Positive article from news.com.au
WHO starred, who struggled, who’s on the fringe, who’s on the outer, who passed and who failed?
Get the very best analysis from our team of experts in the Round 3 edition of the NRL Lowdown.
EELS
HOW THEY FARED
The Eels rolled up their sleeves to grind out a gritty, rather than pretty, shutout of the Tigers in a grinding Easter Monday showdown at ANZ Stadium.
Resolute defending and toughness in the middle was the order of the day as Parra closed down a previously free-flowing Tigers attack to prevail 8-0.
Junior Paulo’s try and two Michael Gordon goals were all that separated the two teams but it was enough for Parra to make it three wins on the trot.
WHO STARRED, WHO STRUGGLED
Prop Junior Paulo was a powerhouse up front the for the Eels, repeatedly punching his way into the Tigers defensive line until they finally couldn’t contain him. He bulldozed his way over in the 55th minute for the game-winner, albeit by the tip of his fingers. In an impressive defensive effort, Manu Ma’u was at his typically tenacious tackling best.
As stoutly as they defended though, coach Brad Arthur would have been a lot happier if the Eels had been able to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Star halves Corey Norman and Kieran Foran will be hoping for a more fluid attacking effort against the Panthers next week.
INJURY WARD
Nathan Peats (dislocated elbow, round six), Anthony Watmough (knee, indefinite), Cameron King (sternum, indefinite), Tim Mannah (shoulder, TBA)
Bevan French could be edging closer to a first grade debut.Source:News Corp Australia
WHO’S LURKING ON THE EDGE
Young flyer Bevan French returned from a hand injury in style, scoring a hat-trick of tries as the Eels under-20s ran riot in a 40-4 win over the Tigers. The Auckland Nines standout also chimed in with two try-saving tackles to give a strong reminder of his exciting potential — and maybe give Arthur cause to rethink his declaration that French was unlikely to feature in the NRL this season.
REPORT CARD
A: Parra did everything asked of them on the defensive side of the ball to rack up their third straight win of the season and a share of first place on the ladder. With their attack sure to improve as Norman and Foran work on building their budding partnership, things look to be heading in the right direction for the Eels.
— Dominic Burke
Full article here: http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-lowdown-how-is-your-team-faring-after-round-4/news-story/fccb3aa4d85618eae51b8f61c3a72361
Replies
Good idea.
It's only a matter of time before one of our back three get a niggle or similar and Frenchy gets a go.
Nah only just come back from an injury, we played an awful team that had terrible defence. Let him have about a month back in the NYC before promoting him. I'd be looking to push up Tyrell before Bevan atm.
If we want to have the storm or some other team step in and take him, that's a great idea.
We need to give him a taste to keep him keen, sooner rather than later.
He's signed up for another 2 years, on top of this year so unless we agree to a release "the storm or some other team" won't be able to sign him. Plus why would the storm want him? They have Cameron Munster who is already playing very well at fullback for them, do you think that they would drop him back to centre to sign French who hasn't even played first grade yet?
He's already gotten a taste of NSW cup, last year. He's only just gotten back from an injury that sidelined him for 7 weeks, there's no need to push him up. There's plenty of rounds and given the way that Wenty has played over the first month they'll be playing finals football, so there's another 16 or so rounds that he can potentially play there.
If he has another game like he did against the Tigers, but does it against Penrith who are a much stronger NYC side then there may be room for him to move into the NSW cup in less than that month. But as of right now, I don't think he should be playing NSW cup.
French was out for seven weeks?
6 weeks, sorry. Didn't play any trials and missed the first 3 rounds.
Let's remember we do have Gutherson, who can switch back to fullback and would be a pretty reliable option, so we have the luxury of not rushing Bevan.
That said, I still stick by my belief that French will be our fullback going into the finals series.
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