Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Depth already proving crucial
Only three weeks into a drama-charged competition, the important of a team's depth is already being highlighted.
All clubs are already suffering from injuries, none more so than Newcastle who lost Andrew Johns for the season in their game against Parramatta. After that game both Brian Smith and Michael Hagan said that the game had become so tough that players need to bash themselves in training just to prepare themselves for the rigours of the weekend game.
As 1Eyed Eel has already pointed out on a number of occasions, Parramatta's depth is second to none and the competition is proving already that this is going to be key to the team's success this year.
Parra went into last week's clash missing Jaimie Lyon, Matt Peterson, Wise Kativerata, Chris Muckert, Ashley Graham, Corey Pearson and Lee Hopkins. That's seven established first graders all missing from action.
Yet the Eels hardly skipped a beat. Replacements like Ronald Prince, Junior Langi and Luke O'Dwyer all came into the team and not only held their own, but in the case of Prince, excelled. Meanwhile, back in Premier League, there were another eight or nine players with significant first grade experience or potential waiting for an opportunity.
That's not to say Parra is totally immune to injury worries - we would certainly struggle again if we lost Nathan Hindmarsh - but there does appear to be able backup all over the park. For example, sceptics thought Parra would have no attacking potency with Jaimie Lyon missing from the backline but that has already been disproved.
As the season goes on, injury tolls will continue to mount and depth is only going to play a larger part in depending who makes it to the final eight.
All clubs are already suffering from injuries, none more so than Newcastle who lost Andrew Johns for the season in their game against Parramatta. After that game both Brian Smith and Michael Hagan said that the game had become so tough that players need to bash themselves in training just to prepare themselves for the rigours of the weekend game.
As 1Eyed Eel has already pointed out on a number of occasions, Parramatta's depth is second to none and the competition is proving already that this is going to be key to the team's success this year.
Parra went into last week's clash missing Jaimie Lyon, Matt Peterson, Wise Kativerata, Chris Muckert, Ashley Graham, Corey Pearson and Lee Hopkins. That's seven established first graders all missing from action.
Yet the Eels hardly skipped a beat. Replacements like Ronald Prince, Junior Langi and Luke O'Dwyer all came into the team and not only held their own, but in the case of Prince, excelled. Meanwhile, back in Premier League, there were another eight or nine players with significant first grade experience or potential waiting for an opportunity.
That's not to say Parra is totally immune to injury worries - we would certainly struggle again if we lost Nathan Hindmarsh - but there does appear to be able backup all over the park. For example, sceptics thought Parra would have no attacking potency with Jaimie Lyon missing from the backline but that has already been disproved.
As the season goes on, injury tolls will continue to mount and depth is only going to play a larger part in depending who makes it to the final eight.
