The Tip Sheet is also available on Spotify and iTunes!
Is there ever really a thing as too much footy? That question gets put to the test this Saturday with the Eels playing five games of senior rugby league across roungly eight and a half hours. The Tip Sheet straps in for the long haul this week as they preview the NRL, NRLW, NSW Cup, HNWP and Jersey Flegg action taking place on Saturday.
There are plenty of enforced changes in the Flegg this week as the boys evaluate a new look squad that takes on the Warriors. It is a similar story in the HNWP where the NRLW trial has sapped them of several players. The girls are looking to build on a strong start to the season as they host the Dragons at Eric Tweedale.
The New Zealand Warriors await the Eels in the NSW Cup as the Blue & Gold plot an upset against the 5th placed visitors. A win could very well see the Eels finishing the round inside the Top 6. Parra’s trip to the glitter strip is the focus of the final preview as the Eels, sundered by injuries and rep selection, look to find a way to somehow coral the surging Titans.
Shame so many Cup players are playing NRL this weekend as is weakening the Cup team who have a chance of making top 6 whereas other team are hoping to miss being wooden spooners!
Our parra first grade team not winning another wooden spoon is far more important.
If we get the wooden spoon, it’s disastrous for our club and will make it harder for Jason Ryles to attract more new talent for 25’ – 26’
Players all want overs to go to wooden spoon sides.
It’s the last thing Jason Ryles needs, trying to recruit from a club who got the wooden spoon.
I agree it sucks for the cup team, but this club desperately needs to avoid coming last at all costs.
Good podcast fellas. Nice touch towards regards to your gratitude. It’s must be hard to keep going even with times are tough and the news & results are mostly negative now.
My prediction is we won’t see a sleepy eels this game:
– some players who’s mindset who believe they will be moved on regardless by our new coach & may not lift a lot.
– A few players here now know they are playing for their future NRL careers and almost nobody is completely safe even some of our younger players.
I predict you’ll see a significant lift in players like Will P and possibly even Brendan Hands, Asi, maybe even Dylan brown, plus a few of our forwards like Carty who seems to have lost himself a bit, RCG has stated himself he will need to train in the off season now too with new coach coming, look for RCG to lift possibly a level.
Carty, will P, even hands would struggle to land starting first grade gigs at other NRL clubs, RCG and lane much the same possibly.
I believe we will see evidence of (some) players now lifting themselves and playing for something.
Jason Ryles will be watching closely and documenting every players efforts, performances and habits.
I’m still of the belief the players look like they’ve gotten comfortable and are playing “for nothing” so to speak.
The threat of losing your job, or the incentive of a “new contract upgrade”
Can suddenly turn players often from average to stand out performers in a flash.
Look for Carty & Will P opening up some attack and waking up a bit so to speak.
Hands is also in the cross hairs of being our dummy half moving forward permanently or maybe not.
Jason may seek to get an experienced hooker who can combine with a strong running game.
Both the roosters & Melbourne use a hooker rotation with players who combine a punch up the middle with running and work a bit like an extra middle forward.
Hands and Boods do not currently fit this mould and Jason may seek to adjust our middle strategy and Employ at least one dummy half who can punch up the middle.
It’s rumoured the cheese Brendan Smith is on the outta at the roosters, he has a working relationship with Ryles from in the past.
A few spectators have proposed Ryles will likely follow in the footsteps of his two mentors / head coaches who he has been working under for years.
Bellamy + Trent Robbinson
And may look to emulate that type of strategy in the eels moving forward to improve our ruck speed moving forward and take some pressure off our forwards.
Interesting times ahead, I do not have strong faith in our eels atm (much like you fellas)
But we do have young AND old players who are fighting for their survival as such.
(For some) Their whole playing careers depend on how they play the remaining games of this season.
This alone is more motivating for most players than just trying to win games for the club.
It’s possible some rookies and old players in our team will see this game and the rest of this year as a period where they need to prove themselves with effort, or possibly face the axe.
I understand the eels have some players on longer contracts – but if we finish with a near wooden spoon.
Just like the axed BA in rapid fashion, they could be ruthless in the sacking of players if they believe this will cause a turning point for the clubs season next year.
I’m not expecting a perfect performance.
But I’m looking for a performance where we see a few players absolutely lift in hunger & effort.
Because if they don’t – lot of these men’s futures as NRL players may come to an end very soon.
Look how south’s turned a corner as soon as the new head coach was announced.
The media are saying this was all Wayne’s doing.
But we must not forget.
Wayne would have cleaned out that place without a thought if south’s kept on losing games this year.
A Players own financial gain & survival is more motivating for them than anything else.
I’m looking for a new intensity this week.
If RCG is already talking about how he thinks he now has to train in the off season for the new coach.
What message is that sending?
These players know the new coaches standard will be high.
They know they will be in for an ass kicking so to speak after this years efforts.
If RCG is saying that then you know all of them will be feeling insecure & on notice so to speak.
Don’t be surprised if all the sudden they start defending and putting in those efforts on efforts.
That we haven’t seen for weeks (or even this year)
From some of them…
As great as a win would be – and it is always possible against the Titans as you never know what you will get, its hard to see.
The Titans are scoring points at will at the moment and without Moses…. we are not..
Interim coach finds out this week he doesn’t have the job, is probably not good for his focus either.
I hope not, but Titans could blow us out
Depressing times and probably more hurt on the way this weekend. I look forward to the ryles clean out and the injection of youth. Rcg, sivo, lane and matto should all be on the chopping block as a start. We really need pryke, guymer, tuivati, Parker to develop fast as replies forward stocks. Also, would be great if alaamddeine and Martyn solidified themselves as nsw cup standard by end of the year.
An opportunity missed.
Gutho should be at 6 and Talagi at the back.
We are short a playmaker in the middle .
If we are going to shake it up give it a good shake.
Remis smith is on the outta / not getting a start generally at storm
Do you think this a potential outside back signing that could add defensive value to our outside back stocks potentially ?