With the Eels first-grade season over, we still have something to look forward to, I was watching the highlights of the NSW Cup game against the Raiders, it was exciting to see both Volkman and Twiddle so dominant in their playmaking.
- Twiddle has set of hands on him and nailed two sublime cut-out ball try assists, and scored two himself.
- Volkman's deception with the ball in his hands absolutely bamboozling the Raiders defence leaving them standing still not once, but twice left them wondering what the hell happened. Volkman ended up scoring 3 himself. His defence looked shakey, but those Martin twins are monsters and would be running over first graders as well that close to the line.
Considering we will have Hawkins at HB, Volkman at 5/8, Twiddle at FB if Joash makes the 5/8 spot his, and possibly Lorenzo moving into NSW Cup next year, it's great to finally see some quality depth below first grade and making sure there's some competition for spots in our most critical positions. It still doesn't feel too long ago that BA was playing Jordan Rankin in the halves for years blocking any other potential halves from opportunities, and then we had Jake doing the same, i'm glad that's over. Feels like we have a lot to start looking forward to.
It's going to be a tough game against this Warriors this week, the've pumped us twice, but how good would it be to have an Eels Vs Dragons Grand Final in Cup!
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Yeah it was brilliant to see Twidle and Volk stand-out again Clintorian.
And i was amazed we held on to the ball for almost all the game.
Twidle putting his winger over twice early settled us down and allowed us tp play footy instead of catch-up.
I give us a chance against the Wahs, certainly away from Auckland, we'll feel more at home at Kogarah. And if Lorenzo can emerge from his slumber and show his best that wll be a bonus.
Yeah great point, depth is very underrated. It is definitely more important than having one or even two absolute superstars in your side. Looking back, it is crazy to think we went into 2024 without a replacement halfback or five/eigth. Some will argue Sanders and Talagi, but they were 1-2 years off being nrl replacement halves. Surely our coaching staff would have recognised this. Being forced to use Asi (although to be fair he literally won us 1-2 games) at halfback was sad. The problem is fixed with Hawkins and Volkman. It will allow others like Twidle and Talataina to improve/progress their games at a natural pace too. The problem now is keeping them grounded. In our history someone like Twidle would leave thinking they are ready right now. Hopefully we can have a bit of luck keeping some of these blokes from getting ahead of themselves. Just like the way other teams manage to do (e.g. Pezet and Faalogo at the Storm).
As long as Volkman is depth than that's fine but you wouldn't want the guy running the ship for any long period of time.IMO he's not nrl quality and he's bounced around a few clubs now and hasn't been able to crack it.
Cup is seemingly his high tide and in the end I think ESL beckons.
Has improved all year as he racked up playing minutes. Would not write him off so quickly.
We definitely have depth but those mentioned (papalii Lorenzo and volkman) are all just that- depth options that could fill in at a punch but not regular first grade ready yet. Hopefully one of them takes a few leaps forward in the off season