Opportunity knocks for Arthur and his new-look Eels

Eels coach Brad Arthur is looking forward to the opportunity of testing new combinations in Thursday’s season opener against the Storm having named a vastly different side to the 17 that went down to Penrith in last year’s Grand Final.

It’s not the time of year a club wants to be staring down the barrel of a top 30 dispensation but the departure of several stars, followed by an injury-cruelled pre-season, has left Arthur looking to several new names to face a team that hasn’t lost in Round 1 since 2001.

With Ryan Matterson (suspended), Nathan Brown (hamstring) and Shaun Lane all out, Arthur said the Storm game brings an opportunity to test new combinations in the heat of battle.

“We’ll probably have to apply for a couple outside the Top 30. But every team has to go through it (injuries),” Arthur told the media.

“Maybe it’s because we had a bit of a shortened pre-season for some of the guys… but we’ve got five or six blokes that won’t be available for selection.

“It is exciting because it gives other blokes an opportunity and someone hopefully steps up that we mightn’t have known about, especially in the back row where we’ve got some new players getting an opportunity.

"I don’t know what our best combinations are at the moment but we’ll sort that out in the first couple of weeks."

How the Eels will fill the void left by Reed Mahoney, Isaiah Papali’i, Oregon Kaufusi and Marata Niukore has been a subject of debate during the off-season but off the back of an impressive recruitment drive, Arthur has named a forward pack capable of matching it with Storm's big men.

Bryce Cartwright will start in the back row after recovering from a broken jaw alongside Bulldogs recruit Matt Doorey in his club debut, while J’maine Hopgood will start at lock after making the move from Penrith in the off-season.

Meanwhile, Warriors signing Jack Murchie and Newcastle recruit Jirah Momoisea will make their debut in the blue and gold earlier than expected after being named on Parramatta's bench.

“Matt Doorey played 50 minutes in the second trial and he’ll get an opportunity to start,” Arthur said.

“Jirah will come off the bench and will get an opportunity in the back row at some stage and Murch will come off the bench for us too and he can play a bit at middle or on an edge.

“Carty’s (Jed Cartwright) is coming off an injury and hasn’t played any footy or done a lot with the team since had a broken jaw but he’s a season campaigner and has been in our system for a while now so he’ll also start for us.”

Handed the first opportunity in Parramatta’s vacant right-edge position, Arthur said he holds big expectations for 22-year-old Doorey, who made a move from Belmore at the end of last season.

“What I like about Doorey is he’s a Parramatta junior and I know he left but now he’s back and I think that’s good for our club,” Arthur said.

“He’s had a few injuries but he’s had a really good pre-season and got through most of the sessions so it’s a good opportunity and good challenge for him.

“He hasn’t done a lot of work in the NRL as an 80-minute player and that’s going to be our requirement and expectation for him at some stage. Although I don’t expect that for Round 1.

"It’s exciting for him, he’s just a good, tough player. No frills, he’ll run a good hard line for us, so he’ll be playing alongside Mitch (Moses)."