The Cumberland Throw

Team List Tuesday – Debutante Ball Edition

NRL Team List

 

Pundits across the wider NRL seem to be setting the bar pretty low for the Parramatta Eels in 2019 and in light of their efforts last year that probably isn’t too unfair. Even so, there is an undeniable sense of excitement surrounding the Round 1 derby against our traditional Western rivals the Penrith Panthers with a swathe of rookies and club-debutantes earning the call to arms.

Dylan Brown and Blake Ferguson are undeniably the headline acts here but Shaun Lane and Maika Sivo are certainly not to be discounted with both impressing in the preseason. The combination of fresh blood, youth energy and talent will hopefully be a catalyst for the Eels to start their campaign on the front foot.

The Eels are far from full strength however between the devastating injury fallout for Manu Ma’u from the trial against the Panthers and the disappointing alcohol-fueled misbehaviour of Peni Terepo. Throw in a seemingly troublesome hamstring for the prodigal son Junior Paulo and suddenly the forward-pack is looking considerably undermanned.

Brad Arthur has turned to Kane Evans and David Gower to hold the line in the mean time although you would have to think that Paulo will be allowed every chance right up until kickoff to prove his fitness.

Parramatta were convincing winners when the team met in the preseason with a gritty defensive effort the centre-piece of a 20-0 shutout. Penirth will no doubt be entering this game looking for revenge for that result but of greater concern might be the siege mentality they embrace as the furor over Tyrone May’s leaked sex-tapes engulfs their club.

A first-up win for the Eels will be huge considering how much their Round 1 capitulation in 2018 served to derail their season but as for how Parramatta can prevail…you will have to look forward to more pre-game coverage from TCT this week!

Parramatta Eels Penrith Panthers
1 Clinton Gutherson © 1 Dylan Edwards
2 Maika Sivo 2 Josh Mansour
3 Michael Jennings 3 Dean Whare
4 Brad Takairangi 4 Waqa Blake
5 Blake Ferguson 5 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
6 Dylan Brown 6 James Maloney
7 Mitchell Moses 7 Nathan Cleary
8 Daniel Alvaro 8 James Tamou
9 Reed Mahoney 9 Sione Katoa
10 Tepai Moeroa 10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
11 Shaun Lane 11 Jack Hetherington
12 Marata Niukore 12 Isaah Yeo
13 Nathan Brown 13 James Fisher-Harris
14 Will Smith 14 Wayde Egan
15 Tim Mannah © 15 Tyrell Fuimaonoo
16 Kane Evans 16 Moses Leota
17 David Gower 17 Hame Sele
18 Josh Hoffman 18 Jarome Luai
19 Oregon Kaufusi 19 Tim Grant
20 Bevan French 20 Liam Martin
21 Junior Paulo 21 Malakai Watene-Zelezniak
Injury Report

 

Jaeman Salmon Suspension Round 2
George Jennings Knee Round 3
Manu Ma’u Knee Round 6
Stefano Utoikamanu Ankle Round 9
Peni Terepo Stood down Indefinite

 

Canterbury Cup Team List

 

The newly christened Canterbury Cup (formerly the Intrust Super Premiership) will be the opening act on Sunday double-header out at Penrith. The Panthers narrowly pipped Wentworthville 10-8 in their final preseason as defence prevailed for both teams but much like their senior cohorts in the NRL, Wenty look to be undermanned coming into Round 1.

After spending the preseason trials operating with Jaeman Salmon and Rhys Davies in the halves, the Magpies now turn to Dylan Izzard and Henry Raiwalui to engineer an upset on the weekend. Josh Hoffman, Oregon Kaufusi and Bevan French seem like probable candidates to drop off the NRL shadow bench and reinforce Wentworthville while Junior Paulo’s fitness will dictate if or who else might turn out in the Canterbury Cup.

On top of expected strong showings from the returning NRL talent, coach Rip Taylor will need big games from young talent like Ethan Parry, Salesi Faingaa and Ray Stone if they are to be competitive on Sunday.

