I would bring Moimoi off the bench

I know most of you will say this is crazy, but I would seriously consider bringing Fuifui off the bench for the Melbourne match.WHY? I think Melbourne will base a lot of their plan around shutting down Moimoi. They will have seen what the Dragons did to us, when Moimoi got shut down and I'm sure Bellamy is going to concentrate on doing that again.I'd start with Joe Galuvao. I know it leaves us with a particularly small pack, but its not a pack that gets knocked backward, because our defence is very good. Joe's grand final experience would be useful in the early stages.Then after 20 minutes, you bring Fuifui on. The Storm's bench is SIGNIFICANTLY weaker than their starting side. Fuifui will run amok and then you bring Feleti on and just cut them to bits.I think this match is going to be an arm wrestle for 20 mins. Why fire all of our big shots during the softening up period. If we just concentrate on completions, big Jarryd Hayne kicks down field and wait out the period where Melbourne will be seeking to establish dominance then we will have a significant advantage with our bench.It's worth remembering that Melbourne's first half defence has been tremendous - I just dont see the point of going to war with them, during their strongest part of the game when we can just focus on holding them off and then attack them when their weaker. I think this match will be won and lost between the 20 minute mark and the 60 minute mark and under this plan you'd have Fuifui on their the entire time.All this of course is predicated on Nathan Cayless being ok.It would shock the shit out of Melbourne and set us up to run away with it, IMO.

"When you look at it that way, 1.2 is a lot. I reckon he has more in him than what he's showing at the tigers. Under Ryles he'd be a different/better player in my opinion.
"

Replies

JJM September 29, 2009 at 5:25pm

Disagree. Its so important we start well. we need fui penetrating the line.
- Bosanac > JJM September 30, 2009 at 4:56pm
  
  Agree with this, wholeheartedly.
Aaron Chapman September 29, 2009 at 5:35pm

U make a good point but we don't want to muck up a sucessful team
Johnny Suede September 29, 2009 at 5:38pm

I agree. For the Eels to win this they're going to have to use every sneaky scheme and trick in the book to get them over the line. I'm not saying the Eels aren't a better side but Melbourne are like these mistake-free robots ideally suited to this sort of pressure football. Anything that upsets their game plan can only be a good thing.
offload September 29, 2009 at 5:54pm

great point about the differences in quality off the bench. benches win GF's

however - we need a cannonball to open the GF with - it's the atypical image that everyone wants to see - BIG BIG BIG first hit up!!
best way to start a game
Greg - aka ( ParraProud) September 29, 2009 at 5:57pm

He must start no question we have to hit the ground running
- Finchy > Greg - aka ( ParraProud) September 29, 2009 at 6:38pm
  
  Agreed. If he doesn't start, the risk is too great that we'll end uip on the back foot early in the match. We need to Smash the Storm from the outset and either win, or hold our own, in the forward battle.
Steve-o September 29, 2009 at 6:44pm

Interesting point, although i do like the way DA uses Moi Moi in the first 20-25 then brings him on in the last 20-25 for maximum impact against tired forwards.
Eeldarado September 29, 2009 at 7:48pm

Yeah i thought the same thing!!!

But i guess its too late to start changing game plans and so on, and in reality, I dont think we can survive without Fui's go forward in the first 20 we must dominate early on!!

Its an interesting thought and as I said it crossed my mind about sending our best defensive side on the team for the first 25 and then unleash the Fuimeister in the last 15 -20 of the first half

But i guess if you go into a game with a big focus on a defensive attitude, we may never get into gear for attack for the rest of the game!!!
Daneel September 29, 2009 at 8:36pm

TKBK... you make some good points.

However, i think the bench has served us so well, and the interchange of players has brought good balance to our side... i dont think we should tinker now.
Its important we make good hard metres early...and Fui will do that for us.

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