This might be throwing a spanner in but! Do we really need to sign Hiku or any of the other 2 that have been linked to the club?
While the club "all profiles" page has not been set up yet, its now possible to go through an individual listing of pretty well all of the players signed for next year, & I have to admit, looking at those that I can look at what is a fairly rudimentary profile of, I am not convinced that we need to outlay a fair sum of money which would also likely be back ended with more in following seasons for another player that has had a fair swag of injuries (Hiku) for 2016.
The backline players we have now whom I consider are good enough to hold sway for 2016 are all we need for the immediate year & keep some salary cap space for 2016 & beyond.
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Its a bit unusual to lose 3 primary centres at the one time, as well as backs like we did this year. Losing Robbo put a dent in things but when he came back & then Taka it eased the position quite well, I know a lot do not like Morgan, but I actually think he is better than his primary critics give him credit for. In fact, I believe that Hoppa made him look worse than he was as they were together on that side of the field.
I see in the profile list more than one player listed as both second row & centre, so I do not see things as bad as is made out to be. We have signed well, & the team is actually shaping up very well, the way they are geeing each other up shows a squad working well, & maybe time we eels supporters, despite the droughts we have experienced for some time, & I am one of them as well, just like the rest, started to look & support the team a bit more on forums then we do at times.
Take away the 2 starting centres and winger at any club and they'll struggle with depth.
&&&& that's actually how it looks to me, its as if there is no confidence (or little) in the players we have, including juniors as well as those already signed.
For some years now, we have been kicked from pillar to post from as many people as we can think of, in regard to letting juniors go, no need to list them, but I just believe that we need to have some more belief in our juniors & even the players we have signed especially the young ones like Cutherson.
In saying that, Our juniors have not produced over the past few seasons. There has always been a heavy reliance on big outside backs who were powerful in attack and offered nothing in defense and who were lacking in stamina.
The Eels have bought in Skill, Experience and Winning culture and above all else Leadership.
This will create depth and competition in all of our grades.
I think we will see and improvement in all of our grades in 16
Hock - who is still on the way apparently. Took a wrong flight number.
Listed on the Eels profiles as being centres, some included in other positions as well.
Fuimaono. Takarangi, Gutherson, Folau, Morgan. Schulte, Toutai, I do not think all players have been listed as yet, but that lists 7, which is not too bad, & I would rate Toutai as the worst out of them all, cannot comment on some, though.
From what I saw of last season, & already mentioned, Morgan was often covering for Hoppa, who I thought must have had some lessons from Sandow regarding decisions as to coming in & doing stuff. so, I am not to worried about him. & untill I see the full NRL list of players I am still not sure chasing any of the 3 with big money is likely to be value & have to let some juniors go.
Perhaps the way we see who has had contract extensions of 2 years as against those with 1 is a fair indication of that.
Just saw this, & maybe when we think of putting down or taking the piss out of our players who are the glass, that there is only a small fill in the glass & they are expected to play like its always going to be full.
Shades of the Extraordinary seaman
https://www.youtube.com/embed/6a8Eimr-fm0
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