In an interview during Friday night’s Fox League match preview, Brad Arthur confirmed that nine Eels players were unavailable for trial selection.

Amongst those out of action were first grade contenders Maika Sivo (knee), Bryce Cartwright (fractured jaw), Waqa Blake (broken arm), Haze Dunster (knee) and Bailey Simonsson (shoulder).

You can also include out of favour middle Nathan Brown (hamstring) and dummy half Mitch Rein (head) to the injury ward.

Whether any of those players will be available for round one selection is not yet certain, but after the trial Shaun Lane (broken jaw) and Ryan Matterson (suspension) have to be added as definite outs for the opener against Melbourne, with Zac Cini (rib cartilage) and Matt Doorey (ankle) also in doubt.

Lane being taken from the field

If all of the players listed above continue to be unavailable, that will represent more than one third of the roster. With only 28 players currently registered in the top 30, that means just 18 Eels would be fit for selection.

The reality is probably not as gloomy though it remains a test of Parra’s depth. Early indications are that Matt Doorey and Maika Sivo should be right to go, but outside of them question marks remain.

Haze Dunster is listed for an opening round return. In terms of match fitness he’s unquestionably underdone and they may opt to bring him back via the NSW Cup.

If Dunster were selected it takes the pressure off a Waqa Blake return. Sean Russell would shift to centre in Blake’s place.

Will BA roll the dice with Waqa?

My answer would be yes. If the athletic Blake gets a medical clearance, it’s a bone injury to the arm, not a joint injury. He’s continued to maintain his fitness during rehab, he’d been involved in the preseason prior to his injury, and is a highly experienced NRL player. Someone like Waqa doesn’t need to return via the lower grade.

I’ll go out on a limb and lock in the Round 1 three-quarters as Sivo, Penisini, Blake and Russell. Given Russell’s trial form, there won’t be many objecting to that line up.

The edge forward problem is not so confidently solved.

Let’s forget about forwards in other positions. Nathan Brown and Mitch Rein are scheduled to return but neither solve Parra’s problems on the edge.

At one time, Browny’s presence, even off the bench, might have eased the pressure. However, recent headlines have all focussed on his departure from the club. The former Origin star has been recovering from a hamstring injury during the latter part of the preseason, and prior to that he didn’t appear to feature in Parra’s plans for the season.

With the injury toll at such numbers, it’s likely that Momoisea will get the nod.

The recruit from Newcastle was in an early battle with Matt Doorey for the right edge spot. After a less than stellar trial against the Panthers, he arguably played himself out of not just a starting role, but even a place in the top 17.

His form in the second trial was much better, and given his versatility, he could be back into contention for the interchange bench.

But replacing a game changer like Shaun Lane is another matter altogether. Jirah has trained on the left a few times during the preseason, but if BA selects him there he’ll be demanding that he finds more than his exposed form, especially against the Storm.

Bryce Cartwright would be a similar gamble to Waqa should Arthur opt for him. He has the experience to handle the pressure of returning straight to NRL level footy, which is a definite advantage. However, he’s more likely to come into consideration for the bench.

The other option is Jack Murchie. This bloke has trained impressively in the middle during opposed work, but he has NRL experience as an edge forward.

Murchie could cover edge and middle

Again this is not a great outcome, as it is robbing Peter to pay Paul. In other words, it would be weakening the bench to fill the vacant back row position. A bit of left field thinking might see Murchie start in the back row, then become part of the middle rotation at the first interchange with Momoisea or Cartwright coming onto the edge off the bench. Marata Niukore did similarly at different times in his career at the Eels.

Should the Eels upgrade Toni Mataele? He’s fit, aggressive and at 20 years of age has a promising future. I’ve tipped him to be the next rising Eel to earn an NRL debut, so perhaps that will come much earlier than I anticipated.

On the other hand, Arthur has selection traits that have remained true for just on a decade. Based on past evidence, the Eels coach prefers to debut young forwards via limited minutes off the bench. That doesn’t align with the back row, a spot that is often an 80 minute responsibility under BA’s tenure.

A couple of weeks ago, I had a crack at a round one team list. Injuries and trial form have changed the landscape around the pack and the bench.

My back row would now be Doorey and Murchie. As I suggested earlier, I would then make Murchie part of the middle rotation at the first interchange.

Turning to the bench, it would be Arthur (who would be there as cover for the spine and would likely get minimal minutes), Cartwright/Momoisea, Makatoa and Greig.

Jirah Momoisea

I fully expect my selection of Jake Arthur to generate howls of disapproval. BA might not take this path. However, when the Cup side doesn’t play on the same day as the NRL team, it makes it possible for BA to cover his spine on the bench without diminishing Jake’s development in NSW Cup.

When Lane returns, I see the bench being Matterson, Murchie, Makatoa and Momoisea/Cartwright (all the Ms?).

I have no inside knowledge as to what BA will do. He has around four field sessions to work it out. One is already under the belt and I didn’t attend it.

Forced to predict his call, I reckon he’ll opt for Momoisea ahead of Carty. But whether he starts Jirah or brings him off the bench is the big question. He has also signalled his preference to select Jake in NSW Cup, so he might go with an extra middle such as Ogden or Rodwell.

All will be revealed at next week’s Team List Tuesday.

Eels forever!

Sixties

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