Opinion
Since Waqa Blake’s move to the Eels, fans have been disappointed with his less then satisfactory reads in defence.
This was exasperated with the team’s poor performance last weekend against Tom Trbojevic and the Manly Sea Eagles.
Eels fans have expressed their concerns on social media, crying out to coach Brad Arthur to make a change, especially in what will be a true test for Parra’s season when they come up against the likes of the consistently great Storm and the juggernauts, the Penrith Panthers.
Eels tragics have suggested coach Arthur replace Blake with big-bodied back-rower Marata Niukore. Fans are suggesting Niukore is the answer, as he slotted in during Blake’s absence with ease.
I am not yet ready to draw a line through Blake. I look at him and can see talent oozing.
He has the potential to be one of the best centres in the game. The guy is big, strong and athletic.
Do yourself a favour and look up Blake’s highlights. The guy is a freak. No disrespect to Niukore, he has done a fine job, but you can’t say he has been setting the world on fire in the centres.
Blake’s upside is something Arthur is looking for. He is a real threat on the edge, especially after losing the likes of Michael Jennings on the opposite edge.
Not to make excuses for Blake but he is returning from injury as well. Arthur will get the best out of him moving forward.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Blake just needs some time back in first grade to get his timing and fitness back. Believe it, Eels fan, the best is still yet to come for Blake.
In response to the keyboard warriors bagging Blake for his performance last week, I say it wasn’t only Blake making poor reads against Manly.
Arthur came out this week stating he thought a number of people weren’t doing their job last weekend, and felt it was unfair to single out the edge players. I wholeheatedly agree.
The inclusion of five-eighth Dylan Brown in the next couple of weeks will shore up the the defensive line. Brown has shown to be a very safe defender and strong with his first contact. This will help with the edge players and their reads in defence moving forward.
Fellow Parra fans, don’t stress yet. Coach Arthur has the team’s best interest at heart and most importantly the fans’.
He has the team building to something special. Arthur understands it’s a slow burn to build towards a premiership and the team will learn from their losses.
Arthur will be the man that will bring our first premiership to the club since the ’80s. It might not be this year, but in the coming years the NRL will be on notice.
I can speak for the entire blue-and-gold army when I say we expect to see a united defensive line win, lose or draw.
The defence should trust one another and maintain discipline when faced with adversity. We do not expect poor reads, running out of the line and most importantly, head highs.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Gold Coast don’t get credit for doing too many things right but when it comes to sacking a coach mid-season they are the gold…
1. Tigers earning their stripes The Tigers played Souths last year when the Bunnies were at their very highest point. Tim Sheens coached them…
The St George Illawarra revival is now prompting a question that was on nobody’s radar heading into the 2024 season - can the Dragons…
"It got too hard, and they gave up. Simple as that."
Who is this team and what have they done with the Dolphins? With Wayne Bennett consigned to his sick bed back in Redcliffe, the…
Benji Marshall is unfazed that Penrith are eyeing Wests Tigers gun Stefano Utoikamanu as a possible replacement for the outgoing James Fisher-Harris. Ahead of…
