Eels Blogs

Replies

• 

  Michael Ericson January 13, 2010 at 2:01pm

  I personally would play him off the bench if for no other reason that he is easily the most dymanic of our forwards and probably shouldn't be wasted in the early exhanges.
  
  We couldn't afford that luxury last year because non of the other forwards were going forward, but with the strong forward purchases over the off season we should be able to hold our ground early and then release the fui.
• 

  EelLectric January 13, 2010 at 2:14pm

  I used to be a big advocate of starting him on the bench but in 2009 he took his game to a new level both with his destructiveness and his stamina and laid claim to being one of the top 3 props in the world IMO. That being the case, I don't see how you can make one of the world's elite props start from the bench so for me he has to start.
  
  Also, I would be tempted to start Poore on the bench at seasons beginning and make him earn a starting spot. Keep him hungry and show him there's no free tickets in this side.
• 

  Fuifui January 13, 2010 at 3:50pm

  He MUST start! He should have the keys to our city. Everything parra achieved last year was built on his work, jarryd hayne the lot! I always felt sorry for PJ coming off the bench, but this is way beyond that.
  
  I see the value of Fui coming in fresh after 20 mins but a player of his calibre warrents more then the label "bench".
  
  The front row is as tricky as the back line is to divise who will start etc, personally I see 1eyed's opinon as the best so far brought up with Cayless dropping into the back row.
  
  But absolutely first player picked in our team is Fui, we could trade the rest of them, Hayne included, it would take another 100 years to find another that would better or even equal him!
  • 

    Hugh > Fuifui January 13, 2010 at 9:33pm

    people were saying the same thing about mark tookey not even 10 years ago
• 

  1Eyed Eel January 13, 2010 at 3:59pm

  Yeh, I'm another who always wanted to see him come off the bench but as has been said, when he took that game to another level he has demanded to be a starter and to play plenty of minutes.
  
  The great thing about Fuifui is he now makes an impact regardless of when you throw him into the game. I think its too important for us to start well, not to use him first up.
  
  I think the big question we have to answer is whether Mateo starts or not.
  • 

    Fiddy > 1Eyed Eel January 13, 2010 at 4:08pm

    I think Mateo starting should depend on who our halfback is. If Robson plays, then Mateo should play as Robson is not a traditional ball player. However if KK plays, im happy to have Mateo on the bench
  • 

    blueNgold > 1Eyed Eel January 13, 2010 at 4:31pm

    Ando was on 2ky this morning and stated that he will be starting Mateo in games from the beginning of the season, as he is so crucial to our attack.
    • 

      1Eyed Eel > blueNgold January 13, 2010 at 5:22pm

      I'm relieved to hear that even just for the reason that it sounds like the club understands how important he is!
    • 

      1Eyed Eel > blueNgold January 13, 2010 at 5:22pm

      BTW, what else did he have to say bluenGold?
      • 

        blueNgold > 1Eyed Eel January 13, 2010 at 11:09pm

        Heres the link mate, nothing too shocking really. Some positive comments though.
        
        http://media.libsyn.com/media/skyaus/2KY_1_Nt90KF.mp3