Injuries, Selections and the Wenty Dilemna

There has been plenty of debate on this site regarding injuries and selections. We have close to a full forward pack out, potentially a half and a back up half (Quinlan) injured and two outside backs gone for extended periods. I can't remember a time like this! I thought it worthwhile throwing this Wenty issue into the mix.Firstly, watching Wenty in round 1 was a sobering experience. Their first half of football was truly awful and it honestly looked like a bunch of players who hardly knew each other had turned up for a training run. In fact, I saw more aggression and intensity at training sessions in the pre-season than I saw from these blokes. A whole group of players did themselves no favours selection wise and it pains me to say that. Most people here know the positive tone of my blogs so you get some picture of what they were like. I defer to Forty 20 for their match this week, which despite the loss was evidently a step up on last week, but my oath it would need to be.Here in lies the problem. The structure of a first grade squad means that there are training runs for players with the NRL squad and then limited time with the Wenty team at training. During the preseason I watched BA train the Wenty players as a part of a massive NRL squad and I also watched him train the Wenty players on their own. They looked very good. He would have had an idea about who has the potential to fit into the top squad through these times.However, as these players run onto the field in a match scenario with Wenty, something is not coming together. Here's an example. If I was to be honest about Wicks, I wouldn't have selected him in first grade after Round 1. He was enthusiastic for Wenty but to me his timing was off which resulted in some missed tackles and average runs. My expectations, based on training, were much higher. In fact, based on that Wenty game, I would have selected Álvaro. Wicks then proved me wrong with an outstanding game against the Dogs.On the opposite side of the coin we have Crooks. He looked Ok at training and was surprisingly selected on the bench for Wenty in round 1 and did not get on to the field until the 60 th minute but had an immediate impact. He is a player who seems to shine best in match conditions. Perhaps Forty could add to that from yesterday. I will note that Crooks much prefers centre to wing.We then have our halves. Matterson looked strong last year and looked good in preseason training. He looked lost for ideas in Round 1 for Wenty. Really they all did. I don't want to comment too much on Luke Kelly because I think he is badly out of form. He has had moments where he can fill in at half at NRL level but on a serious note, when you are out of form your confidence drops. He can't be feeling confident right now.BA was at the Wenty game last week. I don't know if he was there against the Tigers. Still, with another loss from Wenty, his decisions would be based on something that perhaps he can see that we can't.I have faith in his decisions.

Poppa, I'd be surprised if Morgan isn't selected. Given his experience, he will be strongly considered. I don't think Crooks would let you down as he has first team experience in England. He's not big so maybe that might be a factor against the Warriors. Folau would match the Warriors size wise. Toutai has experience but his hands let him down. Faraimo has real issues positionally, especially in defence. His turning circle is slow when his opposites get around him. Perhaps Taka might be considered for the halves. He played there for the Titans. If Sandow is out, it might be short term. Perhaps Kelly will get a run for a week. Would I be confident with Kelly? Unfortunately no. If we get over the Warriors in NZ with our injury toll, it would be miraculous.

"Stats aren't everything, but:
Penisini V the Storm
13 runs for 157m (Eels 2nd best - Iongi 159m)
PCM's - 52 (Eels 2nd best - Kitione 62m)
Tackle Breaks - 6 (Eels 2nd best - Iongi 7)
Line breaks - 2 (Eels best, we only had 3 all up)
Tackles 9 / 4…"

"Well said, Coryn.
If those figures (850k/900k) are accurate, you’d think it’s for this season also - which is possible with the compassionate reasoning?
I doubt Samrani is really being offered but we are a far better team with Barnett than without…"

Replies

Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown March 15, 2015 at 8:00am

Sounds like wenty need a new coach ?
- sixtiesboy > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown March 15, 2015 at 8:11am
  
  I think he acknowledged a lack of intensity from his team in week 1.
sixtiesboy March 15, 2015 at 8:19am

I don't know if any team can really prepare for an injury toll like this after only two rounds. To put things into perspective, we are potentially down 9 players - Paulo, Pauli, Edwards, Tepai, Radradra, Champion, Sandow, Quinlan, Fa'aoso. That means that when we select 17 players and travelling back ups against the Warriors, we will be selecting outside the top 25 and we've only played 2 rounds!!! They were pencilling in the Titans for the spoon due to losing 3 first graders in their rug scandal. We could be down 9 with quite a few being long term.
Alan Hunt March 15, 2015 at 8:22am

Luke Kelly should be back up half the Ron Massey cup let alone a chance for the NRL team.
sixtiesboy March 15, 2015 at 8:35am

Poppa, I'd be surprised if Morgan isn't selected. Given his experience, he will be strongly considered. I don't think Crooks would let you down as he has first team experience in England. He's not big so maybe that might be a factor against the Warriors. Folau would match the Warriors size wise. Toutai has experience but his hands let him down. Faraimo has real issues positionally, especially in defence. His turning circle is slow when his opposites get around him. Perhaps Taka might be considered for the halves. He played there for the Titans. If Sandow is out, it might be short term. Perhaps Kelly will get a run for a week. Would I be confident with Kelly? Unfortunately no. If we get over the Warriors in NZ with our injury toll, it would be miraculous.
Tragiceel March 15, 2015 at 8:36am

How has Cody Nelson gone for Wenty? He was a reliable defender when he played for the Titans.
- sixtiesboy > Tragiceel March 15, 2015 at 8:42am
  
  I think Forty 20 should comment on this from yesterday. Didn't shine in week 1. The best player in week 1 is only on a Wenty contract - Sam Gorman.
Alan Hunt March 15, 2015 at 8:39am

A trip over to NZ is maybe not the time to blood rookies but Morgan and Kelly are truly woeful.
Carl March 15, 2015 at 9:05am

Matterson, Folou, and crooks, and Alvaro should get the call up I reckon

1: W Hoppa
2: B Crooks ( Debut )
3: J Folou ( Debut )
4: B Takairangi
5; R Robinson
6: R Matterson ( Debut )
7: C Norman
8: T Mannah
9: N Peats
10: D Lussick
11: M Mau
12: G Gower
13: A Watmough

14: I Degois
15: D Wicks
16: Sef Paulo
17: D Alvaro ( debut )
18: P Terepo

No doubt crooks and Folou have been the best out of the wenty backs so far. Matterson/ Norman combo would be a good defensive ploy, Alvaro is a big boy would add some spark off the bench.
- Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 > Carl March 15, 2015 at 9:09am
  
  Yes. Nice team.

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