NRL Team List
Just when you thought the Eels had no way to go but up after back-breaking losses to the Melbourne Storm and North Queensland Cowboys, they flat-lined against the Penrith Panthers to produce their first loss at BankWest Stadium. The Eels were so utterly inept and disappointing in their effort and execution on Thursday night that I actually failed to find the words necessary to make a Whisky Musings blog that could adequately describe the magnitude of how poor they truly were.
I definitely hold the coaches accountable for Parramatta’s agonising 3-game slump, including selections by Brad Arthur that I have vocally and pointedly disagreed with in this very blog series in recent weeks. By the same token I also believe that the buck ultimately stops with a playing group that are commissioned to roll up their sleeves and toil hard for just 80min a week – for which they are rewarded quite handsomely.
For the first two months of the 2019 season, the team by and large didn’t shirk important effort areas and thus built a platform for success that sprung them out to a 5-3 start. Since then however, an array of players have seemingly become allergic to tackling, holding on to the ball, pressuring opposition kickers and providing a kick chase of their own.
Miraculously, the Eels still cling to a spot inside the Top 8 coming into Round 12 thanks purely to the mediocrity of the teams that trail them. Now they face a South Sydney line-up ravaged by injuries and Origin selections, yet the Eels should enter this game as heavy underdogs considering their complete disregard for fundamental aspects of both offence and defence.
Change, of which some I agree with and some I don’t, has come to the line-up for Round 12. Out are the likes of Tim Mannah (disagree), Brad Takairangi (agree), Daniel Alvaro (agree) and George Jennings (agree) while new inclusions include Michael Jennings (agree), Kane Evans (disagree) and Ray Stone (agree).
Josh Hoffman has been rewarded for a string of competent starts in the centres while Blake Ferguson thankfully shifts back out to the right wing after a truly shocking night at right centre against Penrith. Marata Niukore is bumped back to the bench after getting rundown by the weekly grind of the NRL which sees the Tongan Terminator Manu Ma’u playing on his lesser preferred edge on the right side of the field.
Jaeman Salmon and Oregon Kaufusi have been outright banished from the TLT 21 and as I think I tipped recently, look to face a steep challenge to get back into the NRL for whatever reason. As this stage it seems like injuries will be their quickest avenue back to first grade. In a season that was always going to be a rebuilding to some degree, regardless of our hot start, it certainly frustrates me that two prospects that we need to be ready to contribute heavily in 2020 are buried behind a number of players that likely do not feature in the long-term plans of the club.
However tested their depth may be by Origin and injuries, the Rabbitohs are still in possession of one Sam Burgess and given the shocking fragility of the Eels’ ruck defence of late you can practically book him in for a try or three right now.
Right through this horror three game stretch, the Eels have remained their own worst enemies. Maddeningly, they seem as far from conquering their own demons now as they did after the shellacking handed to them by the Storm. It pains me to say this but as long as they keep peeking through the looking glass and not in the mirror then it is impossible to say when they will come good.
Parramatta Eels
1. Clint Gutherson (c)
2. Maika Sivo
3. Michael Jennings
4. Josh Hoffman
5. Blake Ferguson
6. Will Smith
7. Mitch Moses
8. Kane Evans
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Junior Paulo
11. Shaun Lane
12. Manu Ma’u
13. Tepai Moeroa
Interchange
14. Peni Terepo
15. Ray Stone
16. David Gower
17. Marata Niukore
18. Brad Takairangi
19. George Jennings
20. Tim Mannah
21. Daniel Alvaro
Injury Report: Round 12
Nathan Brown – Pectoral – Round 14
Dylan Brown – Lower Back – Indefinite
Canterbury Cup Team List
The Wenty Magpies sprung an upset on the Penrith Panthers last week and now are set-up to make a tilt at the Top 4 as the competition nears its midway point. Strong performances from the likes of Bevan French, Jaeman Salmon, Ethan Parry and Salesi Fainga’a paved the way forward for the 20-12 victory and this week they have been reinforced by a raft of first-grade players that missed the cut in the NRL in the wake of Brad Arthur’s aggressive wielding of the selection cleaver.
