Avenger
Immortal
- Messages
- 33,974
I get your point mate and it’s a good one. However in one season Hopgood has passed him, taken his starting position is a future Captain and is being paid less than Matterson who is in his prime.
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!
I get your point mate and it’s a good one. However in one season Hopgood has passed him, taken his starting position is a future Captain and is being paid less than Matterson who is in his prime.
In 2022 Niukore "took" his starting position in most games. BA obviously prefers Matto off the bench to keep the enthusiasm up when the starters need a rest.
I don’t think Hopgood has passed him. The coach doesn’t want to waste two interchanges so he has Matterson come on later on so he doesn’t have to sub off and back on. This way he can come on and stay in the game without going off. It’s purely a tactical decision. This isn’t my opinion btw. Arthur has stated this publically in interviews. Matterson is still way better than Hopgood.
www.foxsports.com.au
Maybe not way better (Hopgood is quality) but Matterson is still at least as good.
Hopgood is pretty damn good and will only get better (might even end up better overall someday because of his freakish workrate) but Matterson is bordering on elite. Hopgood still misses too many tackles for mine when he gets fatigued whereas Matterson is pretty sound in that area.
Our game relies on power play, if we reduce the strength of the pack, an injury/suspension or 2 will impact our game too much that i doubt a lomax, a superman or a harper could fix
‘Won’t make the eight’: Eels’ grim reality laid bare as Arthur’s recruiting power questioned
‘Won’t make the eight’: Eels’ grim reality laid bare as Arthur’s recruiting power questioned
Some interesting quotes
The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis was pretty steadfast in his belief that the Eels won’t make the eight this season, and that it will cost coach Brad Arthur his job.
“I don’t have them in my eight let alone competing for a premiership,” Carayannis said.
“They are built on that power game. As soon as they don’t have a power game, I don’t think their game’s evolved in five or ten years and once work that out, they don’t have anywhere to go to, they don’t play off the cuff.
“They have a lot of money in their 1, 6 and 7, but as soon as those forwards aren’t going forward, I think they are very one dimensional.
four.”
“The other issue though is that I don’t think Brad has full control over some of the decisions that get made there (around recruitment) which is an issue,” Hooper said.
“It’s just the way the club wanted to set it up and wanted to do it after they were pinched for the salary cap drama.
“Does that hurt him as a coach?” Anasta asked to which Kent replied, “Yes it does. It hurts him a lot.”
I guess when other teams forwards don’t go forward they’re ok but we’re not?
Hooper actually rates us and says we’re a good chance as any Parra team to win the comp this season. Carayannis is the one who said we won’t make the 8.
Before the club set up the recruitment committee system, BA and Bernie Gurr were it. BA targeted and brought Lane, Junior, Sivo and Fergo to the club in one offseason, which underlines he does have a grasp on what’s needed, not at all sure the strict committee agreement works all the time. In a sense that has been a hurdle since it was set up.‘Won’t make the eight’: Eels’ grim reality laid bare as Arthur’s recruiting power questioned
‘Won’t make the eight’: Eels’ grim reality laid bare as Arthur’s recruiting power questioned
Some interesting quotes
The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis was pretty steadfast in his belief that the Eels won’t make the eight this season, and that it will cost coach Brad Arthur his job.
“I don’t have them in my eight let alone competing for a premiership,” Carayannis said.
“They are built on that power game. As soon as they don’t have a power game, I don’t think their game’s evolved in five or ten years and once work that out, they don’t have anywhere to go to, they don’t play off the cuff.
“They have a lot of money in their 1, 6 and 7, but as soon as those forwards aren’t going forward, I think they are very one dimensional.
four.”
“The other issue though is that I don’t think Brad has full control over some of the decisions that get made there (around recruitment) which is an issue,” Hooper said.
“It’s just the way the club wanted to set it up and wanted to do it after they were pinched for the salary cap drama.
“Does that hurt him as a coach?” Anasta asked to which Kent replied, “Yes it does. It hurts him a lot.”
Hooper was quite bullish about Parramatta. And maintains that BA has one hand tied behind his back when it comes to recruitment.
