our juniors are good but in 1st grade?

[GAME FIRST]

Feleti was only ok last night-made some crunching tackles but not much speed in attack-and no zip for a half- he is a lock or 2nd rower-as for Anderson he was too quiet to judge-didnt go looking for the ball at all-hope thats not they will show on Sunday1
We have problems in that our juniors are not gowing to the next level like the Panthers- and they are not combining as a group in the higher level!
I am dissapointed.

 

[The Engineers Room]

Ben Smith needs to get a go in the centres. He is very good. Pai is also good.

 

[The Colonel]

Feleti was only ok last night-made some crunching tackles but not much speed in attack-and no zip for a half- he is a lock or 2nd rower-as for Anderson he was too quiet to judge-didnt go looking for the ball at all-hope thats not they will show on Sunday1
We have problems in that our juniors are not gowing to the next level like the Panthers- and they are not combining as a group in the higher level!
I am dissapointed.

As they have had nil chance its a bit hard to make the assumption just yet. Let them have five minutes in first grade before we right them off totally.

 

[Stagger eel]

I think your being a little harsh on these kids,

the half a dozen or so kids that have received alot of attention from people here are in their first year of grade. they have performed above their weight in Premier league, and are not to far away from making the step to first grade, probably a bit earlier than what the coaching department would like. I won't be expecting too much from them [Mateo, Jack and Ando] this weekend or for the rest of the year as they get used to the pace of First grade. Lets hope Ben Smith follows.

Just to put you in perspective, GAMEFIRST mentioned Mateo and Anderson's game last night. But failed to mention that Saints player Ben Creigh and Manly's Brett Stewart also played last night and we're kept rellatively in check by the Queensland side. You know what Creigh did to us last Friday night and Stewart scored 3 tries against Cronulla on Sunday.

so please, show a bit of patience people.

 

[PARRA_FAN]

I remember Jamie Lyon and Luke Burt were quiet when they first came on the scene and then came good not long after.

Normally it takes time for these kids to blend in. Give them a few first grade games and they'll go well.

 

[Twizzle]

They cant be worse than Langi and Dykes.

Feliti in at No 18 which generally means he will be a spectator.

 

[The Engineers Room]

I'm all for giving players a half a dozen games to really fire but after that if they can't you know that they won't be reliable enough.

 

[PARRA_FAN]

They cant be worse than Langi and Dykes.

Feliti in at No 18 which generally means he will be a spectator.

Well knowing Smith you never know till 2.00 on game day.

 

[The Engineers Room]

They cant be worse than Langi and Dykes.

Feliti in at No 18 which generally means he will be a spectator.

Well knowing Smith you never know till 2.00 on game day.

Knowing Smith this year means that he will not play.

 

[Eels Dude]

We can only comment on their first grade ability once we've seen it. Hopefully by sunday we will be talking about them as stars of the future.

 

[Jake the snake]

It took Jamie Lyon a fair few rounds even half a season before he got comfortable in 1st grade so please guys lay off the Juniors its going to take them awhile.

We are Blooding the Juniors for next year now I think its too late for this yeaar.

I'll say it again dont expect miracles from these young guys 1st up, they need to get a feel for 1st grade and that takes a while.

 

[Pazza]

a question about Anderson (i dont watch juniour games), is he a big powerful winger like Grothe, a Small speedster like Donald or a all rounder like Moodie?

 

[Hurriflatch]

from those 3 options the closest is Moodie.

Gotta admit havn't seen him really stretch out much so not sure how much pace he has but he is by no means slow.

Hasn't got any glaring weaknesses or amazing strengths though. Very solid & consistant player especially considering he is only 17.

 

[Nikki]

We can only comment on their first grade ability once we've seen it. Hopefully by sunday we will be talking about them as stars of the future.

Thats exactly right. None of us can see into the future. These kids could come out and have blinders like they do every week in the lower grades, or, the enormity of playing First Grade could take its toll on them and they will crumble. Only time will tell. Smithy keeps saying players arent ready for First Grade, blah, blah, blah. But really, how does he know until he gives them a go?

 

[The Colonel]

I am pretty sure we dion't have any Martin Seal's among the guys that have been picked. :mrgreen:

 

[fish eel]

But really, how does he know until he gives them a go?

Isn't that what he is doing?

He wouldn't have picked them if he didnt think they were up for it.

 

[thedux]

I think BS has been pretty selective about which players he sees as ready and which are not e.g. O'Dwyer had no PL experience let alone NRL.

 

[Mighty Tiger]

There are always going to be critics over players coming from Flegg into the top grade in one year let alone a few months but many clubs do it and with the talent that the Eels do actually have in the lower grades it would make sense!

I know with us we have done it with the likes of Benji, Gibbs, Halatua, Fulton, Collis, Farah and Bronson as well and to be honest none of those blokes have failed us yet!

 

[Stagger eel]

There are always going to be critics over players coming from Flegg into the top grade in one year let alone a few months but many clubs do it and with the talent that the Eels do actually have in the lower grades it would make sense!

I know with us we have done it with the likes of Benji, Gibbs, Halatua, Fulton, Collis, Farah and Bronson as well and to be honest none of those blokes have failed us yet!

yes!

and I guess your reaping the benefits a year or two on. Thats the reason I know we'll be back, maybe not this week or the week after but in the near future.

 

[Hurriflatch]

Just a small update on the 3 kids that could play on Sunday

Anderson & Mateo both toured with the Australian Schoolboys side in 2003, they played 3 tests v the JUnior Kiwis. Another Eel Brendan Oake also was on the tour

Anderson picked up 2 tries, Oake scored a tried and got man of the match in the 2nd test and Mateo although pointless picked up the man of the match in the 3rd test.

also on the tour
Karmichael Hunt
Tom Learoyd
Heath Le'Strange
& Benji Marshall

who have all gone onto play 1st grade. Eels reggies coach Matt Cameron was the teams Trainer.