SQUAD v EELS - Momo dropped, Verills back

[Waylander]

SQUAD v EELS

I haven't watched last weeks game yet, as I was out in the bush and could only listen on the radio. The commentators reckoned we were the better side for most of the game, so I'm taking encouragement from that and looking forward to the Eels game. After all, we've beaten them once already and they were apparently horrid last week.

Smith in for Momirovski, Verrills back, but still no Jazz. Keary named but will have to pass HIA protocols. Strange bench selection with both Hutch and Watson.

GO EASTS !!

ROOSTERS:
1. Teddy
2. Tupou
3. Smith
4. Manu
5. Suaalii
6. Walker
7. Keary
8. Collins
9. Verrills
10. SST
11. Crichton
12. Tupouniua
13. Butcher, Nat

INTERCHANGE:
14. Watson
15. Hutch
16. Butcher, E
17. Baker

RESERVES:
18. Lam
19. DSF
20. Momirovski
21. May
22. Keighran

[Easts75]

Still no JWH
Gee I hope SST and Collins play big minutes as there are next to 0 metres on offering from that bench !!
Hope Billy kills it

[Team Evil]

Hutch will most likely come in for Keary.
May onto the Bench

[roosterproud]

momo dropped is interesting. so if Keary is out Joey M to the halves and momo back in. or do you just put Lam in as a direct replacement

[Spirit of 66]

I agree with the commentators. We were better for most of the game - we were thwarted by two try line penalties given to Melbourne for reasons I don't understand (I'm sure they were fair, I just can't understand the rules any more) and Momo missing a few critical tackles (note: all of Melbourne's tries came down his side).

I am keeping the faith. Jarred and Victor should be back soon and we can still do some damage in this comp.

[DP1990]

Hutch will most likely come in for Keary.
May onto the Bench

Yep. Hutch will play with Keary to rest this round plus the BYE to have a few weeks off for rest and recovery.


Finally some common sense. Momirovski dropped to reserves and Smith given another crack at left centre. May will be named on the bench.

[gragra]

A good team selected.....as expected ...

[theGman]

Ducks 'n drakes.

Don't be surprised if Smith and Joe S swap positions during the game just to ease him in. Why not?

We've gotta start getting our combinations right and making our progression into the top 6.

[top_joe]

Fancy hair Billy better have a cracking game or he will be toasted on here! Glad Robbo finally made the call.

[Bahrain Rooster]

Good to see Smith getting another chance. Hutch and Watson on the bench is an odd one, maybe one will play as a lock mid-game should Keary take his spot in the halves.

[Noosa Rooster]

I agree with the commentators. We were better for most of the game - we were thwarted by two try line penalties given to Melbourne for reasons I don't understand (I'm sure they were fair, I just can't understand the rules any more) and Momo missing a few critical tackles (note: all of Melbourne's tries came down his side).

I am keeping the faith. Jarred and Victor should be back soon and we can still do some damage in this comp.

I read somewhere that JWH would be out for 6 weeks. Rads not due back till R19 according to NRL.com.
To stay in the 8 we will have to rely on the current troops. Verrills back is a big plus IMO. May be able to push to 5 or 6 with them back but almost impossible for a top 4 finish from here.

Still once you're in the finals anything can happen. I remember Canterbury being flogged in the last round years ago and scrapping into 5th when its was a 5 team final series and then going onto win the big dance, so while it may be unlikely, it's still possible. Sure, different times, different game but keep the faith.

[milanja]

Robbo gave in to the demands of the pen.

[zac]

don't see why keary won't play if he'd passed his hia as reported.
hutch may drop off the bench and be replaced by dsf or may. good to see egan butch get another go

[Rooster90]

Robbo gave in to god damn common sense.

*fixed for you

[FlamingRooster]

I’m convinced Keighran has pissed someone off behind the scenes. It was reported the Raiders were looking at him earlier this year, and also wouldn’t be surprised if the Dolphins were also looking at him. I believe he is a 5/8 and a good one at that, and should be ahead of hutch in that position (obviously not keary or walker) , and also believes at least offensively offers more than Verrills at hooker. At the very least based on his form in RG he should be ahead of Smith and recently Watson as utility. At the very least Momo can find his defensive feet in Reggies.