 

Wentworthville Magpies Penrith Panthers
1 Josh Bergamin 1 Caleb Atkins
2 Ethan Parry 2 Malakai Watene-Zelezniak
3 Charlton Shaafhausen 3 Jed Cartwright
4 Josh Minhinnick 4 Tyone Phillips
5 Greg Leleusiuao 5 Brian Too
6 Dylan Izzard 6 Reed Izzard
7 Henry Raiwalui 7 Liam Coleman
8 Mitch Butfield 8 Kaide Ellis ©
9 Brad Keighran 9 Isaac Thompson
10 Tekina Vailea 10 Paea Pua
11 Andrew Davey 11 Matheson Johns
12 Salesi Faingaa 12 Billy Burns
13 Ray Stone 13 Mitch Kenny
14 Jacob Esau 14 Nick Lui-Toso
15 D’rhys Miller 20 Sam Smtih
16 Haimona Hiroti 21 Brent Naden
17 Piki Rogers 22 Ratu Tuisese
18 Blake Cook
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60 thoughts on “Team List Tuesday – Debutante Ball Edition

    1. Forty20 Post author

      He joined Wenty from the Bulldogs and was part of their Intrust Super Premiership and Intrust Super Championship winning team in 2018. He played at right center in the trial against Penrith and he might end up there again assuming French drops back to fullback.

    2. rowdy roddy

      He is a hog and cost us 2 tries and a win against Penwiff reserve grade 2 weeks ago when he refused to pass to an unmarked player on his outside as I said “Twice”!

  1. Colin Hussey

    I was very much looking forward to the team list and to this game and was tipping an eels repeat of the trial, with things going belly up over the weekend with Peni’s fantasy flight antics, uncertainty with Jnr running on to the field has me not as confident as I was prior to this weeks team announcement.

    To be honest I’m not sure what to make of it but, I have a small spark of hope for a possible win by around 2 points, don’t ask me the score though.

    The forwards are a bit of a concern in some ways, and not sure I like Tep in the front row, If Jnr plays I would like to see Evans replaced, as I would like to see more of him in lower grades to show he’s better than last year. Having injuries to kay players does not help, the newbies will be under a lot of pressure, no moreso than Mahoney, if he goes through the 80 or close to it, it will be a top start for the season ahead though.

    1. Ray

      Totally agree Huss, I am very disappointed with our squad/ depth without a ball kicked !!! I believe it’s a reflection on BA , and his ability to build a very good squad, no excuses, if we aren’t 4//7 wins BA is gone… look at Penrifff they lose kikau , and realise we need a another forward and sign Winterstein!, we have plenty of cash, there has to be disgruntled players out there wanting out, Your thoughts ??? I’m not happy at alll

      1. Forty20 Post author

        I am not exactly sure that signing Frank Winterstein is a resounding endorsement of Penrith’s ability to respond to an injury to a forward. Winterstein is the definition of a JAG (just a guy). He won’t add much to their roster.

        We aggressively pursued George Burgess and he chose family over funds. I don’t doubt that the Rabbitohs are a more attractive team to play for in 2019 either but let’s not pretend that we haven’t been attempting to recruit quality players as opposed to bodies off the street.

        You also don’t budget for one of your breakout stars of 2018 to:
        a) be drunk and disorderly on an international flight and
        b) not inform the club about it

        The balance of our first grade team looks vastly improved if Peni Terepo isn’t an idiot.

        1. Ray

          Totally respect your comments 40, but I’m 52 years old experienced the little good and plenty of bad since 1986, I knowBA has contractual issues with certain players, , but we came last again, he attract burgess??? That says it all

          1. Matthew Sweeney

            Stop bitchen Ray , I think we will win handsomely over Penrith. Why death ride BA re depth without a shot fired. I think our depth is just fine and winning against Penrith in rd1 without manu , terepo , Paulo will prove that. I like that Evan’s gets a go because its make or break it for him now and we need the answer to that now. I know u love the eels mate. We all need to be as positive as we want the players to be.

