It might have been Kerry Packer who once said words to the effect: if you can get more than fifty percent right, you’ll be King of the World. Alas, there could be some Nostradamuses among us.
Will we make the finals and keep improving? What are the markers you're looking at?
For me, ll be looking at how the team play for each other and their resilience as markers of our systems and processes, and there are quite a lot of things that need to go right when it comes to finals footy.
If Mitchell Moses stays on the park, Pezet settles and gels quickly, the rookies hold their form or continue to improve within the rebuilt systems, injuries don’t strike too heavily to key players, and the club can add a bit of yardage muscle to offset the Lomax loss between now and mid-season through the middle or the outside backs, then the Eels can push for the finals. If not, things might get dire on here: with a few nuclear meltdowns. I wouldn't be surprised if we don't start crash hot, and improve in time.
Pezet, while not Dylan Brown, who offers more athletic prowess, brings a developing footy IQ and a louder on-field voice on the left edge, which could work well alongside the Fox’s leadership.
Any off-field scandals or AGM-related distractions, or further noise from the Spags crew, could also create some chaos, though they’ve got next to Buckley’s chance of getting what they want with their latest attack on the club.
If we do make the finals in Ryles’ second season, it would be an outstanding achievement, considering the club was on the brink of wooden spoons in recent years and has since been rebuilt. To rebuild a club, its systems and processes, as well as an NRL squad with a clear vision it something quite to behold.
Sportsbet odds 3/1/2026
PS: Ladies and Gentlemen, if I disappear for a few weeks, it's only because we're building and family life is a bit hectic at the moment. Nothing against anyone here, or any disagreements and banter, and I do care about the 1EE community. I'll be popping in to have a peek now and again, and back by the trials. Stay well and enjoy the festive season and holidays with loved ones.
Replies
Our yardage from kick returns out of the backfield doesn't look promising. This means the forwards will need to get back further and run it more. They'll need to be super fit and mobile.
Pezet may be the Messiah although he's probably more so just a naughty boy.
Can't see De Belin changing any game outcomes but expect him to do the job Ryles wants of him.
We are all hoping the '25 rookies kick on but that is yet to be seen.
Optimistic for a top 8 finish but more likely just miss the finals but no worse than 12th. If we end up 13+ then we have under achieved.
It's a long season and we don't have the quality and depth to go toe to toe with the heavyweights. I predict some great wins throughout the campaign but overall we'll fall short. I think we're more likely to miss the 8 than make it. 9-14th.
If Moses plays 20+ games we may scrape into 8th spot.
Matt Burton to eels
eels will finish 9th
I'm not a huge fan of Matt Burton, however, if I was to pick the player that would be the ideal halves partner for Moses, Matt Burton would be close to the top of my list. Just his size and speed would attract defenders, therefore Moses and co would have more time and space.
I'd be curious to see if we would be in for Burton or if we are invested in the likes of Fletcher and Talataina as we claim.
Interestingly, they looked quite fit toward the end of the season. From round 9 onwards they were in all but 1 game.
Anyway, if the recent form continues then they should make the 8.
We will play finals footy this year.
I'll go out on a limb we won't win the comp but Mitchell Moses is still streets ahead the best player in this team.
PS ditto for 27.
I feel if we are to come into our own as a squad with Ryles 2027 is the earliest.
The university commentary is the biggest thing I took out of this interview when they were comparing Iongi and TDS they mentioned it was a no contest and I feel a lot of the players we are producing just aren't on that level and are several levels below what the Melbourne and Penriths of the world are producing.
Thats going to be our challenge going foward if we are to get back to that development force we once were.
Casey Maclean and we are rolling with Penisini's and Russell's of the world steep hill to climb.
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