Williams gets a go
Brad Earl
Wednesday 4 June, 2008 12:01am
ONE week the Parramatta Eels got involved in a public slanging match over Manly's signing of teenage sensation Tony Williams, the next they've picked him to make his NRL debut.
Williams has been named on the wing in a reshuffled backline.
A selection casualty is Eric Grothe, dropped after another substandard defensive performance in the last-gasp 30-26 away loss to Brisbane last Friday.
A week ago the Eels issued a press release expressing their disappointment at Williams's signing of a three-year deal with the Sea Eagles.
Chief executive Denis Fitzgerald said: "Unfortunately Manly have come up with a massive offer, which was about double our offer, and our salary cap prevented us from increasing our bid for a player who is yet to play first grade."
That will change on Saturday night in the Eels' home game against Canberra.
Coach Michael Hagan told the Advertiser Etu Uaisele also had been in the frame for a debut but would be out for about six weeks with an ankle injury.
Williams, 19, plays either in the back row or as a centre or winger.
"My thoughts are that if players are contracted for this year, you get the best out of the player and you do what's best for the football team," Hagan said.
"I've done that before and I'm happy to do it again."
Hagan, who has a reputation for rarely dropping players, has had to bite the bullet with Grothe after his opposite Broncos number, Denan Kemp, crossed for four tries. "In the end, my patience, and the team's patience, has run out," he said on Grothe.
"Unfortunately, there's a couple of areas of his game that he needs to work on.
"He'll have to work on that in NSW Cup (with Wentworthville) in the next week or two."
Centre Jarryd Hayne is contesting the grading of his dangerous throw charge from last week's game but because of State of Origin II, will be out this week regardless.
Forward Brendan Oake has accepted a one-match ban on a striking charge.
The Eels play the Raiders at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday, with NRL at 7.30pm
) Anyway I reckon if it comes to fruition then my elevated status will demand stagger change his name back to eelavation. 