Geroge Jennings, Brad Takairangi, Tim Mannah and Daniel Alvaro are all scheduled to line–up in the black and white of Wenty on Sunday at 3:00PM to take on the 8th placed Rabbitohs. There can no excuses for Wenty this week given the wealth of talent and experience in the line-up as well as what is up for grabs with a strong victory.
Wentworthville Magpies
1. Bevan French
2. George Jennings
3. Brad Takairangi
4. Ethan Parry
5. Greg Leleisiuao
6. Jaeman Salmon
7. Henry Raiwalui
8. Tim Mannah
9. Matt McIlwrick
10. Daniel Alvaro
11. Andrew Davey
12. Salesi Fainga’a
13. Oregon Kaufusi
Interchange
14. Brad Keighran
15. Mitch Butfield
16. Stefano Utoikamanu
17. Haimona Hiroti
Jersey Flegg Team List
Dean Feeney’s troops return to action after a two-week global bye and host the Rabbitohs at Ringrose Park on Sunday at 11:00AM. After a abysmal start to the season that saw them lose five straight games, two wins from their last three starts has at least kick-started the beginnings of a revival. However, they still sit a whopping 5pts adrift of the Top 8 and the 3rd placed Rabbitohs will be a difficult opponent to knock off.
Parramatta Eels Jersey Flegg side
1. Sione Fonua
2. William Kei
3. Tuimavave Afualo
4. Noel Aukafolau
5. Haze Dunster
6. Joey Taipari
7. Bailey Biondi-Odo
8. James Porter
9. Kyle Schneider
10. Aistasi James
11. Arron Shelford
12. Lachlan Poko
13. Jesse Cronin
Interchange
14. Vea Tapaatoutai
15. Harry Duggan
16. PJ Vaigalu
17. Dallas King
How is Evans in front of Mannah and Kaufusi? And why are we carrying Will Smith. As you pointed out we are better off allowing Salmon to develop his game. And why doesn’t he play Mcilwrick to give Mahoney a breather…maybe Stone may do that?
lol. Kane Evans is the Eminem of the forwards. No idea, no composure, cannot read the tempo of the game, attempts dumb offloads without any real benefit. Souths by 40?
Kane Evans against the Burgess boys, heaven help us. What is it with BA and our young talent. Why are they the scapegoats? He seems hellbent on playing his recruitments whether they are good or not. I worry that after June 30 our next eligible young blokes will struggle to get a go as well. Oregon is ready to go now, put him up against the best. Pigs will fly!
Good report forty, in many ways I would like to extend to you my deepest thanks and gratitude for missed report, as you say you couldn’t do it, but thankfully by it not being put out we did not have to go through another report that said the same sorrowful findings.
As for this weeks round, I have to say that I agree with your little disagrees and disagree with your agrees. but in reading what you said, at least we have something very much in common with our opinions regarding those players marked that way.
I will however go one step further and say what a shame and insult it is to see Tim Mannah playing in reserves, well dare I suggest less than reserve grade as its not really an eels team at all. At worst he should be on the bench and able to play NRL, would much prefer him to Terepo who should be swapping spots with Tim, I can only think that our coach has some sort of ill informed hope that have candy stick evens in the side may be to deal with one of the Burgess boys, but I have a gut feeling it will be the opposite but I also hope that my gut is wrong.
I am more than pleased to see Stone back in the team, he should be there to provide utility value to play at both Lock and at Hooker. He does not have to be the total 9 from DH, as the likes of MM< Gutho, and even Smith can alternate in that spot.
As for French, its sad to me that I think that no matter how good he plays and shows what he can do and is capable of doing is unlikely to see NRL again, personally I would have loved to have seen him tried at 6, he has variety in his play, can kick and has magic feet, a player does not lose those abilities. but they can go dormant through injury and failed confidence.
Hopefully we can at least play good enough to win on Friday night, and start the upward path again, making for a positive return of the Mrs Brown's boys, come round 14,
Great post Forty,
I’m glad to see some accountability being handed out to the players. You could nearly drop the entire team after the last 3 losses. I guess it is a case of who can BA bring in that adds some starch to the defence. Given the club has signed BA for 2 years (instead of 1), Kidwell must be the next line for accountability if he can’t get the players pumped up for this game surely he must go!
