Eels side for '05?

[bartman]

Since we're doing this topic again, I'll put down what I now think for Round 1...

1. Wade McKinnon
2. Matt Petersen
3. Luke Burt
4. Timana Tahu
5. Eric Grothe
6. Daniel Wagon :shock:
7. John Morris
8. Chad Robinson
9. Mark Riddell
10. Nathan Cayless (c)
11. Nathan Hindmarsh
12. Glenn Morrison
13. Feleti Mateo
14. Thomas Leuluai / PJ Marsh
15. Dean Widders
16. Paul Stringer
17. Michael Vella
18. Aaron Cannings

 

[Utey]

:shock: :shock: :shock: NOOOOOOO!!!!! :evil:

 

[MarkInTheStands]

1. Wade McKinnon
2. Matt Petersen
3. Luke Burt
4. Timana Tahu
5. Eric Grothe
6. John Morris
7. Thomas Leuluai
8. Arron Cannings
9. Mark Riddell
10. Nathan Cayless (c)
11. Nathan Hindmarsh
12. Glenn Morrison
13. Daniel Wagon

14. PJ Marsh
15. Dean Widders
16. Chad Robinson
17. Michael Vella

While I rate players like Smith, Smith, Mateo, Reddy and Anderson, if every one of the above players is ready and fit to play, I can see this as the side that runs out in round 1. It is experienced, strong to the left, Quick to the right, Morris must pass the ball, Cannings is going to be a hard working forward for us, and Cayless already is we just need to ensure they both don’t break their arms. The 2nd row is the best looking 2nd row in the comp bar none. Riddell to play 30 minutes as the dummy half come off for 10-15 minutes then play the rest of the game as like Widders does as a wide running replacement forward. Widders to come on for him in the time Riddell is off, Marsh to provide zip from dummy half. Vella and Robinson to be the replacement front row for the middle 20 minutes in each half.

The Only rookie to the Side is Leuluai and after playing in 4 internationals, no matter what his standard I hardly call that a rookie.

 

[BlueNGoldBlood]

do we still have ronald prince??? id rather see him on the wing then petersen

 

[Hurriflatch]

do we still have ronald prince??? id rather see him on the wing then petersen

He was off contract at the end of 2004 and although there were reports that he was staying I've still seen nothing to confirm that.

 

[Hurriflatch]

AS far as round 1 goes

at this stage I'd go with:
Assuming that
1) All players are avalaible
2) Parra sign Leuluai
3) Nothing unexpected happens during the trials (eg: Reddy plays out of his skin and forces his way in)

1. Wade McKinnon
2. Matt Petersen
3. Luke Burt
4. Timana Tahu
5. Eric Grothe Jnr
6. Daniel Wagon
7. Thomas Leuluai
8. Aaron Cannings
9. Mark Riddell
10. Michael Vella
11. Nathan Hindmarsh
12. Nathan Cayless (C)
13. Glenn Morrison

14. John Morris/PJ Marsh
15. Aaron Cannings
16. Dean Widders
17. Peter Lewis

 

[BlueNGoldBlood]

shame #-o

 

[Hurriflatch]

doesn't mean he has gone.

Colonel you got any official news on TAFKA??

 

[The Colonel]

doesn't mean he has gone.

Colonel you got any official news on TAFKA??

Only news I have heard is what HJ put forward a while ago.... have heard little to nothing on a whole variety of things at the moment.

 

[Haynzy]

1.Mckinnon
2.Prince
3.Wagon
4.Tahu
5.Grothe
6.Morris
7.Marsh
8.Robinson
9.Riddell
10.Stringer
11.Hindmarsh
12.Cayless
13.Morrison

14.Henderson
15.Cannings
16.Vella
17.Widders

excellent Pazza

I don't really know Henderson therefore
I might consider 14. Burt off the bench as he can slot in to a number of backline positions

 

[Utey]

I am willing to bet my entire life savings that Wagon will not be our 5/8.

 

[Hurriflatch]

I am willing to bet my entire life savings that Wagon will not be our 5/8.

and by round 5 I agree with you but with Marsh unlikley to be able to handle 80 mins from round 1 I can see WAgon starting the year in #6.

 

[Utey]

This is why we are buying Leulaui.
6 Morris
7 Leuluai
14 Marsh

 

[Haynzy]

Not a bad looking option UTE

 

[Phillips]

we should have kept Witt #-o he's 10 times better then Leuluai who is just another Wagon...

 

[Utey]

we should have kept Witt #-o he's 10 times better then Leuluai who is just another Wagon...

I disagree 100%. Witt not only had a shocking passing and running game but he couldnt organise his team. His kicking game was very inconsistant. Leuluai is alread bounds ahead of Witt. Just remember his only 19 and has plenty of years ahead of him.

 

[Utey]

Not a bad looking option UTE

I also want to see Tim Smith have a shot during the trials. Maybe another couple rounds in prems wouldnt hurt as well.

 

[Stagger eel]

we should have kept Witt #-o he's 10 times better then Leuluai who is just another Wagon...

when was the last time Michael Witt dominted a game in any grade?

 

[The Colonel]

we should have kept Witt #-o he's 10 times better then Leuluai who is just another Wagon...

I disagree 100%. Witt not only had a shocking passing and running game but he couldnt organise his team. His kicking game was very inconsistant. Leuluai is alread bounds ahead of Witt. Just remember his only 19 and has plenty of years ahead of him.

I'll disagree on both counts. Witt's organisational skills and passing game needed plenty of work whereas Leuluai's kicking game needs plenty of work as well. Neither are ahead or behind the other except in key areas. If you could somehow merge the two together we could end up with a halfback who would be more than capable at all aspects.....

To be honest at this stage I wouldn't like to see either starting at no. 7. Leuluai's Test experience could be invaluable however there is merit in Witt's long and short kicking game. The lack of inexperience in both players IMO to Morris/Marsh starting but until the season starts we won't really know.

 

[PB]

I am amazed how many people discount the contribution of Matt Petterson! The guy finds the line. He gets back and does his share of work coming off our own line, and in terms of kick chase, he is probably close to the best kick chaser in the game, never gives up.

He is an ok defender, without being one of the best, but the alternative many are putting up (Prince) is a woeful defender, and needs alot of work to be up to standard.