          2. Colin Hussey

            Ray we all get old, & I have just turned 72, I believe that if Jnr is ok to play it will be a better result for Parra, as I said in my original post, I do see a glimmer of hope there and said I look for a win, even without Jnr or that was how I meant it to be.

            The loss of 4 forwards for seasons start is a huge blow, Jnr is a perhapser and not on the eels injured list either. Losing Ma’u is hard, likewise with Otto, I also see Gennings is out with a knee problem.
            What Forty says about losing Peni is spot on, and for me its in no way a reflection on BA, Peni acted as clown, he should know the rules as to alcohol on flights, and I am surprised that he got on the first flight to NZ from Tonga, and refusing to obey the flight crews and being smart & obnoxious with a female employee on the plane is poor. He, from all reports has trained the house down ready for a breakout year, he showed some of that against Penrith in the trial when he was on the field. He then goes and destroys himself when he goes home to visit his family.

            I hope he does not get sacked but I hope more than anything that at 27 years old, he has learnt a hard lesson otherwise he’s going to waste his life away.

            Too many still knock BA, but he is not the one who runs onto the field each match day, and does not follow the game plan, those who take the field should be playing for the club, coach, players and supporters, not for their own self interests, which is what I believe happened last year. When things are tough, those that are tough can respond or should respond in the same way but tougher still.

          3. parrathruandthru

            So BA has added Sivo, Ferguson, Lane and Paulo to the squad, and promoted youth in Brown, Kafusi & Mahoney to the side. Half a team. What players would you have brought externally into the squad Ray and how would you have fit them in?

          4. Leo toohey

            Get your facts right ray , club stuffed burgess up as they have a few others , coaches dont handle negotiations recruitment staff do , put blame where it lies .

      2. rowdy roddy

        My thoughts Ray?

        1. Winterstein wouldn’t get on our bench! even with 3 forwards missing. Shaun Lane kept him out of Manly’s NRL team last season.

        2. I hope you end up with egg all over your face mate!

        1. Trouser Eel

          Not sure where I should stick my comment, but the conversation above is the closest I’ve seen this site get to a slag off. Much better than other sites that I won’t mention.
          “We must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly, but always pursue solidarity.” (You won’t believe me if I told you who made this statement)

      3. sixties

        Ray, we currently have 29 contracted players. It wouldn’t matter how much cash we have, there’s one spot left so the recruitment has to be specific, not wasted by signing a “Winterstein” level player when we already have players at that level – either young ones on the ascent or experienced players producing around that level.
        So we have attempted to sign Burgess and reportedly have signed McIlwrick (to strengthen dummy half – a specific signing).
        Now should this signing of McIlwrick be proven to be on the money, we might expect Pritchard to announce a decision about his future. This might mean having 29 spots again.
        Personally, I would like a younger squad member elevated, but the Peni situation might impact that.
        Regardless, any team going into a Round 1 with potentially 3 top 17 forwards missing is not going to look as strong. Take three forwards out of any NRL team and you’ll see a weakened pack.

        1. Poppa

          I read Ray’s comments as well and my first reaction was basically an appendix of everything that has been replied directly to him.

          I must admit I am very disappointed that we are starting the way we are but you cannot blame anyone individually with the exception of Peni. Interesting apart from his handling record, which he has gotten over I have never seen him mad or angry on the field. i.e I have seen him very mad at himself when he has dropped one!

          His attitude is that of a gentleman in terms of “dirty or illegal play”. The demon grog obviously is his achillies heel…..maybe, despite it happening in a past trip to Home, that it is an exception rather than a rule. People that know him or who may understand this hopefully are in a position to defend him (if true).

          Just the same his timing could not have been worse.
          I am excited to see Sivo selected……but can’t help thinking how good we could have been. The fact that Junior is 21 tells me he will be given every hope to start and Tep being picked in the front row tells me that Junior will come in for Kane Evans or David Gower.

