Of all the questions asked of me during this preseason, based on frequency, one stands out above all others
What do you think BA will do with the 14 jersey?
And it’s not unexpected that supporters would be curious.
The starting 13 seems set in concrete. Little dispute there. And though there might be some jostling for interchange positions, the 14 jersey is possibly indicative of a key strategy for BA this season.
Does he look to provide respite for Mahoney?
Does he cover potential injuries?
Does he further weaponise the pack?
With this in mind, there are considerations that have to be made.
The weaponising strategy would involve naming another forward – thereby carrying four forwards on the bench. It’s unlikely, but with fringe young guns such as Kaufusi and Utoikamanu waiting in the wings, and the versatility of Ryan Matterson to cover injuries in the halves or centres, it’s not completely out of the question.
The danger in such a strategy lies in the unexpected. Versatility equals reshuffling players between positions. The risk becomes weakening a strength to compensate for a hole. For that reason alone, I’m discounting a weaponised bench.
In providing respite for Reed Mahoney, BA may decide to name a second dummy half. During 2019, Arthur looked for the answer in different ways. In the early part of that year he considered Salmon for this role. Later on, Gutherson jumped into dummy half on either side of half time. Neither approach seemed to work, with the attack looking somewhat clunky during Mahoney’s absence.
Rhys Davies
The elevation of Rhys Davies to the Top 30, and his training as a dummy half during the pre-season, has potentially increased the likelihood of a second dummy half option. Prior to this, the only specialist dummy halves in the club were Mahoney and Kyle Schneider. Whilst I see Kyle as having an NRL career in that position, his development path will likely see him spending 2020 in either Flegg or Canterbury Cup.
Is Rhys Davies ready for NRL selection?
In my opinion he’ll need more time in that role at Canterbury Cup level to hone his skills and his capacity to handle the increased workload. Davies defends exceptionally well for a halfback, and his fitness levels are only just behind Gutho. However, the defensive load required of a dummy half is incredibly demanding. Furthermore, the number 9 handles the ball more frequently than any other player, and he has to be able to read the play and execute precision passes under fatigue. Davies will need to demonstrate that regularly under match conditions to be considered for NRL selection.
And so to what I see as the most appropriate use of our current roster – the utility player.
With such a selection, Arthur would name a player who could cover multiple positions across the field which may or may not include the dummy half role. The advantage of such an approach would be found in the individual players and what they bring to the table.
The main contenders would be Ray Stone, Brad Takairangi, Jaeman Salmon and Will Smith. In listing them that way, I’ve placed them in order from most likely to least likely.
Ray Stone
At 180cm and 95kg, Stone is one of the smallest forwards on the Eels roster. However, this lack of size doesn’t detract from his ability to hurt opponents in crunching tackles, and as the NRL Nines demonstrated, he has the mobility that can be advantageous in both attack and defence. Stoney has experience as an edge and middle forward, along with limited game time at dummy half. He’s developed those dummy half skills during specialised training sessions and that was demonstrated during the Nines.
Stone is therefore my number one pick for the 14 jersey.
Brad Takairangi would be Stone’s closest rival for a utility spot. Though he wouldn’t be used in a dummy half role, his versatility and skill set provides coverage right across the backline as well as the back row. Though unlikely, it’s still possible that Taka might earn a place on the interchange bench alongside someone like Stone, depending on injuries and the opposition.
What we can be confident of is that Taka is the next selected should injuries strike the Eels backs. And if Waqa Blake isn’t ready for Round 1, Taka will be selected at centre.
Until his prominence in the Nines team, Jaeman Salmon had become something of a forgotten man when it came to Eels selection decisions. The Fish’s versatility has arguably disrupted his progression in the top grade team. The former Sharks junior has answered the call to play 5/8, centre and dummy half, without getting extended time in any position to consolidate his claims.
