According to the zero tackle web site http://www.zerotackle.com/rugby-league/players/off-contract-2017/ the following players are off contract with the eels end of this season, a total of 21 players.Kirisome Auva'a, Bureta Faraimo, John Folau, David Gower, James Hasson, George Jennings, Cameron King, Tepai Moeroa, Cody Nelson, Marata Niukore, Rory O'Brien, Frank Pritchard, Jeff Robson, Scott Schulte, Will Smith, Kelepi Tanginoa, Peni Terepo, Honeti Tuha, Alex Twal, Joseph Ualesi, Matthew Woods
Early days I know but certainly some of them will be leaving end of year, by retirement or to SL, others on a single years extension meaning they are given another shot at earning another extension and hopefully a longer term one. Last year when the club said no to Hayne coming back our coach indicated the need to have money to extend the contracts of many of the main squad, he named Tepi Moeroa as one such player yet still that has not happened but he's just been included in the first ever Eels Leadership team for this year, hopefully that is a pointer to him getting another deal.
Out of the remaining players there are several I believe will earn an extension as they are new signings but looking over the names I am certainly hopeful that Alex Twal is one that can step up a bit whilst he wil be primarily a 2nd tier Wenty player he is a player of the future, is said to be training well also.
Without naming all whom I would like to see extended, what are others thoughts at this early stage out of the 21 names, picking say a max of 3 of them.
Replies
I think we had 19 off contract at end of 2016 - Brad signs a lot of players to one years deals which inflates the figures.
Its a matter of who he keeps and who he moves on, while at the same time leaving his options open if a gun player becomes available.
Nothing of great concern to me.
Moeroa and Twal on long term deals.
I think you've been watching too much porn hub micky.
Not much one could say, especially if only looking at NRL appearances, as I think he has maybe played or named once in the NRL team.
Up to this point of time as he is still only 20, has a future ahead of him, and he has had a fair amount of Jnr rep games to his name and captained NSW in SOO at that level. Why not see his profile on the eels gallery page
http://www.parraeels.com.au/team/profiles/alex_twal.html
Mick, the Panthers have been lucky with some of their early pick ups, especially with Cleary, so far with Cartwright as well, but even he was missing at times.
Seems to me at times though that the eels faithful are more interested in the trophy (rightfully so) but at any cost, if the Juniors suffer so be it.
If we go back a few years under Brian Smith's coaching when signing the the 4 from the dogs and Adam Ritson from the Sharks, that was meant to herald in a new era, a trophy and the like, at the time he believed that our forwards were too small and we needed big men, did it work? still waiting i believe to get a trophy again.
I am not saying that we have to rely totally on our juniors but we need to be more watchful for them, and bring them in at the right time along with promoting them. I believe that BA is doing that but, at what rate, the amount of imported players in the 40 squad of profiled players by far out numbers any who are considered part of our Junior system, a sad thing to me.
Wiz, I believe he has done enough considering age to warrant an extension and not a one year deal either. We need to be investing and provide confidence to our juniors that they have a future with the club.
I was a bit reluctant to post this blog as I do not want to single out players that I would like to see go, and why I only picked two that I would like to see extended. Tepi has had a poor run with injuries yet last year he had a fairly good year and did play in 22 games, I expect him to be better this year as well.
I am of the view that he was brought into the NRL a year too soon though.
Chief agreed. If one was to look over the eels gallery and the forwards that are shown there, not including the contenders for the 9 spot there are 20 forwards to be found, the NRL side will take 8 or 9 players depending on the bench choice, same likely with Wenty, meaning a tussle for the top spots.
Of the list off contract, I think David Gower will likely retire or move to SL which was rumoured to have happened for this season. Outside of Moroea, Morris, Tanginora Twal and Woods who are in their early 20's the remaining forwards off contract are mid to late 20's or so. each of the young forwards are each value players for the future.
The battle of the 9's will be interesting especially as to who wins out between King and Pritchard.
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