          Further to David Gower I wrote early in the season that if we have to use DG at any part of the season, then we know we are not going well.
          I say this with respect to David and also acknowledge his great early season form, but it is beyond my expectations to see him playing round one! I wish him well notwithstanding and of course maybe this team could really be up for this match knowing they all have to do that little bit more!

          I don’t know if I could handle another season like last year.

  2. DDay

    Good looking run on team. Tepai’s move to #10 is interesting, can’t recall him taking too many 1st hit-ups and he’s had his share of head knocks – is BA looking to play a more mobile game? Bench is hard to gauge with the extended bench in the mix, a little surprised Gower is ahead of Kaufusi but TCT have reported Gower as having a big off-season. Lets hope Junior is a late inclusion, he’d add some starch.

    1. John Eel

      DDay I was thinking like you that Kaufusi might get a run with Peni and Jr out. I think he along with Marata and Dylan are going to be rising stars in our team this year. Thing is we already have two players in the run on side making their debut.

      Despite the obvious shift to younger players this year BA may have erred on the side of caution in order to get a bit of experience back into the team. Of course this would make more sense if the lack of experience was in the forwards rather than the backs I guess.

  3. The rev aka Snedden

    40/20 with peni stuffing up do you think he would have pushed mannah to starting prop n tepi back to the bench in place of Evans ?

    1. Forty20 Post author

      Fair question Rev. I think you could make a case for the arrangement you proposed but I guess it comes down to getting your best players (since Junior is fighting that hamstring injury) on the park. Tepai was one of the preseason standouts so with Junior under a cloud you start him and try to win the game from the opening whistle.

      1. rowdy roddy

        Agreed Forty, also I believe this is the opportunity that Evans has been hoping for and I believe he will take it with both hands.

        Go Parra

      2. The rev aka Snedden

        Quick question 40\20 do you think Kane Evans should learn from Shaun lane ?
        What I mean is there both 199cm tall but from what I’ve seen is that lane knows how to use his massive frame like running good lines n be aggressive were as Kane Evans doesn’t

        1. BDon

          There’s a better footballer in Kane Evans. Big awkward bloke who could bruise more defenders and get good offloads away if he ran straighter and harder more often. Style forms over years, easy to change from the grandstand.

  4. Milo

    To me the backs look good and I just hope the fwds can hold their own. I echo Hussey’s comments and welcome 40’s common sense. Parra are not going to purchase someone for the sake of it; you may as well invest in youth until the right player comes along or make a play for the guy we need.
    Penrith are there for the taking and only hope we can snag one….that would be a great start. Moses has to lead….with Guth at the back marshalling. Both bench’s seem a little weak.

    1. Forty20 Post author

      Looking across the NRL in Round 1 and there are plenty of weak benches, or at least that is how it feels – Parramatta and Penrith included. Not sure what to make of it because there hasn’t been an exodus of talent out of the NRL by any means.

      I agree with you about not purchasing someone for the sake of it. To my knowledge the Eels were strongly linked to Wade Graham and George Burgess this preseason. Missing out on both is frustrating but we are targeting players that will tangibly improve our team.

      In my opinion, external recruitment should be driven primarily by 3 factors:
      1) Attaining elite talent
      2) Filling roster holes
      3) Identifying any inefficiencies in the player market to exploit

      Before the carnage of this recent week I think it was fair to levy questions about Parramatta’s depth at hooker and perhaps a consideration that we were short one more difference maker in the forward pack. Supposedly we are close to signing Matt McIllwrick as cover for Mahoney but desperately rushing out to the player market because we lost Ma’u, Utoikamanu and Terepoo in the space of a week is how you end up eating bad deals.

