Eels Blogs

Replies

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  YDIDISAYIDO December 3, 2009 at 9:05pm

  Against the bulldongs in the prelim his marker defence with Hindy was the best of any team in any game all year.
  
  Pure quality and is developing and agressive defensive style as well. I thought that a big game in the GF and he may have been a bolter for the end of season trip..... but he had a quiet one. I think he is no worse that lets say Ricketson 20 games into his forwards career.... Benny could very well get rep honours as a back rower,
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  Djl December 4, 2009 at 1:25pm

  i said in years to come benny will develop into a hard running edge of the ruck style player like ryan hoffman and watmough and everyone laughed.
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  Steve-o December 5, 2009 at 3:28pm

  Im a massive fan of Ben. Strong, good skill and a commited team player.
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  tele1 December 5, 2009 at 4:05pm

  me too, I'm a bigtime fan of the penguin. I see this trend continuing for Parra with Tahu also. Like Smith, don't be surprised if Tahu finds some playing time in the forwards also - maybe not this year, but certainly before he hangs his boots up. There is also the added puzzle of Luke Burt - who had a career year last year and was simply awesome. It would be a shame to see Burt is lower grades or worse still at another club. Intelligence is a factor that is often overlooked - like Sterlo - Burt has one of the smartest football brains I have ever seen.
  
  That is why I see Tahu in the forwards at some stage. Both Smith & Tahu are rugged big framed athletes that are fast, possess ball skills and are lethal tackling machines. Especially with the 10 meter rule & 2 refs, SPEED around the ruck ( in attack and defense) for forwards is becoming more and more a requirement for the job. Tahu and The Penguin are a mouth watering prospect down the track as there are no substitutes for size and speed bundled up nicely with heart ,athletic ability and intimidation to burn.
  
  Sonny Bill Williams was the proto type - Smith, Tahu and others will soon follow this model
  
  But back to Ben Smith's contribution, especially in the semi's and especially in defense cannot be underestimated. Very quietly and without fanfare - the penguin building a reputation as a genuine intimidator in defense
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  Clive December 5, 2009 at 5:42pm

  I love Benny too and i think hes a great asset to the club,my only gripe with his game is that he uses that shuffle step to try to beat the defence instead of just powering onto the ball and using his size,strength and speed to hit holes on the edges.
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  Eeldarado December 6, 2009 at 9:25pm

  Argghh sorry mate but the guy has a contract and is signed till the end of 2012 anyway he signed a 4 year deal back in Feb 2008!!!!
  
  I think Ben like a few other eels players i wont mention were on the chopping board to be released from their contracts and thats if they could secure their futures elsewhere the incredible form reversal from many players would be fair to say they saved their own backsides!!!