You’ll probably get as much debate about Salmon’s best position, let alone his claims to an interchange spot. I see him as a centre, others see him as a five-eighth, and some see his 186cm, 96kg frame as potential for an edge forward role.
Maybe that makes Salmon a prime candidate for the 14 jersey?
The final option for the 14 jersey is Will Smith. Though once seen as a viable contender for the dummy half position, the fleet-footed Smith has more recently been selected as a half or fullback.
Wilbur is no stranger to the interchange bench and defended well when called upon in the past to cover the 9 role. However, he did come in for criticism about the options he took and especially his kicking, and has spent almost no time at dummy half in the last 18 months.
Despite his ability to play almost anywhere in the backline, I view Smith as fourth in line for that bench utility role.
The next couple of weeks of training, as well as the trials, might start to provide some insight into Arthur’s thinking. What decision do you think he’ll make? Would you do the same? If not, who would you select and what would be your rationale for such a decision?
For now, I’m selecting Ray Stone.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Images courtesy of Eels media.
Salmon would be my first choice.
The kid just has class imo but is yet to get a settled period of time to prove himself in first grade. Whilst he certainly isn’t a 9 he could fill in admirably in an attacking sense though defensively he’d need a little more protection than a traditional 9 and need the other forwards to aim up to assist him. But he can provide spark and something a little different, he has a lot of natural skill, and hopefully he’s has a bit of time working with the 9th in his sessions.
I like Stone too, and his service was decent in the 9s, I just don’t think he offers much in terms of spark or overall versatility. He’s a solid choice that won’t let you down, and that’s probably why he’ll get the nod, but I’d have him second cab off the rank.
I’m happy for Taka to be a backup centre, but that’s all he should be considered for. He doesn’t have the workload to play edge, and I think he’s a wasted bench option.
Will Smith imo plays 1 or plays no-where, we would need large injuries or a big origin representation for him to get in the team.
Fair comments Brad. Salmon did himself no harm with his form in the Nines. That said, I don’t see him earning a bench spot based on any plan to use him at 9. It would be his ability to cover other positions.
I think you have summed it up pretty well Sixties.
I accept Taka’s role as a standby back but if he had to play as a forward, I would be very worried.
I have had this feeling for a long time that we just don’t know how good Ray Stone can be…..he has a Paul Gallen type look about him and I can see at the end of every game, comments like “didn’t Stone make a difference when he came on” …..his dummy half play still leaves a lot to be desired but so do the alternatives…..as a defensive forward with more potential than the alternatives I cannot see why he won’t be an effective dummy half.
II would really like to see him get some longer First Grade game time so we can judge him better, than he has so far. Interesting you have seen more of him than us and your judgement is pretty sound (for an old fella).
Finally, is there any chance that Schneider could be developed as a half back in seconds…..he is a talent and I think that a hooker and a half need to be interchangeable. I see that as a great way of developing a talent for a future spine position without upsetting the current top level structure we have.
Poppa, Stone’s passing game is now much better than it was when he first jumped in there in the NRL and in NSW Cup. I too would like to see him get more game time. It was unfortunate that he was injured (illegally) when playing the Broncos at BankWest.
As for Schneider, he played in the halves as a younger junior. He would also jump in there occasionally in junior reps. I don’t think he minds doing that, though I’m not sure it’s in their plans for him.
Sixties, I think it was Manly/Tapau. I only mention it because Ray Stone is probably not sure either who belted him. One of the cleanest, most damaging high hits all year and he got one week. Deemed ‘unintentional’. And for me, Stone can climb off the deck into the 14 jumper, I reckon that was his welcome to first grade.
All of the above Brad.
Wouldn’t be surprised if Taka / Stone are both on the bench.
Nrown can play 60 plus mins while Paulo can play 50-60 min.
So we probably don’t need 3 specialist middles on the bench, especially considering Stone can play a “lock” role and Taka can play edge with Matterson / Lane in the middle.
