area where he outranks Smith if there is one. Mahoney has one of the best passes in the competition for a Hooker. Smith's passing is good, it is clean and can make the necessary…"

Replies

Chris Johnstone June 3, 2010 at 11:32am

Sounds good to me.........I trust DA and after last weeks game I want to see some fire.......

Cronk would be a good asset too....
Michael Ericson June 3, 2010 at 11:32am

Problem with Morts and Keating as a combo is that they are too similar in terms of attributes (with 1 eye on the moratorium I am not saying they are not good!).

I like the addition of Humble into the dynamic.
- big black guy > Michael Ericson June 3, 2010 at 6:13pm
  
  I agree morts and KK are too similar, but dont you think humble is also a similar player?
  
  we need to sign a half.....
  
  JJM, whats the status on mike monaghan??
Michael Ericson June 3, 2010 at 11:34am

Oh and is it contrary to the moratorium (and to the particular persuasions of people like Tinkerbell) to suggest that I think it is fair enough if Matt keating has a breather in the Wenty set up for a while?
EelLectric June 3, 2010 at 12:02pm

I would say the chances of Melbourne letting Cronk go would be buckley's. If I was framing a market about which players might leave Melbourne it'd be something like this;

Finch - $1.04
Lima/Norrie/Hoffman - $3.50
Blair/Manu/Lowrie/McDougall - $5

Proctor/Nielson/Duffie - $10

The rank outsiders are the likes of Slater/Smith and Cronk - $1000
That trio will stay, Inglis might stay but will be the first jettisoned of they need to lose one of them....

Forget about Cronk. Much as I would love him in my side, he ain't coming to Parra any time soon....
- 1Eyed Eel > EelLectric June 3, 2010 at 12:17pm
  
  I can't see it happening either, but I think its why they are stalling on signing Kris. I think Melbourne will keep the 3 you've mentioned together. The only thing that might force them to get rid of 2 of the big four is if the NRL force them to pay for the termination agreements out of next year's cap as was mooted the week following the scandal. That could force their hand.
MaxZ/3iaGGiZ June 3, 2010 at 12:20pm

Hmm Coach Ando might be considering KK hooker while Humble/Morts halves. Interesting. Thanks for the update 1Eyed Eel.
Tragiceel June 3, 2010 at 1:04pm

It's about time the pressure was put on the halves. Nobody has a right to play in the team just because they have been there before. Form and team work is what wins premierships and at the moment we don't have either. Good luck to Tom Humble I hope he throws the cat amongst the pigeons and puts a few players on notice. Looking forward to fridays game it should be a ripper.
Bourbon Man June 3, 2010 at 1:04pm

Funny, I could have sworn I said something similar to this the other day...
- 1Eyed Eel > Bourbon Man June 3, 2010 at 1:27pm
  
  Just because the coach agrees with you, doesn't mean you were right :-)