Eels Blogs

Replies

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  Ricky December 5, 2010 at 1:35pm

  Personally, I think Mitchell will come off the bench with either McGuire or Keating to start.
  I know that Mitchell had defensive issues in the past, and I'm not sure where he stands in regards to that at this stage.
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  Ham Sammich December 5, 2010 at 1:59pm

  Kearney said that having Mortimer at hooker was the wrong decision so I don't think he will be there
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  tele1 December 5, 2010 at 2:14pm

  Without doubt, Mortimer has the BEST skill set for hooker. He has an instinct for broken play so quick dummy half snipes off the back of a Fui or Webb charge can be a dangerous play against any team in the NRL. Because he has played all of his career in the halves, Mortimer also has the passing skills to suit hooker - and his AVERAGE kicking game will be EVEN BETTER at hooker, especially close to the line - Mortimer's SHORT kicks CAN be quite effective - forget Mortimers long kicks when he plays in the halves but a 40-20 play out of dummy half isn't out of the question
  
  My only concern about Mortimer is his VISION, or should I say, LACK of Vision - this has been exposed by his AWFUL 2010 season. But Mortimer does have excellent instincts and I think by limiting his responsibility to dummy half (instead of trying to RUN a back line) will help improve Mortimers CONFIDENCE and hopefully that will also improve Mortimers VISION , or as I like to say, his ability to READ a game in front of him
  
  And don't get me started on Keating, who in my opinion,is possibly the dumbest footballer I have ever seen play - the quicker Parramatta gets rid of him the BETTER - and to think we CHOSE Keating over Kingston....what a howler that was !!!!
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  Ham Sammich December 5, 2010 at 2:48pm

  We chose Keating over Kingston because Keating is a great starter. He is a good defender who can see off the first props and then we brought on Kingston when the half was nearly over and the defence was tired. Also when Keating was in Wenty we had NO direction from dummy half and as soon as he stepped in the Warriors game we were playing a lot straighter. He mightn't be the quickest of runners but he does have a footballing brain and I think skill beats speed any day of the week
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  Army of one December 5, 2010 at 3:11pm

  1. Casey Mcguire
  2. Anthony Mitchell
  3. Matt Keating
  
  i agree with you rob ribbons i think you mean 2011
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  Djl December 5, 2010 at 3:15pm

  i thought 2010 was over?
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  LegendTHECROWEELS December 5, 2010 at 5:24pm

  Agree with you David J
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  LukeBurt44 December 5, 2010 at 7:03pm

  Matt Keating had a terrible Season 2010 but he is still without doubt our best starting hooker, and deserves to start in the number 9, where he is most effective.
  I would like to see Anthony Mitchell come off the bench, with either Mcguire or Keating to be the starting hookers.
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  Chris Buttigieg December 5, 2010 at 9:17pm

  To start the year:
  
  9. Matt Keating
  14. Casey McGuire
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  1Eyed Eel December 6, 2010 at 1:00am

  Let's keep in mind that hookers like Chad Randall have gone over to ESL and looked good.
  
  Matt Keating will be far more suited to SK's game, which he has made clear will be very defence oriented. There isn't a better defensive hooker in the comp than MK. He is also the best option for starting a structured attack. He and Mitchell perfectly complement each other. I would suggest whether McGuire or Mitchell gets the 14, will depend on how Ant's defence proves itself in the pre-season.