Eels Blogs

Replies

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  Alan Hunt February 7, 2015 at 8:25am

  I said so in another thread do we really need to be going out paying overs for Alex Johnson when we have the likes of Davis and french waiting in the wings???  Johnson no doubt is a talent but he was made to look much better then he really is by a top notch Souths side.  The Wolfman also made the Australian side on the wing in a top notch Manly side in 08.
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  Forty20 February 7, 2015 at 8:29am

  I know it may seem like I yap constantly about a lot of our young players and it could easily be seen as over-hyping them but I would like to think that I am careful in dishing out truly lavish praise for the sake of needlessly raising expectations. However the 2014-15 Holden Cup classes feature a handful of kids that I think we will all be talking about for some time if all goes well and Nathan Davis is one of them.

  I have talked about his physical attributes and skills in my game day blog so I will add this one thought. Last year to anyone who watched Tepai Moeroa play 20s, it was patently clear after a month or two that the NYC had nothing more to offer him - even with another year of eligibility to run. I'm not sure if Davis will shoot for a spot in our NRL team like Tepai but it looks like this may be a similar case for Nathan as he looked several steps above last night.

  What complicates matters is the magnitude of our depth across the top grades when you consider that Takairangi, Robinson, Champion, Morgan, Toutai, Faraimo, Lavaka, Goodall, Crooks, Folau and Quinlan are vying for 8 spots in first grade and NSW Cup (11 players, 3 NRL spots, 5 Wenty spots). We already have too many backs to fit into two backlines so if Davis is given the push it will potentially come at the cost of another good development prospect in Lavaka, Goodall or Folau getting relegated to Ron Massey Cup.

  Still, there is good reason to be excited about Davis and indeed the state of our juniors across all milestone grades. These are certainly exciting times.
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    Alan Hunt > Forty20 February 7, 2015 at 8:40am

    If anyone should be relegated to RM cup it is guys like Robinson,Faraimo and Morgan who haven't got much if any improvement in them.
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    1ee > Forty20 February 7, 2015 at 8:55am

    Exactly, they've had a taste and some haven't grabbed it with both hands.
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    Glenn Lifetime Eel > Forty20 February 7, 2015 at 2:25pm

    I have been mightily impressed with Davis from the first time I saw him. He has so much skill and footballing nous and also a long kicking game with those long legs. Think listed at 105kg so should not put on too much extra weight as will slow him down but definitely a great prospect.
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  sixtiesboy February 7, 2015 at 9:11am

  I don't like having hype that is over the top. However, I really think that this bloke could be something out of the box. Forty20 was correct in talking about the NYC not offering anything for Tepai and I hope Davis heads into the Wenty team ASAP. When that happens we'll get a better idea of his development. As it stands, I still think he is destined for an NRL career and I hope it's still with Parra.
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  Semi-Trailor February 7, 2015 at 9:12am

  From last nights trail game
  
  Who is likely to play 1st grade come round one?
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    sixtiesboy > Semi-Trailor February 7, 2015 at 9:21am

    You probably had a couple of blokes in the NSW Cup trial. Blokes like Forty20 and Ham would be best to comment on those performances.
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    Wayne > Semi-Trailor February 7, 2015 at 10:43am

    From what i saw last night I think Wicks needs more time on the park in NSW cup. Fitness doesn't seem to be an issue but needs game time. Crooks looks likely but with all the outside backs we have he may start at wenty but I can see him playing a bit of nrl. Alvaro was very strong last night and he could get a bench spot. He and Nelson would be my smoky picks for round 1 from last nights efforts.
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    Vlozy > Semi-Trailor February 7, 2015 at 11:12am

    LAst nights score please