Te Maari will debut for Eels

Lee Te Maari will debut for Parramatta off the bench on Saturday with Pat O’Hanlon on stand-by for Ben Smith.

With several Eels carrying niggling injuries, it wasn’t until training today that Saturday’s team was all but settled on.

As previously reported Matt Keating will miss the match with his brother Kris to come into the starting side and take over the hooking role. Te Maari, who has played strongly for Wentworthville all year since linking with the Eels feeder club from the Bulldogs will take Keating’s spot on the bench.

Ben Smith is still expected to play but O’Hanlon is on stand-by.

Jeff Robson is a certain starter.

Te Maari, who turns 25 at the end of this month, is a 188cm and 100kg former Bulldog who has plays second row and lock.

Originally hailing from Joondalup in Western Australia, Te Maari was sacked by the Bulldogs for repeated breaches of the club's code of conduct in March. He was thrown a lifeline by the Wentworthville Magpies and has been one of the club's most consistent performers throughout the year.

With vacancies in the Parramatta roster for 2011, Te Maari has an opportunity to make a play for one of those positions in the club's top 25.

"You are entitled to your opinion Clint, but Mahoney's passing is one area where he outranks Smith if there is one. Mahoney has one of the best passes in the competition for a Hooker. Smith's passing is good, it is clean and can make the necessary…"

"Smith is already better than Reed in my eyes. He's a much better passer of the ball and a better defender. Reed was like a pinball in defence at times and couldn't make it through a full season. Problem was BA didn't try any other hookers on the…"

Replies

jamesy July 16, 2010 at 3:36pm

Humble any chance of a bench spot?
- GURU > jamesy July 16, 2010 at 4:28pm
  
  Went to the kids coaching clinic on Tuesday at parra stadium and Humble"s wrist was bandaged up so I would say he must be out of contention thru injury
cheikho d wahash July 16, 2010 at 3:38pm

good news he desrves a shot, thanx 1 eyed eel
- Adam Clarke > cheikho d wahash July 16, 2010 at 3:41pm
  
  I have heard VERY good wraps on him so good on him for making the bench.
  
  I believe we will beat the Panthers and so does Paul the Octopus - see attached.
The Badger July 16, 2010 at 4:06pm

Being from regional NSW and not seeing any Wenty games this sounds like the perfect opportunity for this guy to cement a spot in our 2011 roster given his previous issues at Bulldogs. Did he play firsts much with them???
- Bourbon Man > The Badger July 16, 2010 at 4:12pm
  
  Yeah he did. At one stage they were comparing him to $BW - but those comparisons used to go on a lot. He's big and fast and can offload.
  
  Imagine a stronger but less skilful version of Mateo.
Djl July 16, 2010 at 4:28pm

ben smith is a liability even tho he has been playing really well when he does play.
- Bourbon Man > Djl July 16, 2010 at 5:05pm
  
  That comment is a liability to common sense!
- 1Eyed Eel > Djl July 16, 2010 at 5:35pm
  
  You are nothing if not predictable Billblogs...
- Fyno > Djl July 16, 2010 at 5:54pm
  
  haha definitely , should be a good watch