Here's a summary:
## Key Points
1. Parramatta Eels' Joash Papalii is set to make his starting debut in the No.6 jersey against the Titans.
2. The opportunity arises due to suspensions/injuries to key players Dylan Brown and Mitch Moses.
3. Dean Hawkins will start at No.7.
4. Papalii has played 3 games as an interchange player and has experience playing in the halves at NSW Cup level.
5. Teammate Zac Lomax praises Papalii, saying he's "light on his feet" and "trains really well."
Replies
Yeah I saw him cop an absolute bath defensively.
Everytime Manly came his way it was edge of your seat stuff.
He had no idea when it came to reading numbers, whether to slide or jam.
You have to have confidence in your teammates inside and out.
If you can't hold your end up defensively you don't play first grade.
Manly didn't look like scoring unless they went left, by the way Joash went to right wing not centre were you even watching first grade, as for replacing Smith we were dogshit the moment he left the field.
Where did I say he played centre? I said he replaced penisini when he went off. You're saying he can't fill multiple positions and I think you're wrong. Time will tell he will only get better as shown in the manly game. His defense improved and he stopped a certain try with a strong tackle
Mate I hope the kid improves out of sight, he certainly seems to have the right attitude to do so.
But you don't throw an inexperienced kid into starting 5/8 unless he's dominated in that position in the lower grades and defensively he's able to handle not just the usual 20 tackles that would come any halves way but the extra 10 or so he'd face being the focal point of the Titans attack.
We don't want to hinder the kids development by shattering his confidence.
Walker already plays our link role , our game would suffer the least by having him play in the halves it may free up Hopgood.
Hawkins has enough on his plate directing the team around focussing on his kicking game he needs some experience to lighten the load .
I can't see JR playing him there, doesn't make sense.
We were talking about him in the 14 role. As far as playing 6 I do agree with you and he should be playing Nsw cup in that position for the rest of the season if they have any intention of playing him there in the future
We have Samrani who covers centre when needed or pushing a centre out to the wing or a winger moving to fullback on the bench.
What we require of a 14 is a player that can cover hooker and the halves and or the back five that forces Samrani back to reserve grade, at this stage Joash isn't that player.
The make up of our best 17 at present Samrani and Walker are locks on the bench there's no room for Papalii we have to carry another two Forwards on the pine.
@Billy Bob
He may have been playing Hooker i.e. Dummy Half but he didn't defend there, he was behind the front line which really opened our middle up, as Bup said when Riley went off we were ratshit. My guess is Ryles would have learnt this. Joash came on as a game breaker and it didn't work (no possesion). I like Joash but have a feeling at this stage he is a specialist back up fullback only.
I don't like the idea of him playing 5/8 from a defensive perspective, what we saw of the Titans on the weekend without Dyllan Brown cleaning up, they will cut us to ribbons.
I would not mind Lomax play 6 against the Titans and bring simmo back in the centres, with Penisini on the wing. People may laugh but that maybe just the confidence booster Will needs.
Obviously Walker still will play that important role when he comes on, don't know if you would get 80 minutes out of him at 5/8, but starting Lomax there enables a lot of flexibility when he comes on and shores up our middle defence.
One thing I will say is he seems reletively keen in defence. He will struggle but a lot of halves new to NRL do.
So the backline will be,
1 longi
2 addo-carr
3 Russell
4. Penisini
5 lomax/ simmonson
6 papalii
7 Hawkins
I reckon Lomax is named with Simonsson in extended bench coming in for either Lomax or Russell.
Analyst, is this a personal view or does it come from one of your many "sauces".
Given today is Sunday and the teams doesn't get announced untill Tuesday and they have never leaked a team early before, why is this so?
It maybe Josh is the new 5/8, but I qustion why would anyone unofficially tell YOU!
Your last scoop was Bob Dyer's pick a box and you only new that because you were screwing "Dolly".
My personal view is i would like to see one of our young guns get a go, Twidle, Tatiana? although as you say Joash arguably should get a chance. because I think he maybe seen as a one trick pony if he doesn't.
You make the argument that Lomax says he is light on his feet. So is Moses, just doesn't get to stand on them very often? lol
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