Eels Blogs

Replies

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  Chris June 17, 2015 at 9:03am

  60's how do you think the proposed reduced interchange will effect the rotation? Parra props average about 42 minutes this year. You would think that will have to go to 50 with a reduction to 8 interchange and even more with 6 interchanges.
  
  6 changes will allow you to replace the starting props and then return them to the field. That will leave 2 changes for the back row or injuries.
  
  The back row look like they can handle it with ma'u and Scott 80 minutes players.
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    Forty20 > Chris June 17, 2015 at 9:26am

    I think we might have some flexibility in our use of the bench next year as our props can potentially handle bigger minutes to enable other substitutions.

    I am confident that Junior has the motor to play between 50-60min if required. He did so on a weekly basis for Wenty in 2013 and 2014 while Danny Wicks probably has a similar threshold but just needs to reacclimatise to the weekly grind. Mannah has almost exclusively played within 40-50min total game time since securing his position in the starting pack years ago so I have no clue what his potential to go beyond that is. Among our back up props both Daniel Alvaro and Alex Twal have big engines.

    I am interested to see how the 16 first grade coaches handle the balance of their benches in 2016. There is a wide spread expectation that a proper utility player will become a precious commodity and we have a couple of players that can fulfil that role (Takairangi, Matterson) while the impact of a genuine bench hooker might be more profound against packs suffering from greater fatigue. Seeing teams weighing up the pros and cons of both styles of players, deciding whether to run either or both or simply opting for four big boppers on the bench will be one of the more interesting shifts in the metagame we have had in the last few years.
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    sixtiesboy > Chris June 17, 2015 at 10:09am

    Chris, I think that Forty has summed it up perfectly. I also think that Tepai's ability to play wide or middle will be a benefit in the rotation.
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    Chris > Chris June 17, 2015 at 10:52am

    Yes forty nailed it.
    
    I think two props a back rower and a quick small who can play hooker or halves will be the way to go next year.
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  Prof. Daz June 17, 2015 at 9:19am

  Aside from Tepai being a big unit, what's the reasoning behind the idea of shifting him to prop? Put differently, what's the talk from the coaching ranks themselves? Tepai has such potential to be a damaging edge-runner, and while he is an excellent front on defender, he has been defending at 3-4 in next to a half. I actually see Tepai as a lock in the mould of Gallen and what Tapau from the Tigers is fast becoming, though I'm no coach so that's just speculation based on beer and Foxtel.
  
  Otherwise, what do others think of the idea of BA possibly seeing Watmough and Scott as interchangeable locks, thus always having one on the field, with the option of both when wanting to maximize defence? Obviously those two are going to be involved in mentoring Ma'u, Tepai and Edwards, who I feel are our back-row future.
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    sixtiesboy > Prof. Daz June 17, 2015 at 10:16am

    The thinking is there from the ranks, that's why I've included him there. In my own opinion, I see him as an ideal build for a middle forward in the modern game. However, his background in the centres and back row give him a little more versatility should the need arise.
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  Phil Mann June 17, 2015 at 9:39am

  Obviously injuries that will undoubtedly occur will require a squad of at least 14 -16 forwards with 9-10 being used each game day.  Therefore the list/squad ought include, Terepo, Alvaro, Pritchard, IDG, and some of the young up and comers.
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    sixtiesboy > Phil Mann June 17, 2015 at 10:13am

    The inclusion of IDG and Pritchard would be a given.
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  Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 June 17, 2015 at 9:45am

  Extending Junior Paulo's contract should be our highest priority, even before thinking of re-signing Pauli.
  Paulo is the best prop Parramatta have produced in two decades.
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  sixtiesboy June 17, 2015 at 10:10am

  That's it.