Eels Blogs

Replies

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  Bourbon Man September 14, 2009 at 10:43am

  Good call Nidge. He didn't play well last week, but some folks on here were absolutely giving it to him. He's a young kid who has ability and potential and was thrown into the Lion's Den last week and this week. He's shown that he learnt from the occasion and is able to perform his role in an NRL final.
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  grids September 14, 2009 at 10:45am

  well said guys. the boy done good
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  Robisms September 14, 2009 at 10:54am

  I think he held his own, he's big enough and strong enough and ran some good lines. I liked him.
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    paul taylor > Robisms September 14, 2009 at 11:09am

    IMO, he was the weakess link in our attack. He didnt bend them back at any stage, he dropped it on 3 occassions ( although one looked like a strip ) and I didnt have any confidence in him in attack. Defended OK but I dont think he is the answer to our centres if INU is out. INU has a wonderful passing game and will gives us the edge on Friday night against the Titans pair. The kid will improve with the experience. Just not yet.
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  Mark Waters September 14, 2009 at 11:10am

  Well I was one those who groaned when I heard he replaced Inu but he done well for his 1st finals appearence and I think defending 1 or 2 in from the edges led to him not being singled out as he was last week. Inu will resume his possition next week if availible and I suppose Wright will go back to a shadow reserve and he will know what to expect if called on if he is needed to fill in over the next couple of weeks of the finals. Well done young fellow.
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  1Eyed Eel September 14, 2009 at 11:40am

  Really glad someone posted this.
  
  I remember when Willie Tonga first came into grade and he had a horrendous game against the Raiders I think, with Phil Graham cutting him to shreds. Immediately, the knives came out, he ended up leaving the club and of course has gone on to being one of the top centres in the game.
  
  Nothing can prepare you for defending in the NRL, particularly in the centres or wing, where you have to make a lot of decisions. Quite frankly, you have to expect that for a good half dozen games, and probably an entire first season your rookie wingers and centres are going to be all at sea. But they learn and you only have to look at the growth in Joel Reddy as a defensive centre.
  
  I don't think Jonothan Wright is a Willie Tonga, but he is a very handy backup centre/winger, who I'm delighted to have on our roster. He still has a heap to learn and he'll hopefully put on a bit of bulk too for next year.
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  iamnot September 14, 2009 at 12:48pm

  I think his improvement had a lot more to do with the fact he was in the side as a centre, and not a winger like last week. He seems much more comfortable in the centres
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    RealEel > iamnot September 14, 2009 at 1:01pm

    Agree, defended better in the centres, not that the Dragons threw a heap at him. They were a bit 2 dimensional trying to exploit our perceived weaknesses of having poor RHS defense and being dodgy under the high ball.
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    Phil Sim > iamnot September 14, 2009 at 1:36pm

    He's played a lot of wing, so it shouldn't be an issue. I think its more related to the fact that to defend on the wing well, it really does require you to have a good understanding of what the man inside you is going to do. That centre/wing combination should never be underestimated.
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  Djl September 14, 2009 at 3:20pm

  i dunno if its just me but he looked alot bigger when he had his debut against the knights and now he looks smaller its weird