Eels Blogs

Hi friends!

The growing speculation regarding Matterson's future.
Moses' upcoming negotiations and the media circus that follows.
The near-miss on securing Garner's services.

I've been forced to once again enter my happy place. My make believe front office position, head of player recruitment, and roster management.
I want to maintain that I have full faith in the club to pull of some grand plan to bring home the bacon, this is just a bit of fun.
Hopefully, this puts more than just my mind at ease.

In my earlier blog post I brought up some names of off-contract players and some of our juniors that I think will be or could be a part of our first-grade squad moving forward. 
This will be a bit of a deeper dive down that Rabbit Eel hole.
Side note:
I haven't been able to watch anywhere near as much of the NSW side as Id like. Perhaps some of you on here could help me out or back me up on my opinions. If you have any further information please feel free to contribute.

Let's dive in.

Rusty in my eyes, is the long-term Gutheron replacement, strikes me as a Gutho-Pap hybrid. Fantastic prospect, still green but has the x-factor and great natural football instincts.
Seems like he'd be best suited to fullback long-term, Wings in the modern game need to be really strong, powerful, and explosive. I just don't think that's his wheelhouse.
Hopefully, we can get him in the NSW cup fullback slot for most of this and next year and move him in whenever we need to cover Gutho.
I love his situation with Gutherson the perfect mentor to help him grow, hopefully, they are bunking together already.
Komolafe only full game I've seen from him was against Newcastle. I think I've seen enough though.
Already a try-scoring machine. When I said earlier about typical modern-day winger requirements, this is what I'm talking about. He has a long first-grade career ahead of him.
Very strong Daniel Tupou vibes. NSW cup seems too easy for him. Defended surprisingly well, was safe under the high ball, strong carry out of our red zone. 
Incredible prospect. 
Jakey Arthur is a game manager, don't see DallyM's in his future but I think he will have a long career as a first-grade player. Seems reliable and consistent.
Mentally tough, loved how he doesn't get overwhelmed by the occasion considering just how young he is.
That competitive mindset and commitment will serve us well in the future. Willing to do his job in defense, will grow into his frame and be a big formidable body in the line.
Looks great on the NSW cup paddock, would love to see him work with an ex-player like a Sterling or Maloney.
Rodwell plays angry, love that so much. Chip on his shoulder type operator. I see a lot of Nathan Brown in this young man.
Slightly undersized but I think he will end up being plenty big and strong enough for first grade. Big engine, gets through a tonne of work in Cup. Strikes me as the kinda kid happy to do extras to fulfill his potential. Have to say, he looks great with the tape around the head.
I can see him carving out a long career full of inspirational performances in the back row. I'd say he is starting at prop in NSW cup just to help him prepare for the bigger bodies.
Haven't seen much ball play out of him, not exactly a crispy line runner either but that's ok! Big shots and effort plays is where he excels.
EEZ from what I've seen seems to play cool, calm, and collected. He has really light and quick feet for a back-rower.
Can run a nice line. Has a lot of potential and levels in his game yet to come. Hopefully, he reaches his potential. I'm confident we will get the most out of him and see him as our next big name on an edge. He is consistently in the right place in attack and holds his shape. He must be super fit, great sign. 
Gets turned around a bit after being tackled but I think that's more of a skill he can work on. 
Greig has a well-documented journey to date, lots of folks have had their eye on him for a long time. Has growing left in him, already a big boy so very exciting potential, size-wise.
Looking for him to take the next step in the next 18 months. Hard to put down or turn over and has offload ability. Opposition defenses are forced to commit an extra man to him which gives the little guys a chance to run off him. He will likely take Oregan's role but I'm not convinced yet. Fringe first grade until he breaks out.
Moretti is a very interesting case. He is a bit of a megamix between all of the above. If he unlocks his potential and comes out of a cannon next pre-season he will have a breakout year.
I love all of our forward prospects but this kid could be the pick of the litter.
I can see him exploding onto the scene and cementing his role in our side. Perhaps the openings up due to our departures will help him kick into gear. I see him as a dynamic Prop if it all falls into place.
Yates & Hands, Hands & Yates, one of these two will be our long-term 14, maybe even our long-term 9/14 combo. Both seem to have soft hands and a high IQ. I think Hands might have a lower ceiling considering his physical stature.
Yates looks super fit and in great shape. Both have 9 experience. Considering Hands has been moved to the 6 role now I think that leads me to believe he has 'Starling' type first grade comparisons. Yates looks set to move into a more permanent middle/hooker role. 
I've really liked some of Hands' contributions in tryscoring situations, seems to have his eyes open when he goes to the line and his experience in the middle has shown in his willingness to get tagged when doing so. Yates is more of a rip'n'tearing - instinctual type player, one of those kids that finds the line regularly. Both dripping in confidence and X-factor, love it!
Yates probably needs some skill work when it comes to service out of 9, he should follow Hodgson and/or Ennis around like a bad smell. Perfect mentors for both of these prospects.
A couple of times in the Newcastle game Hands put in some really nice grubbers, he is a class player and prospect. I like these two a lot.

