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
Pops, Trooper is a dope wrangler and he's doing an outstanding job of keeping all you dopes hooked and flapping around in the bottom of his canoe.
And while the dopes are giving trooper their energy, they have less time to interact with and bother the intelligent people..
Trooper is worth his weight in gold, he's even making brissie post less.
Trooper, keep up the great work mate, you deserve a raise.
"Dope wrangler.?" Haha__ never heard that one before. Snake.
Thanks Snakey. I'm glad some more intelligent people like yourself Snakey value the hard work and long hours I put in keeping these Hillbillies in check. I do 'Pro Bono' for BrissyFlip
12 year old would still be better than you Poppa, don't you agree?
Absolutely
Agree.
I would also remind all readers of the fact BA has got rid of every potential alternative to his son until there was no alternative to JA.
Who were they ? I'm assuming they've all left for bench spots and similar money elsewhere , and didn't leave for better roles than they would be getting at our club ?
It's on BA so let's see how it plays out on Sunday night
Maybe a better approach to this discussion is forgetting it is BA's son and looking at the actual selection and how BA has justified it.
He said (BA) that JA covers the the halves, and fullback and hooker. He does this by assuming one of the halves goes to fullback or say Simmonsson and that would mean moving DB to centre (not a success story historically). He would be better at Hooker because he can clear the ruck (against short stints there do not indicate that capacity).
Then the real problem starts in my mind, i.e. an injury to the actual halves....my personal opinion and the one I have no actual argument with the coach, other than his "blindness" is his (JA) ability to actually fullfill either of the half positions.
I think JA's skills are restricted to having very good vision and being unquestionably "brave". I'm sure he would never stop trying. I just don't think he is good enough.....just my opinion.
Who am I to argue with a coach that has got us there, I have said all along theat BA has done a fine job but he has potentially ruined his legacy or an opportunity to fullfil it by his choices. This goes back to Nathan Brown as well. The reality is that Makatoa, Cartwright and JA have done absolutely nothing to get us to where we are......the argument can be made he had no choice.....but I dont accept that in Nathan Brown's case or alternative development of a hooker utility alternative.
My view as a Unicorn on this, note I am not using the word "nepotism" just blindness to circumstances. AND yes my glass is half full and I am confident still of us winning this Sunday with a structure that has got us this far, despite my personal choices.
But you can't have the discussion without mentioning it's his son - both are intrinsically connected. He's not ready so why is he getting picked every week regardless of his performance? Only thing that makes sense is a shared DNA.
Like I said above, BA had until June 30 to sign a utility or impact player but didn't. We know why, because Jakey wouldn't get picked in the 17 if he did. Only time I've seen BA that loyal to a squad member is with Jake, who just happens to be his son.
Every expert in the lead up to the GF is questioning this in a round about way, they just aren't as openly criticising it as the fans are - luckily for BA.
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