In my opinion use Mcyllrick as 14 to relieve Mahoney, get Salmon back to 6. Smith is too eratic. We need To fill the right centre before June 30, Ethan Parry might be pencilled in from that date. But not sure if he can handle it. I only hope the the guys sent back to reserves get some form and combinations and get a win.
Anyway, I will keep supporting my team and hope we can get a win against a depleted South’s.
I completely agree with you regarding those who have been dropped and promoted.
While this team looks better than last week our best team should look like what we put out in the first eight rounds. To me it looks like BA is panicking with his team selection and there is no consistency with our team. Will Smith must consider himself very lucky to still be in the team.
The burgess boys are going to destroy us
Forty you have hit it on the head. It’s as if you’ve heard my anger over the last few hours here. I can’t add anymore and just hope the team pulls something out to graft a win. I seriously doubt it tbh.
Salmon? Kaufusi? Mannah in wenty? For heavens sake where is our Parra Jesus to lead the way….
Agree. I’m gobsmacked.
A good read as always – and hopefully a better performance from the team this week.
Maybe some of the young fellas like Kaufusi and Salmon just need a little rest from the main game, though I’d like them in my team this week!
Timmy mannah in Reggie’s wonder what his Timmy is Thinking.
Sorry but I like most think Parra have rushed to sign Brad Arthur to secure Gutherson.
Poor signing.
For yrs I’ve always believed that Brad was the right Guy in charge of our team.
I’ve given up thinking that his the right Guy.
Bringing in Kane Evans n dropping our future up n comers like Ray stone , kaufusi , salmon n if he thinks for 1 minute stone is a DH then his kidding himself.
Brads tactics are useless.
Good read fortys I think I agree with everything your summary of the ins and outs for this week. I’m Glad taka and alvaro were dropped , and happy that stone has been given a chance.
Can’t work out what Tim mannah (I’m not a big Tim mannah fan ) did wrong and how salmon and kaufusi didn’t get promoted back into the side. Nor does having Kane Evans making the starting line up fill me with a lot of confidence (happy to be proven wrong)
There needs to be more changes this week then simply who runs out as you described everyone at the club needs to look in the mirror for the performances over the last 3 weeks. I hope we have some form of a game plan as Bennett will.
Can someone in the coaching staff get junior Paulo fired up looks like he couldn’t give a … at the moment. Id love to see Paulo take on another dominant forward give him the task of stopping Sam Burgess. I never see him take it upon himself to smash another forward.
P.s don’t blame you for not doing last week’s whiskey musing but I do enjoy reading them even after a loss particularly if you are as pissed off as I am.
I’m just wondering what Tim Mannah has done to deserve being dropped. I don’t think I was alone in thinking he was one of our most consistent forwards in the first 11rounds.
I can understand some of the younger players being spelled as being in first grade takes it’s toll on young bodies, Brown for example. Remember Wayne Bennet doing it at the Broncos a lot to protect the younger players in the past.
All that aside though what the hell has happened with our attitude towards the game and game plan because if that doesn’t change it won’t make an ounce of difference who gets picked. The results will be the same as the last 3 games.
Here’s hoping it all turns around this weekend. Parra by 6 (optimistic I know)
Pleased to see BA dropping some of his favorites and not just to the bench, IMO its important poor effort has consequences. Given the loyalty BA has shown, the perform or reggies message must be loud and clear.
Forty’s agree/disagree comments are spot on. Would have preferred to see the rookies Salmon & Kaufusi back, assume BA is attempting to address the “fragility” of the ruck defence. Go the Eels.
Hey can I get an update/ some info into how Kyle Schneider is going? People touting him as a future captain and preferred over Mahoney
evans / terepo ahead of mannah / kaufusi…cant agree on thats…….
I think Mannah to wenty isnt the way to improve a club captain / morale , and for a guy who puts in every week……maybe better to rest him than to put him in Wenty
A few people have said Bev in the halves…I think its a really good option…fast, great pass, can kick…..and plays what he sees…….i really think he could be our Cody Walker. Definitely a better option than Will Smith
Development Club? lol, Bevvie was a super star until he came into our system and we destroyed him.