  5. John Eel

    Forty you are correct about most of the experts writing off the Eels for 2019. However few have given the team any credit for rebuilding but according to Colmac only Michael Jennings, Moses, Alvaro, Mannah, Moeroa, Brown and Takairangi are likely to run out against the Panthers two years in a row. This is a significant change to the run on side for Rd 1 in 2019 compared to 2018.

    The issue for me is the lack of experience in the Spine particularly. This will in my opinion lead to some inconsistent results however in matches where the team live up to expectations they will have some good wins. I am in no doubt we will be a much better team in 2019 however given the lack of experience all round in this team I am thinking we finish 10 to 8. Top 8 will be overachieving from my perspective.

    Good luck to the Eels team for 2019 and despite 5 players being unavailable, the Eels in a close win over Penrith Rd 1.

    1. Forty20 Post author

      I don’t think you are being unfair by suggesting that inexperience in our spine could lead to some inconsistency this season, John. Hopefully, improved performances up front by our forwards and wingers can help mitigate that, should it rear its head, and put our young play-makers in the best position to win games.

      1. John Eel

        Thank you Forty. The truth is that it is a reality . Less than 200 games in the 4 players combined making up the Spine.

  6. Empty

    I think looking at the benches we may just get them.our bench is arguably stronger. If we can withhold them in the early stages we could get this

  7. West Coast Eel

    Geez, we look a bit thin up front. Let’s hope junior is right for Sunday. Backline looks sharp.

  8. Anonymous

    Forty, do you think Salmon will feature in the 17 next week?
    I’d love to see him either at centre replacing Taka or in the 14 replacing Will Smith.
    In both scenarios i think Will Smith should be the player to miss out, with Taka going to a bench utility role if replaced at centre.
    Thoughts?

    1. Forty20 Post author

      If we win will on Sunday it would be hard to change the formula but we need to be juggling success in 2019 with long-term development (which is obviously what Salmon represents). I think we commit to Salmon at centre and that means starting him there in Round 2.

      Assuming that Mahoney is comfortable playing 80min at hooker then you might be spot on about the potential reshuffle on the bench but that could also be a horses-for-courses type of deal.

      1. Nick

        Has salmon played center in juniors ?

        If he hasn’t I’d prefer we went with parry who has. imo centre is one of the hardest defensive positions in the game very tricky to read for those who haven’t done it before. I’d rather we not have one edge be a liability personally. If he has played center than I’m for it

        Don’t get me wrong I have heard the good raps on salmon and haven’t written him of I just think if he has only played juniors as a five eight, im not sure if chucking him at centre is fair on him. An easier position for him to play imo would be utility of the bench to give Mahoney a break and or play a sort of ball playing back rower.

  9. DDay

    How much is known about the Wenty #9 Brad Keighran? Is he a backup to Mahoney that means McIlwrick isn’t required?

      1. Ray

        I’ve just read all comments above, totally respect all , but I still feel the same , so what if we have a another horror season, is that acceptable moving forward, do we say again we need to be patient and rebuild.My point I’m trying to get across is that I don’t like our recruitment team, someone has to be accountable, last year no one was!!!Honestly can BA attract any high profile player without any baggage re Foran!!!!!!!!His loyalty to average and past their best which includes mannah, taka, gower, Jennings will undoubtably cost him his job, and totally unemployable as a NRL coach….Go Parramatta

        1. Jonno

          Ray, I understand your frustration. The problem is we have what we have as far as the playing group is concerned. I believe we have recruited quite well, and are still looking for another quality forward. Not sure what else we can do, yes we find it difficult to attract quality players, or should I say “marquee” talent. But I think our inconsistency in results ,which in part belongs to the playing groups efforts on field is a factor. Whilst I acknowledge B.A needs to keep up with League trends and coach smarter, he is not solely to blame, for this or other predicaments we are in. You sound like a blogger on another forum? No worries. The footy’s back c’mon Parra

        2. Colin Hussey

          Ray, while I & most others understand your frustrations, thing to remember and its fairly easy to look back and see where the roots of our last seasons problems started, & that was at the time of the cap saga’s, along with the board issues that created the monsters baby of where we were at last year, & perhaps this year to a much lesser extent as well.

