Seems like a few things are starting to go our way with the Ado Carr negative sample, best and knights dispute and even grabbing Luai for half price for a season. Not used to all these little things going our way lol. Bring on 2027
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Moses won't be around forever, but Adam Reynolds won his last premiership at the age of 35. Cherry-Evans was 37. Moses only turned 32 a few weeks ago.
The talent on the 2 mentioned sides add up that talent and form and then put it next to our own.It's not a fair fight for Moses.He can hold onto form for a couple more years but Parra still have to put the required talent around him and Ryles has to have the team firing form wise to make it an even as mentioned fair comparison.
We don't have the talent and we aren't consistent.
Year 3 coming up I reckon 2 more peak years then it's game over for Mitchell injury dependent.
I think the concept of 'luck' is actually the best way to frame the Eels' 2027 chances.
Su'A, Leniu & Luai are all rep players signed to play first 17 every week. It is unfashionable to say but maybe only the Dragons have recruited more instant-starters? If we grant all the critique of the Eels' retention and recruitment, that's some good luck?! Also, the Eels have got lucky with Tuivati, Brown and Talagi all coming thorugh as props at the same time, but we also have Paulo, Leniu and Moretti who can all start. So we have a mix of expereinced props and next gen props and no need to run the minutes up on young props too quickly. Meanwhile, Su'A, Kautogo and Williams can all start at backrow, and we got lucky that Williams is so portable.
Also, the Eels look very good in the halves: if Moses and Luai stay fit and because Volkman has proved his worth as backup or starter. Getting a premiership winning and international rep #6 for $700k? Total luck. Moses getting injured round one of the world cip not 5 weeks later? Bad luck but good luck for round one.
In the outside backs, though, luck will determine everything. That is, everything has to go right for the Eels not to be in trouble out wide. If we get lucky we have serviceable but not brilliant backline. If we get unlucky we have a patched together backline unable to defend against brilliant backlines. Iongi played just 13 games in 2026, and 10 of them were between injuries when his form was off. Iongi has to be at #1 all year, as Ryles had built an attacking structure utlizing his ball playing and running on swwp plays. Who is the backup for Iongi? It appears there is none. JAC has left wing. Schiller is backup?Does Kelly's surprising success at right wing in 2016 lock him into right wing? Simmonson his backup? Penisini, like Iongi in 2026, also had an indifferent year. Pensini missed most of the year, only playing 12 games, and seemed to battle chronic groin and pelvic injuries all year, which contributed to him ranking way too high for missed tackles. Penisini is not there to be a creative centre (ball playting too unreliable), instead hard running and strong defense, but both failed him in 2026. Simmonson and Schiller his backups but is Penisini's starting poisition vulnerable to his backups? Surely Ryles cannot again tolerate Penisini's high missed tackle count? At left centre Samrani's utility value might see him gravitate toward the bench? Is he under threat from Nanva and Schiller, even Simmonson?
It's early but I think IF the Eels get lucky and can keep their pack, halves and outside backs both in-form and healthy, the Eels will move up the ladder. But I also think the Eels cannot afford to be as unlucky as 2026, with mass injuries: big outages in their pack, halves or outside backs pose a problem. A hole in any one of those three 'components' and I think the Eels will keep finding ways to lose.
The eels have to be better next year another year running 11th in 24 13th last year if the eels aren't seriously knocking on the door of finals where and what do they do from here.27 bin the excuses we've loaded with cap we've got a group of juniors that have been blooded if we aren't as above seriously improving heads will roll.Whose head I'm not sure.
This recent spate of firings or people leaving are just people jumping before they were pushed for me the writing will be on the wall for a few more if 27 doesn't play out with a big improvement and I'll say it now it's a finals season or bust for us or more will see the sword on and off the park.
Now Ado Carr set to be cleared for rd 1
Heard from a little birdie that best is all but done deal at parra.
Now we're talking, you 100% confident?
Yeah mate I am, he will be an eels
In 28 right not next year and we need a player like that outside of that these soughts or rumours need to be confirmed.
IF that is the case then it looks as though we've finally learnt how to control the narrative
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