The Eels’ backline crisis has a silver lining — the development of speedy winger Matthew Komolafe being fast-tracked.
Komolafe, who was selected in the NSW Under 16s side alongside Will Penisini, has come up through the Eels system. He started the year in Jersey Flegg but with injuries hitting the NRL squad he’s found himself in Cup and is making the most of the opportunity.
Komolafe has scored eight tries in three games — including a hat-trick in the last two games. He also ran for 150 metres and had five tackle busts in the Eels’ 26-8 win over the Knights on Sunday.
Komolafe was as humble as they come in his post-game interview.
“(Coach) Ryan Carr just tells me to back it up every single week so I’m just trying to back up my performance and get a win for the team,” he told Fox League.
The 19-year-old featured in an NRL trial for the Eels during pre-season and is one to keep an eye on.
Fellow Eel Ky Rodwell put in a mammoth performance on Sunday, playing 80 minutes at lock and notching up 148 running metres while making 49 tackles with zero misses. Another one to keep an eye on after he inked a two-year extension in February.
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Rodwell there's a 2nd row replacement right there for a Nuikore this kid has a motor on him.He'll get fast tracked for sure.
Id also like to see Hand fast tracked as a backup hooker.I think he played 6 yesterday he looks like he's got time with the pill.
Delaney I think his name is who came on Id like to see a bit more of him aswell.
Grieg was a battering ram.I'd like to see him develop some more nouse in his running to chest proud get his shoulders between players and footwork wouldn't go a miss.Lateral agility for a big man is a bonus.
Komalafe to me he's he's doing his job Id still like to see how quick he is in the open.I don't know if he's quite ready for FG yet.
If I'm honest in the outside backs stakes I don't see too much displacing what we have in FG once everyone is back healthy.
I'm not sure about Rodwell as an edge, I don't know that he has the mobility
Rodwell definitely a middle, El-Zakhem looks ready for a FG debut.
Komolafe might benefit from a debut later in the year, but to me i think he is still very raw. Put on another 5kg or so and spend the remainder of the year in Cup and he should be fine.
Roswell isn't a first grader
Chief, This is pretty much his first real season, and like some others are finally getting match experience in the NSW Cup, he's not a huge build but is a player that can develop more especially if he gets more game time, and puts some bulk on his frame. He turns 23 in June and 102kgs at that size he has a bit more mobility than some of the same type of players. Going forward he is likely an improvement on Makatoa.
That said with the loss of several of our forwards end of season, we could do worse than Rodwell especially as a developing player.
El-zakhem is a greater prospect. He should get in before rodwell
Don't know how much more weight he has to put on. Rodwell is only 2kgs lighter than Nathan Brown.
Super, yes there is only 2 Kgs between the two of them but I would suggest that Brown has more body armour compared to Rodwell. Rodwell is not as hardened body wise as NB at this point in his career.
This is how a development club works
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