So with the bomb off RCG and Gutho both being selected for NSW game III, puts into perspective who we select. Of course we play the Warriors who are not only quite in form but have no Origin players. Only benefit is Webster might see his team being able to get by as it is and resting Johnson for his 200th Warriors game the following week at home to Cronulla. That helps us, as it will mean Ronald Volkman will come in and he aint too good to be fair. Then comes the forwards, with Paulo available it strengthens up our pack which will more likely be; Ogden, Hands, Paulo, Lane, Cartwright and Hopgood. That is a quality starting pack. Asi and Matto worked in the halves and proved they can create points. No word on Brown at the moment but his selection will be a dream, adding strength to our halves but to our bench too with Matto dropping back.
Their forwards more likely being; Fonua-Blake, Egan, Afoa, Barnett, Ford, Harris. Not bad but i feel ours is slightly better. Especially our edges. With Gutho out, Russell should be the Fullback, though he is not as creative as Gutho he will get through a lot of work. While Waqa Blake will shift to the right wing, a spot where he has had success in scoring before. Only issue is under the high ball but if no Johnson i do not see that as too concerning. But the backline overall is still good; Russell, Sivo, Penisini, Simonsson, Blake, Matterson/Brown, Asi. If we had that backline v Manly we still would have won simple as that.
On the bench, well ours would be expected to be; Davey, Ofahengaue, Doorey/Moretti, Makatoa. If Matterson is able to move back to the bench he will take the 16 spot for Doorey/Moretti. That is a good bench. Warriors bench more likely; Walker, Curran, Sironen, Ale. Walker can be dangerous but the rest are simple forwards. Curran can be good but the Warriors attack style of late do not use their back-rowers very much, more so they are strong defenders.
Call me mr. optimistic, but i think it will go down to who has better forwards. Metcalf can be dangerous but only when Johnson is doing his thing, with Volkman there Metcalf will be quiet, CNK is same sort of Fullback Russell will be, just a hard worker. Gutho being there would have made this game a bit easier though my only concern overall is DWZ on Blake and how the Warriors shift to the wings with ease.
Overall i think it will be a close one, but a great win and a season defining win if so.
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I think we'll struggle without Gutherson. He's our main man at the moment.
Agree 100%
Agree.
Big concern (if Brown is stil out) is where will the points come from without Gutho
They'll come from the Warriors
i agree but can you tell me whos the goalkiker please i cant think of one?
Eels won't beat Warriors without Moses, Gutherson, RCG,. I can't stand the State of Origin. It's an absolute farce and waste of time. It was great many years ago but it's nothing more than a money 💰🤑💰 grabbing show pony. Gutho will play probably 5-10 minutes. Moses will again not be allowed to control the game to his style and Qld have already won the series anyway. It's just so stupid. It will cost the Eels 2 competition points and risk injuries to key players.
Unlike you blokes, I'm not here to write them off yet, perhaps lets see what team BA dishes up and then what game plan they take to a Warriors sans Shaun Johnson.
Our guys have risen to a lot of challenges this season and is expect nothing less than them to absolutely work their arses off against the Warriors. If Shaun Johnson really is being rested then there may also be a mental side of things with the Warriors half having an eye on his 200th game and thinking we might be easy beats because we're missing most of our spine.
Johnson is The Warriors. My guess is , If he's rested then we should slaughter them even with our half a squad. They'll be a ship without a rudder.
Currin is being stood down by the nrl so he is out along with Nikuro suspended. Shaun Johnson might be out with his wife giving birth but I wouldn't count on it
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