Huge wrap on Parramatta Eels' 17-year-old Bevan French

[Obscene Assassin]

Oops sorry champ. I guess it's just another kick in the guts

Not really. Guys in his position are pretty easy to find, especially in this age of everyone wanting to look after their body.

 

[Jake the snake]

Not really. Guys in his position are pretty easy to find, especially in this age of everyone wanting to look after their body.

I saw the difference in the fitness of our team this season, he def mad a major difference to our players. Hope we get someone similar.

 

[Obscene Assassin]

I saw the difference in the fitness of our team this season, he def mad a major difference to our players. Hope we get someone similar.

I'm sure we will, seems like Arthur wouldn't want a physical performance manager that would allow our players to slacken off.

 

[Gronk]

Jennings backs French's fullback shift
Sat 13 Aug, 2016, 7:30am
By Tony Webeck ‌, Chief Queensland Correspondent , NRL.com

Star Parramatta centre Michael Jennings believes exhilarating 20-year-old Bevan French has the attributes required to make the fullback position his own in 2017 following another cameo appearance at the back on Friday night.

French scored the 12th try of his 10-game NRL career to date inside five minutes against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium but as he did against Manly last week also spent time switching with 200-gamer Michael Gordon between wing and fullback.

His pure speed will make him a dangerous proposition on sweeping shifts to the left or right and while a couple of passes went astray Eels coach Brad Arthur will continue to give him experience at the back in the final three weeks of the Telstra Premiership season.

An unabashed fan of his blistering pace, Jennings said that with the imminent departure of Gordon to the Roosters that the Eels will be well served by giving the youngster as much experience at fullback as possible.

"I think that's what we're working towards when Micky Gordon leaves, giving young 'Bevvy' a bit of time there at the back," Jennings told NRL.com.

"Get a bit of experience there and he'll slot in there next year and hopefully all goes well.

"He's a talented young fella and off the field he works pretty hard on his game. He's just got that natural ability to play footy and he's a good kid.

"He's just quick. He's super quick. He's just a natural athlete."

While Gordon was entrusted with the organisation of an Eels defence that conceded the most number of points in any of their games this season, French was given plenty of time at fullback when the Eels were in possession.

One of the few bright spots in a horror year for the club, Arthur said that with finals football out of the equation they can fast-track his development as a fullback with first-hand experience against quality opposition.

"It's an opportunity now and a good time to give him some football there and let him learn his trade there," Arthur said.

"We can drip it into him in bits and pieces and that will give him time in the pre-season to work on himself physically, get a bit bigger and stronger, and be able to handle the demands week-in, week-out.

"We've got the luxury at the moment that we can put him there for 15-20 minutes and then put him back to the wing just to look after him."

http://www.nrl.com/jennings-backs-frenchs-fullback-shift/tabid/10874/newsid/100221/default.aspx

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Yeah. French won't be playing wing next year. That means we need a spot for Gutherson. Will it be wing or right half? Or right centre with Takairangi off the bench?

 

[Chipmunk]

Yeah. French won't be playing wing next year. That means we need a spot for Gutherson. Will it be wing or right half? Or right centre with Takairangi off the bench?

I think Gutherson has probably shown this year that he could just about slot in anywhere and at least do a job for us. He will be in the 13 somewhere.

It's still very much up in the air whether Semi will be playing next season.

 

[hineyrulz]

Guth is wasted on the wing.

 

[Obscene Assassin]

Gutherson's defence on the wing is horrid. I'd look at having Taka in the halves and Gutherson at right centre. But given Arthur says we're after a specialist half I don't think that'll be happening.

It certainly is an interesting proposition next year.

Also not sure if it's been mentioned but I heard through the grapevine that we've signed one of Bevan's younger brothers. Dean, will be either 15 or 16 next year.

 

[yy_cheng]

1. Bevo
2. Semi
3. Jennings
4. Taka
5. Guth
6. Norman
7. Hodgkinson

Really need to break up the jennings/semi combo

 

[Chipmunk]

1. Bevo
2. Semi
3. Jennings
4. Taka
5. Guth
6. Norman
7. Hodgkinson

Really need to break up the jennings/semi combo

Be careful what you wish for

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Guth is wasted on the wing.

So is French.

Gutherson and Takairangi might switch between right half and right centre next year. Like they did during last week's game.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Gutherson's defence on the wing is horrid. I'd look at having Taka in the halves and Gutherson at right centre. But given Arthur says we're after a specialist half I don't think that'll be happening.

If no suitable specialist halves are available I reckon there's a good chance Gutherson/Takairangi/both will play right half in 2017.

 

[hineyrulz]

So is French.

Gutherson and Takairangi might switch between right half and right centre next year. Like they did during last week's game.

And that worked a treat.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

It would work a lot better with Norman at left half instead of Robson. Also with French at fullback after a full off season training there.

 

[hineyrulz]

It would work If Norman did all the kicking, or we had a dummy half with a decent kicking game. Otherwise we will lack the creativity to trouble the top sides.

 

[Obscene Assassin]

It would work If Norman did all the kicking, or we had a dummy half with a decent kicking game. Otherwise we will lack the creativity to trouble the top sides.

Our game is highly structured, most of our plays are sorted on the training paddock. We don't need a creative half, we need a half who will stick to a game plan and select the right option. Having French at fullback will give them more options than we had this year with Gordon.

What do you mean by creative anyway?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

It would work If Norman did all the kicking, or we had a dummy half with a decent kicking game. Otherwise we will lack the creativity to trouble the top sides.

Yeah our kicking game would suck with Gutherson/Takairangi at right half, though the upside would be a much stronger defensive line than if we had a genuine right side half. French at least has shown he has some skill with kicking short. He could be an option inside the 20.

 

[Last Week]

I'm not convinced that French is ready to be our first choice fullback. I'd be leaning towards Gutho first.

 

[phantom eel]

Maybe Gutherson and French can continue the swapsies that Gordon and French have been doing?

Just need some merkin to kick goals next season.

 

[yy_cheng]

With our luck one of French or Gutho will get injuired anyway