Gee, I hate having to correct you regarding historic events and personnel again ?0 year member. Bevan didn’t come as a superstar BA nurtured him along from SG Ball (when he came as a wide eyed kid from the Armidale/Inverrel district) and gave him the opportunity in 2016/17 on the end of a backline that was firing. Under pressure to do it again in 2018 he was given the fullback role he coveted and blew it in both defence and attack when targeted by teams who had figured him out. He is a lovely kid who is well liked in the club and blitzing it in Reggies because he is a great reserve grader. He may well develope into a very good NRL player at another club and I hope he does.
Really?! BA developed him and then threw him on the scrap heap as he was a one trick pony exposed by other teams, lol, how is that developing a player? So Eneinim is a mutli pronged visionary of the game whom BA inherited and he keeps picking as he is better than anyone else, cheers for the laugh. Thanks Rowdy for pulling me up.
you mean Eminem right?
Do I agree with all the changes? No! I can not believe Evans is starting, but I don’t have to agree. I wanted the best team not the best 17 footy players picked. BA has dropped the club captain, the 2018 Ken Thornett medalists, a long serving player in Taka who has been very loyal publically towards BA and a player he gave a coaches award to last year. It sends a message. Obviously they did not do whatever role he set out for them and if they can not do that role they can not be in the team.
While I would like Jaemon and Oregon in the team if they got sent to Wenty to work on something specifically in there game they need to show that improvement consistently. Bringing them up again without the improvement will not help them develop long term. I can see some logic in that.
Just thought I would put a different perspective forward.
The team surprised me but I can see what he is doing. At least there is no doubt that if players don’t perform, do the job set out for them in the game plan they will be dropped, without regard for name or standing in the club. For too long there have been players who are untouchable and I think they knew it. While some decisions are head scratching I think that decision is the most important one for us moving forward.
Shelley, What I am seeing in this selection and have said similar things previously, I may be very far off in what I am saying but that’s what happens when you try to read tea leaves I guess.
As the half way point for this year fast approaches and only BA and Gutho having signed, I tend to suspect that all contract negotiations are pretty much on hold, until end of June, that old date put up by the CEO and GM. I also believe that those off contract players have been told they have x time left to show whether they are worh resigning., and the only way that can be done is to audition in the NRL side. A reason I see with some of these changes that have been made.
Basically they have 4 games left to showcase themselves. At this point of time I can only find 4-6 players worth signing again unless there is a big change in their gameplays and commitment. If some others do improve enough to warrant another year of two, they will be younger ones and perhaps a couple of older ones as well, but all up, no more than 10
After end of June the development players are eligible to play in the NRL team, and the 4 players shown on the eels webb site that are in that group are definates to be signed. We have 14 players still on contract for next year, and the development players and possibly some others at Wenty that are pulling their weight will also be signed.
That is likely to only bring us up to 20 players, 10 short of needs, its therefore likely we will sign some outsiders, ones that I hope will be good signings.. The eels webb page has 34 players and their profiles, the rules of the NRL allows 36 in the 2nd half of the season if I read things earlier being right
Counting those with contracts for next year, and my thoughts/opinions as to how many of that squad will remain I come up with 25-27, with more than likely 25 being the numbers, to build the team there’s likely to be 3 import signings and at least 2 others not listed from within the pathways.
End of the day, I could be very wrong, but not sure by how much though, I really sense a change coming and has likely started.
I hope you are right Colin and that Evans shows his coach what he is really made of. He (and others mind you) have a great opportunity to really lift for this game. The players should believe they are a chance to win this if they play to their best.
I just hope BA ripped into the guys after last Thursday’s game. I’m normally one for positive coaching, but there comes some times when the hard truths need to be made known. That time is now.
I doubt if there has been any coach in the history of the game that has not given his team a good going over when they have not performed as needed, to their abilities and expectation that they should have on themselves and each other,
Tepai publicly stated he did not like the previous weeks spray with the coach calling the team soft, shows it hurt, & so it should have but seems the team went the opposite, tells me that being soft was not enough, the loss against the riff he made the following in his comments
You have to earn the right to win a game of football instead of trying to trick our way or fluff our way and in this tough competition you can’t do it,”
Long fin and Colin, couldn’t agree more. My issue is that the team hasn’t responded well since the Melb smash up; and if i am going to go hard here i have some concerns about who we would look at getting into the club from outside…..i really think we need a couple of hard heads and another good worker or two around the fwds.
