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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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.
I don't think there is any question on that Daz, welcome to the world of commercial reality.
If the NRL wanted to run on a socialistic basis, they would contract all the players to the NRL, bring in a draft and go for a competetion that is based on total equality.
All players would have their bank accounts monitored and the cash transaction act under Austrac would police the total structure.....don't worry human beings will get around some of these issues, cars, boats, property construction projects discounted security sales are all ways of doing it.
Do you think Politis and other single benefactors give a stuff about consitutions and the like, they are effectively beneficial dictators (beneficial being subjective).
I am not complaining about this, Penrith have come through this mire and it is possible that we will eventually as well. That said Parra has made things unattractive in opportunism, owing to there good management in intensionally making it hard to cheat.
Shit happens!
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.
"In the long term we will be winners"
How long have we been saying that poppa? How many years have we been saying we need outside backs
Its people like you, the apologists, who keep people like o'neill an Sarantinos in the job.
"How many years have we been saying we need outside backs"
You tell me Cheefy? and what have you done about it, fcuk all....have you made a constructive comment in the process? we all aknowledge we have problems in the backline, not the least being not producing any speedsters through our junior ranks.
It is not the answer to just go out on a tirade about sacking people, ask the right questions, go to meetings and ask what we are doing or be assured that we are doing something....
The reality is we have had Ryles for one decent season of hope with the promise of more to come and that more to come has been an injury ridden disaster.....Souths had one last year, Roosters the year before.....Penrith had a totally dead season of promise blow up the year before they became the power they are.
In real world managed by adults Cheefy you don't write up about sacking everyone, you construct a better or more efficient process.....players, officals and leaders do not grow on tree's.
You're not paying me enough ploppa
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