Amongst the many team blogs posted, I've noticed Kenny Edwards seldom gets a spot in the 17 but I think he might be the dark horse for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, it's easy to forget to the levels he got his game to, when he was able to play uninjured. He's a very tough player. with aggression and drive; and that is reflected in both attack and defence. He had a few errors in him, but there were games there, where he was just about our best forward on the park.
More so, I think he represents a really good balance for our side. If I have any concerns about our roster this year, it's that we maybe lack a bit of ballplaying ability. Both our halves tend to play direct and flat, and ideally you'd have a ball-playing fullback out the back. That's not really Michael Gordon's go - he's more of a traditional, support-orientated fullback. The other option is to have a ball-playing lock as second receiver and we really only have two options in that regard in Gower and Edwards. I wouldn't exactly describe Edwards as a ball-playing lock, but the ability to throw a pass is an extra string to his bow. Edwards is probably more dynamic than Gower and is literally able to play all over the field, and is athletic and mobile enough to play big minutes if required.
At the very least, he makes a very appealing bench option. He can play in the middle or on the fringes, and his added ball-playing ability gives you something extra if you need to chase points.
I think after missing all last year from injury he's going to be hungry and although he's not off contract until the end of next year, he's going to want to have a very strong year this year to convince the Eels he's a more worthy proposition than some of our upcoming players like Tyrell Fuimaono, who we need to make a decision on this year. I've been told he's been training particularly well.
P.S. Like my Ryan Morgan blog, writing that a player can potentially have an improved or successful year, does not in anyway infer that I think the player is the second coming or is bound for rep honours. I'm simply suggesting that these players may have a particularly successful year, based on their prior performance levels and the role they hold in the team.
Replies
Nailed it I reckon Cap :)
It leaves out Gower though, who you'd have to say over the past two years has just about been our most consistent forward. And that's assuming you don't play a second hooker on the bench. We're definitely going to have some first grade quality players start the year in Wenty.
Edwards is a cert imo, agree.
LOL Love the disclaimer at the end Phil.
I might start putting disclaimers at the end of my blogs, its not a bad idea, sort of like insurance for later.
I'd still like to see him earn his spot once more, rather than have it simply given to him.
The Nines - if he's picked - and trials will be an indication of how he's travelling and how he ends up performing.
The pre-season is long and hard. Anyone picked for round one has earnt it.
I watched a trial at Penrith, what must've been three years ago now. Pretty late in the game, not much going on, none of the stars left on the field. We kick down the field into the corner, and nobody is arsed, there's no real chase or line of defense. Except, what, some big kid bounds down the field like the fucking juggernaut, gets to the fullback as he collects the ball, and bundles him into touch.
I've liked Kenny since then. If he can be dedicated and injury free, I reckon he could be the second coming, bound for rep honours pretty good this year.
I remember that Tom, that was at Penrith in 2013. He absolutely crunched the fullback. It was also from a very nifty kick from Ben Roberts out of dummy-half.
I do too Frank, actually I would start with Ma'u and Edwards out wide in attack and Scott at lock and in defence move Scott out to the right and Edwards to lock. Watmough can replace Scott later on, although would prefer probably Gower to replace Watmough altogether.
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