Hey guys first time blogger here.
If the signing rumours are true, we are building a young squad that can dominate for years. Manly, melbourne and broncos dominated for long periods of time because they were able to hold onto a core of young players that developed as individuals. Most importantly though, they developed as a team under one coach.This is a process that takes years and constant change to either players and/or coach is likely to disrupt it.
I believe in terms of recruitment initially BA had to overspend and purchase over the hill players due to salary cap problems and club reputation. As both improved we saw the purchase of high risk/no frill buys to further improve the salary cap. Now that we are moving forward, way under the salary cap, BA is purchasing young players that will form the core group that will move this club forward.
I think BA must be congratulated for bringing us to this point. Kearney and stuart failed miserably and the truth is BA probably had it tougher than recent coaches in regards to salary cap and board issues. Yes he has made mistakes but overall he has built a young squad with so much potential.
As of next year though he must be under scrutiny because its not about recruiting anymore nor rebuilding. The team is built and now its all about BA's coaching. Can he mould this young team into a dominating force or will he flop? Will he be able to retain this core group of young players? Finally can he win us a premiereship in the next few years with the team he has built?
The average age of the possible team next year is 25.5.
1. French 21
2. Nofoaluma 23
3. M jennings 28
4. Gutherson 22
5. Hoffman 29
6. Moses 22
7. Norman 26
8. Mannah 29
9. Peats 26
10. Matangi 29
11. Mau 28
12. Moeroa 21
13. Brown 24
14. Edwards 27
15. Evans 25
16. Vave 27
17. Takairangi 27
Replies
Welcome aboard mate, nice first blog.
You left K. Pritchard 22 off.
There's a few guys at the back end of their careers (Jennings, Hoffman, Mannah, Matagi), but they still offer a few good years yet. I think you are right on this one though mate. If you think back to the Brian Smith years, we were always offloading players and could never settle on a core group other than Hindmarsh/Cayless/Burt. This hurt us in the long run, which is probably why we underachieved.
Although had Tim Smith or Michael Witt held it together we'd have had a long term, high class half. It's a pity neither of these guys cashed in on their immense talent.
I chose to leave out kpritchard because i doubt he will be in the starting 17 if peats returns.
I agree totally with the older players you mentioned. If they get replaced then the team age average will stick around that 25 mark for a good 3-5 years. Exactly why i believe we will be a dominating force 2018 and oneards for at least 5 years (one can only dream lol).
At the same time though you do need experience and cant go too young. I think that 25-28 age bracket for forwards is decent. More concerened about aging backs like mjennings and hoffman but im sure theyll be replaced soon as well.
Homer: I can`t understand why it is that the bigger blunder Arthur makes the more he is praised on this site. If signing these players is an act of genius why in the hell did he not do it in the 2016- 2017 off season? If he had done so we would have had those player available for the 2017 season which, at this point of time, seems to be heading south with alacrity. The desire to have Moses come over immediately shorly, five weeks into the competition, indicates that the team he assembled for 2017, is not up to the mark according to him. A blunder to end all blunders. Miracles can happen it is said. A win against the Warriors would change things for everyone--here`s hoping. But the fact that our players have been made aware that some may be moved on is not conducive of a top effort in an away game on the weekend.
Once again Robert , you are a complete downer and you clearly dont understand football.
To put it clearly, The Eels were not in a position to sign the players at the start of the year because they were not available.
We had to get our cap and board in order as well. Our club was a complete mess.
What BA has done is convinced one of the best talents in league to come for alot less than what he could have earnt elsewhere.
The reason he can come now is because we can now afford him.It gives us a chance to compete for the premiersip immediately..
I dont get you Robert, Why are you so harsh on BA??
I think when it comes to signings there's alot of variables to a successful signing. Maybe we put off an off season signing because a more appropiate signing would become available the next year. I think age and skill set is what BA wanted in regards to the halves. Hence why we chased bird and moses after the off season. Now that the tigers are in shambles it presented the chance to get him early. Why not take it?
I believe gutherson was always a stop gap until we landed either moses or bird and BA didnt want to waste money on sombody he didnt want long term and was willing to wait till 2018. Moses coming early could be his strong desire to join BA or maybe it was a really smart coup on BA's behalf. I dont know I just think the players he got considering the salary cap and board room issues over the last few years is quite remarkable.
I just dont believe in immediate results. Immediate results in my opinion is luck with no foundations and thats why the eels flopped after 09. A strong foundation is being built and it might of taken three years but a solid team will be produced 2018 and onwards
Fcuk me
If that is the team for 2018 then it'll be the 1st time I will be older than the whole team.
I like the moses signing . My only concern is BA has shown he wants to play a physical , bullocking fast line speed style. I think the advantage of having Gutho and Norman in the halves were in his opinion, having 2 of the biggest halves in the comp defensively that could compete and play a bit of football. That seemed to be the style of play we were building towards. Fast line speed, in your face, confrontational and physical.
We now will have the smallest fullback in the comp, the smallest 5/8 in the comp, one of the smallest centres in the comp, and one of the smallest 80min hookers in the comp (if its still Kaysa). Mixed with the other guys he's signed its a bit of a mismatch. I feel he figured out a style he wanted and was recruiting to it. All of a sudden he seems to have just recruited the best player available. Not saying it cant work, but it won't work if he trys to play the same again with the changes in the side.
People will be quick to say he's smart enough to figure it out but to me he's very unproven. He's proven he's a great leader of men , loyal and can lead a sinking ship. He hasn't proven anything tactically or that he can get consistent winning football out of a team. I hope he does.
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