Eels Blogs

Our Strongest Top 17 for 2025

Posted by SuperDuperEel on November 18, 2024 at 4:56pm

I see everyone posting teams but are awful and are completely way off the mark. Here is a truly realistic top 17 for next season.

Isiah Iongi
Josh Addo Carr
Will Penisini
Zac Lomax
Bailey Simmonson/ Sean Russell
Dylan Brown
Mitchell Moses (c)
Joe Ofanghue
Brendan Hands
Junior Paulo
Shaun Lane
Bryce Cartwright
J’maine Hopgood
Joey Lussick
Jack Williams
Ryan Matterson
Kelma Tuilagi

Reserves

Wiremu Greig

Matt Doorey

Luca Moretti

Sam Tuivaiti

Dean Hawkins

Joash Papalii

Haze Dunster

Toni Mataele

Development

Charlie Guymer I’d say 18/19/20th player

Richard Penisini

Saxon Pryke

The only changes would be if Paulo went back to his bench role impact & if ryles wants lane as a middle then Kelma would start in the second row position.

What do you think guys?

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Replies

Eli Stephens November 18, 2024 at 5:06pm

Pretty spot on, think Junior needs to lead from the front with RCG gone now so he should start
Trent November 18, 2024 at 5:08pm

Think lane will be in the front row rotation
LB November 18, 2024 at 5:11pm

Just need one more forward and perhaps a Hooker. Then that is sweet. Move Hands to 14.
- EA > LB November 18, 2024 at 7:25pm
  
  Papalii most likely the 14.
  - Hard Yard's > EA November 19, 2024 at 10:06am
    
    Yea im keen to see papalii get moulded into a bench hooker as we know he can play wing fullback centre 5/8 could be a nice 14
DYNASTY.LOADING November 18, 2024 at 5:13pm

Just a note, I listened to Bailey on the Bloke in a bar podcast, he said a lot without saying anything direct. The defensive system is going to change for the better, he clearly hated the stupid system BA was running. We should reset our expectations for all edge defense.
- The Captain > DYNASTY.LOADING November 18, 2024 at 5:35pm
  
  The defensive system couldn't change for the worse, that's for sure. 😂
  - DYNASTY.LOADING > The Captain November 18, 2024 at 7:28pm
    
    Seriously
- Clintorian > DYNASTY.LOADING November 18, 2024 at 8:09pm
  
  Best thing I've heard all pre-season.
Anguillidae November 18, 2024 at 5:14pm

The backline is coming together nicely but there's still a big question mark over that forward pack.

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