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The NRL team has spent a week on the tools as Jason Ryles goes old school in the preseason. The Tip Sheet looks at what the boys have been up to ranging from gardening, landscaping and bricklaying to maintenance work at Parramatta Leagues Club. It has been a busy work elsewhere for the Eels as Sixties, Forty20 and Clint look at a raft of retentions and signings as the club bolsters the NRL, NRLW and beyond.
Who are the big winners and losers from the 2025 NRL draw? Where do the Eels stand after years of brutal scheduling? In other NRL news, Shane Richardson has boldly declared that the Tigers have both the best spine and best backup spine in the NRL. How close to the mark is he?
Ben Hunt has landed at the Broncos but where does he fit once everyone is available? Hunt is joined on the NRL transaction list by Bronson Xerri’s extension at Canterbury and Lachlan Illias shifting to the Dragons. The show looks at all of these movements and what they mean for each player and club.
Tigers – have they signed Tedesco and Cam Murry? Yes – then that would be correct. No – tell Richardson he is dreaming. If the Tigers don’t run last they will fill that other vacancy – ninth. They used to own that spot but gave it up for the spoon.
Ben Hunt – will make a difference to the Broncos – no doubt about it but will it be enough. Back them to be at least top eight possibly top four.
Don’t really care about Xerri or Illias. With the distribution of players here and there plus those who have left the game makes for an interesting competition 2025.
My only interest is the Eels and I am predicting good things for 2025. I am predicting a top eight.
I think Manly will go backwards along with Newcastle. The Raiders and the Dragons mid field. The Bulldogs – won’t get any better. Penrith to drop out of the top six. The Cowboys won’t make the eight. The Storm while Bellamy is there will be the Storm. Uncle Nick’s team might be hung out to dry. The dolphins and titans will have their moments. South Sydney are running on old legs and that includes the coach. Cronulla – only if Hynes can get past his high expectations. Anyone else is not worth mentioning.
Massive call on the Panthers, Zero. I would love to see that come to fruition so if it does, we’ll done on such a bold call.
Yes, I threw that one around in my head for a few moments. Interesting situation, have suffered player drain but they’re still a young, fit team. Prob need their stars healthy and on the park to stay in top 4.Keen to see how Papali’i goes in that system
I’ll be honest, I saw 2024 as the end of their run, but I think they’ll stay top 4.
Hard to imagine with the youth, fitness, constantly moving legs, and defensive systems over there ingrained at the Riff’ will allow them to drop below top 4. They are so far ahead of everyone else besides say the storm… The only way I see a below top 4 finish is if Cleary missed 2/3 of the season, or they cop an injury plague like parra in 24’. They turn nobody’s into top players over there. Just like storm. It’s a sign the systems, culture and coaching is like a McDonald’s franchise. It spits out similar quality no matter who’s there. I hope I’m wrong tho, and parra rises while they regress! But Ivan Cleary is possibly going to be one of the best coaches in RL history (if he can keep this going). He’s obviously a genius.
Thinking back to the coaching merry go round, I’m making a bold prediction that it will be obvious next year that Ryles is the coach Parra needed regardless of the credentials of the others mooted as possibilities. On that, some may wonder why Parra has resigned certain players or extended contracts. I suggest Ryles has seen there is still potential in players that have had an average few seasons. Hence my second bold prediction is the improved form of quite a few players.
As for the draw, the rankings don’t mean much to me as it looks backward. Reading the entrails of 2024 to predict 2025 is some dodgy divination.. We all know some teams in the eight will drop out, others in the bottom group of teams will improve. The only constant seems to be the continued consistency of Melbourne, Penrith and Bondi. Surely it is time one of those teams starts a slide to averageness?
Go Parra!
Which one of the big three do you feel is likely to fall?
Seen a rating of bookies. They have St George as favourite for the wooden Spoon.
John Eel, I’m loathe to make suggestion as I’ll probably be wrong but The Roosters could be the team to slide.
I have not seen any odds for the spoon. I’m expecting another middling season from the Dragons but spoon bound? It may depend on how much the Tigers can improve.
We can only hope for such slides Shaun.
Keep up the good work TCT Team.
I’ve been thinking about the Moses contract talks of late and the Eels trying to get rid of his player options. I hope the R&R crew are working on the same for Dylan too. I worry about the cap space the Rorters have available and if there was an Eel they would go after, its Dylan in my opinion. He’d be a great foil for Sam Walker…