Will Smith started his first game in the halves for Parramatta for over a year when he took to the field on Saturday night against the Wests Tigers.
He played perhaps his best game for the Eels since his stint at fullback in 2017 and looked dangerous whenever he touched the ball, not to mention he marked up well opposite Luke Garner.
Dylan Brown may very well be fit this week given he was running last week and he will slot into the side if available.
However, there is still the chance of Brad Arthur having to choose between Jai Field and Will Smith.
Field has been up and down this season as he slowly comes to grips with playing in the NRL.
Smith meanwhile has seen very limited game time but has more NRL and finals experience than Field.
For mine, Saturday night seemed a trial run for week one of the finals if Brown isn't fit. It looked odd given Field has played little football himself to be given a rest and Smith to be moved into the halves. Was it indeed a case of rotation, or was BA trying to decide who gets a run in the number six this weekend?
To add to this is the expected return of both Marata Niukore and Ray Stone.
The Eels will have almost their entire squad available and players are going to have to miss out.
Alvaro will almost certainly drop off the bench while there are some questions over Stone, Takairangi and Lane.
Andrew Davey, in my opinion, has earnt himself a starting position with his performances this season. He's aggressive in defence, runs fantastic lines, provides high quality offloads and has a great engine. Lane has been filling in through the middle but has been a little impotent in that position, offering little in the way of ball playing or "x-factor".
Takairangi has been in and out of the side this season, he did a job against the Tigers to give Michael Jennings a rest but could very well serve as a super-sub of sorts for BA to call upon against the Storm. He has great utility value, offers some variety with his ball playing and is different to virtually every other bench player in the squad.
The other consideration is Ray Stone. He is in a similar mould to Brandon Smith regarding his defence and workrate through the middle and serves as a backup hooker.
So what does BA's bench look like?
For mine, it has to have a little unpredictability about it. Stacking it with four middles will not provide a great deal of change that we'll need against Melbourne.
So I'm going
14. Taka
15. Niukore
16. Evans
17. Stone
18. Kaufusi
19. Lane
Replies
I wouldnt pick Brown as I dont think he'll be 100% and against the Storm Im not sure. I reckon Smith at number 6 and Bench should be Nuikore, Evans, Stone Taka/Lane. I still think Lane is a good player and has lots to offer. Davey to start hes great value and hope he stays in 2021.
Is there a choice people !!!!???
the fresh prince will be on a high after the try and looking for more !!!
And everyone’s agreeing on FB so there !!!!!
I noticed he blew you a kiss last game after he scored the match winning try. You must be ecstatic
Lol , yes well I single handedly got him back in the team !!!!
Yes you did :) and i think you deserve more than a kiss :)
That’s hilarious !!!!
Wasn't a similar thing said about RCG?
Poppa !!!!!!!!
hes a lovely family man
i tell you he’s a good omen . That speech he gave after Nathan brown in the change room has worked wonders I reckon - prob told all those being lazy they are lucky to have their spot and if they don’t want it he will take it
They are more greeny blue I think lol
you know, green being the most special colour 2 percent of population and all 😉
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