2021 Rd2: Eels v Storm GAME DAY THREAD @ Bankwest Stadium 18/3

[Soto]

Want to give a wrap to Dylan Browns defence, his attack needs work but he has to be the best defensive half in the game. He’s quick also I thought Milkenhausen was away and he rounded him up pretty quick.

Milkenhausen...brilliant

 

[Eelementary]

Mahoney worried me last year. He seemed to had stalled. And I thought this might be as good as he gets.This year he looks far more confident and happy to take the big plays on which I like. I love a hooker who kicks and isn't scared to do something on the last and ignore the halves. Keeps the defense guessing. If it doesn't come off that's fine. It will give more space for the halves later in game.
The way he set Jnr up was sublime. And if he makes the odd mistake so be it.

I also like W.Smith on the bench. Two weeks in a row he had big plays with limited time.

Totally agree on both counts.

I'm a big Reed Mahoney fan, so I always praise him.

But Will Smith was brilliant off the bench - he came up with some clutch plays.

 

[Happy MEel]

Geez...I reckon that game aged Bellamy

 

[Happy MEel]

A scapegoat that:

Doesnt play; in
A game that we win.

I like your creativity, MEely.

I thought you were sleeping merkin.

 

[Bandwagon]

Gutherson is the gutsiest player that we have had since Ray Price. He was everywhere. The downhill skier was superb with his long range kicking game. Marata and Drown were brilliant in defence. Sivo back to form and a true X factor again.

Gutho is the *duracell bunny version of Mr Perpetual Motion.

Edit : *Energiser bunny

FFS

 

[Happy MEel]

I suspect the wet weather may have helped Marata a bit defensively....made opposition centre less mobile

Fair call...but there’s still a few defensive arm grabs in Waqa.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Sooooo...

If a middle/edge forward can handle the centre position better than your “strike centre”, I think it’s time to drop them.

I’m not sure we win if Waqa plays

I'm not sure Niukore avoids being exposed if it was dry.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I suspect the wet weather may have helped Marata a bit defensively....made opposition centre less mobile

Yep. Our wingers defended better than usual as well.

 

[Happy MEel]

I'm not sure Niukore avoids being exposed if it was dry.

I’m not saying I want Niukore in the centres long term. However, if a middle forward can play a very good game in that position and hold an edge against what I would consider the benchmark in the comp, when Waqa’s edge has been diabolical for the entire time he has been here, I think it’s time to look elsewhere.

 

[Happy MEel]

Yep. Our wingers defended better than usual as well.

Funny how a winger can defend better when they don’t have a complete liability inside them, even accounting for the conditions.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Mahoney worried me last year. He seemed to had stalled. And I thought this might be as good as he gets.

The f**k merkin? He's not even 23 yet and you thought he was at his peak?

 

[hineyrulz]

Geez...I reckon that game aged Bellamy
View attachment 46706

 

[Cumberland Eel]

Gutho is the *duracell bunny version of Mr Perpetual Motion.

Edit : *Energiser bunny

FFS

He’ll get the bloody buses running on time!!

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I’m not saying I want Niukore in the centres long term. However, if a middle forward can play a very good game in that position and hold an edge against what I would consider the benchmark in the comp, when Waqa’s edge has been diabolical for the entire time he has been here, I think it’s time to look elsewhere.

I think Lane had a go tonight, putting plenty of pressure on Melbourne's playmakers. That (and the weather) forced them to play early, which made it easy for the outside defenders.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Funny how a winger can defend better when they don’t have a complete liability inside them, even accounting for the conditions.

Who was the liability that caused Sivo to be exposed last week?

 

[Chipmunk]

Waqa Blake out for 4-6 weeks will be interesting. It's not a position we have a lot of options in.

 

[Happy MEel]

I think Lane had a go tonight, putting plenty of pressure on Melbourne's playmakers. That (and the weather) forced them to play early, which made it easy for the outside defenders.

Yep, no arguments here. He actually ran hard and his first thought was to trample their half back. Why he diverts from the MO I’ll never understand. You have a simple job. Do it and do it well you merkin.

 

[Happy MEel]

Who was the liability that caused Sivo to be exposed last week?

Our middle was shot in the back end of the 1st half, but Sivo made some horrible reads. To be fair though, it’s the first NRL game he has played with Opacic so perhaps they were finding their feet.

Waqa on the other hand was a complete liability last year and showed no improvement in defence. Our right edge in defence was solid tonight except for Blake giving JAC too much room on that one play.

 

[Happy MEel]

Waqa Blake out for 4-6 weeks will be interesting. It's not a position we have a lot of options in.

Any option is better

 

[lucablight]

Is Penisini a chance for a debut with Waqa out?