And to tap a few on shoulders. We should also be giving these younger guys a go when it can occur and allow them time to work out NRL.
I for one cannot believe we’ve stuck with a couple in the nrl team – and yet Salmon and Kaufusi are back in Reggie’s and Tim Mannah too.
Some players have made the same errors for a while and one or two are playing Friday night……anyway.
RIP today Big D.
Thanks Milo. I actually don’t mind the idea of Kafusi and Salmon being back in reggies especially with the team that they are playing in. I don’t know anything about some of the players who are in the 17, there being 9 players who have either played NRL or on the development list. They are playing a team that is on the same number of points as they are, and provides this team with the opportunity to bulld on their recent good form.
These are the sort of games where players can get some form and confidence back, and without the drama’s of the negative type fan base that has been pounding most of those players since our loss against the storm. I don’t see who’s been selected as Captain but would suggest Mannah may be given the role although I would like to perhaps see Kaufusi given that job as it could help him although Brad Keighran I think has handled that role when in the run on team.
The NRL team as it stands now, is very much in a similar position where a win with the player changes could be immense, the inclusion of Stone from the bench is a real strong test for him as he looks to try and secure his future, as is others in similar positions, I see the eels doing it tough but with their futures on the line it will also show their intestinal fortitude and a big pointer to the future, and could well with this game, but not by a big margin. The eels have faired reasonably well over time against Bennett coached teams, Our coaches can then go and get a value account on Sunday with Wenty doing battle, so a good spread to be marked on.
I want to repeat one thing and that is my desire to see French given a shot at the 6 shirt in this match, his scoring abilities are enhanced with his try’s and goal kicking this year, he seems injury free and confidence coming back as well.
I believe we need players who want to play for the club, coach and eels supporters, rather than just for money. This round may well be a good test of that.
Thanks Colin,
I have not seen French play this yr so cannot comment. I am concerned about some of the changes made this week and feel we need to go with players who we see as the future, and i get it about Taka being dropped and probably Alvaro (although he has been good previously) but some others in the main team makes me question.
The club would have to be close to making some decisions about contracts for next yr and beyond you would imagine…
Welcome to the slide to the bottom. Eminem is still in the team, what a joke. Being a Parra supporter is testing my 40 year patience. I thought BA would not be signed until July! We are toast fellow supporters, we are toast. Another week of depression. This year is becoming Ground Hog day. Keeping our chief playmaker is a joke. What sort of KPI’s is BA standing to? I hate to admit, whilst being an ardent supporter, BA is out of his depth. I do not begrudge him a payout, what is another million after our club financial losses of the last few years. But please oh please, bring in a coach whom can take us to a premiership. BA, acknowledge your failings and plan for a transition to a winning coach. I am looking forward to how dumber we can play than the last few weeks (and I even forgive the storm game).
Forty, I meant to ask about the young lanky winger Goologong, any news on him? would imagine he’s likely in a lower grade than flegg
Maybe Kevin Walters can let us know if that witch doctor he has brought into the Qld camp is any good. I am convinced we have good ability in this team, but no team can function with last weeks error rate. Our forwards need an aggressive 80 minute effort, some are having too many mini breathers. That’s where it starts and ends for me because our whole game is falling apart, and the answer has to be simple and focussed. Trying to fix everything in one game plan will see us fix nothing.
Good report Forty. I like the changes and half Pi expected it as a confirmation of the warning that was given but clearly not taken by last weeks minor team changes. Shelley has covered the reasoning behind that quite well imo. Forty, I disagree with your clear indication that you would have preferred Mannah to Kane Evans as starting prop. I like the Evans selection especially if he can produce the enthusiastic carries and solid defence he produced for Wenty last week. I would have preferred Timmy to have gone to the bench in place of Marata but I see psycology not doing that. There is an even harsher warning delivered this week from BA and his coaching staff. We are a team, if you want to be part of it? Aim up! Will Smith deserves the oppoprtunity to play behind a pack going forward in attack and defence. Something he hasn’t had in his two games back from injury.
