3 New Signings

The Parramatta Eels are pleased to announce the signings of three new players who will commence training in the 2021 pre-season.

Centre Tom Opacic has agreed to a one year deal with the Eels.

Tom made his NRL debut in 2016 for the Brisbane Broncos and has spent the past two seasons playing for the North Queensland Cowboys in his 43 NRL game career.

Isaiah Papali’i has agreed to a two year deal, after playing 59 NRL games for the Warriors since 2017.

He has also represented New Zealand and Samoa.

Hooker Joey Lussick has also agreed to a one year deal after spending time in the Eels pathways in 2014 and 2015.

He went on to make his NRL debut for Manly in 2017 and has spent the last three seasons in the UK Super League playing for Salford.

Parramatta Eels General Manager of Football Mark O’Neill said, “We are excited to welcome Tom, Isaiah and Joey and I have no doubt that these three men will be a great cultural fit with our Club.”

“All players will add class, depth and balance to our overall squad and they will be relocating from their current destinations in readiness for the 2021 pre-season,” O’Neill said.

Very hard to gauge how good these signing are as we don't know how much was spent assuming lussick was min wage opacic and pappalii having first grade experience doubt they came at minimum all depends on what we spent and how much is left both could make outside both could be liabilities defensively... still need a game breaking fullback gutho is great at support play etc and has a bit of ball playing ability but we need a real speedster to turn nothing's into something gutho need a to be either 5/8 or centre where he can still support play and create opportunities, I'd be chasing Charlie stains at th with jenkos money ad a few first grade games great showing and jenkos 350-400k I believe he was getting should be enough to get him

"I believe BA could bring the best out of Schuster. This player is a natural footballer that's got into bad lazy habits. I know BA could shape him in a top utility if he willing to change his attitude & focuse on his football. BA brought out the best…"

I'm in Cairns and it's very hot and humid here, so I can imagine what Darwin is like and how the boys are feeling!Tonight we see the Eels take on Benny's boys in our annual home game in the Territory. Recent years have been unsuccessful for the Eels…

"I read somewhere Talagi was in same situation as Sanders and able to negotiate after round 6 but has an option in his favour he can activate. If so that is probably why BA moved him to 5/8 instead of bringing in Sanders or even Asi which would have…"

Replies

Colin Good October 22, 2020 at 4:02pm

Papalil May have been DUI ,haven't we all been guilty of something silly that we did in our early twenties,I wouldn't hold that against him.
Optimistic eel October 22, 2020 at 4:25pm

Very hard to gauge how good these signing are as we don't know how much was spent assuming lussick was min wage opacic and pappalii having first grade experience doubt they came at minimum all depends on what we spent and how much is left both could make outside both could be liabilities defensively... still need a game breaking fullback gutho is great at support play etc and has a bit of ball playing ability but we need a real speedster to turn nothing's into something gutho need a to be either 5/8 or centre where he can still support play and create opportunities, I'd be chasing Charlie stains at th with jenkos money ad a few first grade games great showing and jenkos 350-400k I believe he was getting should be enough to get him
- Tragiceel > Optimistic eel October 22, 2020 at 5:14pm
  
  Staines has already re-signed with the Panthers, Caleb Aekins has signed with the Raiders so Staines becomes their backup Fullback.
  - Optimistic eel > Tragiceel October 22, 2020 at 5:19pm
    
    Ahhh thankyou I did not see that
  - Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" > Tragiceel October 22, 2020 at 6:10pm
    
    Shit -------- Staines?
HerrBurger October 22, 2020 at 6:31pm

I'd love us to get Brandon Smith. Bloke is a weapon
- Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" > HerrBurger October 22, 2020 at 7:01pm
- Ghost Fromdapast > HerrBurger October 22, 2020 at 8:34pm
  
  Yep I'd like Brandon Smith too plus someone with COMPOSURE to steer the team around ..... It doesn't have to be a half, Steve Edge came from a successful Dragons to lead us to the 81 Grand final . For as long as I have been a supporter we haven't had too many recruits from other clubs that gave a ratz except for money.. Gutho currently and Steve Edge back in the 80's are certainly exceptions !
Mathew Clarke October 22, 2020 at 9:44pm

A raid on some of the Panther's players after Nov 1 seems like a pretty good idea?