IN THIS TEAM, MATEO COULD BE BETTER THAN EVER...

Hey boys & gals,This is my first post and I must say that I cant remeber being more pumped up for a non finals game in ages. This game against the Tigers is pretty much boom or bust for us. Living in the East, but being a die hard Eels fan for 28 years, I will be at the SFS tomorrow night screaming my lungs out.Now, as for Mateo, I have read a lot of pros and cons about whether he should be in the team or not. It seems the fair majority think he should, me included, and I will be really surprised if he is not there tomorrow night.Earlier in the season when we were struggling, Mateo was obviously the go to man. This made him try to push miracle passes and he even got into the bad habit of becoming a battering ram, just carting the ball up, which is definitely not his game. I truly believe he could kill it in this team playing on the left hand side of the field outside Morts. I have noticed particularly over the last 2 games how much ball Lowrie has been getting running off Morts. Unfortunately, as good as he has been going, he is rarely going to break the line and is not really considered a ball player. Imagine Mateo, getting good, quality early ball from Morts with either Burt or Hayne just shadowing him around.We all know exactly what he is capable of, I just hope we get to see it in our biggest game of the year. It will be unfair to expect too much from him, but dont be surprised if he just picks his marks better and rips the Tigers apart. I'm salivating just thinking about the game.

"Tago and Penisni (arguably two of the slowest outside backs in the NRL) up against Koula and Saab (the fastes outside backs in the NRL). Our forward pack should be able to handle their shit forward pack. But their 1-7 probably out shines ours."

Replies

Harry August 20, 2009 at 5:18pm

Nicely said :)
Gnomeel August 20, 2009 at 5:51pm

I'm with you East EEL...i reckon this parra side would definitely excel mateo's skills. He would be an additional threat at the very least.
Ace Eel August 20, 2009 at 6:03pm

Good call ... this IS the game where MATEO could take the tiger heat off Hayney,,,,tv todd could do with a rest....
shwgrl August 20, 2009 at 6:48pm

Got to get him into the team quick smart, no reason for him not to be there
Webby August 20, 2009 at 7:59pm

I couldnt agree more...Mateo must be included..he has the skills and size to really create some second phase play.
I am confident he will be there...last week he was left out to get the salary cap excemption
Daneel August 20, 2009 at 8:02pm

Good call Eel in the East. This is my same argument for KK.
Hugh August 20, 2009 at 9:19pm

im going to have to disagree - i think that mateo would upset the dynamics of the team and make us defensively weaker. We have enough people in the 17 taking the ball to the line and creating 2nd phase play. Its too late in the season to risk a player who wont have match fitness and run the risk of sustaining another long term injury. To be honest im worried about having Ben Smith, Mateo & Tahu in the same squad - all are players who have had some serious injuries and take along time to recover.

im happy for mateo to prove me wrong and serve me up some humble pie....
- Daneel > Hugh August 20, 2009 at 10:27pm
  
  He will prove you wrong.
  You just said that you are worried to have Tahu and Mateo in the same side. Supporters from other teams would shake their head in dis-belief at that comment i think.
  - MagicMan > Daneel August 20, 2009 at 11:25pm
    
    Tahu was our biggest hitter in 07 and has a great all round game, Hindy has developed a great offload and much more effective running game & is playing as well as ever and no one doubts that Mateo has all the skills we have all seen them many times, but now he can come in and not feel the need to overplay his hand in this current set up and could just float around the paddock and pick his moments, certainly not an ill informed post at all and a good first up effort, as for coming back from Injuries it traditionally takes time to build up your confidence once out on the paddock and only time will tell.
Parra Dude August 21, 2009 at 1:28am

Here here!