New Eels profiles - Out of nowhere addition - Eels Blogs

On Parraeels.com the new player profiles are up, when looking upon i saw a name that was familiar but never crossed my mind, Watson Heleta. He is 24, plays centre, big build but short in height, would be close to resemblence of Bureta Faraimo.

He played 20's for Wests and played junior Kiwis. I recognise the name from 20's and Wenty however i did not know he was near the squad for Parramatta first grade, so im wondering is he on a development contract after Davies was promoted? If he is then why not show all development players including Schneider, as Samuel Hughes is also listed, despite it being very unlikely he is in the 30 man squad more like development.

So raises a question, with depth in outside back being so vast, experienced and open, could Heleta be in the running for a debut? I feel Parry has sort of fallen out of favour after his 2 less then impressive appearances last year, despite wanting him to get more games, and George Jennings seeking other opportunities it is prime for Heleta to bolter his way through for a spot.

Parramatta Eels Club hooker Rhys Davies has been upgraded from his development contract to the top 30 squad until the end of the 2020 season, whilst…

"The gap in the roster is really between experienced NRL players and juniours not yeat ready for NRL. We don't have enough in between players, which is where this signing comes in. Ideally the junior pipeline would have filled this, but there are…"

"Oh totally agree LB, I'm not having a go at this deal specifically - mid year transfers are going to be plodders or in very rare exceptions some "stars aligning" kind of circumstances. This deal is required because "we are where we are" (which I do…"

Replies

Wile E. Coyote February 13, 2020 at 4:18am

Sixties said he has been good at training and was a shot at mines until his injury
Wile E. Coyote February 13, 2020 at 4:21am

Sam Hughes is there too
Driza February 13, 2020 at 6:42am

Yes Watson is on a development contract and won both player of year and players player awards last year in Canterbury Cup . https://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2020/02/11/eels-upgrade-rhys-davi...

Eels upgrade Rhys Davies to top 30 squad

Parramatta Eels Club hooker Rhys Davies has been upgraded from his development contract to the top 30 squad until the end of the 2020 season, whilst…
the eggman February 13, 2020 at 7:56am

I thought Parry went okay last year and continues to feature prominently in training reports as does Jennings, not to mention we have Taka as cover as well , so yes interesting one.Heleta won best player for Wests reserves but seeing as Wests is already reserve grade standard not sure where that leaves Dear Watson .
- This reply was deleted.
  - christeel February 13, 2020 at 8:32am
    
    Speaking of the past pops , I remember the reserve grade teams playing before the main game were almost just as strong as the ist graders even their competition ladder was competitive , remember reading the points table and whose leading the overall club championship in the " rugby league week " ?
- Driza > the eggman February 13, 2020 at 10:38am
  
  Sorry I read article as though he was best player in cup but checked again and thanks for pointing out correctly that it was his West club awards .
the eggman February 13, 2020 at 9:25am

I used to play with some blokes who were on the small side but could still continually break the line because of running style and strength, but Watson is 172cm and 91kg that is in the half or hooker range.He would get mauled in first grade surely , big heart can carry you but how far?