Where does this leave us depth wise?

[forward pass]

I would like to hear your thoughts on our depth in the 6 and 7 positions with Tim gone - almost certainly for the season.

It is remotely possible that Finch and maybe Mateo could be picked in Origin so where does that leave us? And what if either of them were injured. Who can cover?

I can't see any of our current side covering so we need to look to NYC. Is Mortimer or Keating ready if they were thrown in?

In previous years we had PJ who could cover at half and this makes his loss even more crucial. Hayne at five-Eighth maybe?

Thoughts?

 

[bartman]

Never too late for Wags to regain his #6 jersey... ;-)

Serious suggestion - if Finch and Mateo are both unavailable, we've heaps more backrowers with grade experience that could slot in than we do halves.

 

[hindmarsh4pm]

Keating would then have to be given a shot surely

 

[The Colonel]

You would have Maloney as the first choice IMO. He is doing reasonably well in the Premier League from most accounts however the gap between the two is a bit further than what it once was. People would have to accept that it isn't going to be an instant fix.

Keating would however have to be in the mix as well.

 

[Avenger]

Colonel

Wouldn't Keating be a better proposition then Maloney, especially when we consider the long term good of the team?

 

[Agent Mulder]

I heard on Fox Sports that Parramatta officals had huge wraps on Daniel Mortimer and expected him to play first grade by the end of the season.

 

[hindmarsh4pm]

I heard on Fox Sports that Parramatta officals had huge wraps on Daniel Mortimer and expected him to play first grade by the end of the season.

They have huge wraps on all their juniors lol, mannah boys, mitchell, tony williams, keating, mortimer, robbo junior....the list goes on

 

[The Colonel]

Colonel

Wouldn't Keating be a better proposition then Maloney, especially when we consider the long term good of the team?

Given recent events I wouldn't be worrying about long term at this stage. Maloney has been around a while and while he is still a bit younger than Tim his anonymity may be a blessing. Keating is better off improving his game in NYC because as soon as he is selected he will face, IMO, a rather forceful media storm. I'm not saying Kris can't cope with it but to be the likely replacement for Tim will see a lot more focus from the media than what would be usually done for a new debutant.

Let the dust settle and then get Keating into first grade, if we have to, later rather than sooner. The same goes for Mortimer.

 

[Stagger eel]

as a 7, you'd have to consider Maloney ahead of any other player at the club on the proviso that Finchy isn't available.

 

[Nickeel]

In the Origin situation, obviously Hayne would be unavailable as well...

Nick

 

[forward pass]

In the Origin situation, obviously Hayne would be unavailable as well...

Nick

Not unless he starts actually handling the ball !

 

[Twizzle]

we've got a ton of depth but none of them are ready to step up to the NRL yet

 

[forward pass]

That would mean we are in all sorts !!!

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

If Finch and Mateo are in Origin, I would like to see 7.Maloney 6.K.Keating. It would definatly chance the fabric of our playing style with those two running the show.

 

[Ike E Bear]

I'm not convinced Finch will get selected anyway, but I think there is no harm in blooding youth during Origin absences and injuries. Expectations are generally low for those players and they gain invaluable experience.

The most important thing is that we, as Eels fans, support our young players and not expect miracles.

I love seeing young players (like Hayne and Inu were last year) showing tonnes of enthusiasm. They're too young and silly to realise they can't do the impossible and as a result sometimes they do the truly amazing.

We've got depth at the Eels ... more than almost any other side. We'll be fine as long as our defence stiffens and our guys starting working a bit better as a unit (team of stars, not a star team blah, blah, blah).