Rd9: Eels v Panthers GAME DAY THREAD at Bluebet Stadium 6/5/22

[Poupou Escobar]

Do we lack the attacking players, or do we lack the attacking style?

We lack speed at a few positions. That makes it less likely we'll turn a tackle break into a line break.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Yeah Matto has been awesome off the bench in the middle.

I wanted him back on an edge and Papa in the middle, but both are doing great. And i think Matto off the bench is an important part of it. I think we need him when the other middles go off.

He finished the game at left edge, including when he scored that try. Lane only played about 60 minutes.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Most of the other teams in the comp are capable of beating both Melbun and the Riff at home??? Riff hadn't lost at home in almost 3 years FFS!!!

Right, but they could've lost to most of those teams in that time. Just like we could've lost to them last night. It wasn't a foregone conclusion. There's an element of luck in every game.

 

[hineyrulz]

Right, but they could've lost to most of those teams in that time. Just like we could've lost to them last night. It wasn't a foregone conclusion. There's an element of luck in every game.

We may win or we may looooose, and sometimes you need luck. Gee thanks scoop!!

 

[hindy111]

Envision this only being a penalty. Against anyone but the golden children it's a sin bin bordering on send off.

Send off? Lol . Its nothing more then a penalty

 

[hindy111]

Opacic is a great defender.

But I don't think we can leave Sivo, and Blake out, when they return.

Simonsson has been playing great, and doesn't deserve to be dropped.

What a headache to have!

Agree. Unless they have Sivo at 17th man and give him some sort of cameo role in the 2nd row?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

they really are

Pou mentioned during the game .... look how many merkins they get in EVERY tackle - not just floppers - 3 merkins smashing the ball runner and driving them backwards

I think its a combination of great fitness and strength

Speed too. Their forwards are mostly lean and very mobile. The only chunky bois are Leota and Leniu and neither is more than 110kg. Kikau is the only merkin over 110kg. Three of our middles last night were heavier than 110kg. Paulo and RCG are both great players but they don't get around the field as quickly as the Penrith middle forwards.

 

[TheRam]

Right, but they could've lost to most of those teams in that time. Just like we could've lost to them last night. It wasn't a foregone conclusion. There's an element of luck in every game.

It was never in doubt you pathetic negative loser.

You need to have some faith in this coach and his brilliant mind.

Stop riding him all the time like a G-string up his crack.

It's dumb arse nut baggers like you that never enjoy the wins and just expect way to much from our middle of the road over achieving club that constantly takes the shine off our great two or three awesome performances a season.

Pull your head in you twat waffle pin head, it's time to appreciate what we have and our extensive limitations.

Clown-Dick!!!

 

[innsaneink]

Please tell me Junior’s son is named Senior

hes in the u/5s

 

[hindy111]

Yep most likely although does Russell force his way in ?

His injury lay-off probably means no but I don’t think he’s far off beating simo or sivo to a wing spot

maybe he can be bench option

I'd say back next week. For a few games.Can't see him in side when everyone back. Had he stayed fit he may of been to good to drop. But Simmonson has the jump on him now. And Sivo and Blake will come back in.

 

[hindy111]

BTW is Perham still not a first grader? Thought he was OK last night.

I thought he was gash. Nearly every run he was driven back 5 mtrs and our start to sets where very poor cause of it.

 

[Gazzamatta]

I agree although not CPI based but by whatever % the salary cap has increased (so he takes the same % of the cap that he does now).
Unfortunately, I am not sure that will be enough to keep him and that is if we do make an offer. My earlier mail before his current purple patch was that we might not be keeping him.

Could be one of those Dolphins secret signings. Surprising how quiet the talk is on Matto.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Oppy in the centers cant be moved. His defence last night was amazing as was Moses with Kikau charging at him all night. Gets his body in front every time. His D when Kikau charged down his cick may well have been the difference. An average defender eh Poo?

When did I ever say that? He is an excellent defender, up there with Lomax for tackle efficiency. He just offers little in attack. But I would keep him at centre and put Blake on the wing when he returns. Sivo could fight with Simonsson for the other wing spot. I dunno. Maybe Opacic doesn't offer enough in attack? But his defence is great.

 

[hindy111]

Think our best backline when fit is

Gutho
Sivo
Penisini
Waqa
Simonsson

And I agree Perham is a decent bench utility

Niukore
Kaufusi
Matto
Perham

When Marata is back I feel like we have enough cover with him to not need a utility in the bench. Unless Yates or Hands or Rein could give some impact at dummy half id be happy to carry Makato,Greig or Bryce. If we are winning well we can rest our more important forwards and let them slug it out.

 

[Gazzamatta]

Pulling his hair and punching the smug merkin

Id be kneeling on his hair when tackled and let him try to jump to his feet then.

 

[Gazzamatta]

When did I ever say that? He is an excellent defender, up there with Lomax for tackle efficiency. He just offers little in attack. But I would keep him at centre and put Blake on the wing when he returns. Sivo could fight with Simonsson for the other wing spot. I dunno. Maybe Opacic doesn't offer enough in attack? But his defence is great.

* Moses

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Great game and amazing to knock the smug off their perches, through a lot of hard work, especially that middle.

I noticed some of your big fellas sliding out wide for the attack which seemed to me a good idea when faced with some massive Panther backs and full throttle defence.

Bea deserves a Nobel prize for that game plan.

 

[Noise]

I'd hate to lose Matto but surely the Dolphins would be balls deep after him and they got the cash to splash, unfortunately

Yea I reckon he’s going to the dolphins.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

That is why they were even in the game. If we had that type of go forward like the Panthers back three we would of blown them out of the water. We were awesome last night. The way we endured our lack of go forward and absorbed their pressure enough to till the tide turned our way was very impressive.

This team just needs some luck injury wise and some better coaching for when plan A goes to sh*t. If we can manage that we are more then capable of winning it this year.

Don’t forget our 2 best backs at rucking it out (and most experienced and expensive) Sivo and Blake were out too…..

Wouldn’t mind playing the panthers next time with Sivo / Blake and no Teo/Crichton for the panthers….

 

[Poupou Escobar]

BTW is Perham still not a first grader? Thought he was OK last night.

Backups can have the odd good game, but he was very ordinary again last night I thought. I hope we can replace him with Russell or even someone better asap.