Brian Smith is digging his own grave...

[Eelementary]

well Wagon makes 40+ tackles a game and makes at least 38 or 39 of those really count and when he is not forced to play 5/8 and forced to come up with plays can even chime in when he feels like it and make a good play or give a good pass

Wagon is still alright and i do think the pack will start off looking like the following in 2005:

13. Wagon
12. Morrison
11. Hindmarsh
10. Vella
9. Riddell
8. Cayless (c)

Dead right mate. That is the same pack I can see.

 

[Utey]

Cannings for Vella.How good is he off the bench

 

[Misty Bee]

Wagon makes 40 odd tackles, and is adored by some as much as an old teddy bear. BUt they forget the ONE missed tackle, right on the line, that makes some opposition slug look like he has the footwork of Gasnier as he scores that vital game turning try.......

I refuse to rate our pack untill I see all 6 of them on the field and ripping through the opposition week after week like they bloody well should have been doing since 2001!

 

[Avenger]

Whatever happens I believe Wagon will have his last year with us in 2005 . And I would put Vella on notice.

 

[Misty Bee]

Don't get me wrong, at times Wagon has been very good for us. But I think we can do better at lock, if we have Hindy and Morrison at backrow.

I recall the days when we had, for a backrow, Hindmarsh, Hindmarsh, Ryan. Solomona on interchange. THAT was a top lineup - 3 workhorses who were good in all facets of play, and a whizz attacking machine to back up when the gaps appeared. Wagon, who is diabolical in attack, is not in that class.

For mine, I'd rather leave Cayless and Hindy in the back row, where thir attacking creativity suits them best. Cayless, while strong, is not the classic yards man, and is always looking to get second phase happening. To me, that's a perfect backrower. Put Morrison at lock, and THAT's a class backrow.

I see no room for Daniel Wagon in a successful Eels campaign for 2005, except as a backup if injuries bite.

 

[Eelementary]

Don't get me wrong, at times Wagon has been very good for us. But I think we can do better at lock, if we have Hindy and Morrison at backrow.

I recall the days when we had, for a backrow, Hindmarsh, Hindmarsh, Ryan. Solomona on interchange. THAT was a top lineup - 3 workhorses who were good in all facets of play, and a whizz attacking machine to back up when the gaps appeared. Wagon, who is diabolical in attack, is not in that class.

For mine, I'd rather leave Cayless and Hindy in the back row, where thir attacking creativity suits them best. Cayless, while strong, is not the classic yards man, and is always looking to get second phase happening. To me, that's a perfect backrower. Put Morrison at lock, and THAT's a class backrow.
I see no room for Daniel Wagon in a successful Eels campaign for 2005, except as a backup if injuries bite.

I would LOVE to see that back row.

But what is the chance of Wagon NOT being played?

 

[bartman]

I'd love that backrow too, but I think we need a bigger improvement in the props next year. That's where I'd play Cayless until we knew that Cannings, Stringer and Vella could step up and perform up front week-in week-out.

 

[Eelementary]

True.

I think Vella's inconsistency should see him on the bench - I think he'd be great off the bench, with quick play-the-balls for Riddell or the hooker at the time to carve up.

But again - what is the likelihood of Vella NOT starting and Wagon NOT playing?

My ideal pack would be as follows:

8. Cannings
9. Riddell
10. Stringer
11. Hindmarsh
12. Cayless (C)
13. Morrison

14. Webster
15. Tsoulos/Widders
16. Robinson
17. Vella

 

[Eelectrica]

At this stage I'd settle for our no.1 Pack in any configuration lasting for more than one game next year. ](*,)