There are a few other names of note:
Lachlan Blackburn and Jock Brazel, Aus schoolboys last year. No idea about these lads, if anyone has info that would be appreciated! Looking at Blackburn I thought he was a centre but read somewhere he is a backrower. Brazel prop?
Hollis seems to have plateaued. Ogden has gone missing I think? Taumopenu looked good vs Newcastle, promoted to the starting role, any insight into him?
Loizu, former Aus schoolboy. seems to be off the pace in NSW cup, which is a bit of a concern, has he always been a centre?

All in all very excited about our future when it comes to development. 
If handled well this crop of young boys gives me the confidence that we will continue to push forward with the premiership window beyond 2022.
I think we need to get these boys some consistency in NSW cup before bringing them through. One of the good things about Penrith's lower-grade dominance is that these kids can play against extremely high-level opposition more regularly down in Cup. 

We should be doing our best to leave Jakey 7, Hands 6, Rusty 1, and Yates 9 together for the rest of the year.
If Dunster and Komolafe can grow on our wings together and push each other that would be awesome.

In order to leave the kids together as much as possible, I think we need to make some key acquisitions.
The following signing could help to cover some holes in our first-grade squad.
This would be including the gaping holes left by the key members of the squad we were unfortunately unable to retain. 
I've tried my best to keep these realistic, in my last blog I threw a lot of names out there. Unfortunately, a lot of those will end up at the Dolphins including Milne, Aitken, and Herby.

The following names are legit possibilities in my opinion.

Mahoney into Hodgson. He has 2 years in him max but I don't mind this signing at all, seems like such a good mentor type. After seeing Yates and Hands, I think we brought him in for a bridge role. He will win us over through hard work and dedication. Knows how to execute a game plan. One of the best 9s of the past decade (in his prime), and he will do just fine.
*confirmed signing, rumored at 350k which is a good deal
Stone into NBrown seems weird but this is the move. He isn't quite over the hill but he is nothing like the beast he once was. I love NBrown but we need to see him move into the Ray Stone enforcer role for 25 minutes a week. By lowering his work rate we'd be getting the most out of the rest of his contract. Simplify, simplify, simplify. Matterson moves into the Middle and takes over the 13 role.
Kaufusi into Hunt. Royce is down the pecking order at the Sharks, and they have a lot of players/forwards coming off-contract. He played with Junior in Canberra and could go up a level under BA. Big strong body. Weight room king in Cronulla. Has a connection to Kidwell from his time in the Maori Allstar camps. He can do everything Oregan can do but for half the price. By all reports gets along well with his teammates. I think 200k would lock him in.
Papalii into Frizell. This is the closest thing to Papalii out there. Although Isaiah is irreplaceable, given the available players coming off contract, this is our best chance. He has said before he wants to win a premiership and he won't be able to do that in Newcastle. He won't be able to do that on anything more than 500k a year either as only a few teams are legit contenders. We could get him for even less if we extend the deal out for a further year or two. Although he is 30 I think it's a young 30, as he seems to be a disciplined and professional athlete. Can always move him into our bench prop rotation in the back end, he can help mentor the young boys. 500k over 4 years he will be worth it.
Niukore into Talakai. This lad puts bums on seats and has the ability to turn nothing into something. He could be our only upgrade from the departures.
I cant see him in Cronulla next year, he is an elite talent who needs to get his hands on a big contract ASAP. I say 600k gets it done. Although he is breaking out at Centre, a line running edge spot is up for grabs next year. Versatility is key for a GF run and he can cover centre if someone goes down. (He is managed by Tyran Smith, I believe there is a bit of a pattern and connection there for our club)
Waqa into Keighran. Waqa isn't going anywhere but he is not a centre, I think the club making a play for Herby indicates we understand that. AK is a poor man's Herby Farnworth (and we are poor). He is developing into a classy Centre after making a transition a few years ago, he could be something special in the right setup, has been on the brink of a breakout a few times but playing inside Waqa could help him go to a new level. He can kick goals which could be a good idea, and take the extra responsibility from MM. I like a world where MM can get together with the brain's trust after a try instead of worrying about goal kicking.
Keighran came through in the halves so we could afford to go heavy on the bench and have the aforementioned Talakai move into Centre if we need 6,7,1 coverage. He has an option in his contract at the chooks and hasn't broken into the starting side, we can offer 300k and it'd be double what he is on there. No one would stand in his way. If a gamble like this pays off it'd do wonders for our premiership aspirations. 