          In those years BA was appointed coach but was thrown in at the deep end with a roster that was pretty poor, a recent article on one of the RL news sites had a listing of players at clubs in 2014 and how many were still at clubs for this season, the eels only have Tim Mannah and one other, in those years it was a real rebuilding session, but the club issues that caused the boards sacking, and our cap issues, along with the appointment of Max Donnelly to overseer the club, the loss of points in a year we would have made the finals, suspended players, along with the reduced money available for the football side of things hurt this club big time, and the reality is that’s not long ago either.

          The turn over of players through salary problems didn’t help much, the loss of staff also had BA in a tight spot trying to do everything basically by himself, all the time strangled by lack of money, and support staff. It wasn’t until things were that bad last year when mid season he finally got an assistant for defence in David Kidwell, then he was able to bring Adrian Jimenez on board as trainer as well, while we still lost games there was a big improvement in the team though.

          We lost several of the main players to injuries that hurt us along with early retirement of Scott who was an inspiration to all others, a big loss, the injured players were key ones as well. didn’t help our course at all.

          We had 17 off contract last year, and we have 18 off contract end of this year, most of those gone were basically cheap options and let go as they did not show their value to the team, (that’s my thoughts) likely they did not show that the money they were on was not being returned on field performances. There’s little doubt in my mind that almost every other coach that is on show now would have faired no better with the eels under the same circumstances.

          This year surely is one with hope, hope that with new players especially the young ones finally coming through, small but astute signings in the form of Fergo, Jnr and Lane, Davey on a trial contract and Sivo, only Davey is one I really have not seen, but the other 3 along with those we still retain does provide the foundations of the eels going forward

          I believe that with the off field staff, and with BA in charge, along with 2 others in charge of the front office, with Gurr only coming on board prior to last season, as CEO but with the task of limitated resources as already mentioned, then the review and now appointment of a General Manager finally gets the coach out of the areas he should never have been involved with, and back to coaching the team, helping with junior development and the like.
          I would also suggest if you look at almost every other club in the competition, they would still have more backroom and support staff than BA has at the eels.

          Finally of interest maybe the changes in players at the club for this year is here. We still wait to see what happens with young Kaysa Pritchard.

          Gains: Junior Paulo (from Raiders), Blake Ferguson (from Roosters), Shaun Lane (from Sea Eagles), Andrew Davey (from Townsville), Maika Sivo (from Panthers)
          Losses: Suaia Matagi (Huddersfield), Beau Scott (retired), Kirisome Auva’a, Cameron King, Nathan Davis, Siosaia Vave, Tony Williams, Jarryd Hayne, Corey Norman (Dragons).

          1. Poppa

            Colin, I think you have over defended the whole position, whereas it has all been said before and Ray if you don’t understand that you don’t understand then you probably never will.
            The concept of no accountability is crap, the coach, the executive and the players are all accountable. Christ they even made the new football manager accountable for what he did at Wests. Mentioning Christ I would have to say they would have had no problems crucifying him either if he put his hand up.

            The coach was thrown under the bus by the fan base comprising the likes of “our Ray”. The poor bastard didn’t try and make excuses, but if I was representing him court, I could have made some good arguments on his behalf.

            The reality is that this is and has been inevitable after the complete destabilisation and renewal of the club after all the events we discussed.
            Unfortunately we still require the new legislation to go through and the board situation stabilised from that perspective.

            I have already said I don’t know if I can put up with another year like last….BUT I suppose I will, 60 odd years with Parra is easy going, I’ve been married for 45 so I know what pain is…..God love her.

