What's new
The Front Row Forums

Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Eels trial.

Panfa

Juniors
Messages
1,265
Going off the 2 trials my rd 1 team is Edwards T'oo Chrichton Tago Staines Luai Cleary Yeo Kikau Martin Fisher Koroisau Leota / Sorensen Leniu Hopgood Salmon. I would have had lindsay Smith ahead of salmon but he hasn't played a trial and will be underdone.Eisenhuth and blacker are huge but slow and soft I can't have either of them rd 1.I like taylan may but u have to give Staines 1st crack on trial form if he stuffs up then may comes in.
 

Luke Bowden

First Grade
Messages
7,301
I say this every year, win lose or draw. Injuries are the only things that matter in any preseason game.
that said, this would be my round 1 team.
1.Edwards
2.May
3.Critta
4.Tago
5.Bizza
6.Romey
7.The Prince / SOS
8.Leota
9.Api
10. Fish
11.Kiks
12..Martin
13.Yeo

14.Kenny
15.Sorro
16.Spencer
17.Hoppers

I suspect that the only difference between my team and the starting lineup will be May. I think Ivan will go with Charlie or Jennings, which I’m fine with, I just think Taylan is the future so why not go with him now.
 

Iamback

Referee
Messages
20,283
I say this every year, win lose or draw. Injuries are the only things that matter in any preseason game.
that said, this would be my round 1 team.
1.Edwards
2.May
3.Critta
4.Tago
5.Bizza
6.Romey
7.The Prince / SOS
8.Leota
9.Api
10. Fish
11.Kiks
12..Martin
13.Yeo

14.Kenny
15.Sorro
16.Spencer
17.Hoppers

I suspect that the only difference between my team and the starting lineup will be May. I think Ivan will go with Charlie or Jennings, which I’m fine with, I just think Taylan is the future so why not go with him now.

No way Kenny plays.

He has been ordinary and can't play other positions

The rest is probably spot on. I'd go Smith over Hopgood to keep Sorensen in the middle but doubt Ivan does that
 

Black Diamond

Juniors
Messages
1,177
You don't write off teams in February after one trial, especially when only half the team played. But nonetheless I'm expecting a slower start than we're used to.
Yep agree, especially if Cleary is not good to go but they will come good when combinations are sorted. I have total faith in Ivan and the boys.
 

Luke Bowden

First Grade
Messages
7,301
No way Kenny plays.

He has been ordinary and can't play other positions

The rest is probably spot on. I'd go Smith over Hopgood to keep Sorensen in the middle but doubt Ivan does that
Api can’t go 80 this early in the Season, I’m pretty confident that Kenny will be there to give him a rest or two.

I’m not sure what Smith has done to put him above Hopgood. I Smith still needs some more Reggie’s time.
 

Iamback

Referee
Messages
20,283
Api can’t go 80 this early in the Season, I’m pretty confident that Kenny will be there to give him a rest or two.

I’m not sure what Smith has done to put him above Hopgood. I Smith still needs some more Reggie’s time.

Edwards hasn't trialed.
Cleary should he play may need a rest also
Salmon can give breathers to more players across the squad. This is where May's work was under estimated

Different positions. See above Martin and Kiks likely doesn't play full games and the lack of second rowers sees Smith get in.

Had a decent stint yesterday too which helps. Another edge would be handy right now
 

Black Diamond

Juniors
Messages
1,177
Crazy how upset some of you get when Hindy makes a comment which goes against the thought they we are the greatest squad of all time.

Our edge depth is worrying. If Kiks goes down we are in real trouble imo. Same with a centre. Leaving a couple of squad spots and hoping we snag someone mid season leaves us short for the first 12 rounds.
That's a little exaggerated, no one has stated that we are the greatest squad of all time, we all just tire of him coming on here chest thumping about the Eels and gloating about an insignificant trial game.

Do you have inside info as to what's going on within the squad? Trust the process, it was pretty spot on last year.
 

Fangs

Coach
Messages
13,775
Just a trial. Against a first grade side which was stacked.

Penrith are still evolving. We struggled with Origin last year. Maybe this year the team will become like the Storm and win those types of games but I doubt it. Takes a long time to learn from the experience.
 

Black Magik

Juniors
Messages
912
What is concerning me is
- how ineffective our halves were
- how easily the pack was dominated
- how disinterested Kiks was
- how bad the attack was
- how easily the opposition offloaded

The team has had an off season to prepare. I was expecting to better from the halves. While the pack was light they should have provided more than 3 tackles of effective defence. Kiks is showing what I unfortunately predicted since his signing with the Dogs. He missed easy tackles, was taken down easier than normal by outside backs and provided absolutely nothing.

Only a trial but that scoreline presented bad defensive structure and no attack.
 

billypilgrimnz

First Grade
Messages
5,168
I though Staines played OK but nothing more at full back

The thing I dislike most about Staines at fullback is that he shows no drive or enthusiasm in attack. He returns the ball weakly, and then when we are in attack, he lopes around the backline with no confidence or purpose. Turuva came on late yesterday and actually showed energy and enthusiasm to get involved. (I'm not saying Turuva is the answer of course; I haven't seen him at fullback at all; just saying that he actually played with purpose with ball in hand, which Staines never does.)
 

CCJohnC

Juniors
Messages
830
Can someone tell me the results of NSW Cup Jersey Flegg S G Ball and Harold Mattew matches. Can't find them anywere. Thanks
 

billypilgrimnz

First Grade
Messages
5,168
Only a trial but that scoreline presented bad defensive structure and no attack.

Attack is I. Cleary's massive weak point, but he built one of the best defensive structures last season to compensate for that, so hat's off to him for that. My concern for this season is, for that approach, you need ironclad concentration and self-belief, and given that (a) we have lost some key players, and (b) we won the comp, so there may be less drive in the team, I wouldn't be surprised if we leak a few more points this year. Can Cleary find the attacking nous to overcome that?
 

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
91,019
Moses and Wighton cost us the whitewash in Origin, they were no replacement for Cleary and Luai and our busted half back outplayed him in the finals.
The point is Moses plays well in big games, including n Origin. The team fails as a whole because the roster has been weaker than the top clubs due to poor recruitment/retention prior to the relatively recent management restructure in 2019. Moses has been the least of our worries. He's a quality player.
 

Smug Panther

First Grade
Messages
7,004
I do hate repeating it despite what some think but geeez Luai was bad, I know he had no platform to work from but he needs to step up and lead when Nathan isn't there. Doing a few extra long kicks isn't stepping up either, he has a shit boot on him really. Should have been touching the ball a few times a set, getting into dummy half, whatever it takes
 

Latest posts

Top