Favourite Players - what creates them for you? - Eels Blogs

I was pondering the next big thing blog and thought to myself about how often a player we think could be the next big thing becomes a favourite. It's as if we are the one that can see the talent, and when it comes to fruition, we can say "I told you so".Then I thought about some other favourites and realised that they could fit into a number of categories . Heres how I see it with my own choice next to each:* talented junior that you follow through the grades and push for (Grothe Senior and Neville Glover)* club stalwart - loyal and hard working (Steve Sharp)* team superstar (Hayne)* team funny man or character (Fui, Shackleton)* underdog - nothing has come easy and never gets the headline.(Sulkowicz, Paul Taylor)* something from nothing - tries happen when the ball comes their way (Hayne and Grothe again)* the nice bloke - a role model for younger blokes coming through, the sponsors and the media. (Burt, Gowie)Having a favourite even motivated me to do something that I've only done once. In 2009, just as Parra was kick starting its run, I met Luke Burts parents at the club after a game. Luke had become a favourite in his latter years. When he was a youngster, I had thought he was too small. His attitude towards his footy and the club won me over. I found out from his parents that he was likely to be released. They were devastated as not only did they love their son, they loved Parra. His career was likely to end as he didn't want to play elsewhere, in spite of offers, including England. I then spoke with him when he came over to his parents. A nicer bloke you couldn't meet. He echoed his parents thoughts and also talked about the self belief in the team and that they really believed that they could do some damage in the comp if they could get enough points. We all know what happened.What did I do? I wrote to several decision makers in the club? Although in reality my letter was unlikely to have made any difference, it was a thing of beauty - outlining not just football talent, but his current and future value organisation wise. The impact on him and his family was another matter. They saw me again at the club and Luke asked if I was the author of this letter. When I said I was, he said he really appreciated it. His parents then told me how he showed it to them and how much it meant to him. When I asked what was happening with his contract he smiled and said that funnily enough they were now talking to his manager.For me, that was my proudest moment as it related to a favourite player.Do you have a reason for a favourite and a story to go with it?

"The six again rule should just be taken out of the game, It has been controversial, frustrating and has not improved the game at all. No one in the viewing audience has no idea whats going on
"

"1 Iongi
2 Simmo
3 Pensini
4 Russell
5 Kelly
6 Papalii
7 Moses
8 Moretti
9 Smith
10 Paulo
11 Williams
12 Kautoga
13 Walker
14 Tuivita
15 Guymer
16 Tuilagi
17 Samrani
18 De Belin
19 Da Silva"

Replies

The Offside Eel May 18, 2015 at 9:36am

For me its always about work ethic and those players that don’t always get the wraps some of my favs over the last few years have been lee Hopkins, david gower, dave vaileki. Joel reddy, matt peterson, glenn morrison, Dennis moran

those players you know are not the best players but will put in for the team for 80 mins.
sixtiesboy May 18, 2015 at 6:13pm

Lee Hopkins. Wasn't around for long but made the right impression in terms of effort. Good name to recall. Falls under that "unfashionable" banner.
Deano The Stats King May 18, 2015 at 6:15pm

For me its consistency a player that shows up each week, at the moments its Peats, was Hindmarsh
- sixtiesboy > Deano The Stats King May 18, 2015 at 6:21pm
  
  Peats' weekend effort was superb!
Deano The Stats King May 18, 2015 at 8:03pm

Yeah, 64 tackles 90 odd metres, just doesn't give up
sixtiesboy May 18, 2015 at 8:22pm

He had his moments, although the Fui sketches probably ran their course. He works with a mate of mine who says he's a funny bloke to work with. I think he learnt his lesson about publicly venting about the coach!
sixtiesboy May 18, 2015 at 8:24pm

A nicer bloke you wouldn't meet Wiz. His parents too. They didn't want to see him in another Jersey. They loved Parra.
Gower Power May 19, 2015 at 1:04am

I would love to see young Folau back in the team. Sure, he needs to work on his defence and reading the other team, but damn he's exciting to watch. Those big powerful runs and charging over the other teams line!
- sixtiesboy > Gower Power May 19, 2015 at 7:25am
  
  So Folau is now a favourite? What about Gowie? What is it about him that brings you to name yourself after him?

This reply was deleted.

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