Parra will be bottom 4 team - Geyer - Eels Blogs

Mark Geyer writing off the Parramatta EelsAdam Santarossa, news.com.auFebruary 22, 2017 12:52pmRUGBY league legend Mark Geyer has made a staggering claim regarding Parramatta’s chances in 2017, writing them off as a premiership threat.Several experts feel the Eels will bounce back from a disastrous 2016 and be among the premiership contenders when the NRL season begins next week.Parramatta was stripped of 12 competition points last season for significant breaches of the NRL salary cap. That penalty tore apart what looked to be a promising campaign that netted 13 wins.Had they not been docked points it would have been enough to see the Eels play finals football and probably push towards the top four, given the negative impact the off-field drama had on the side.The general consensus is the Eels showed enough to suggest they will be a contender now they’ve served their penance. But Geyer is unconvinced, saying he believes Parramatta will fall well short of expectations.“I’m thinking Parramatta are bottom four,” Geyer said on Triple M’s Grill Team Sydney on 104.9FM.“I’m not that optimistic about their chances. I just don’t know with Parramatta. I’m not sure they’ve got the arsenal.”Geyer’s radio colleague and fellow league legend Matty Johns has higher hopes for the Eels.Corey Norman is one of the stars at the Eels disposal.Johns says he was impressed with the Eels character throughout their disastrous 2016 season that saw the club go from one controversy to the next.He feels Parramatta are well organised and have enough talent to make an impact.“Parramatta, given what they went through last year, their form was phenomenal,” Johns said.“No club went through a more horrendous season.“I saw Corey Norman and Clint Gutherson yesterday and they’re really optimistic about the season.“A committed and organised defence can take you a long way and that’s what they’ve got. I see them finishing between five and eight.”Geyer, the No. 1 ticketholder for the Penrith Panthers, is probably expected to talk down his side’s Western Sydney rivals.While he may not see a bright future ahead for the Eels, the former Panther sees big things ahead for Penrith, like many in the game.But Johns feels talk of a Penrith triumph is premature despite an impressive young playing list and strong off-season recruiting that has landed the Panthers Australian international James Tamou and former Dragons hooker Mitch Rein.A lot is expected of the Panthers in 2017.Both will provide added experience to complement perhaps the most promising playing list in the NRL, but for Johns 2017 is just too soon for the Panthers.“I think they’re 12 months away still,” Johns said. “Fantastic young line-up on the way up — I see them as a top four side.

"HFK, Fair point. Sure, we could. But balancing incoming youth with experience is almost a perennial issue. A constant cycle. It never really goes away. At least not for too long. "

Replies

Webby February 22, 2017 at 3:07pm

One too many head knocks for MG
Steve February 22, 2017 at 3:09pm

MG is a dead set embarrassment to himself.
parra fan February 22, 2017 at 3:10pm

Thats old Geyser, i mean Geyer. This is just want we need.
Coach Jim February 22, 2017 at 3:13pm

Wow, MG the expert. I don't know how the guy is still on Triple M. Thick as two house bricks with absolutely nothing to offer & apart from getting into a blue with king Wally in origin I don't think I can remember anything else about his so called footy career. This is an ex player that had no skill but was a thug, & what kept him in first grade was he was stupid enough to do whatever he was told by his coach regardless of the repercussions. Now he thinks he knows what he is talking about. There is nothing more to him.

I can't wait for the Eels to stick it to the experts this season.
Aaron Luke February 22, 2017 at 3:21pm

Unfortunately, I agree.
- Ron > Aaron Luke February 22, 2017 at 3:23pm
  
  Well there's a surprise.
Kramerica February 22, 2017 at 3:22pm

The worrying thing here is that Matt Johns is saying we will do well.
Coat Tails Johns has absolutely no idea when it comes to league analysis :)
Mitchy February 22, 2017 at 3:24pm

Ha we all have opinions, and really it does not matter what MG says and Nor Matthew Johns.
Glen wilcox February 22, 2017 at 3:28pm

Thats great , i remember geyer talkin us up a few years back when we got the spoon and matty johns was baggin us . Good season ahead if they are anything to go by
Wayne February 22, 2017 at 3:33pm

Rugby league legend???? Ha ha what a load of shit !