Thursday, April 22, 2004
Injuries might be a blessing
Mid-season injuries can either be a blessing or a curse. Last year they were a curse. With the likes of Hindmarsh and Cayless having extended stints on the sidelines, Parramatta was unable to win enough games early to put themselves in striking distance of making the top eight.
However, 1Eyed Eel feels some of the injuries affecting Parramatta right now, could actually be a blessing in disguise.
Thankfully, none of the injuries have been too serious. The worse was Aaron Cannings broken arm, but even three months out is only around half the season.
On the other hand, injuries to the likes of Chris Muckert, Lee Hopkins, Ronald Prince and Mick Vella have been relatively minor and they have given the Eels the opportunity to blood lower grade players in First Grade. Prince, Luke O'Dwyer, Junior Langi, Chris Armit, Shane Muspratt and Fui Fui Moi Moi have all found themselves with opportunities to tackle the NRL and Justin Tsoulos looks like he might get the same chance this week.
So far, they have all stepped up to the mark and whereas last year we lost all the tight games, this year we’re winning them.
Already, the Eels have a squad of around 25 players who have tasted first grade this year and none have looked out of their depth. And that’s with quality players like Michael Witt, Chris Muckert, Chris Thorman, Mal Kaufusi, Ashley Graham and Jeremiah Pai who are still itching to get their call up. That’s 30 players in the squad with definite first grade ability and we haven’t even started talking about the young stars that are ripping it up in Jersey Flegg.
However, 1Eyed Eel feels some of the injuries affecting Parramatta right now, could actually be a blessing in disguise.
Thankfully, none of the injuries have been too serious. The worse was Aaron Cannings broken arm, but even three months out is only around half the season.
On the other hand, injuries to the likes of Chris Muckert, Lee Hopkins, Ronald Prince and Mick Vella have been relatively minor and they have given the Eels the opportunity to blood lower grade players in First Grade. Prince, Luke O'Dwyer, Junior Langi, Chris Armit, Shane Muspratt and Fui Fui Moi Moi have all found themselves with opportunities to tackle the NRL and Justin Tsoulos looks like he might get the same chance this week.
So far, they have all stepped up to the mark and whereas last year we lost all the tight games, this year we’re winning them.
Already, the Eels have a squad of around 25 players who have tasted first grade this year and none have looked out of their depth. And that’s with quality players like Michael Witt, Chris Muckert, Chris Thorman, Mal Kaufusi, Ashley Graham and Jeremiah Pai who are still itching to get their call up. That’s 30 players in the squad with definite first grade ability and we haven’t even started talking about the young stars that are ripping it up in Jersey Flegg.
