The case for keeping Jakob on the bench is that, should Mitchell Moses suffer an injury or concussion, we would not have adequate cover for the halfback role.
The outcome of this hypothetical situation appears to have escaped our industrious coach but for those who saw the first week of the finals, we have the benefit of knowing how the outcome of the projected worst case scenario would play out if it eventuated. Week one of the finals, Moses did get injured against the Panthers, Arthur did play, we did lose and Arthur failed to make a significant impact.
It's fair to assume that if Moses was to succumb to injury early in any match, we would have little chance of getting the job done, even with Jakob inserted in his stead.
To decide that carrying a spare half (not a utility either) into the game in lieu of choosing a second rower (with or without ball-playing skills) is a profound underestimation of the panthers forward pack. They will tire us and they will beat up our forwards and given the stakes, one wound assume there will be some concussions.
Ask yourself the question, what is more likely? Just one of our 9 forwards gets injured or Moses gets injured early and has to leave the field for the rest of the game?
Not accounting for any injury, our pack playing 80 minutes against the minor premiers wouldn't be an easy feat (even with an extra forward on the bench). So this begs the question, why would anyone in their right mind pick a backup half instead of an extra forward?
Penrith have several danger men who will take full advantage of tired forwards and the gaps they leave in the final minutes of the game. If you know for a fact your forwards will be exhausted and you merely speculate that your halfback will leave the field, you're not looking after your players and you're not respecting the opposition.
I'm not claiming to know that BA doesn't have several other legitimate or compelling reasons for playing his son but on the face of it, none of the reasons for choosing Jakob ahead of another forward come close to outweighing the reasons to replace him.
I write this as a genuinely concerned fan and not to throw shade at a young and talented footballer. He is not far enough along in his development to lead the Eels to the Premiership on his own, especially playing opposite Nathan Cleary.
No one can make the point that a player who has tallied up a mere 5 rounds worth of game-time this year has somehow earned a spot in the grand final. I'm not asserting Nepotism is the reason behind his selection but the stated reasons are not compelling. I am struggling to fathom the logic of BA in light of his sons inexperience.
Considering that this is the biggest game we have played in 13 years and most of us here are old enough and ugly enough to remember that it's been 36 long years since our last Premiership, our coach should have enough respect for the players and the fans to do everything in his power to field the best team and to get the job done.
I'm not saying we can't win with 16 men but it sure feels like BA is making it that much harder by selecting a player that will more than likely sit on the bench for the entire match.
We don't want Sunday to end in more heartache, we need this win and it will mean the world to all of us. I need to know that the Eels fans have at least thought similarly about this and want to fill the side with our best 17, not 16 handicapped by an emergency replacement.
Replies
wow and previously you say "no disrespect to JA" ... and there you go again, you need to stay off the orange juice old man. Either that or write notes to yourself to keep things in sync with your personalities.
What you blabbing about Blue Peel?
PT Canberra initially lifted yes but that didn't last and in fact there intensity had dropped backdown and we had well and truely weathered the storm was actually looking to score and was back on top of them before Mosses came back on.
JA did absolutely nothing wrong in the Canberra game and actual fact I believe it gave the the rest of the team and BA confidence moving forward because they had weathered Canberra initial lift in intensity with no change in score.
Penrith game was a different story and would agree with regards to that game but definitely not against Canberra.
And anyway your internet was down and you couldn't watch it. You better make sure your internets working for Sunday.
If he absolutely nothing wrong why did Brad pull him off and put Moses back on
We could throw Bryce in there and have a more versatile, big body out there.
Jake Arthur has good work rate and front on defence, plus he is smart enough to play in the spine. He is the best cover for Mahoney as well if required.
lol
Your not serious?🤣😂 Surely not
Haha gotta love the comedy routine some put up...
Another one wow how original.
Talk about flogging a dead horse.
It's done nothing we say or do is changing the fact but as above some just like flogging a dead horse instead of accepting it is for what it is.
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