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
Agree Mutts, lacks a bit of that speed and agility to be great at Wing and Center.
If he continue's his defensive work he could be an agile edge, but would probably be a backup at best.
Russell in 2023 had some decent finishes. Look at the one against Melbourne at Marvel Stadium for example.
His chip and chase against Broncos was pretty special, but he blew a lot of half chances throughout the year.
Who's this Matterson bloke. Can he play ?
So I had a few interesting chats on Friday night at the season launch. Mainly around Joash. So he's seen as the back up fullback long term with the ability to play in the halves. The way they're mapping things out, the idea is for Lorenzo Talataina to be the long term 5/8 and then Lincoln Fletcher to develop into the halfback. But you've also got Cameron Bamblett at fullback and Lachlan Coinakis still seems uncertain regarding his best position in the juniors.
That being said, Joash has trained both in the halves and at fullback this off-season, so he could be the 5/8 after Pezet if Lorenzo isn't ready.
Interesting. So Lorenzo is the focus at 6 not Fletcher who could play 6 til Moses moves on? Interesting.
Lorenzo's upside as a 6 is easily better than Fletcher.
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.
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