Eels Blogs

Replies

• • 

    Anubis February 14, 2025 at 8:33pm

    Fair point, you'll like the energy especially in defense 

    First half of the second half wasn't great, but generally they seem well organised and capable of making better decisions 
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  Bubba j February 14, 2025 at 8:15pm

  As I said weeks ago if brown goes Volkmann is a perfect replacement he is a talent held back by injury and  Ryley Smith and both fullbacks look fantastic as well the team looks well coached,fit and skilled Ryles will prove to be a fantastic addition and I and confident this season will be a huge improvement for the eels I know it's only a trial but you can see the structure already 
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  Muttman February 14, 2025 at 8:23pm

  It's only a trial and the Knights were rubbish. (They're in trouble. O'Brien will be sacked for sure). 
  However it's not the score line whatsoever that impressed me. 
  1) Lower grade talent. There's some genuine speed and skill in our lower grades. I haven't seen the likes of it in many years. 
  2) Attacking shapes. The Eels got into some great shapes quickly and executed at speed. 
  3) Everyone on the same page defensively. Regardless of who was on the field they defended in numbers and with excellent efficiency. 
  4) Body shapes and fitness. Ryles mentioned forward agility as a key area they've worked on. You can see the work. Players look lean and fast. 
  5) Ball in hand. How many sets where forwards passed 3-4 times to an edge. Lots of ball movement. 
  6) Club cohesion. They seem a settled bunch. Everyone on the same page. They all know who is in charge. They all seem excited and energised. 
  
  

  Good stuff Parra. It's a long season but the fundamentals are there. Great foundations to build from. 
  • 

    Anubis > Muttman February 14, 2025 at 8:24pm

    McDermott ready to pounce 
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      EeLmatiC > Anubis February 15, 2025 at 8:02am

      Brad Arthur to replace O'Brien

       
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        Parramanaic > EeLmatiC February 15, 2025 at 10:45am

        I'm hearing Trent Barrett is going to coach Newcastle...or was it Kevvy Walters? Might have been Jason Demetriou...
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        Anubis > EeLmatiC February 15, 2025 at 11:27am

        How about McDermott? Looks like  an obvious replacement, do any Knights players have options to leave if O'Brien was sacked? 
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  Coryn Hughes February 14, 2025 at 8:25pm

  The weak point of this team is our 2nd rowers the battle for those spots is still up in the air for mine.I couldn't tell you who I'd pick against Melbourne but we need error free in attack and defense if possible.

  There are some good signs from Kautonga he's got some football in him for sure.

  Tuilagi has the line running hole hitting ability a half likes.

  Defensively I'm hoping we see a lot better with all the starters back in.

  In saying this 18 is a nice starting point for us and there's a hell of alot more depth in behind our FG side so signs for the new regime thus far are good.

  @EA what can you tell me about Will Latu I think he's got a future here.
  • 

    EA > Coryn Hughes February 14, 2025 at 8:44pm

    Latu has been in my black book since 2023. I expect him to be our break out player in NSW Cup in 2025. However, there is a lot of competition for spots in the backrow in NSW cup. He turns 22 this year. Had a great game IMO.

    Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FXtm-t8s-k 

    General/Player information

    • I remember watching Latu in the 2023 Flegg season and thinking he is definitely one to keep an eye on. He had some brutal hits and ran the ball really hard. He started this year in Flegg again and was an attacking weapon. A big and powerful runner that would break tackles and/or offload. Pretty mobile too. A halves dream in Flegg. He eventually made his way into cup round 11 and played 5 games. Just when he started to translate that Flegg form into NSW cup, he unfortunately suffered a leg injury ruled him out for the remainder of the season.
    • He is one of the players currently doing an NRL pre-season without a top 30 or development contract which shows that Ryles sees something in him.
    • If the club can unearth the potential of him and Tuilagi, we will have two very destructive backrowers in attack and defence. One player I am definitely keeping a closer

    Potential = 4/5

    Progression prediction = A mainstay in the NSW Cup team that will be pushing for a development deal or top 30 contract in 2026. Cannot see an NRL debut with a few experienced backrowers ahead of him.

    Player comparison = Kelma Tuilagi
  • 

    EA > Coryn Hughes February 14, 2025 at 8:46pm

    

    Not sure if you have read it yet. But Coryn if you want some information about our juniors coming through in cup, here it is:

    https://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/ea-rookie-report-1-of-3-nrl-n...

    

    EA Rookie Report - 1 of 3 - NRL/NSW Cup

    Please remember to read this first: https://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/ea-rookie-reports?commentId=7033964%3AComment%3A2998205 Welcome to the Rook…