Eels Blogs

So a lot of criticism over JA's selection, so makes me look over the stats in NSW cup to see if there is anyone better on the bench. Come to the conclusion that not only are there better players instead of JA, but better than Maka and Kaufusi to me. Now i know, NSW Cup is different to NRL, so what looks great in NSW cup can mask realistic performance in NRL. One thing i look for in NSW Cup is dominance, if the stats being produced are big and dominent than that leans in well to NRL. There are a few names i want to bring up in regards to who should be getting a look in very soon.

Elie El-Zakhem: One player i kept an eye on and i love him as a player. He is tough and has the versitility that BA loves. He has a build and strength to play in the middle and the agility to play on the edge. Already represented Lebanon in 2019, he was with the squad in QLD late last year. El-Zakhem made 184 metres with 6 tackle breaks on the weekend. In 4 games each playing the full 80, he has only missed 2 tackles, also scoring 3 tries in the 4 games. 14 tackle breaks averaging 3.5 a game. If Cartwright is out of favour, why not go with a cheaper option like El-Zakhem who has untouched potential, he is 23 so he is heading towards his prime. I look at JA being picked and think El-Zakhem can offer this team so much more.

Wiremu Grieg: We know him a bit better off 3 games, he has been playing big minutes in NSW cup, 56 on Monday against Wests. Making 168 metres with only one tackle break, however 80 post contact metres which is where Greig excels at. Takes 3 men to bring him down most times, even developing a passing game which BA likes in his forwards. Greig has plenty of developing to do, still is prone to stupid plays, like his incorrect play the ball in NRL, Monday had a dumb penalty also. Needs to fix those areas but i feel he will offer the same as Kaufusi who has peaked why not go with Greig who is an unknown at the moment. He needs game time, that is how he is going to develop. He has shown he can play big minutes and his workrate has improved in defence.

Ky Rodwell: Always a workhorse, 5 tackle breaks and 123 metres against Wests. He is more on the workhorse side of a player, but he is similar to Maka in terms of BA's workhorse off the bench. Rodwell is better at point of attack, he offers post contact metres but more of a mover at contract and goes for the quick play the ball. 30 tackles with two missed, he missed a few against Wests due to fatigue, he played 58 minutes on Monday which is his second lowest of the year. Rodwell is a tough SOB, he will not be out of place on the bench and feel his workrate and toughness is needed off the bench for us.

Luca Moretti: One player who's development has fell victim to the players infront of him, coming off the bench every game so far. He has managed to rack up 47 minutes in round 5, but on Monday he only got 24 minutes. In that 24 minutes, he had 116 metres running, which is impressive, granted we had alot of the ball in that period he was on but still to get 116 metres in 24 minutes, imagine the numbers when starting. Moretti is similar to Rodwell but has the strength of Greig mixture of both. He is the perfect bench forward as he can do both workhorse load and be impactful in attack also. Moretti has racked up 100 metres running three weeks straight and should be getting a starting spot in NSW cup soon, he is averaging 97 metres in his 6 games and 97.3% effeciency in tackling. Moretti needs more time before being considered for first grade but once he holds a starting spot it wont take long.

Brendan Hands: Has really been beneficial with Rein being in first grade and missing a game in round 3 due to injury. In his 6 games, 3 off the bench he has 3 try assists and 3 line-break assists. On Monday, he looked great, i mentioned before he had a few decision errors where two plays in a row the play itself broke down due to his indecisiveness at dummy half but later in the same set he set up Loizou with a beautiful ball, dummy pulling the defenders up to cover and throwing through the gap to Loizou, it was great to watch. He needs game time and is playing five-eighth this week which is great. He would have been a nice addition at 17 this week, offering the same or more than what Rein has shown to be fair.

One player i will mention not for a bench spot but as a winger, Komolafe and Cini. Firstly Komolafe has taken Naiduki's spot and now should have it for the year. Only 19 and looks the goods. 6 tries and 14 tackle breaks in only 3 games. Under the high ball is solid and put his body on the line, though he is keen he can get a bit too quick in defence where he misses tackles due to not steadying himself. That will develop in cup but could get a debut later in the year. Cini already 4 NRL games under his belt, not much of him but gets alot of post contact metres. Playing centre, averaging 148 metres and 90.4% tackle effeciency. Against Wests he was putting shots on and was hard to handle in attack, with 22 tackle breaks in 5 games.

There are options but is it BA do not feel they are ready or is he loyal to his men or does he not trust them or simply see something we do not. From what i saw from Rodwell and Greig is same as Kaufusi even more at times. So wonder when these players will get a look in and who will get a look in.