There is another point to consider here with team harmony having to be retained when making such radical changes that imo required BA to placate senior players Taka and especially Alvaro by including Tim Mannah among them. Tim will, by his loyalty to the club, professional attitude and acceptance of BA’s decision, encourage everyone in the club to handle the hit to their pride and get on with the job.
I commend BA and his staff for making the hard decisions they’ve made in team selections for the last two weeks. We can thank God we have the depth of troops through wise recruitment and development of half a dozen young fellas to make these changes. I say that with the proviso “we had better aim up this week though”!
Go Parra.
Good post Rowdy, I do agree with you regarding Tim, he will take it on the chin and no doubt show his character and personhood in the dropping, if the NRL team does not fire and if other forwards that are picked do not own up in their game against the bunnies then I see them next on the list, and if they don’t audition failed and by by end of season.
I was hoping for even more drastic changes but at least BA, for a change that has been a long time coming, has made players accountable for their deplorable display over the last 3 weeks.
Paulo’s performances have been below par for a while now and again I blame the coach. Paulo should be used in stints no longer than 20-25 mins to maintain a high intensity. Even his passing/offloading has been almost non-existent lately.
Unfortunately BA seems to be reverting back to his usual form of ignoring our juniors in favour of other, imo poorer, players he has recruited. I have doubts about any new
juniors being used post 30 June.
(Sigh) I fear we are sliding towards the bottom of the pack and resuming our normal position, either behind the posts waiting for a conversion or below the top 8. And another 2.5 years of this shit to come.
We still have Fainga’a, Utoikamanu, Parry and Dunster to come in. Now is probably not the best time to launch them into NRL with a poorly performing team.
Well said Longfin. When you add to that Dylan Brown, Jaemen Salmon and Marata Niukora here are another group of young guys recruited to the club as very young juniors and developed at the club through NRL standard just like Bevan French. We have much to look forward too.
Some peoples disappointment with our results leads to anxiety with our performances and clearly clouds any wisdom that may pass them by in the heat of consternation.
To suggest that Paulo’s time rotation should be measured by any particular amount far less than what he is producing ignores the fact that he and BA would have discussed this element of what Jr. brings as far back as time of recruitment. I don’t disagree with the fact that his performances have been down a little, but to propose such a radical adjustment is a bit naive.
We have the troops, they just need to be reignited. We do miss the Brown boys but I doubt either of them would to come in as a saviour at this time?
The players named by Longfin I believe are very close to getting into the NRL side this year, each are development players I understand and therefore can be brought in to the NRL side after June 30, if I understand the rules correctly
There’s nothing on Parry or Dunster as far as age and details of them on the eels site but both played in the trials early this year and did very well, and I thought based on what I saw there, Dunster being a winger will need to continue to improve at Wenty and next year with the eels reserves, but I think Parry could be a smoky in the centres this year.
Stefano, Fainga’i, along with Kafusi, Marata,& Lane, hopefully along with Stone can provide us with good youth in the forwards, with good size bodies as well, They should be brought along slowly but not too slow, they make our future look much brighter.
Like everyone else; I cannot see how Mannah either for defensive capability, bench impact or form is not selected over Peni Terepo.
Peni for all his hard running has been incredibly ineffective this year.
I understand giving Marata a rest.
I also hope Stoney gives Reed a breather, as He cannot cope with the full 80 @ high level of performance just yet.
In the Wenty highlights video, Oregon is offside and let’s a try in as a result – maybe that’s why He’s still down there – not saying I agree – He’s still a better prospect then Terepo/Evans.
Hoffman / Fergo combination could be interesting.
Also like everyone else; be interested to see Bevan French or Salmon in 6 over Smith.
One last thing; why can souths & Briz orchestrate an immediately effective deal for Roberts and we can’t get near DWZ as it’s been rumoured we are chasing Him. Maybe no space in the top 30 I guess…..
I read today that he is being chased by the Tigers among others. This would allow him to reacquaint with his NZ coach. Penrith want a swap with Packer.
