Damn!

[Eelementary]

I was just playing my version of the PS 2 game Rugby League with the updated rosters and I realised something which didn't quite hit me before - we have too many quality players, and not all of them will get a go next year.

For instance, this is the best team I could manage:

1. McKinnon
2. Burt
3. Tahu
4. Vaealiki
5. Grothe
6. Dykes
7. Witt
8. Cayless (C)
9. Riddell
10. Vella
11. Hindmarsh
12. Morrison
13. Wagon

14. Widders
15. Robinson
16. Cannings
17. Stringer

But I've had to omit players like Petersen, Graham, Armit, Stapleton, Thorman, Tsoulos, Afamasaga, Langi, Hopkins, Peek, O'Dwyer, Anderson, and others.

Damn! It's good in a way.

But on the other hand some youngsters might not get a go.

Maybe our quality-signing-spree was not too carefully thought out after all ...

 

[Stagger eel]

If thats the worst of your problems??? your doing well son!!

 

[mickdo]

Quite a few of those players may not be re-signed of course... e.g. Hopkins, Langi

 

[miniHINDY]

The will be injuries. We cant expect to keep our best team on the park every week. Everyone on that list will probably get a go due to injury or suspension. I think JackA might be in the team anyway.

 

[The Colonel]

Well ideally we have players who will be looking over their shoulders at who is performing in PL and making sure their own games are impeccable - one bad ganme could see them out for not just a week. We will also have quite a few youngsters trying to prove a point and try and push for a spot in the top grade. Injuries - which are inevitable will be replaced by players who are more than capable.

 

[Eelementary]

Yes.

Whilst I agree 100% it's better t have selection headaches because of tremendous talent depth, what worries me is someone like Tsoulos and Afamasaga and Armit.

In all likelihood, they won't see too much First Grade in the next few years.

What worries me is that they might get fed up and leave elsewhere - which would be a HUGE shame.

But see, you can chop and change this team around:

1. McKinnon
2. Burt
3. Tahu
4. Vaealiki
5. Grothe
6. Dykes
7. Witt
8. Cayless (C)
9. Riddell
10. Vella
11. Hindmarsh
12. Morrison
13. Wagon

14. Widders
15. Robinson
16. Cannings
17. Stringer

But there are a few notes to make:

* Brian said that he wants Hindy in 11 and Morro in 12 playing for 80 minutes; Cayless was doing brilliantly as a second-rower; this means if he is to be in the team at all he will most likely be a prop again

* There are Wagon bashers, but his form over the last few weeks has been fantastic. We need him in the team - that back row of Hindy, Morro and Wags would have to be the most defensively sound of all combos. If he wasn't in the picture, you could shove Morro at lock with Caylo in the number 12.

* People also bag Petersen. But he does score tries and has a good ability to make something from nothing and also gives it 100%. You could put him in the number 2, Burt in the 3 and Tahu in 4, with Grothe 5. But that would drop Vaealiki who was going OK this year.

* I couldn't even find a spot for Morris! I think in my game I took out Widders and put in Morris. Either way a talent is not able to play.

* And we still have no clue about Dykes.

 

[Belly in Brisvegas]

How did that team go on Ps2????

 

[Eelementary]

Well, I played on the hardest difficulty (I can't for the life of me remember it for now) and played a 20 minute game.

It was against the Roosters at Parra and it was raining.

I won 24-22.

All my tries came from Tahu or Grothe breaks.

One of theirs came from a cheap 10 metre scrum.

Morrison and Hindmarsh got binned (I didn't even go for an aggressive tackle).

Wade was outstanding (he picked up a few grubbers in the in-goal with 6 or 7 chasers and managed to sneak it past the 20 metre mark on more than one occasion; he also made try-saving tackles).

 

[mickdo]

I don't think Burt should stay in the centres. He just doesn't seem up to it defensively. Things have slightly improved recently, but I reckon with him on the wing and Freshy back at centre the balance would be much better down that side.

 

[Eelementary]

Fair enough.

I think Burt needs to be more agressive defensively.

I don't think his technque or size are the main issues. It's his aggression.

Because look at Campbell - he's tiny, but quite aggressive and so looks more effective when he tackles.

 

[True EEL]

Dykes won't be there.....and no Morris in the squad....i don't think so

 

[Agent Mulder]

Dykes is GOOONNNEEE.

 

[Utey]

With Parra there will be injuries and our sucess will be based on if we get them or if we dont.

 

[yy_cheng]

It's the juniors that are gonna suffer and like someone mentioned might leave. Could this be why they are playing so poorly in premmies nowadays.

They probably don't see a chance for playing in 1st grade.

 

[The Colonel]

It's the juniors that are gonna suffer and like someone mentioned might leave. Could this be why they are playing so poorly in premmies nowadays.

They probably don't see a chance for playing in 1st grade.

If they can't rise to a challenge are they worth the fuss?

Take for instance Witt - he has tried hard all year to prove his demotion to PL was wrong and IMO has been better for it. Hindmarsh and Cayless never left because the club signed Smith, Dymock and Pay.

If a player wants the easy option rather than accepting the fact and trying hard to push for a place then they may as well leave.

 

[parra_princess]

That's not really a problem. We well get injuries we always do and it's great we will have the depth to cover it. I'm very excited about 2005 and even more excited about 2004 not being totally over.

 

[Eelectrica]

Every year a player emerges who was off the radar at the start of the season. This year it is Jack Afamasaga, last year Michael Witt. I look forward to seeing who emerges next year.

 

[eels_fan]

You dont have John Morris in your team either.... i think he'll play 5/8th with Witt and half and Riddell at Hooker next year

 

[Utey]

i hope riddell isnt waste jus hitting it up. I want to see him exploiting the ruck and really beuign a nuisance like drawing 2 men and opening holes. We opnly have one natural hole runner in graham.

 

[Hurriflatch]

Just back onto subject

I played a 20 min game v Panthers

Eels 114 (Tahu 7, Burt 4, Morrison 2, Stringer, Riddell, Robinson, Vaealiki tries; Riddell 10, Witt 7 goals)
d Panthers 4 (Campbell try)