Whether you read that with the voice of Maxwell Smart from popular television show ‘Get Smart’ from the 60s in your head or not, it’s Parramatta’s plan to spark their attack this season.
While everyone’s been so intent on trying to crack the code of who will wear the No.1 for the Eels, the answer was staring us in the face.
It’s not Bevan French, Jarryd Hayne or Clint Gutherson. It’s a combination of two or three.
While Gutherson won’t start the season as he continues his rehabilitation from an ACL injury, he has been training at fullback during the field sessions he’s completed with feeder team Wentworthville.
French and Hayne are certain starters and it’s the youngster with the first crack at fullback.
But that doesn’t mean he can expect to play 80 minutes in the role.
“It’s something we can afford to do,” French told foxsports.com.au.
“One person starts the game at fullback and then halfway through the game we switch around, no one’s going to miss a beat.
“We gave that a little crack on the weekend, not only in our position but there were plenty of other positions switched around. Everyone was up to the standards.
“We have so much depth and versatility. It’s only going to be good for us.”
The Eels ran with French, Hayne and utility Will Smith at fullback in their last trial with Newcastle.
French started the game with the No.1 on his back before Hayne switched with him in the second half.
French slot back onto the left wing and collected a Hayne cut-out pass to dive over in the corner for a try.
“When Gutho comes back, he can go into centres, wing or fullback,” French said.
“Fullback is a tough position to play for 80 minutes and I’m sure if whoever is playing there needs a little breather, another can go back and fill in there.
“(Jarryd) filled in there on the weekend and he didn’t miss a beat and lucky enough to put me over in the corner.”
In the hotly contested jersey, Hayne made himself a household name.
Two Dally M medals, player of the year awards for the Eels and the club’s co-captaincy, Hayne was their superstar.
The man who almost single handily inspired their charge to the 2009 grand final but that was then.
Now it’s about the team and the best thing for the team is for Hayne to act as a tutor for French and give him a breather when instructed.
“Haynesy has had a bit to say to me positional wise with defence,” French explained.
“When and where to get out of the line and make things easier for the team defending our try line.
“Gutho has been in rehab all pre-season and just starting to come back in skills now.
“We can all learn off each other. The coaching staff has been on us about us all speaking our mind and not being afraid to say anything.”
Replies
Interesting times ahead - BA will know what team he wants in round one; I have always said our fwds will need to be key / front and centre. Our backs have the potential to be one of the best in the comp; the forwards just need to do their job.
nine times out of ten, our forwards will do the job Mitchy
I love that teams will not know exactly who and what to expect !!!
i love it when you talk dirty Carlo lol
Brad Arthur has a very good roster this year and he’s a very smart coach. It will be a great year for the Eels in 2018. My only real concern is the referees!
Maybe; our second semi last yr was not good. But we mostly do, yep.
I agree Mike, we possibly won't be able to keep everyone long term though it may come down to player market pressure rather than BA having to make the call.
If Gutho comes through his rehab & his knees actually hold up during the next two seasons then other NRL clubs will probably be bidding for either Bev & Gutho's services. We will also have to negotiate a substantial upgrade to keep Princess so we may not be able to offer the salaries required to keep all three on board even if we want to.
Guess that means that we will only have 2018 & possibly 2019 to get our elusive premiership with our existing roster assuming that we do get to keep Princess for 2019.
- "gutho to 5/8"
- "hayne wing"
- "french to wing"
Who plays fullback in this scenario you created?
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