Fainu admittedly this is probably the least likely scenario. Apparently, this lad was an absolute firecracker coming through the ranks. Has been stood down by Manly and has a history in the B&G. He will play NRL again after this legal issue eventually dissipates. Could get him really cheap and plug him into the 14 role to come in for Hodgson to zip around the ruck. 150k.
or
I think Chanel Harris-Tavita will end up in Newcastle, Melbourne, or Auckland, maybe even stay in Redcliffe. If not, he would be perfect in a 14 jersey. It'll be hard for us to get a look in if we are throwing some big coin at the likes of Tala and Friz.
Has a connection to Kidwell from his time in the Maori Allstar camps. Loves the 1% plays and gets through a tonne of work defensively also has some big shots in him.
Would love to see him in the squad for spine coverage. Can play 7, 6, 1 or 9, the latter after an offseason in the weight room. 450k.
or
Jeremey Marshall-King is not the best player but has grown a lot over the past 18 months. Not great in defense but I think we improve him a lot in an offseason. I think he could be a lot more valuable in the 14 role as opposed to a starting 9. Will come cheap, might bring Benji along to coach the halves!? that would sweeten the deal for sure. Realistically probably the most likely out of this list. 150k.
or
Asiata, playing over in the UK, usually players come back as soon as they get offered NRL contracts. He is super versatile, played 6 up in Townsville for a number of weeks, and wouldn't look lost in a dummy half-relief role. Like a Meatball with soft hands. Would love to see him in the squad. 250k.

Most of these guys listed above are cheap/great value. 
Talakai would be the only guy we would be forced to 'overpay' - around 600k and Frizell isn't coming for mins, so around 450-500k. I think Sivo and Lane would be valuable trade pieces to offer up too, they have the experience to offer a lower-level team but I don't think either of these two have their best football in their future. I really hope I'm wrong because I love them both and they have done so much for our club.
Although our young crop looks awesome, I don't think they are ready to come into a premiership contending side. I'd say when we hoist the trophy we will lose a lot of talent. Most of our young boys will come in around 2024-25 to fill those gaps. 

I'd have our starting side looking as follows:
1. Gutho
2. Waqa
3. Keighran
4. Penisini
5. Simonson
6. DBrown
7. Moses
8. RCG
9. Hodgson
10. JNR
11. Talakai
12. Frizell
13. Matterson
14. JMK
15. NBrown
16. Hunt
17. Makatoa
18. Asiata

Bonus round:
Dare to dream my friends...
Absolute dream situation. Veeeerrrry unlikely but I can see a world where this happens. 
Wighton has two, player options in his favor after November 1 this year and there is no way Wighton is happy where he is. Former teammates in Hodgson & Simonson have seen the light and he has experience rubbing elbows with Moses, Gutho, RCG, and Jnr in NSW camp.
5-year deal, 2-year deal, whatever it takes to lock him down. This bloke is too good not to have a crack at. He deserves a premiership and he isn't winning one in Canberra.
Plug him in at Centre. Take a load off his shoulders and let him dominate, with no accountability for anyone but himself. Should be the best backup half in the comp if we needed him to cover.
Absolute game-breaker. He might, just maybe, take 600k a year considering he is coming off 1Million a year. 
Like I said, dare to dream.
Please help me put it out into the universe by saying a little prayer every night.
Tapine would be the other dream scenario but unfortunately, I have a feeling he will be with the Storm sooner rather than later.