          2. Ray

            I’m not sure what you mean about our fans like our Ray ,but matey im entitled to my opinion and we seem to talk about the same issues at Parramatta and they all start from head office which are filtered down to players but in the meantime we are expected to pay our Hard earned dollar to watch a very disappointing football club maybe just it’s me; having an okay season is not good enough not for the Junior area we have ,rewarding mediocrity , and we seem To be happy with coming either fourth fifth sixth or even 10 or 11 is good enough waiting 30 years plus isn’t good enough I’m at Parra fan through and through,I want success and consistently so let’s hope that I’m terribly wrong and become a successful club once again cheers boys

          3. Colin Hussey

            Ray, I doubt any eels supporter likes the gap its been since we won the premierships back in the 80’s, success is built on winning, but it needs a lot of behind the scenes work as well, which often means lean times when player movements and signings are not what the greatest, even the best can be the worst at different clubs.

            Not every signing with the best intent and with players who are world class, proven rep players, changes things at another club either.

            For me, I hope to see the eels hold up the premiership trophy before I kark it, and for the first time in many a season, I look at the roster of players we have for this year, that show more youth and enthusiasm, players with talent along with others of experience being very much foundation stones for a climb to the top again.

          4. sixties

            Ray, at the risk of going over old ground, I want to address some criticisms of BA.
            He inherited a shambles of a club back in 2014. Consecutive spoons. Poor lower grades. Last two coaches had walked. And that’s just the common knowledge, not the behind the scenes issues.
            In 2014 he said we would compete. We did and bar poor performances in the last two rounds we should have made the finals.
            In 2015, we lost Hayne – and he left at a time which made finding a replacement difficult. We competed but lost too many close ones. Still we had set up a future for a team that wouldn’t rely on Hayne.
            In 2016, we were ready to challenge and would have bar the cap issues. Despite the dramas, we would have qualified for the finals without losing the points and the players. Remember that our halves started as Foran and Norman, but ended up as Robson and Gutho!
            In 2017 we were tipped for an ordinary year on the back of the cap dramas and releasing Foran, but finished Top 4. Parra were trending upwards.
            In 2018 we were tipped as a major contender but became a major dud. The theories regarding last year are many. No doubt BA has accepted his accountability, but there were a range of factors at play. I regard it as an anomalous year, after years of growth, but the proof will be in the 2019 pudding.
            I want BA to be given the chance to prove that, and to see the fruits of the investment in youth.

          5. Colin Hussey

            Pops, I may have over defended the situation but, it seems that too many want to sweep those issues aside, as to what took place over the last years, & hold BA accountable for all the woes that the supporter base has endured.

            Like you I forget the number of years I have watched and supported the eels, through thick and thin, and its hard to differentiate between the two of them at times.

            As you would know we are not the only club to suffer long periods of underperforming, there’s an article regarding Newcastle and 6 years its taken to get to where they are now, and their supporters aren’t sure of the “where they are now” either, after all they had the top coach in charge after a GF win with the dragons.

          6. John Eel

            Colin that is a very good response to what is a complex issue. I agree with what you have said however just a couple of further small issues.

            Firstly It is hard to know what instructions were issued to BA at the time of taking over as Head coach in 2014. My guess is that they were looking to get instant results and wanting to get away from a further wooden spoon.

            There was only one way to achieve this presumed demand and that was to recruit senior players to add experience to a poor roster. Also the juniors coming thru at that time were not of the quality we see coming thru now under a system subsequently put in place by BA.

            Secondly last years underperformance was not helped at all by an administration that was more intent on the budget bottom line than providing resources to a coach to make him successful.

            The bottom line is important and must be respected however it played a big part in the poor performance of the team as you have suggested above.

            If we want to have long term success moving forward we need to have a centre of excellence and a well resourced coaching team for the future.

            The club has already committed to this on a podcast on this site which is commendable. The key to achieve the financial success to fund our future is by good corporate management and marketing. We need to get there by increasing revenues not cutting coaching staff.

