Eels have bought in bulk

[The Colonel]

By Brad Walter
February 25, 2004

Parramatta halfback Michael Witt can't recall a match last season in which he played alongside both of the club's Test props, Nathan Cayless and Michael Vella.

"Most games I played without either of them and towards the end of the year I played with one or the other, so I'm looking forward to playing behind both of them," Witt said yesterday.

Crippled by injury for much of last season, the Eels have used the summer to recover and rebuild. And according to coach Brian Smith, the power game is back in vogue and his off-season recruitment was heavily influenced by size.

"We've overloaded with big people. We've got a lot more of them," Smith said. "It's not just the pack. Even on the wings, Eric Grothe is about 103 kilograms and Wise Kativerata is 100kg."

The Eels have signed six new props, while 20-year-old Justin Tsoulos has bulked up to 120kg - giving Smith the luxury of shifting Cayless and Vella to the back row.

"We've recruited some big guys and that can only help me," Witt said. "When they're going forward . . . I've got a lot more time to organise things. If injuries go our way and we can keep our best side on the park we'll go OK."

 

[Suitman]

Saw the story as well this morning Sanders.

Quick question.

Can someone please tell me what Dean Widders has been up to? I haven't heard his name in many discussions on this board lately.

Cheers in advance.

Suity

 

[Eelementary]

Interesting ....

"It gives me a lot more time to organise things."

Witty hasn't played much in terms of trials but he speaks here as though he will get a crack at organising the First Grade team (as well he should).

Sounds like great news.

And Justin - 120kg! HOLY MOLY! Watching him smash the opponents alongside Cannings will be awesome!

 

[The Godfather]

Easy to get carried away with all the optimism...

It will work if we get the opponents to play the power game style that we want to play. We will have the advantage there.

Teams will quickly work it out and try and force us into playing a different style. Run their mobile players at our bigger, slower forwards. Try to speed the game up with quicker plays. Use a good kicking game to get the territory back and tire the forwards out.

Just hope that Parramatta have not recruited so that they can only play one type of footy, otherwise we will be caught out if the game changes and we have to adapt.

 

[The Colonel]

I think the squad has given us the ability to adapt to use mobile players or the power game. We can play with for examples sake -

Cayless, Morris, Vella, Hindmarsh, Hopkins and Wagon.

or

Tsoulos, Hopkins, Cannings, Cayless, Vella and Hindmarsh.

The balance of players on the bench will dictate which way we go.

 

[Suitman]

Easy to get carried away with all the optimism...

It will work if we get the opponents to play the power game style that we want to play. We will have the advantage there.

Teams will quickly work it out and try and force us into playing a different style. Run their mobile players at our bigger, slower forwards. Try to speed the game up with quicker plays. Use a good kicking game to get the territory back and tire the forwards out.

Just hope that Parramatta have not recruited so that they can only play one type of footy, otherwise we will be caught out if the game changes and we have to adapt.

And would that mean that Brian Smith has misjudged the modern game again?

Suity

 

[The Colonel]

And would that mean that Brian Smith has misjudged the modern game again?

Suity

Now now Suity..... we have to give it time to work. :roll: Who is to say how he has handled it won't work? Maybe other teams have to adapt to how we play.

 

[Suitman]

I think the squad has given us the ability to adapt to use mobile players or the power game. We can play with for examples sake -

Cayless, Morris, Vella, Hindmarsh, Hopkins and Wagon.

or

Tsoulos, Hopkins, Cannings, Cayless, Vella and Hindmarsh.

The balance of players on the bench will dictate which way we go.

There is no doubt Sanders that we have enormous depth in the forwards this year.
But the Godfather does make a valid point in saying that it is possible to have our big forwards run around the park by sharper opposition. This is especially applicable in the warmer earlier rounds of the competition.

Brian Smith has put his life on the line this year by commiting to the "big, strong meathead up the middle" type football that he has indicated he will play by his purchases during the off season and his claims last year.

Time will tell.

I for one sincerely hope he has been a genius and got it right.

Suity

 

[AlexTheEel]

Dean Widders is injured. SHould be back soon.

 

[The Colonel]

It is definitely a good point that The GF makes. One we can hope that has not been lost on Brian. Its an interesting make up of the side and I believe the bench rotation will play a particularly important part in how the Eels play against different sides.

 

[PB]

But having said that Suity/Godfather, Hindmarsh can out run anyone on any given day, Cannings is deceptively quick,as are Peek and Vella. I don't know too much about Stpeltons pace, but Muspratt, Hopkins and Wag's are more mobile forwards.

So perhaps if teams do try to move us around, they will be found out because we will be suprisingly mobile for our size.?

 

[Suitman]

But having said that Suity/Godfather, Hindmarsh can out run anyone on any given day, Cannings is deceptively quick,as are Peek and Vella. I don't know too much about Stpeltons pace, but Muspratt, Hopkins and Wag's are more mobile forwards.

So perhaps if teams do try to move us around, they will be found out because we will be suprisingly mobile for our size.?

That is also a valid point and I certainly agree that we DO look an extremely mobile pack considering our size.
Hopefully that will outweigh my concerns.

Now..............as for Wagon at 5/8th???????????? ;-)

Suity

 

[The Colonel]

Now..............as for Wagon at 5/8th???????????? ;-)
Suity

Your like a dog with a bone hey Suity!!!!!!!!!!!..... :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Suitman]

Now..............as for Wagon at 5/8th???????????? ;-)
Suity

Your like a dog with a bone hey Suity!!!!!!!!!!!..... :lol: :lol: :lol:

Gggrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!
Chomp chomp! ;-)

Suity

 

[Twizzle]

But its a decent bone.

(I was not complimenting you on your anatomy, Suity)

 

[Suitman]

But its a decent bone.

(I was not complimenting you on your anatomy, Suity)

Lol.

If your weren't, you are spot on re Wags.

If you were................heaven forbid. How did you get it that right!

Suity

 

[PB]

Hopefully that will outweigh my concerns.

Now..............as for Wagon at 5/8th???????????? ;-)

Suity

Nice pun Suity (intended or otherwise) :lol:

Now, as for Wagon at 5/8th, it could be worse, he could be feeding the ball out to the centres for Mick Vella to run onto! if one poster around here was coach....!

Now watch for this thread to turn into a "Wagon at 5/8th thread"

 

[Suitman]

Hopefully that will outweigh my concerns.

Now..............as for Wagon at 5/8th???????????? ;-)

Suity

Now watch for this thread to turn into a "Wagon at 5/8th thread"

Or hopefully.......a "No Wagon for 5/8th" thread.

Good to see you pick up on the pun.
You clever boy you.

Suity

 

[PB]

Suity, Wags is too small to play in the forwards now with our 100kg minimum load enterance requirement, so where else can he play!! ;-) (and i know your answer is going to be reserve grade!! ) Perhaps they should move him back onto the Wing, ala circa 97-98 at Saints.... ;-)

 

[Suitman]

Suity, Wags is too small to play in the forwards now with our 100kg minimum load enterance requirement, so where else can he play!! ;-) (and i know your answer is going to be reserve grade!! ) Perhaps they should move him back onto the Wing, ala circa 97-98 at Saints.... ;-)

Not only can he not pass, he's not quick enough for the wing spot.

No.......I think he should be in the number 13.










Seat 13, row 12, Bay 24.

Suity