Eels May Welcome Back Mateo

[benoir91]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/19/2660530.htm

Parramatta coach Daniel Anderson says it is possible playmaker Feleti Mateo will return for Friday night's NRL match against Wests Tigers at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Mateo has not played since injuring his biceps in round 10.
Anderson says if Mateo returns, he will take on a new role supporting full-back Jarryd Hayne.
He says the current halves combination of Daniel Mortimer and Jeff Robson will definitely remain unchanged.
"The challenge for Feleti is he's going to be a supporting, contributory, member of the team," Anderson said.
"Jarryd is basically the franchise player if you want a tag on it, the go-to man, whereas maybe in the last 18 months it's been Feleti who's been the go-to man.
"So if Feleti is keen to play a contributory role to the team, then we're even more challenging to play against."
Anderson said he is looking forward to the on-field battle between Fuifui Moimoi and Tigers winger Taniela Tuiaki.
Moimoi and Tuiaki shared a house until earlier this season and are good friends.
Anderson said both players have had outstanding seasons.
"Fui's literally said 'I'll have a chat with him', so I don't know what that means, but they are very, very enjoyable players to watch," he said.
"I've told plenty of people I enjoy watching Fui play.
"Taniela is a beast, he really is and it's a credit to him that he's scored so many tries this year."

 

[EELICIT]

Welcome back Feleti, DA is on the money ! Geez he speaks well. Doesnt give away much but puts the fear of god into opposing teams!

 

[the_eel]

I guess the best thing about Mateo coming back is that he would be perfect coming from the bench at the 25-30 minute mark. He could have 10 to 15 until half time and then should last the entire 2nd half. He'd have to be chomping at the bit to get stuck back into it after watching the boys string together 5 wins and he'd be especially good running on the fringes in the back end of the first half.

 

[EELICIT]

I guess the best thing about Mateo coming back is that he would be perfect coming from the bench at the 25-30 minute mark. He could have 10 to 15 until half time and then should last the entire 2nd half. He'd have to be chomping at the bit to get stuck back into it after watching the boys string together 5 wins and he'd be especially good running on the fringes in the back end of the first half.

Agreed, he would add another dimension as he will probably be running at galloway who would be introduced after fui has gone to the bench ( thats pretty much a given). So mateo can cover him and let our backs do the rest.

 

[Gronk]

Yes the landscape has changed since Mateo was injured. He will have far less touches than he did before and he will need to learn how to make them high quality/low risk each and every time.

 

[andrew057]

That was Feleti's main problem, trying to do too much. Now he doesnt have to i think hell really flourish.

 

[EELICIT]

Yes the landscape has changed since Mateo was injured. He will have far less touches than he did before and he will need to learn how to make them high quality/low risk each and every time.

Absolutely, lets hope he makes them in abundance (high quality i mean) coming into end of season and into 2010

 

[the_eel]

Yes the landscape has changed since Mateo was injured. He will have far less touches than he did before and he will need to learn how to make them high quality/low risk each and every time.

Yep i agree. Quality touches in attack, roll the sleeves up in defence and i think that Hayne will utilise his offloads better than Burt did at FB.

 

[hineyrulz]

It will be great to see him back, yes he as guilty of trying to hard. But thses days he will have some help, he just adds another dimension to our side.

 

[caylo]

That was Feleti's main problem, trying to do too much. Now he doesnt have to i think hell really flourish.

Eairlier this year we saw Feleti play as a wide running backrower rather than a playmaker, if he can play on the left and link up with Inu just as lowire has done (Mateo would do this more effectivly IMO) we dont lose anything. Mateo has always looked better to me when he has played on the edges and not through the middle which this would allow him to do imo. I play him off the bench and next week have him starting in #13 in place of lowrie. While Lowrie has dont nothing wrong to lose him spot I think Mateo improves the team and it unfortunate for the Tood.

 

[JoeyJoJo83]

Eairlier this year we saw Feleti play as a wide running backrower rather than a playmaker, if he can play on the left and link up with Inu just as lowire has done (Mateo would do this more effectivly IMO) we dont lose anything. Mateo has always looked better to me when he has played on the edges and not through the middle which this would allow him to do imo. I play him off the bench and next week have him starting in #13 in place of lowrie. While Lowrie has dont nothing wrong to lose him spot I think Mateo improves the team and it unfortunate for the Tood.

:iwstupid:

 

[born an eel]

Yes the landscape has changed since Mateo was injured. He will have far less touches than he did before and he will need to learn how to make them high quality/low risk each and every time.

this is what concerns me, having so much time out he will not have the timing and we may see a lot of dropped ball. A run a t wenty to get the cobwebs out would do a world of good.

 

[woddy]

wb Feliti as expected now go kick some arse

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

this is what concerns me, having so much time out he will not have the timing and we may see a lot of dropped ball. A run a t wenty to get the cobwebs out would do a world of good.

I hardly think the pace at Wenty will be up to NRL standards. Bench for Fil after a full week of hard arse training.

 

[lingard]

this is what concerns me, having so much time out he will not have the timing and we may see a lot of dropped ball. A run a t wenty to get the cobwebs out would do a world of good.

I agree with you. Maybe we're both being too conservative, but I don't think a sudden death game like this is a good time to be taking unneccessary risks.

 

[jono]

One of the best set pieces Feleti , Jarryd & KK did was one of the last plays before the two were injured - setting up Hayne's try v Manly with the quick outside/inside pass.
The mouth is watering at the prospect of some more!

 

[Fee]

Didnt Anderson say he"might" come back, doesnt mean he will. Dont get me wrong I would love to see Feleti back, but I wouldnt get my hopes up just yet, it could just be more mind games being played with Tigers.;-)

 

[jk13]

alot of pressure. considering the importance of this game, he has to come back playing close to mistake free footy to match the level of quality that this game should meet. bring'em more tongan fury if you're up

 

[Mark_S]

Who would Feleti replace?

He would have to move back to lock. Still the efforts of Joe and Todd have been outstanding over the past weeks. My guess is Joe would go back to the bench.

Still it a great position for the club as Feleti will add another dimension to the eels attack.


Still who gets dropped from the bench?

 

[Parra Steve]

Latimore would be the one most likely to be dropped off the bench for Mateo.