For example there is 240 mins of game time for the middles. If they roughly play: Paulo (50 mins) RCG (40 mins) Nrown (70 mins) bench middle 1 (30 mins ) bench middle 2 (30 mins), total 220 mins, only leaves 20 mins for another middle.
So having stone / Taka probably provides better coverage and more options depending on the game is progressing then having 3 middles. Those 2 could easily cover that 20 mins.
I don’t think it’s outside the realms of possibility for both to be included. However, it would be bold, with only two places then available. Marata is a lock in, which leaves one spot to be fought over between Evans, Polar, Oregon, Stefano etc.
Coming in late on this topic, but depending on tomorrow nights CC trial where the primary candidates for the 14 spots will be on show, who gets the nod has several candidates, but tomorrow nights game only has two of them named, that being Stone and Smith, I do not see Salmon in that position rather further back in position.
Of the primary candidates I see Stone as the ideal and better option at this point of time. Simple reasons being he can play well above his weight in both defence and attack, if the reports from sixties ring true and the bells are in tune he has improved his dummy half work as well. Can he kick though may be the only string or bell missing overall.
Having 4 forwards on the bench is a better option if needed especially with Matterson in the side, he would still have the abilities he had as a 6 and could play there or in the centres if an injury happens in a game.
He has improved his dummy half skills Colin but I’d still like more trial time to get that timing right. I haven’t seen Stone kick for field position, but I’ve watched him hoist bombs – he can kick.
Thanks sixties, have been glad to read the training reports and how he has been getting his DH skills upped. If he has the ability with the high kicks, that can be more beneficial for the team than what we see from the others, any degree of variation is always (generally) beneficial, much better with variation than the same again all the time.
Agree wih your analysis abou the contenders hierarchy Sixties.
I do like Stone, he lifts the intensity when he comes on and reminds me of Beau Scott. And given his improved dummy half work he potentially provides both Mahoney & NBrown break time.
Taka doesn’t have he workrate to be a back up forward and is potentially a wasted bench spot as a reserve back.
Salmon has potential but given he hasn’t been training in the #9 he is similarly potentially a wasted bench spot.
And I reckon Stone enhanced his claims at the Nines.
The Rolling Stone will not gather too much moss while on the bench. He is tough and uncompromising and as Sixties said has also improved his passing. He just needs a chance and some time and he will be good.
Salmon for me is next, and then Davies.
Taka and Smith are back up at most. And both have had chances in the past. We cannot know their toughness but these guys (Stone / Salmon and Davies )for me deserve the chance over the others.
For me Smith is good in limited use type roles and Taka should be a centre only.
I’ve had a few Salmon fans push his case lately. His 9s performance didn’t harm his stocks. I probably rate Taka ahead of Davies Milo, certainly when it comes to early in the season. Davies chance at NRL is based on his ability to cover Reed. His skills need to be honed in the 9 at CC level to get that shot.
sixties, where do you see Parry heading at this stage of his career? Between him and Dunster I tend to think we have a couple of handy future players.
G’day Sixties, sorry to sound like a copy-cat but, I have to agree with your rationale and order of of merit when considering the options that we have for #14. Ironically this is another area where we have grown in our depth as a matter of youth developing maturity while the old hard heads have maintained their profile with age.
So, when all is considered, you’re a Stone advocate Rowdy?
I am. With Taka a close second if he is not filling in for an injured center or backrower. The Fish is showing his versatility acrss the backs from half to? wing, maybe. As he grows into his large frame Salmon could become a handy backrower.
Rowdy, I don’t think I’d like to see Fish on the wing but he did play edge in juniors. For mine he played in his best spot in this trial – centre.
After watching today’s game id say it has to go to salmon. 30 od tackles with 1 miss playing centres speaks alot it’s salmon for me
I’m still going with Stone, DM. Saw nothing to change my mind.
Would agree with you as I thought stone did enough in the trial to be the 14,
Spot on Colin.
