Your 2005 Parrmatta Eels Side

[oldmancraigy]

TE and UTE: totally agree!

14 (hooker/ utility)
15 (Backrower)
16 (Prop)
17 (Prop)

THIS is why I don't think Wagon will play first grade next year! The guys who have signed up are here to play first grade, so my bench would be something like:

14 Marsh (I'm assuming he starts here because of his injury - perhaps he will slot into the starting lineup at halfback over the course of the year?)
15 Widders (goes without saying)
16 Vella (much maligned - but I think he will definitely play first grade next year - and benefit from being around some 'boofier' forwards)
17 Cannings (assuming that he won't be starting)

It's possible that Tsoulos plays at 16 and Vella in reserves or something... but, with that bench the starting pack HAS to include Morrison, Hindmarsh, Cayless, Robinson (you might like to change him with one of the benchies), Riddell, Stringer (ditto Robinson). No room for Wags --> unless he plays 5/8 (please no!!!)

Will be VERY interesting to see (I wait in eager anticipation of having Morris play 5/8 - someone who can actually put a player into a gap.... )

 

[Utey]

Pretty logical response. Look for a bench something like that. I really wish Marsh doesnt play half but if he works I will be estatic.

 

[Jake the snake]

mateo has to be there somewhere.

 

[Pazza]

Yeah, Afasamaga, Mateo! You kinda get sick of the same old shit (Vella, Wagon, Peek)

 

[Jake the snake]

Vella and Wagon should 've been the first to go how they are still employed at this club is beyond me.

 

[Utey]

Well they have contracts which I dont think we be resigned again. Wagon surely will not be retained.

 

[Pazza]

I cant see how anyone finds Iafeta team good (no offence)? Worst defencive backline in the league! 2 forwards in the starting pack that has no justification for being there! no interchange hooker for riddel and Talented players like Tsoulos, T Smith, Mateo and Afasamaga rotting away in PL.

 

[Stagger eel]

there are 4 players who's contracts are up at the end of the year and I'm predicting a big first half of the year from Morris, Vella, Wags and Peterson. Both Vella and Wags have given the club great service but it is probably the most critical time of their career to perform, I think they'll turn it on ;-)

 

[Pazza]

and turn it off when re signed!

 

[Utey]

They will turn it on as hard as they can. But if they get injured I doubt they will be resigned.

 

[Jake the snake]

The fact is after 01 and 02 we should've got rid of all the people that choked in the GF except for Both Hindmarsh, Cayless and Lyon. We all know what happened to Lyon. But we have managed to keep the players that suck such as Vella, wagon and Burt.

 

[bartman]

I cant see how anyone finds Iafeta team good (no offence)?

We won't know if it's any good until we see if the players turn up and put in as of round 1. But you can be sure that it's pretty close to accurate. Add in an 18 who can cover half/hooker and that's the sqaud the 2005 first choice side will come from, like it or not.

What Iafeta's team does show is that we are short in the centres, and need a young gun (B Smith, O'Dwyer, Graham, Davis etc) to step up and shine and maybe take one of those positions by mid-year. Guys like Tsolous and Jack Afa know what lies ahead of them, and will need to perform to gain/keep a first grade place. If they are good enough they will - either through earning promotion through form or as a chance when there's an injury. Same with Tim Smith and Mateo - maybe one of them is the half/utility that I'm saying should be included in 18?

But it all will come down to how the players that are chosen for the matches play on the day. And what the coach (or coaching staff) can do to improve it from what we've seen since 2002, by motivating, training and schooling the players effectively, developing their confidence and coming up with fresh game plans. Here's hoping!!

 

[Utey]

Yeah we cant really bag smith for what his doing with our sqaud. Its up to the players now and Iam sure some will preform and some wont. But the trials will really determine where people are played and if they are played at all.

 

[True EEL]

well that is what "should" happen UTE??? ;-)

 

[Utey]

Yeah We will just have to see now. Cant wait till trials. . I hope we lose some. Last year we won them all and has a dismal season and If i can remember right in 2001 we didnt do to well.

 

[Magpie Nick]

1. Wade McKinnon
2. Luke Burt
3. Ashley Graham
4. Timana Tahu
5. Eric Grothe Jnr

6. John Morris
7. Thomas Leuluai

13. Glenn Morrison
12. Mark Riddell
11. Nathan Himdmarsh (C)
10. Paul Stringer
9. PJ Marsh
8. Nathan Cayless

14. Dean Widders
15. Aaron Cannings
16. Chad Robinson
17. Michael Vella/Justin Tsulous

18. Jack Afamasaga


*Swapped Marsh and Morris.

 

[Stagger eel]

not a bad side Nick,

however Leuluai isn't a certanty yet, as Widnes has about the same chance as to get him.

 

[Magpie Nick]

Leuluai isn't a certanty yet.

Yeh I know, but I'm just implying that you lot will sign him. I mean, you have Brian Smith and Fitzgerald at the helm, anything can happen as we have seen...

 

[Phillips]

1. McKinnon
2. Burt
3. ?????
4. Tahu
5. Grothe
6. Morris
7. Leuluai
8. Cannings
9. Riddell
10. Cayless (Captain)
11. Hindmarsh
12. Perenara
13. Morrison (Vice Captain)

14. Robinson
15. Widders
16. Stringer
17. Marsh

another idea would be:
Cayless to the 2md Row, Robinson to starting prop and Perenara to the bench

 

[Pazza]

you put Penenara in the staring line up in front of Robison