Eels Blogs

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• • • • Eli Stephens > EA August 7, 2025 at 6:15pm

        I think wing provides players like Lomax more freedom and opportunity to look for the footy. Centres you are kind of pinned one in from wing and can fall out of the game tbh. 
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  Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin August 7, 2025 at 6:18pm

  It has nothing to do with Simmonson being overlooked by Ryles. 

  It has all to do with Simmonson receiving good dollar offers from clubs just before he did his acl. Then he got injured and the offers were pulled. 

  The the Eels offered him a lifeline by giving him a long term deal on lower coin, and Simmonson took it, knowing he needed stability and a guaranteed income. 

  What i think has happened, is that other clubs saw he was playing well post injury,  and his management have put the feelers out so Simmonson can get more dollars. 

  For mine, Simmonson spat the dummy.  We signed him in good faith, knowing his knee now has a higher chance of rupture, but now he wants more.

  Unless we get something in return,  let him sit in reserve grade 
  • Eli Stephens > Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin August 7, 2025 at 6:20pm

    I'd be sending him to titans for next year, don't need that around the club. Work out a swap deal and get that moving lol 
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  Blue Eel August 8, 2025 at 8:25am

  

  To me, with more info now in the public domain, Bailey has simply seen the writing on the wall and what is about to "or is occuring right now" with players in front of him. If what we are hearing accross the media is anything to go buy, Bailey has seen himself as primarily a Winger. He re signed with the Eels whilst being injured when no other club was interested and on low coin, he saw a spot available on the Wing and announced how much he loved the Eels. 

  Josh Ado Carr through circumstances ends up finding his way to the Eels and taking one Wing Spot, Lomax stuffs up his chances to play centre each week through bad defensive reads, overnight the Eels have 2 Australian rep or former rep Wingers on their books. Bailey's dream becomes shattered, attempts to make a centre spot his, but injuries keep ruling him out. Finds himself playing on suburban grounds without fanfare and without much hope to get back to the NRL show whilst at the Eels. 

  'He plays the agitation game requesting releases, the Retention committee refuses knowing that they have a decent backup with experience on the right coin for this position. The agitation turns to attitude and we end up here. Bailey is 28 and has a couple of years left to play regular first grade as a first choice at a club without decent wingers, he has made his own choice.

  Goodluck to him and thankyou for your service. I'm sure we can find a backup player from somewhere to play reggie's and fill in at times in first grade. Harsh but just reality of NRL footy.

   
  • 

    Parra-all-the-way > Blue Eel August 8, 2025 at 9:10am

    

    100%
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    Nightmare Off-Season > Blue Eel August 8, 2025 at 9:51am

    

    Bluey, good post.

    If accurate (the media) then of course, we back the club.

    Issue for me here is the timeline reported doesn't seem to make sense?

    Apparently 3 requests in a month. But, a month ago Bailey was playing in first grade against Penrith, likewise, 3 weeks ago against the Raiders. So he was requesting a release for not being selected, while being selected?

    Was he told he wont be playing wing and that was enough? That would surprise, as he played plenty of centre over the past 2 seasons and never requested a release, and signed on for 3 seasons.

    It all feels a little strange. I guess we'll find out sooner or later what has happened.