Colin there was one point tonight where he made four tackles in a row. He did not harm his chances there tonight.
I would say he was close to the best replacement forward/non17 player with the eels. I still get peeved with no number jersey’s on the eels team, seemed to a lot of them even with some 22 and 23 numbered jersey’s but how many overall ran on to the field?
The biggest question should be… How does Kidwell remain as the defensive coach? Once again the trials highlight serious deficiencies with goal line defence and within our red zone. Thoughts?
If we break down tonight’s defensive errors we get this:
Poor contact from RCG on Cleary combined with collision from Fish in the opposite direction which propelled Cleary towards the line.
Poor decision from Gutho to pass to Sivo on the line in kick return and Panthers shift the ball before the defence can set.
Fergo’s air swing at a grubber kick – I think he needs to look in the mirror regarding some of his efforts off grubber kicks. It wasn’t the first time he’s had a poor play on one.
The bust through the middle from half way with second phase from Penrith where we looked disorganised and Smith got stepped badly.
I’m not sure that you can blame the coaching for those. As I watched the game I gave credit to Penrith for identifying moments when defenders were caught out of position (ie Salmon on Cleary’s try and left side in To’o’s try.
That said, there remains a need to improve the hit and stick aspect of some individual defenders. If you’ve been reading my training reports you’ll be aware of the work being put into defence.
On several occasions I noticed the camera’s go the coaches den, with BA, Kidwell and another fellow there behind a colourbond fence. Seemed Kidwell was the primary or only one who looked wired up and commentating each time the camera went there. BA was as usual poker faced and no doubt a bit of inner self steaming up.
The Cleary try should not have been scored, as it appeared the Salmon got in the wrong position and hampered RCG in finishing his tackle attempt. A concern for me is with Sivo, he seemed quite easily contained in the trial, and him going down again early on holding his neck is still a worry for me. The pass from Gutho that got sivo in the face, was a bad read from Gutho, as he passed it with Sivo running towards him with the pass meant for someone a bit further out.
I think Smith did not do his chances for another extension any good by his performances following that game, nor did Peni HH as well.
Colin, the assistant coach is usually micd up to relay the coach’s instructions. Pretty standard.
I’m not reading too much into the trial, other than we will be better for the run.
I think the trials proved neither Salmon or Smith should be anywhere the first grade squad. Both have had chances but time to move on.
Didn’t see anywhere enough from Matto to get me excited for the season ahead. Looked slow and disinterested for most of the time on the field. Stone for mine as the 14. Bring on Gameday and hope Matto starts to show some intent
Unmade, thanks for getting involved in the comments. I don’t think we used the edges as much as we might in the season proper. Whether that was by design or whether the Riff shut down our shifts I don’t know.
I saw enough from individuals to be happy going into round 1. As a team, we will be better for that run.
On the money Sixties.
I see it this way. Stone or Taka. Question; can Taka successfully play dummy half? Yes – #14. Definitely. No – leave him off the bench. Can Stone fill in at dummy half? Yes – there is your answer. You put Taka there, on the bench and can’t play dummy half then Gutherson has to fill in for Mahoney. That’s a no no.
You often write about Takas skill set – correctly so but I truly see as a back up centre. Certainly as our next Gower. As for Salmon – no! I see him as Parra’s next fullback. He is a good footballer. Davies as you wrote is not ready – yet. Bega showed that.
Stone for the 14 guernsey and the added advantage is his excellent defence. He reads the defence well and is quite capable of organising ruck defence.
Stone, Evans, Maranta and we let BA have the fourth choice.
Yes?
Cheers Zero. Imagine if we did choose the team and only let the coach make the final bench choice. Wouldn’t that be fun! 😁
I’ve done nothing but firm on my opinion about Stone. As for Davies, I’m now not even certain as to which position he will play in Canterbury Cup. I think there are challengers in both the half and hooker roles there.