His lateral defence was torn apart last night by players running sharper angles and changing direction at speed. Benji knew EXACTLY what he was doing, and it worked well, bravo to Benji.
But, Kelma is still a valuable asset to the team, you just can't have him defend on the edges because it will clearly become a liability once all the teams catch on (if it wasn't already obvious).
I would be moving Kelma into the middle as a prop alongside Paulo, while still allowing him to attack the edges when he's got the ball, which is where he's the most destructive.
Push Williams to the edge when defending, he's a bit more agile and can shift laterally with our faster players. He also has less impact in the middle in attack when trying to bend the line, he's just a put too small for that.
Then we go to market for some fast and agile second rowers like the Martin, Sorrenson, Nikora type (or any good defence centres), because we are stacked with middles right now with our new style.
Front Row: Paulo, Tualagi (Williams, Matto, Moretti, Lane, Greig, Tuivati)
Lock: Hopgood (Matto, Guymer)
2nd Row: Carty, Guymer (Katoga, Matto, Doorey)
Looking at that it feels like 2nd Row is our weak point at the moment in defence because we haven't been able to adapt anyone to our new play style.
I would be considering Richard Penisini for 2nd row with his build, speed, and agility. We can't fit him in at centre, and I'm not sure he's fast enough for the wings to push JAC or Simmo out of the team.
What's your thoughts on 2nd row, and where to put Tualagi?
Replies
There's no fix this year none.
There going to have to pick and stick with what they have simplify roles and minimise errors.
Go to market next year and or wait for Will Latu.
They tried to add Nikora 2 yrs ago with no luck.
Agree, this year's going to be tricky and we have to give Ryles some time to look, but moving Kelma to the middle is a start.
Yep I hope we start Latu in NSW cup over the likes of Carty and Doorey just to fast track his development. He is a player of the future.
Tuilagi was actually working with a sprint coach during the off season so it is a shame his lateral movement is still shit
My problem with this going to market.
We have 2 spots left in our roster.
Riley Smith is going pretty good - does he take a spot.
Then you have Guymer, Twiddle and R Penisni all looking for that upgrade into the squad.
Im not sure which way this all goes. But Im guessing they want Matterson to actually start playing like Tarzan and for the team, they want Lane back from injury, they want Cartwright to finally awaken for a full season of actually running a line and a hole and not trying the miracle ball. Cartys licence to playmake needs to be revoked or at least curbed to some degree, and then he is valuable as a full time player, Kelma could quite easily play himself out of contention for a first grade spot, the way he folded last night.
Matt Doorey played well last night, for the record.
To me we need to somehow move on Lussick and Dunster to create another 2 spots if we are now going to market for someone.
Have we have room to chase say Francis Molo and move Williams back to the edge.
Pretty sure Guymer is already on a top 30 deal. Richie will stay on a dev deal this year as he is upgraded to top 30 in 2026. Twiddle gets a dev deal next year. He is not ready for a top 30 contract. I would be upgrading Smith to a top 30 contract. Volkman is only a train and trial deal too. Latu if he kills it in the early rounds of NSW Cup could be a late smokey for a top 30.
Thanks EA. I'm not sure thats right. I believe he is on a development contract since his upgrade in Sept 2024 after requesting permission to leave. The upgraded contract gives him a top 30 spot in 2026, but development contract for 2025 at this stage.
Heres an article re his upgrade.
Eels upgrade and extend three contracts after earlier departures
Three youngsters are locked in to end the mass exodus of players.
The Parramatta Eels have confirmed three extended contracts, including that of Charlie Guymer who reportedly asked for a release earlier this year.
The club's 2023 SG Ball captain, Guymer went on to represent New South Wales in junior State of Origin, before advancing to the NSW Cup and then making his NRL debut earlier this year.
Despite that, Guymer and his management were believed to have asked for a release earlier this year, with the forward looking for a new home after Parramatta lost a host of other talented youngsters, including Ethan Sanders to the Canberra Raiders, Blaize Talagi to the Penrith Panthers and Matt Arthur, likely to the Newcastle Knights.
The Eels jumped on the front foot not long after to confirm Guymer is remaining with the club, and his contract has now been locked in until the end of 2026, with a Top 30 promotion for the final year of that deal.
Happy to be wrong and this has changed since.
Yea I think it got upgraded again during the pre season. I could be wrong.
cheers
I would definitely be upgrading Volkman and Smith. Twiddle looked pretty average last night from what I could tell.
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