1. Clint Gutherson
2. Maika Sivo
3. Tom Opacic
4. Waqa Blake
5. Blake Ferguson
6. Jakob Arthur
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Junior Paulo
11. Isaiah Papali'i
12. Ryan Matterson
13. Nathan Brown
Interchange:
14. Oregon Kaufusi
15. Shaun Lane
16. Ray Stone
17. Bryce Cartwright
Reserves:
18. Joey Lussick
19. Keegan Hipgrave
20. Haze Dunster
21. Jordan Rankin
IN: Waqa Blake, Jakob Arthur, Ray Stone
OUT: Marata Niukore, Dylan Brown, Haze Dunster
Referee: Ashley Klein
Replies
Well what other options to we currently have ?
BA moving heaven and earth?
What? Are you okay Frank? Did Brad force Dylan to knee Hutchison? Did he break Will Smith's hand. He's only getting a crack because the choice is Rankin or Arthur. And while I wanted to see Rankin, I can see why Jakob has been chosen. He gets three cracks in the NRL before heading back to the reserves. That's almost the ideal way to bring through a half.
Statistically and experience wise Rankin has it over Jakob, however realistically looking forward to 2022 and beyond, Arthur MUST be given a fair shot, and now is the perfect time.
We are clear on 16 points so a loss would put some pressure on us but will not destroy our season
If Jakob turns out to be a straight up disaster Rankin will not have gone away.
B.A has had plenty of opportunity to give Rankin a crack. He hasn't and I can only see that his position is that Rankin has been contracted purely on the basis of assisting up and comers.
EE, if one looks through the NSW cup team list, some of the players I have no idea of but there is a couple that have likely played with other clubs at reserves or even NRL games, in saying that, of the team that's been picked for this weekend there's likely only 4-5 who have higher grade experience, therefore they are not a top line team overall, and need perhaps the likes of Rankin and a couple of others who have tasted the higher levels, but its still the aspect that Rankin is the key director in the lower grade team, The rest of the team are pretty much rookies or come from other clubs as they have been dropped.
Colin, as I stated, BA has had a number of opportunities to give Rankin a promotion. He hasn't, despite how well he has been playing in the lower grade. Rankin has had his opportunities in first grade and overseas. Never lived up to the potential, but is still a quality footballer. As I stated, it is quite clear that the Club sees him more as an experienced operator to guide lower grade players and in terms of first grade is the absolute final backstop. He is approaching the end of his career, as a solid, but not stand out player. I think the Club is taking the opportunity to see how the next reported talent stands up. After all, if he does, he is 18 and has a potentially long career ahead versus a couple of seasons of fill in.
EE, I am not trying to put Rankin down in any way at all. From what I have seen of him he's a reliable player, the question that sticks in my mind is What is his role? that is within the club overall. He certainly shows his abilities in the reggies squad and one can tell he can read the play, has a good goal kicking ability and the like. He's listed in the eels NRL squad as a 5/8 so position is covered, but I get the feeling there is something more with him and the club.
He came to the eels mid way through last season, and was pretty much more involved in that team and moreso in the training area's. Dare I suggest he could have been a fair call to have him replace DB, but that hasn't happened.
I tend to believe though that his spot is more akin to a playingg coach role for the NSW cup, his arrival last year meant he trained with the NRL team & players, learning the eels structure and being readied to be a type of player that also is there for the younger NSW cup players and direct them around the field.
He's picked in the game this coming saturday at Ringrose park which is the make up match against Canberra and the washed out match back in round 2, I see him more useful with that role than as an NRL player, that's not to say he wont get a shot in the top side if the need came up.
Yep apparently, injuries, suspensions and the covid bubble must have all been a part of a B.A's nepotistic plan just so he can promote his son early, who may well get shown to be underdone, and then it will be his fault. I wreckon, BA told Dylan to drop the knees and get suspended, just to promote his son. FFS!
Now you are catching on EE.
Very complex and intricate plan but it looks like has has pulled it off.
NOOOOOO, not the same pulling off we are seeing in this blog, pulled of the NRL scam of the century.
Royal Commission required.
No Doc, Nathan did not debut under his father as coach. No Neopolitan for you.
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