Eels Blogs

Replies

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  Prof. Daz February 21, 2017 at 3:48pm

  Norman needs an organizing 7 and that's what the team needs too. I think we can make the finals but bring a finals threat will require us unearthing an organizing 7
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    RIDER > Prof. Daz February 21, 2017 at 4:26pm

    I dont necessarily agree with that.

    There are teams with world class organising halves and that doesnt guarantee anything.

    As much as it pains me to say it comes down to a balanced well balanced and drilled team, a favourable draw, some blind luck on any given day, esp when it comes to injuries and some choking on the part of other teams.

    Thats why its so bloody hard to win, you cant do xyz and you will win.

    We are as good a chance as any team, but 8 will falter and not make the finals, 6 will come up against the eventual grand-finalist in the finals and get knocked out and one of the 2 grand-final teams will crack under the pressure to get an eventual winner.

    Id say injuries are probably one of the major deciders.

    But thats just my opinion.
• Thooper Dooper Maltese Sparrow February 21, 2017 at 5:14pm

  One step at a time. A premiership would be fantastic, but so too would just playing finals footy.

  Surely this year?
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  Poupou Escobar February 22, 2017 at 12:14am

  I'd say it's possible but highly unlikely. Next year will be a better chance and 2019 should be the peak of our window. We already have the following players contracted for 2019 (age that year in brackets):
  
  Edwards (30), French (23), Gutherson (25), Hoffman (31), Mennings (31), Mannah (31), Ma'u (31), Norman (28), Takairangi (30)
  
  That's a pretty strong core for the next three seasons. Given the nature of the cap (and the ages of some of these blokes) I expect big (disruptive) squad changes after 2019, but we'll still be competitive. Tui Afualo will be 20 that year and is contracted until then. He will possibly be a first grader too by that time.
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  Poupou Escobar February 22, 2017 at 1:00am

  On top of that we have the following players at the club who may be re-signed until 2019 or beyond (age in 2019):
  
  Alvaro (26)
  Aukafolau (22)
  Auva'a (27)
  Brown (26)
  Dargan (22)
  Faraimo (29)
  Fogarty (26)
  Folau (25)
  Gennings (26)
  Hasson (27)
  King (28)
  Matagi (31)
  Moeroa (24)
  Morris (23)
  Niukore (23)
  O'Brien (30)
  Kritchard (25)
  Schulte (24)
  Smith (27)
  Tanginoa (25)
  Terepo (28)
  Tuha (26)
  Twal (23)
  Ualesi (26)
  Vave (30)
  Woods (24)
  
  Obviously some of these would be backups if retained. Every squad needs them, and conitinuity is just as important in your backups as it is in your top 17.
  
  Of course some of you will say that any of these guys who haven't become first graders by 2019 shouldn't be still at the club, but you're wrong and here's why; if they're good enough for the full time NRL squad now, why wouldn't they still be good enough in their mid-late 20s? That's their peak. Players don't decline until after 30.
  
  Blokes less likely to still be around in 2019 are:
  
  De Gois (35)
  Fritchard (36)
  Gower (34)
  Nelson (31) obviously no older than guys like Ma'u and Mannah, but starting to decline, and from a lower talent base
  Robson (37)
  Scott (35)
  
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    Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown > Poupou Escobar February 22, 2017 at 2:09am

    Gennings

    
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  Poupou Escobar February 22, 2017 at 2:15am

  To distinguish him from his brother Mennings. The former NYC player Trennings was no relation. Rennings at Souths is though.
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  Craig Bridger February 22, 2017 at 3:32am

  FFS...if Hodkinson & Reynolds can give the dogs a premiership, surely Normz & Guth can!!
  • Thooper Dooper Maltese Sparrow > Craig Bridger February 22, 2017 at 5:28am

    Yes and Robbo and Mortimer almost did too!