Fox Sports posting predicted round 1 line-ups today. JA, Cartwright and Rein on the bench?????
EELS
1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Waqa Blake 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Jack Murchie 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Mitch Rein 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Bryce Cartwright 17. Jake Arthur
Coming: Josh Hodgson (Raiders), Jack Murchie (Warriors), J’maine Hopgood (Eels), Jirah Momoisea (Knights)
Going: Marata Niukore (Warriors), Isaiah Papali’i (Wests Tigers), Oregon Kaufusi (Sharks), Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs), Ray Stone (Dolphins), Tom Opacic (Hull KR)
Unsigned: Hayze Perham, David Hollis, Solomone Naiduki
Analysis: Parramatta’s looming mass turnover was discussed all year and now it’s time to work out how they replace five regular members of their best 17. The Eels have signed Josh Hodgson (Raiders), J’maine Hopgood (Panthers), Jack Murchie (Warriors) and Jirah Momoisea (Knights). The good news is their backline remains largely intact but the Eels have lost Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs), Isaiah Papali’i (Tigers), Marata Niukore (Warriors), Tom Opacic (Hull) and Oregon Kaufusi (Sharks). Throw in Ryan Matterson (suspended) plus Nathan Brown’s expected departure and their Round 1 side will look very different to the 17 who ran out on grand final day. Hodgson is expected to start at No.9 but given he’s coming off an ACL injury, coach Brad Arthur may include Mitch Rein on the bench as cover. With Ryan Matterson out suspended, new recruits Murchie and Hopgood could get their shot in the opener.
Injuries/suspensions: Ryan Matterson will miss the opening three games after accepting a ban instead of paying a $4000 fine for a crusher tackle in the grand final, a decision which saw him widely slammed. Bailey Simonsson injured his shoulder in the decider and doctors are still assessing the damage, but only a full reconstruction would put him in doubt for Round 1.
Replies
That bench will be the reason why we would be fighting for the spoon . Absolute horrible . But should be 14.brown, 15. Cartwright, 16. Ogden, 17. Rodwell
Seriously that squad is a worry.
That would be just about the worst bench in the NRL.
If we don't recruit a couple of decent forwards and a genuine utility for the bench we are fucked.
If we go into games with a bench made up of a 2nd rower, a bog average prop, a 3rd string hooker and a reserve grade quality orange peeler, we may as well just give up now.
I hope to hell we are actively looking to recruit as we haven't adequately replaced who we have lost.
Agree BEM, it's an injury to a key player away from a disaster.
We are heading down the path of Manly, paying the spine too much money and having not much quality around them.
I don't like it.
Yeah the manly similarity is a scary thought but you are spot on. This is sadly exactly what is happening with our squad.
terrible bench, lacks everything! Size, speed, impact etc..depth will be the issue and if injuries hit BA and this squad won't recover - without another 2 recognised props we are headed for the bottom 4
No mention of Hayze Dunster or Sean Russell. Both will come into contention for the backline.
Ky Rodwell has been named in the 21 a number of times this year. He may get a look in on the bench.
From what I've seen of Hopgood, giving him a shot at 13 for the first few games whilst Matto is out could be a good thing!
This team that Fox put together shows how little they fucking know. Out of the whole squad they decide to have a hooker, a half back, a prop and a second rower that'll do me hahahaha. The bench for rd 1 will be more like
14. Rein 15.Momesiea 16.N.Brown 17.Cartwright
and that's if we recruit no one. We could still recruit a Taupau or Burgess for the bench still.
That bench 😆
That bench is dreadful, do they call themselves professional journalists having one middle forward on the bench?
It really shows how dopey they are. Its laughable actually
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