          7. Colin Hussey

            John, totally agree and what I have hinted at in my reply above to Ray. When BA came to the club he brought in 3 players from Manly, one a youngster of unknown qualities and we know he has performed and a great signing. The other two ended up as basic duds but the intentions were that they would be the players that could lift those around them.
            He then brought in another hard head forward from Newcastle for the same reasons, and It worked until each broke down and could not play again, or laboured on until injury forced them out.

            Rather than repeating that again with old players, I see new young players that have the same intent as those older ones, the key is keeping them and building upon their strengths.

            In the end, & I have to come back to this, its the players themselves that will take the club in the direction it needs to go. The coach and others are guides and mentors, the players have to listen and take up the challenge to perform for the club, team mates, supporters but moreso themselves, pride in all those areas and both team and self belief.

          8. Bob jay

            First thing they told him was they were clean with no hidden salary cap issues ,!!!!!!!

  10. Jimmy Corbo

    Im really hoping Jr is fit as our forward pack looks pretty tame without him. I always thought Tepai would develop in to a free running back rower, Frank Pritchard style player that you would try and get one on one with a smaller defender, not sure about him in the middle. He has also had a lot of issues with concussions and being in the mixer wont help that. On a similar vein we have acquired Lane, a centre in a forwards body, we must use his knack for scoring tries in the final third, a genuine attacking weapon. Losing Peni was big in my eyes, no star but has been on a steady upward trajectory of form, much improved hands, he is a real handful to stop and was very good in the back end of last year.

    I am also of the belief that Gutho will have a massive year, you just dont play well first year back from an ACL. He now has 10 or so games last year, a full preason and more importantly time to recover, we need a big one Gutho….

    I really like the inclusion of Saivo, be it through injury to others or not, there is nothing more motivating for a player than to play your old side and that is magnified when you leave thinking they never gave you a real crack. I must admit I havent seen much of him, his try scoring prowess is well known, butI want to see his defensive decisions and how he is under the high ball that is real test of a first grade winger. He is certainly is a big body and with him and Fergo you would like to think we will have some real zing early in our sets and that to some extent can lessen the negatives of a smaller forward pack as you are making hit ups with a defensive unit on the back foot.

    We havent had a young kid “burst on to the scene” in years, probably Hayne and Tim Smith before him, we are certainly due. It would be great if Brown was that next one, obvioulsy playing in such an influential position on the field that would go a long way to a succesful season for us.

    My final comment is somehat contradictory, I am a big Moses fan and was wrapped when we got him and his early form only enhanced my belief. However to go into a year with our success largely depending on his form, after last year, that really concerns me. He is vocal on the field and hopefully last year was a good lesson for him on how and when to communicate to your teammates in order to foster postive results. If he can get that right, footballing talent and game IQ is not an issue, he just needs to complete the package of being a good half.

    We going into another year with nothing but hope and undying love and passion for our beloved Eels.

    C’mon Parra……….

  11. John Eel

    I was just watching an interview with Wayne Bennett on NRL.com where he was talking about the off season and other things. He made the comment that Peni, without mentioning him by name, was out of a job.

    Whether it was a slip of the toungue or he knows something we don’t know I guess time will tell.

      1. John Eel

        Possibly true. Sporting News ran the story to but named Peni. Also mentioned that his manager had already been approached by 3 clubs interested in his services.

        1. rowdy roddy

          We need to keep Peni and find a way to educate him concerning alcohol consumption outside Australia?
          Discipline in the form of a considerable fine after this weeks standing down would be the best result for Peni and Parra.

          1. Colin Hussey

            The problem with Pacific Islanders is that their culture all but demand the men to drink Kava and the sessions can continue for long periods, its very potent and that is what I believe has Peni in trouble.

            I know a lot of different islanders, from the Solomons, Tonga, Fiji & a few from Samoa, great and lovely people and go out of their way for you, but the men have the Kava problem, and its very hard to put their culture down

          1. Anonymous

            Sacking him, helps no one. We lose a handy player and he walks into another side within days and has learnt nothing from his mistake. Fine him, suspend him and give him some counselling and education. Everybody wins from the latter scenario

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