With a run in the side Eccles is now becoing much more matured and has been at times very good. He has quick feet and good space awareness. Different to Allen completely. The question is do we do better with Allen runing around closing people down or Eccles making more tackles and winning the ball? It's a nice problem to have.
We have been without a much improved palmer too as he was really begining to show some class. Yet here we are unbeaten in 8. A team is not as good as the individuals you have but the the players that make the more perfect fit.
Hamer has also improved immeasurably during this same period. If Allen comes back, I think Hamer retreats back again to being less dynamic.