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.
Replies
Ok! JAC out with JTJ in?
Not sold nor impressed by what I saw of Dunster.
I know it’s only one game, but class and skill always shine through, even if only in fleeting moments.
Dude, be fair. Jennings was suspended on the very day of the final. Thanks NRL for their usual timing. Called up at a minutes notice in one horrible circunstance. Give him a break. He hardly failed, given the circumstances.
Joey will be for 2 reasons 1 back up development effectively replacing Schneider in the squad also as competition for reed one thing the spine is lacking is people nipping at their heels putting pressure on them competition breeds results.
Opiacic is looking as a astute but I've watched a bit of him he's a good player and on a 1 year deal it's got a lot of potential for an upside.
Papali very happy with he will push for a starting spot.
Well that wasn't exactly worth the wait!
If one looks at Lane over this year, like others in the team, the first half was pretty good, the 2nd half, not prepared to say too much about that, but he was at least consistent to the point of being annoying by being a bit dead pan, perhaps the loss of his moe and less weight affected him. However in the match where BA did some moves of players and had Lane on the bench, and then play in another position seemed to lift him back to being close to the player he was last year and when he came from Manly.
While normally I do not like players putting a specific spot to play in as a condition of signing with a club, it is fairly well part of the game these days, that being the case with Asiata, could be a challenge for him in coming to the eels, but if a starting position is part of the deal, then the club should be saying to him, that if he's good enough to handle starting, thats fine but it means he has to be consistent in his play. On that score he could well be offered Lanes starting spot of 11 with Lane to bench and replaces Asiata after 20 or an appropriate time in the game, as part of the normal forwards rotation.
Also rather than having eggs in one basket why not go for Ofenhengue? The broncs want to be rid of him so they could pay part of his 2 years remaining contract with eels picking up the rest. Likewise so that our backs are covered target Staggs for 2022, or for 2021 on early release. With those players on board, the remaining spots can be covered from within.
We need Asiata - he's the absolute perfect 14 but he has stated that he wants a starting position. Absolute gifted player and can play any and every position.
If Opacic can remain injury free, he will surprise a lot of people. A very good player.
May end up at the Broncos.
Thanks for the input guys. Interesting reading. If Tom is a right edge player and a good defender, he might be the answer to our prayers.Time will tell.
-
9
-
10
-
11
-
12
-
13
of 14 Next