Is it by circumstance or design that the four Eels hookers in 2016 are only contracted for one year? That’s right; Nathan Peats, Isaac De Gois, Kaysa Pritchard and Cameron King are on the last year of their current deal or have been signed for 2016 only. Very interesting times indeed for one of the most important positions on the field in today’s game.

Like many of you, I watched the recent Eels Club Day on Foxtel with interest. Seeing the likes of Paul Taylor, Michael Moseley, Brad Drew, Kevin Kingston and Matt Keating play hooker shows you how far the position has come.

Back in the 80’s, Moseley and Taylor were tireless defenders, always matching Ray Price in the tackle count. Their work from dummy half was pretty much ‘get it to Sterlo’. Sounds like a good plan and worked a treat! The 5-metre rule didn’t help an attack minded hooker either, meaning metres from dummy half were very hard to come by.

Fast forward to Drew and Kingston, and you can see what damage a hooker with speed, vision and the necessary support players can do. These guys didn’t let up in defence either, and they developed a kicking game.

Hooker is truly the all rounder of a rugby league team in 2016, and if you can get one who can play 80 minutes, even better.

BA has a halves pairing, which on paper, has to be in the top 3 in the comp. Perhaps only the Cowboys and Brisbane can boast a better 6 and 7 than the Eels in 2016 and depending on how they settle in, maybe it is only the Cowboys ahead of Foran and Norman. To take full advantage, the halves need a hooker who can provide quick, quality ball, see attacking options and take pressure off via a quality kicking game.

Lets take a quick look at each player, in likely order of BA preference.

Nathan Peats

Peats came to the Eels in 2014 to start at hooker. He immediately made a huge difference in defence, tightening up the ruck. The highlight for mine was his line speed and big hits on bigger forwards. Early in 2014 he was being mentioned for representative honours with the Blues, and made the emerging squad. Unfortunately, he did his ACL in late May 2014 and missed the rest of the season.

Peats has played 29 times for Parramatta (10 & 19) over his two years at the club. Injury has been Nathan’s curse at Parramatta. Injuries, and having to walk to training as some of you may recall! In 2015, Nathan once again hurt his knee before playing half a game with a fractured vertebra before having surgery on his neck. He is now back in full training and has been cleared for 2016.

Nathan’s key stats for 2015 include an average of 48 tackles per game, only 2 missed tackles and an error every three games. That is the player we know.

Some people think that attack is where the work is required. He runs 6 times a game, breaks the line once every five games and off loads once every 10 games.

However, when I compare his attack stats to the likes of Smith, Segeyaro, Luke, and Glanville, it becomes obvious that Nathan needs to spread his workload more effectively, not unlike another Nathan we used to know and love. Sure, his attack stats are down on some of the games best hookers, but that is because he is averaging in some cases, 20 tackles per game more than them! The best hookers in the game today are more than tackling machines but if Peats isn’t making those tackles, who will?

These are two questions that Nathan needs to answer this year

• Injury – can he make a positive return from the neck injury, and be as strong as he has been previously in defence? Can his body match his courage?
• Attack – can he develop his attacking game such that he becomes another option for our halves? Can he create more room, time and pressure relief for Foran and Norman

Isaac De Gois

Signed on a two and a half year deal when Peats was injured in 2014, Isaac joined the Eels from the Sharks. He has proven to be good value, bringing experience, defensive qualities and tidy ball distribution. He is a solid player who hasn’t let the Eels down in any way.

Isaac was 31 on Christmas Eve, and it is likely that this will be his last year in the Blue and Gold. He is sure to feature at some stage this year and will be aiming to finish his Eels career, and most likely his NRL career on a high. The Eels lose little when he stands in for Peats.

Kaysa Pritchard

Kaysa has been in the Eels system for some time, playing right through our junior ranks. He has played 7 first grade games, 5 in 2013 and 1 in each of the last two years.

In 2015, he amazingly did both pecs, resulting in some lengthy time away from footy. You may recall he did the second one after the full time siren against the Storm when we were up 26-22 against their SOO-less side. We made a mistake and gave the Storm a final chance to win the game but Kaysa made a great cover tackle to seal the win, snapping his pec in the process.

The Eels coaching staff rate this guy. He does however need to put together a significant run of games to prove his body is up to the rigours of NRL. Only a DNA expert could tell you how his brother can be massive, and Kaysa lesser in stature, but bigger in the heart department. He is quick out of dummy half, has a good passing game and tries to tackle like Peats.

Cameron King

King debuted for the Dragons in 2010 and this year he will be 25. He comes from two years in NQLD where he only played 4 games. He has played 21 NRL games in total. You could call him a speccie signing, a small contract to give a player a different environment to prove himself.

Interestingly, watching the Fox Eels season preview, Mark Gasnier gave King a wrap. While he was a former teammate, Gaz (who seems to have a soft spot for Parra, not sure why) suggested that King is very good in attacking situations and might be an option for BA when Peats has softened the big boys up.

The contract situation for this group looks like it has been handled very well. The four are on notice and each has a significant opportunity to either extend their stay at Parramatta or position themselves for a deal locally or in England. They each need to improve in a number of areas and the reward is in front of the player who can do so.

My view is that the long term hooker position at the Eels is there for Nathan Peats to take. However, he has a few things to prove before he is confirmed. Pritchard and King are head to head for the number 2 spot in 2017, or to step up at deputy if either Peats or IDG are injured.

Go the Eels.

Chris.

Credit to the Parramatta Eels for all images used.

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