Roberts and Maitua have missed a lot of footy through injury and suspension but they're both comeback players. Neither is 30 years old yet and both are internationals. Roberts hold the record for linebreak assists in a single match - a player's best performance needs to be considered when judging his ability.
Maybe so but our fullback, halfback and front row are among the best. That'll make us one-dimensional in attack but also pretty safe.
No way do we have the worst roster though - we finished ahead of the Raiders last year and have added Sandow, Roberts and Tonga. You've only added Campese, who's very good but not the star Raiders fans think he is.
Titans have also recruited well.
Titans have recruited well, as have we. And i think we saw the big improvement in our side yesterday, with Campese back and the signing of Berrigan, out fringe defense improved out of sight. The storm scored 4 tries and 3 of them were through kicks.
The eels have some massive issues, their front row is good, their halfback is rocks or diamonds, their fullback is one of the games premiere players. But outside that they dont have a lot.
Hindy is at the end of a great career, so too with Tonga. They've had some set backs with injuries to good key players for them. Matuia is a comeback player and he showed some promise but he's still got to put the runs on the board, same too Roberts, both can be good players but neither still have the runs on the board. At this stage neither can be rated as quality FG footballers based on history.
Sio is a real talent. Rate him big time. But as said, he's green. Loko was a big blow.
Round 1 in early days but the raiders would have put 40 on the eels based on this weeks games. Parra looked impotent in attack and when the blow torch was applied defensively, they cracked. Now they are going to get better when Hayne and Tonga come back but so far in round 1 they are far and away the 2nd worst performance.
On paper they dont look very good, they have some great young talent, so i think in the years to come they will be a good side, but i think 2012 is a going to be another long year. Maybe for us too, but i like our chances more than yours.
