Harrold Matthews
- Ali Sabra
- Caleb Leiataua
- Curtis Brown
- Danny Abuhamed
- Deon Hayes
- Divine Taulafo
- Elijah Al Hazim
- Flynn Manu'a
- Hayden Bell
- Jake Capovilla
- Jayden Tapuai
- Khan Jackson
- Leonard Slater
- Levi Perret
- Liam Martin
- Lorima Seuseu
- Nixon O'Connor
- Riley Paki
- Sala Tamati
- Spencer Sorenson
- Tom Jackson
- Tyler Lama
- Tyson Puletitu
- Vaea Akau'ola
- William Epa Mema
- Winston Tahi
- Zane Watson
I will be honest. I do not know much about a lot of these boys. I have heard a few being spoken off but to me, there are 3 main player to watch for. Hayden Bell will feature in HM again this year after a strong season. He has been highly rated for a couple years now and I assume will be the captain of the team. After rotating between lock, hooker and 14 looks like the eels have permanently kept him at lock which is his best position by far. During the trials he was the best player on the field and it was not even close. I would honestly compare Bell to Yeo. He has definitely grown taller since last season but still not very built. He is a very high IQ middle that likes to control the middle of the field. Knows when to pass and knows when to just dummy and run. He is relentless in defence and capable of putting on a big hit. Makes tackle after tackle and still has the energy in attack. Jake Capovilla is a tall lanky backrower that has also been highly rated for a couple years too. Playing a year up. Good worth ethic. Lorima Seuseu has rotated between centre and fullback in the trials. He didnt do anything spectacular but if you have watched him before you know what he is capable off. Hopefully he plays fullback. Seuseu is athletically well beyond every other person in the team and honestly would be one of the best in the comp. He is a year young too. Very strong runner and quick.
SG Ball
- Oliver Walker (age unkown)
- Viliami Fifita (age unknown)
- Cyrus Bloomfield (18)
- Samuela Sorovi (18)
- Talen Risti (18)
- Jireh-Trey Stewart (18)
- Michael Nauer (18)
- Samuel Polley (18)
- Steven Nunn (18)
- Nicholas Kotarac (18)
- Riley Davis (18)
- Christopher Moala (18)
- Cobi McCloseky (18)
- Billy Fanene (18)
- Coby Raven (18)
- Epapara Tahu-Apiate (18)
- Kordell Prtichard (18)
- Cameron Bamblett (19)
- Lorima Rokusuka (19)
- Nathan Howlett (19)
- Lincoln Fletcher (19)
- Ryda Talagi (19)
- Jackson Koina (19)
- Christopher Petrus (19)
- Wesley Pakoti (19)
- Maison Ong (19)
- Dru Faletolu (19)
- Lachlan Vella (19)
- Sterling Faumui (19)
Lets just keep this short and sweep. This year in SG Ball should be an eels vs roosters rematch in the GF. Both teams are absolutely stacked. I don't even know how they will line up 1-17 because a few talented players wont even make that line up. Never thought that would ever happen in an SG Ball team since most players would jump ship to find an opportunity. Talagi and Fletcher will possible start the season in SG ball and move up to JF when that season starts before returning to SG ball for the finals in my opinion. I need a seperate post to go through the players listed in this team however I will create best 17 for fun.
- Cameron Bamblett
- Samuela Sorovi
- Cryus Bloomfield
- Christopher Moala
- Lorima Rokusuka
- Talen Risati
- Lincoln Fletcher (c)
- Ryda Talagi
- Jirah-Trey Stewart
- Jackson Koina
- Michael Nauer
- Christopher Petrus
- Samuel Polley
- Stirling Faumui
- Wesley Pakoti
- Steven Nunn
- Nicholas Kotarac
- Riley Davis (cannot believe I cant find a spot for him and a few others lol)
Replies
EA isn't Chris Moala one with big wraps?
He was very good at centre last year in HM.
Looking forward to your in depth blog about these guys.
Quick question, are any of them good enough to skip a few grades and potentially be playing firsts towards end of year?
Talagi is the only player their with NSW Cup experience and he also had the NRL pre-season this year but I believe our forward depth is too strong right now (in Cup and Flegg) anyway so I doubt he would be needed. So that would rule out the full forward pack IMO from making an NRL debut this year. Keep in mind I think the forward pack is absolutely elite and filled with NRL stars.
I would not be rushing Fletcher as 19 years old for no reason since he did not even play Flegg last year despite the pre-season this year.
Based on the NRL squad the easiest position to crack would be hooker or outside backs which I do not believe anyone in this SG ball side would be ready for NRL this year. The outside backs in this team are definitely the weakest part despite them having plenty of potential.
So in short NO. lol
Thanks for that.
And I think signing De Belin and Doorey again has led to the likes of Talagi, Funa-Iuta, Koina even Tuivaiti and Guymer to take their time to develop further, particularly the likes of the first two to have no rush in playing NRL anytime soon. For them NSW cup at the end of the year is a win.
Vella, is he Michael Vella's son ?
I think so
21-23 is the age I want to see if the club can retain the key to this crop of kids.
Thats for the most part where the bell toll's mentally and physically for these kids.
We just have to keep stacking the talent and identifying the next group capable.
Outside backs the club is in desperate need of we don't want to be keep going to market.That's the weakness in the club right now.