The longer this goes on the less likely he is to come to the Eels
Always an excellent read, how you refrain from a tyraid of swearing is beyond me, like many of us I’d overcome the “shatternesssedd” of the Storm game only to be more “shattererrred” with the inept loss to the Cows and went to the game last week about as confident as driving past a speed camera at 200kph and not being booked. Turns out I was right all along, we managed to turn the season around for yet another team by making stupid decisions, dropping more ball than an under 10’s armless side and giving away more stupid penalties than a long bay jail over 35’s team. Now we have dropped a bunch of players and frankly I agree with you and BA about Taka, Bear and Jennings but what the heck is going on when we replace Tim with Jane oops Kane Evans. He has proven to be a next to useless addition to the EELS squad since the Roosters cheered loud and long when he came to Parramatta. I really hope I am wrong (I often am) and he steps up and rips into the Burgess lads but I think there is less chance of that than Henry Perenara awarding the EELS a penalty on the oppositions 20 mtr line. May the force be with us on Friday. GO EELS.
Brilliant
Thanks
Ahhh finally Forty’s you’re seeing the light….
For the life of me there is more upsight starting the salmon and Kaufusi than Will Smith and Kane Evans, and this season is Mannah better one compared to the last few, but yet he ‘Club Captain’ finds himself playing for Wenty.
BA has loss touch and is quickly losing the players, especially Salmon, who I’m hearing is close to asking for a release.
Interesting tip about Salmon Terry. Is that why he played the house down for Wenty on Sunday (accepting his punishment for poor form) and was probably one of our best. Showed great attitude and character in his performance. Doesn’t sound like, nor did he look like he was sulking from what I saw on Sunday at Ringrose Oval. Over to you Terry?
You’re on the money, Rowdy. Salmon has big respect for BA and knows he is learning his trade. Any interest in him is coming from other clubs – not from him. Salmon has a history of respect for his coaches. He is definitely not a sulker.
BJ, if that’s the case then perhaps he could be the perfect leader for the club in the future. Other aspect is that if all the others in the team who go on record in the media talking up Brad, maybe they could have 2 things happen.
1: Follow Salmon’s example in the way they show their respect for Brad.
2: This is how they show their respect and its the old adage of actions speak louder than words, other words get out on the field and show what you are made of, waffle talk or men of league
Ahh poor Rowdy, do you really think he was playing out of his skin for BA or for the a certain club scout that was at the ground watching him?
Will James Roberts play against the Eels on Friday night?
The NRL have said no as this week’s teams have already been named.
Thanks Rev. It is just that they only nominated 20 players. Left a spot open.
Has anyone else experienced the issue that the last few games has caused. Dont watch league programmes on tv, hardly tune in to tv news, certainly no NRL360, read a lot less than ever and basically tune out which has not been the case even through the 90s.
The performance against NQ and Riff was so lacklustre and poor that it sucked any enjoyment from watching.
Will be there Friday night, but like the rest of my family more out of a sense of duty than expectations of winning, haven’t felt like this before.
The club needs to wake up to the damage that has occurred, we need some good news from somewhere.
BD, I have adopted this approach for some time now, it began a few years back, probably around 10 years when I stopped watching anything that had anything to do with the 9’s footy show, it was an embarrassment to RL, later I switched off the Sunday footy show, as I don’t have Pay TV I don’t watch any of that, and even steer clear of the Erin Molan show. Best decision I made in years.
It’s certainly hard not to be pissed off with everything Parramatta and football in general Big D. Year after year the same promise then “BANG” down we go again. It is certainly tough being an eels tragic. I’m still stuck under the coffee table following the Storm debacle.
See you on Friday BD
As per the article penned a few months ago by sixties, and which I suggested, to have a good team you must have representative players in your team, at the moment we have N O N E. Wighton better than Gutho? debatable. Until we can convince quality players to our team and have at least 6 rep players, we will be also rans. Teams without rep players do not win premierships. So with that in mind, dont over extend yourself emotionally in the team as our recruitment and retention is C R A P. Yes, I will be there on Friday, more out of religious duty as opposed to anything else. There is a reason Souths in on top of the ladder, how many rep players in QLD and NSW and then International rep players left in the team and the most successful coach in history. The bookies have us as Favs!