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While the international representatives are still on enforced rest, the Parramatta Eels now have all their other first graders back on deck and the preseason intensity has risen up several notches as a result. The Tip Sheet breaks down all the latest happenings from Kellyville as Jason Ryles ramps his boys up with the turn to Summer around the corner. The Foxx officially recommits to the Blue & Gold while the NRLW add a pair of young talents.
So what exactly is the deal with R360? With Roger Tuivasa-Sheck rumoured to be exploring a return to the New Zealand Warriors – is the rebel league dead in the water? What does that mean for the Eels and Zac Lomax? More player transactions dot the market as teams scramble to round out their Top 30s. The boys discuss all this and sundry as they go around the grounds in the NRL.
So our only signings so far are old man De Belin and a guest cameo by Jonah Pezet. We are so skinny for outside jacks it is ridiculous. What the hell are our recruitment team doing? If they can’t bring anyone decent in then the next signings for the eels should be a new management team ! Truly pathetic the lack of signings given how many players have left.
MB, the thing that we are seeing across all clubs is the player movement from those still under contract. For mine it’s like the landscape has changed, and even journos are regularly saying that clubs are shaking trees to see what falls loose. Parra has to sign players from a number perspective, which makes me think they have certain targets that they are working on
Given the poor history of R and R under this current management I have little faith that anything worthwhile will come our way.
With such poor depth and weakening of the squad while other clubs are more active and appear to be getting stronger I can’t see us making the top 8 yet again.
This is despite what I believe are big improvements under Ryles to the way we are playing- we just don’t have the cattle with what we have at the moment and are one or two injuries away from complete disaster imo. How MON keeps his job is amazing to me. The bar must be set very low in terms of KPIs for him.
Totally agree with you not much happening with player movement and we are four weeks away from Christmas. We have 3 to 4 spots left hoping to at least sign two external backline players with some nrl experience if we don’t and we have to bring in players within., we are in trouble happy with our forwards but we need strike out wide. Come on RNR give us some news for God sake how patient can we be cheers Ray
Ray, most of us are guilty of being impatient, but given the drought, we aren’t really impatient at all. I’ve spoken endlessly about my backline depth concerns. But I don’t want the Eels just signing anybody and the market isn’t flush. As I said above, and you noted also, they actually have to fill spots especially before round one. I reckon they are working on a couple of specific targets. If they aren’t, I’d be stunned.
Somehow believe we as a club should be past the projects and up and comers in recruitment. With apparently 25 currently in the top 3, and other teams seeming to be moving with signings and extensions, there is a real need for the front office to make a statement that the club is serious about improvements as we give some patience to the juniors coming through.
Feels li’e the next week or 2 is a crucial period for additions to the NRL line up, most digits are crossed hoping for good news
B&G, there simply has to be recruits, even from that numbers perspective, and the roster hole is there in experienced backline depth. If one of the first picks goes down then the only player with NRL backline experience of any sort is Jordan Samrani and he was tracking towards back row. Outside of him Jake Tago also has limited experience but he’s not top 30 or dev so that means he’s not available till after round 10. I like our first choice backline. Is it premiership winning standard? They would need to elevate to another level for that, but it’s got some strike. However, you need options, and it’s all rookies below first grade.