Mateo To Play

[system]

PARRAMATTA's push for a top-eight spot has received a massive boost with Feleti Mateo set to make his NRL return in tonight's blockbuster against the Wests Tigers at the Sydney Football Stadium.
>
Eels sources last night told The Daily Telegraph that Mateo will be named on the bench when coach Daniel Anderson announces his team one hour before kick-off.
>
Mateo has been out for 14 weeks after rupturing his bicep against Manly in Round 10\. But he completed a full training session last night before Anderson decided to rush him back. Eels sources would not confirm which player will make way for Mateo.
>
It was anticipated Mateo would return with Wentworthville in the NSW Cup tomorrow.
>
A Parramatta source said: "The guessing game has been going on all week with both coaches trying to keep each other in the dark. But you'll find Feleti will definitely be in the team when it's announced. He has trained really well this week and obviously convinced Daniel Anderson that he's right to go.''

If they put him on the bench in place of Ben Smith or Latimore this will be a massive advantage for us

 

[weststigerman]

Yeah?

No matter who Mateo replaces it's a disadvantage IMO. We've always struggled with players that can offload, and he's probably the best in the NRL at it. He's killed us before with offloads.

 

[system]

Yeah his offloads are something.

But Ben Smith has been the workhorse that has kept them in tight games in the past, Latimore is one of only two replacement props.

If they drop Kingston for Potato they are asking Keating to play the 80 which we will capitalise on.

It has it's down side for sure but I would rathewr a Mateo coming back into a side who has not played than play against the other workers who allow Hayne and co to do their thing

 

[king_sirro]

If Anderson doesnt play Mateo against us he's a joke. Mateo goes from a good first grader to a superstar every time he plays us. Lets just hope he's very under done and cant play many minutes.

 

[Guest]

Mateo hasn't played in 14 weeks, that's the key. His timing will hopefully be off and if it's a fast game he could be blowing hard early if the Tigers dominate possession. Provided the Tigers turn up to tackle in numbers, I reckon they'll handle Mateo ok.

 

[Eye_Of_Wests_Tigers]

If our boys are smart they would run straight at Mateo as soon as he comes on. He hasn't had much game time, if any, and in this "finals type" game he will be sucking in the big ones early. In saying that if they lose Ben Smith or Latimore or Kingston, thats a disadvantage for them, swapping a fit player for a bloke who is coming back after 4-5 months on the sideline!

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

i hope Mateo does play. ray: does he remember what a football looks like?

 

[Footy_Head_Goodness]

might backfire for them if he plays. first game back for ages. i cant recall the last game i saw him play.

 

[T91]

A little stat..

Mateo is currently placed 14th in offloads with 31.. currently third best in the club and that's even after missing 14 weeks of football.

It could work against the Eels (Hopefully), his fitness would be a major issue but I think he offers more than Latimore even if he only played 40-50mins.

PS: Bronson Harrison is leading offloads with 70!

 

[sando88]

knew mateo would play. hopefully we can contain his offloads, only thing which can hurt us

here's hoping he hogs the 5th tackle options as he is quite inconsistent there putting alot of kicks dead

 

[dimitri]

You guys are kidding yourselves.

Was Galloway and Heigo a hinderance when they came back after a long lay-off?

The guy is all class.

If we beat the Eels, confidence will be sky high and the momentum in favour of the Tigers could be Tsunami like.

Give it your best boys.

 

[Footy_Head_Goodness]

You guys are kidding yourselves.

Was Galloway and Heigo a hinderance when they came back after a long lay-off?

The guy is all class.

If we beat the Eels, confidence will be sky high and the momentum in favour of the Tigers could be Tsunami like.

Give it your best boys.

Clearly you werent at the game nor watched the game. We were dead for the final 20mins because we had to cover for the lack of fitness with 2 players coming back from injuries…..+ Sheens's decisions to not play Morris till the 75th minute!!!

 

[MGB]

They're not stupid, if he is fit he is a weapon.
I have always thought he could go on to become one of the best players in the NRL, if he is anything close to match fit then in my opinion things have gotten tougher but far from impossible.

 

[Kul]

[No message]