Two players from Flegg have made their way into the NSW cup line-up. Prop Brock Parker & Fullback Arthur Miller-Stephen. Miller-Stephen is a tall Fullback, around 6"2 or so. He has pace and can score tries. He has represented Queensland at under 16's and 18's level, now turning 19 this year, after spending 2022 in Flegg, he has been promoted to NSW Cup. Understandably Russell being out has opened a spot as more likely Simonsson would have occupied the 1 spot with Russell on the Wing in NRL. But opportunities make this game, Papali'i got an opportunity to start in the back-row when Matterson got concussed in Round 2 2021, leading to Papali'i holding his starting spot. Hopgood this year with Matto suspended, there's a pattern here, got the starting Lock spot and now will not lose it. If AMS works out, hopefully he can get a chance in NRL this year in a game, again Russell out leads to opportunity, leading to us having a cheap back that is talented.
Brock Parker is a Prop/Lock who does not have a lot of info out there so my knowledge is limited. Though he has been in our system for a few years now. We need another good middle forward to come through our ranks, Larry Muagatutita was meant to be one but he cannot get off the bench for Flegg. Parker has now been thrown in, let's see if he can work out for us.
This is a great sign for our pathways where i think a few more could make their way to cup by years end. Five-Eighth Ethan Sanders i believe could be one to make his way in, especially to replace Rankin as in 2024 he should be moving into a full-time coaching role. Jontay Betham-Misa, Jock Brazel and Turoa Williams are also players who could make the jump during the year. While once SG Ball season is finished, we could maybe see on or two SG Ball players get a game or two in Cup. Names like Sam Tuivati, Matthew Arthur, LeBron Tuala, Dom De Stradis, Raffaele De Stradis i believe all could get regular Flegg time, one or maybe two getting a NSW Cup debut.
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In the thread about BA yes/no extending, I replied yes, but I had looked at his record. One thing that stands out is the change in complexion of the team in the first (2014-18) and second (2019-now) halves of BA's tenure.
The Eels seem to have moved from flashy backs but a non-dominant forward pack, to the reverse, a dominant forward pack but workmanlike backs. There simply is no equivalent in our outside backs of a Hayne, Semi or MJennings. It's rare to see the Eels' outside backs using footwork and speed to break the line. Sivo smashes through it. Moses and Brown have pace and Moses is evasive down short side but Dylan is still sleepy most of the time.
Observarions leading to ... Eels really need to unearth some outside back talent. I'm not saying our backs are awful. Just that we don't get much creative, game breaking stuff from them. Maybe coached into regimented play who knows.
Where is our next backline superstar?
With our junior base of late, it seems backs are the only ones we promote. The last actual forward, besides hooker, that i can remember debuting from our pathways was Utoikamanu in 2020. Of late we have had Dunster, Russell, Loizou and Penisini come through our pathways. Let's hope Miller-Stephen is that player, he has had big raps, making all the aged QLD squads of late. I think we are lacking forwards coming through our pathways.
With Nathan Brown and James Shepherd working on our pathways, we have seen a shift to how it was ran, a lot more trials, even saw Buster Hindmarsh trial and didn't get into the Harold Matts squad, which is good as if he is not good enough then he should not be picked in the squads. Unfortunately we wont see the full benefits of Brown and Shepherd's work until 2026 at least, even then that could be too early.
We have brought in some talent from other programs, LeBron Tuala from Brisbane system, so we are starting to look at our forwards more.
Rodwell
Rodwell is a Souths junior. I am talking pathways where they played Harold Matts and/or SG Ball with us.
I think you'll find Nathan Brown is no longer involved with our pathways, I think he was ushered out for exposing the nepotism.
No he was interviewed on TCT only last week.
I heard he had taken a similar position with another club, can't remember which club, not long after the review. Maybe I'm getting old and senile.
It was the dragons, head of recruitment. He was the leading candidate, maybe he didn't get the job.
He was never hired on a permanent basis, he was hired to do a review of our pathways not to run them. He wasn't run out of town, and the alleged nepotism had nothing to do with the club.
One of the journalists on nrl 360 stated the report concluded the nepotism flowed on up to the nrl side. The bald headed fuckwit said it to buzz. It was a couple of episodes after the report first came out.
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