Here is an article about a few questions regarding the Eels squad.
1) Penisini, Addo-Carr and who: I think this the biggest question in the squad right now. With the recent news of Simonsson's ankle injury (not serious) could see Kelly overtake him in pecking order. With reports of Russell now training on the Wing i think you will see Kelly paired with Addo-Carr and Russell occupying the Wing vacated by Lomax. Simonsson as a pretty handy back-up until mid year when i reckon a club like NQ or GC want a back and he pushes to start. This is where someone like Alamaddeine or Richie need to have a great start in Cup in order to secure that spot as first in line back-up. We do not want to resort to Samrani being our first line back-up for Wing and Centre, though not awful he is not good either.
2) Does Joash Papali'i find a spot?: At this stage, he doesn't. Not sure where he finds his spot. At this stage he is the first back-up for Iongi, Pezet and Moses. As well if Da Silva or Smith go down and Ryles wants a 2nd Hooker he would be put at 14. But Joash's hope is to perform in Cup and be the 6 for 2027.
3) Where does Williams play?: He will be starting. But is he on an edge with Kautoga and Tuilagi fighting for the other spot? Does he go into the middle with Paulo going to the bench? I would say he will start on an edge. I think he is more valuable there for now as our best edge.
4) Does De Belin start?: I think this is the easiest one to answer, yes he absolutely does. He is not an impact player. If anything he is that leader for when Paulo is not starting. De Belin is that older head that can set the tone, then Paulo comes in as impact.
5) Will Ryan Matterson win a spot?: Not to start with. He is down the pecking order a fair bit. There are a few middles ahead of him. With Paulo, Hopgood and De Belin starting. Walker, Moretti and Tuiviati either bench or in the squad. Williams can move into the middle with Tuilagi and Kautoga going to edge. Then after all that Doorey has the nod as the first come up back-up. He has a long way to go, plus needs the trust from Ryles. He is now just waiting til the end of the year.
Replies
Oh i understand Lorenzo has the skills that are better suited to be a 6. But if Fletcher is going to be the better player overall, so we do not lose him could he be a decent 6 for us in the meantime?
I think it's simply Lorenzo is suited to be a 6 while Fletcher is more suited to the 7 jersey. Normally a 7 is a better player overall than a 6.
Fletcher could fill in at 6 if needed
Fletcher is still very highly rated. But his stress fracture means he's starting this year in SG Ball, whereas Lorenzo could quite easily be starting in NSW Cup. That gives him a jump on first grade. Club wants to keep both and are planning pathways to first grade for both.
Not sure why they are uncertain on Coinakis best position. He is an out and out dummy half to me. Perhaps they do not believe he has the upside to overtake Da Silva and Smith.
They even got Riley Davis and Talen Risati (if he chooses league over union) as very high potential fullback aad halves.
Life after Moses wow.
Thats a frightening thought.
Most concerning for me is that the Eels appear to be two long-term injuries away from running on fumes in the outside backs. There is a set stock vying for the backline, of Iongi/Papalii FB; JAC, Simonsson, Russel & Kelly for wing; and centre being Penisini + Simonsson, Russell and Kelly again, plus
Now delete TWO from that overall list. The Eels' outside backs are running on fumes. I think backups are only Samrani and R Pensini centre and Tago wing.
The Eels have plenty of cover at middle and edge forward who have first grade experience. Lose two outside backs and the Eels' backline is thinly covered.
This is spot on Daz, and why we are saying we require fair and comparable compensation for Lomax from any NRL club he wishes to join.
Though Badger, if you let Parra pick a position they wanted from a trade for Lomax they are taking a middle forward as that seems to be the area they want covered most. That Paulo replacement.
And 5/8 all of the mentioned are going to be green as hell.
Outside backs have been an Achilles heel for the last 3-4 seasons it's a position where we are an injury away.Sure they've added Kelly but why are they stopping there if our development looks as it does.
This is what scares me about this club we aren't looking far and wide enough.The talents out there but we just aren't looking.
Iongi
Foxx
Penisni
Kelly
Russel/simmo
Pezet
Moses
Junior
Smith
Hopgood
Williams
Kautoga
De belin
—-
Da Silva
Tuivati
Tuilagi
Walker
I think only 1 position is up for grabs. guymer and doory will miss out if everyone is fit.
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