Now I know we have not had the best success with english recruits recently (mossop, Crooks and Hock lol) but plenty of sides have shown that you can find some gems in the super league. Ricky's recruits from SL for example have been solid, particuallry Hodgson who was their best last week.
We need an outside back and there is a kid running around the SL by the name of Tom Lineham. Every time I catch a glimpse of him for Hull he stands out. he is currently second leading try scorer in the SL, behind Joe Burgess who will be at the chooks next year. 23 years old so still young but got a good amount of experience. 19 tries so far with 52 tackle busts this season.
Anyone else seen this kid? Someone like him could be a gem that we can find and spice up the backline. Or are there any other wingers and centres running around the SL people think could make it here in Aus. Justin Carney is also a familiar name sitting as 3rd highest try scorer.
England could be a good option if we can't find the right fit here, although as flagged, need to do due diligence given the recent English failures.
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Eg : 1) Assistant to Brad Arthur, Peter Gentle previously coached Hull FC which led to Ben Crooks signing due to Gentles referall after previously playing under him although Arthur hadn't identified Crooks as a target of his own leading to Crooks mid year departure without taste of the NRL.
2) In 2004 Brian Smith who was in charge at the time signed a player from the London Broncos by the name of Chris Thorman after Tony Smith (Brians brother) who was coaching over there had refered him after suggesting his apparent talent to take control of our halves crisis.
Thorman played 11 games for the Eels with below average displays prooving a lemon purchase.
3) Back in 1995 then Eels CEO Denis Fitzgerald received imformation from close ties with Maurice Lindsay who was a highly influential figure in english rugby league suggested we swoop on english duo Vince Fawcett and Dean Sampson after high recomendation.
Fawcett played 14 games for the Eels without much fanfare although had a memorable match were he scored a double against eventual premiers canterbury during the 95 season.
Sampson had 6 appearances without living up to his status as a great britain international prooving to be failed experiments.
4) in 2013 the Eels managed to sign 2 so called big scalps from the old dart for the upcoming season.
English internationals Gareth Hock and Lee Mossop.
Definitely the biggest anti-climax and worst experiment from UK to date.
Hock simply reneged on his contract prooving a no show while Mossop informed Eels staff shoulder surgery was his requirement altough the ink had not dried on his contract details therefore putting him out till half the year.
Finaly his moment arrived and eventually made only 3 appearances before being struck down again through injury with another shoulder operation required to this time repair the other shoulder.
Thats all she wrote for Lee after asked for a release not long after sighting home sickness.
Not sure about these 2 and their approach but im pretty sure they offered their sevices to Eels without Parra ever targeting them in the first place.
Gene i think its fair to say the english experiment is not an option we should pursue again any time shortly.
Time to close commenting on this blog. I don't think much can be added to what you've just written! I was only aware of Hock and Mossop... never heard of those others. Thanks for the history lesson. We need to remember these things so we don't keep making the same mistakes. It's crazy how even signing an English international like Mossop can turn out so wrong. I was quite excited at the prospect of signing an ESL superstar. I even saw Mossop play last year, when we beat the Bulldogs at ANZ. He was pretty average, but I told myself he would need a little time to come good. He seemed to be lacking in aggression and toughness (and strength and power and in several other departments) but I guess we'll never know now. I suppose it could have been worse, like Sam Tomkins at the Warriors and the huge money he's on.
100% agree with Keith Senior. This guy has everything and never understood why he hasn't been poached before. Maybe he doesn't want to try his arm but I've never seen him play a bad game and he's tough as nails. If anyone can make it here Senior can
he had Matai rattled a few times. great player to watch.
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