With DBrown now signed, who should be next?
There are quite a few players off contract end of 2020 some of them will not be be given extensions to their existing contracts, and with the club losing some young potential players already, there is a real need to get others locked down. The list here shows those who have current contracted players that run out end of 2020. We then have some players that were on one year deals and have been extended again in the second list. Out of this list how many should be given extended contracts and considered to be part of the eels past 2020? We all have different views and for me there are some that are essentials to be signed again. My selections are at the end of the lists, I leave out some that would have a spot with the eels but I put those out that I see as being essential signings.
Nathan Brown (1 year player option)
Kane Evans
George Jennings
Oregon Kaufusi
Shaun Lane
Reed Mahoney
Jaeman Salmon
Will Smith
Peni Terepo
Andrew Davey
Ray Stone
Brad Takairangi
New players with 1 year contracts, are
Haze Dunster.
Ethan Parry
My essential signings past 2020. Reed Mahoney, Nathan Brown, Oregon Kafusi, Shaun Lane.
Players depending on 2020 form for the future (not including development players at this point)
Kane Evans, Haze Dunster, Ethan Parry, Jaeman Salmon, Ray Stone.
Replies
Without Mennings and Stefano we also have four more spots in the top 30 to fill and definitely need them or a suitable replacement
Where are we at with Michael Jennings?
Reports are in the media that Oregon Kaufusi just signed on for another 2 years until the end of 2022.
Nathan Brown needs a big 2020 for mine.
He's on decent coin and no doubt a very handy player for us but he's also injury prone and at times ill discilplined. If he has a year similar to the last 2 i'd think we'd look to move Matto to 13. I found it suprising N Brown wasn't one of the first back to training given how many games he's missed over the last 2 years.
Mahoney is #1 priority by far followed by Kaufusi and Lane . The rest are wait and see for me.
GWF, I tend to agree with you re Nathan, while he has some poor options when he snaps, it costs the team, and the injuries have worried me, He has an option for 2021 in his favour, being selected in the Blues extended training squad is a big plus for him. When he plays what I would say his natural game which is controled and hard he's a must in the team. I simply hope we don't end up with another Kenny 2 heads, or Terepo when having a scotch for breakfast either.
I do believe he's a natural for lock and generally good for 80minutes, depending on his asking price I would see him as a key signing going forward, depends on next season and how he plays his option.
With Manu gone, Brown becomes a hugely important cog in our team as he’s really our only enforcer in the forward pack. He is an absolute MUST in my opinion.
Im hoping Joey helps our halves unlock his potential by playing to his strengths a bit more. His hard running and offloads can hurt teams if we know exactly when to use him.
Clintorian, I believe Manu was a player that we needed to keep, if he was a couple of years younger, he added so much to the team and fear into the opposition. He went through a period though where he seemed to be easily marked but he still kept going, Sorry to see him go but I think he made the right decision as he's likely able to play 3 seasons in SL, which will set him up well.
That certainly puts more pressure on Nathan Brown to actually take over a similar role to Manu, in saying that the player that will surprise will be a contest between Matto and Kafusi. Matto in the 2nd row on the right side with his ball skills and good defence will set that up, and if there are any weaknessed with the forwards he will fix that, big call? yes! but he will do the job.
I see Kafusi being a key prop and with his overall size he's same dimensions as Jnr and shown as being 9Kg's less than Jnr, I have seen a couple of pics of him in training and he seems much bigger than the official weight, but its all in the upper body and muscle. If he can use his frame to advantage, he's going to be a big hit off the bench.
I never thought I would reach the day when I applauded the concept of Joey being involved with the eels, but I see him as possibly the best signing we could have gotten for next year. His involvement with the spine players should bring out the best in them and hopefully to the next level. Soemthing I said elsewhere is that I doubt he will be just helping 4 players I see him also fitting the centres into the equation as well. The halves work for them in getting the ball to them for the speed men outside.
I would also think that at some point the combination that DB and Lane had this past season could also be picked up with this new coach.
Grunta your prediction would be right. Great hindsight
I'd like to be able to main blogg but seems no option as I could either put up if/when they sign at the side of their names.
Kafusi has signed until end or 2022. One Down, that was meant to be in the title not Done. But not too worried as the signing is done.