Round 15 - Eels v Storm
Updated line-up.
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen
2. Sandor Earl
3. Brenko Lee
4. Justin Olam
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Ryley Jacks
20. Cooper Johns
10. Christian Welch
9. Brandon Smith
17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
11. Felise Kaufusi
12. Kenneath Bromwich
13. Tino Faasuamaleaui
14. Nicho Hynes
15. Tom Eisenhuth
16. Albert Vete
21. Darryn Schonig
18. Marion Seve
19. Chris Lewis
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen
2. Sandor Earl
3. Brenko Lee
4. Justin Olam
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Ryley Jacks
20. Cooper Johns
10. Christian Welch
9. Brandon Smith
17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
11. Felise Kaufusi
12. Kenneath Bromwich
13. Tino Faasuamaleaui
14. Nicho Hynes
15. Tom Eisenhuth
16. Albert Vete
21. Darryn Schonig
18. Marion Seve
19. Chris Lewis
Nah I agree, I love NAS off the bench (in combination with Tino, even better) - but both starting makes sense this week.
I think Craig would feel obligated to start NAS. A regular would likely see a fringe player starting ahead of them as a slap in the face. In reality, NAS looks like a monster when he comes from the bench and it only enhances his image (and helps the team).
On the flip side though, we don't want to allow the Eels to get away to a strong start and I am sure that would be a driving factor in starting NAS rather than uising him from the bench. Yeah our bench looks a lot weaker than usual, but hopefully after 20 minutes we are right in the game.
Personally, I would have Jesse, Welch and Tui start in front of NAS if fit. And it has nothing to do with thinking those players are better than NAS as a prop. More his impact from the bench can completely turn momentum our way in games. I wish the idea of coming from the bench wasn't so frowned up, as it is so important in the game today.
I think Craig would feel obligated to start NAS. A regular would likely see a fringe player starting ahead of them as a slap in the face. In reality, NAS looks like a monster when he comes from the bench and it only enhances his image (and helps the team).
On the flip side though, we don't want to allow the Eels to get away to a strong start and I am sure that would be a driving factor in starting NAS rather than uising him from the bench. Yeah our bench looks a lot weaker than usual, but hopefully after 20 minutes we are right in the game.
Personally, I would have Jesse, Welch and Tui start in front of NAS if fit. And it has nothing to do with thinking those players are better than NAS as a prop. More his impact from the bench can completely turn momentum our way in games. I wish the idea of coming from the bench wasn't so frowned up, as it is so important in the game today.
Agree, he's a matchwinner in that position. Especially if he can be isolated on a tiring half like we did a few weeks back against Ash Taylor, talk about just unfair. He'd probably already had to make 20 tackles and then NAS hits him while he's tired close to the line.
He is also the special comments on the ABC NRL Grandstand coverage, and I highly appreciate his insights.yourhero wrote: ↑Thu Aug 20, 2020 7:33 am Matthew Elliott and Jamie Soward preview the game - https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/ ... -round-15/
I really enjoy Matthew Elliott's analysis.