7 days seperates the sedate Orf Season and the naming of our team to play the Melbourne Storm in round 1. Get ready for this place to go Nuclear as Youngster Jake Arthur must be named on the bench. Stay with me , hold onto your false teeth leave the walking frame on the ground beside you, take your heart medications because this is what has to occur.
Ive been doing the math and its not adding up with all our injuries. As I said earlier this week BA stated we have 9 on the injured list prior to our trial against Newcastle.
Waqa Blake Broken Arm - Bailey Simmonson Shoulder - Cartwright Broken Jaw - Dunster Knee - Sivo to mention some of the backs - Nathan Brown hamstring - Mitch Rein Head Knock - Asi injured. Add to the 9 Shaun Lane broken Jaw - Cini Ribs - Doorey Ankle and last but not least the 3 week holiday that Matterson chose.
When we sit down and do the Math we have 12 players on the injured list that are in various states of fitness, game day fitness or straight out still injured and 1 Matterson via requested suspension. We have at last count 28 contracted players take off the 12 injured and Matterson leaves us only 16 players in our top 30 as Cini is not in our top 30.
We need 17 fully fit players, perhaps a couple on the injured list may be available Sivo/ Dunster/Doorey/ Waqa. This leads me to the only conclusion for round 1 Jake Arthur will get another chance to prove doubters right or wrong and this place will go nuclear.
Is my math adding up, are there other alternatives that I'm missing. I cant see Hodgson playing 80minutes and he will need a rest at some point. For the sake of our squad being balanced and to have as much cover for in game injuries , is Jake Arthur our new go to man on the bench. I dont see any credible alternative. Is he the last man standing and do fans get behind him.
Get ready fans, I think this about to happen.
P.S This site has many many lurkers in the background that love to read what goes on, to those that rarely comment have your say one way or another, dont be afraid , its guaranteed someone else here will share your opinion no matter what it is. A truely great site needs everyones input. Have a read and have a say, it will be a much better community.
Replies
I think you are right, I don't like it but I think you are right.
If it was up to me I would add Yates to the 30 man squad and use him as the 14 as he can play hooker and as a middle forward, a ray stone role only better in the hooking department but not as good as a middle forward.
I know we were trying to keep a couple of spots in our 30 for late in the year, but like you suggest it might not be possible, do we wait on players getting over their injuries before pulling that trigger.
I think they will hold off and use Jake and bring out the we had no choice line.
Agree Yates would be my selection over Jake any day
JA's eels career will be over once BA is eventually sacked
Not going to happen - He took us to a Grandfinal last year, has had us in the top 8 / top 4 every year since the 2018 wooden spoon. That ship has sailed. BA will not be going anywhere, enjoy the Dynasty as they say.
Ba is currently the longest serving coach in nrl at 1 club...how many more years do you think he's got at the eels??
Oh i was thinking a Dynasty means generations so until my grandkids get married i suppose.
The oldest is about 6 at the moment. 🤣
Thought that was Bellyache ?
pretty sure bellamy is the longest serving coach at 1 club
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