Say it every week . You can't compete in this comp with such an inept backline .We can hang in for as long as we can until the dam breaks but there is NO quality in the backline aside from Fox .
Will Penisni is the worst player in the comp and Russell isn't far behind him. No class , no speed , no athleticism , no centre skills , no ability to compete in the air , bad reads , missed tackles , concentration lapses , slacks off on the 1%ers , poor kick chase , can't beat a man 1 on 1, can't hit a hole. Worst centre pairing I've seen in my time watching the game . Wahs outside backs superiority once again won them the game.
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Agreed. In desperate need of two centres and a winger
...and a forward pack.
Apart from a forward pack, a backline and a half that delivers more than reputation we're pretty right.
I agree, our outside backs are sub par. However, outside backs are only 1 piece of what the Eels need to become a contender. Throughout the 40 plus years I've followed Rugby League I have never thought or heard that a side has won a premiership due to the quality of their outside backs! The Eels are lacking two or more good middles, two attacking edge forwards upgrades om two of there spine (6 & 9) plus majority of their outside backs. The 2026 Eels are so far away from being a top 4 side. At this stage a total clean out is needed, but with new clubs entering the competition signing quality players is difficult. The Eels are 5 plus years away from success.......... if their lucky!!
This is true . We are also light on a couple of quality forwards but the game has changed.
Quality outside backs are worth their weight in gold . Not only can they break a game open they're also asked to solve problems in defence , scramble to save try's and run for 150-200+ metres a game . They compete on kick chases.. there is just so much they do . All the top sides have impressive athleticism in their backline . I think the old saying forwards decide the game and backs decide by how much is phased out . You can't go into a season with no strike in your backline and absolute plodders like Penisni . They're redundant . Will needs to change codes but more importantly people at our club and in charge or our recruitment need to realise what players we are carrying that don't have the athleticism the modern game demands.
it's one example of many , but watching the Storm v Dolphins last night - Storm were right up for the game but when the game was there to be won guys like Herbie and Jack Bostock are making plays . Dogs Cowboys 12-12 and Chester splits them off loose ball. There's no one on our side who has that ability . Will is flat out catching the ball let alone passing it .
To make it worse our guys are absolute liabilities in defence and do brain dead things on the field . That penisni escort was horrendous.
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