Seems like every week there are good quality players coming onto the market or that are available that would add something to our team and roster but we aren't seeming to be as active in the player market as we were earlier this year. EG Keon. Barnett
Has anyone heard anything or have any news on any potential signings for 2027 /2028 we may look at? I still believe there is the basis of a very good football side at the Eels but we defintely need 1 or 2 additions of quality players at the absolute least
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Why can i not have some fun? I have FOMO.
Ok ill allow you to have your fun. At the end of the day its only a game. If the club fails, they'll be hit financially anyway through memberships and ticket sales. So its in their best interests to do what's best for the fans who pay their wages .
I just don't want Ryles to be the scapegoat. If there's one thing they got right, it was to choose Ryles
Chiefy, you have not answered Super's point that you appear to make everyone in charge of recruitment.
But we can make the query very specific. You have claimed the board can sack recruitment "if recruitment criteria isn't met". Thus, two questions:
1) What do you believe is the recruitment criteria?
2) If you cannot answer Q.1, please state if you have no knowledge of the criteria and then tell us what you believe should be the criteria.
I won't answer any questions from yourself daz unless you can answer my previous questions of what are the recruitment and retention team doing right, as to your defence of them in nearly every blog
Whomever Cregan is, I do wonder why "I know someone in the know" is taken seriously by folks as evidence?
On a side note, size in the forwards. Cregan says Eels were small vs knights but also implies recruitment is not fixing it. In 2026 the Eels have ran out three props each 188cm+ AND 110kg+: Tuivati, Maetele, and Brown (extended bench). The truly big props are all pushing 190cm while being 110kg+. So the Eels are in that ballpark.
Moretti is 188cm but 102kg, while Paulo is 110kg but 185cm. I don't count Doorey as he is a backrower (more lock); ditto Williams & Guymer. Eels have played backrow at prop due to injuries across the forwards.
Aside from it would be nice if claims like "not enough size" could be at least cross-checked, the issue in the forwards is not size. It's first contact technique. If Radley can be considered one of the most effective and aggressive tacklers in the game, its technique not simply size.
But also, it's a real question what is going to count in the game, sheer size or mobility despite size? Or both but not just one?
I have in fact heard the exact same comment from a player agent.
Actually I know that a player agent that looks after some of our current players is just the opposite, they respect MON but basically believe that the lack of TPA's or similar inducements tends to leave Parra out of the final reckoning.
I do believe all things being said that we need a professional negotiator and a lot of this type of critique could go away. I am sure that it is being addressed in some manner, I understand why we would not be privy to such discussions until after the event.
Yes the inmates are running the asylum that is this whole recruitment and retention game that goes on in the club sector, I am advised a lot of dodgy things happening and unfortunately (in some respects) Parra loses out. Its processes of this type of management is ruled quite rigidly after the time of the club going into administration and a new consitution being adopted. In the long term we will be winners, patience is something that has to be learnt and practised and management awake up to doing so within the rules we have taken on for the long term benefit of the club.
you hit the nail on the head Poppa. We are at a serious disadvantage not using TPA's. In the end you cannot compete with clubs that use them. We need to hire someone just to do TPA's under the NRL rules. Its a shame that all TPA's aren't organised by the NRL that way every club gets a fair chance.
But if TPA's are the issue, that means what folks are really saying is that the richer the club the better they do in recruitment.
It is always going to be the same no matter who is saying it. It's either I've heard they are awful to deal with, another they are great to deal with. Depends on what side you are on in the entire argument.
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