The rumour mill is already in full swing after Jason Ryles appointment last week. With upwards of 20 plus in the NRL squad that are either off contract in 2025 on the market November 1st that is the most pressing and urgent task facing Ryles as well as the coaching team, not just Baz.
The club has publicly stated that their head coach has the "strongest voice" on the R&R Committee of Five - McElduff, Sarantinos, Rogers, Buckets, and Ryles.
Currently, though, there is much uncertainty among the playing group. Last week, Gutherson admitted there could be a few taps on the shoulders, while RCG admitted he wasn’t sure if Ryles wanted him or not.
Allegedly, Ryles is attempting to woo Talagi to stay as he continues to be shopped around by his Isaac Moses with The Panthers the latest. suitor following Isaac's own McFranchise at the Dolphins (Woolfe), Knights (O'Brien) and St George (Flanagan). At this stage, it appears Talagi is using his first grade opportunity with the Eels after a successful juniors history at the club as a shopfront advertisement for Isaac's potential suitors; using the Eels as a stepping stone to greener pastures. Last time I checked it was a team sport. Where will he end up?
A familiar sight for Eels fans in 2023-24. Losing brings out the worst in everyone; even fans. A vicious cycle.
Class is permanent, form is temporary, but Gutho has started to look older.
Paolo (has toe issues) has benefited from reduced minutes this year but hasn't been in the worse form of his career. Is father time catching up with him or merely a form drop?
Next year, Paolo, RCG, Matterson, Sivo, Gutherson, Cartwright, Moses, Makatoa and Lane hit circa 31-32. Joe Ofahengaue and Joey Lussick hit circa 30. That's up to 11 from the regular starting 17, although Lussick and Makatoa seem on the outer. Moses is a given, but who else?
The 2024 Wooden spoon appears to be a two-horse race between us and the Tigers. We are currently sitting equal last on points, and second-last due to a better points differential than the likely wooden spooners the Tigers.
The last major overhaul happened after the 2018 wooden spoon from 2019 which set the foundation of the finals cycle of 2019-2022. However, practically all of that 2019 team was helped shaped, signed and delivered, by the then-CEO-GM Bernie Gurr who left in late 2018. That was right before Mark O'Neill was appointed as General Manager of Football and Sarantinos as the next CEO - to take over from Gurr.
Status
Here's a roster summary from nrl.com signings' tracker - pending updates. We'll try to keep it updated as news comes in. It will include development players.
No contract for next year (9)
Blaize Talagi (2025 PO not taken up & new NRL offer rejected), Bailey Simonsson, Daejarn Asi, Makahesi Makatoa, Morgan Harper, Ofahiki Ogden, Tevita Taumoepenu, Jock Brazel, Zac Cini (potentially Castleford Tigers SL bound).
Free Agent November 1st (14)
Clint Gutherson, J’maine Hopgood, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Joe Ofahengaue, Bryce Cartwright, Brendan Hands, Joey Lussick, Kelma Tuilagi, Luca Moretti, Sean Russell, Matt Doorey, Wiremu Greig, Toni Mataele, Sam Tuivaiti
Signed longer-Term (8)
Zac Lomax (2025-2028), Mitchell Moses (2026, 2027-2028 PO), Dylan Brown (2025, 2026-2031 PO), Ryan Matterson (2025, 2026 PO), Will Penisini (2025, 2026 PO), Maika Sivo (2025, 2026 MO,2027 CO), Shaun Lane (2025, 2026 MO), Junior Paulo 2025-2026
Development Contract for 2025 (2):
Charlie Guymer**, Matt Arthur**
**Development contracts TBC
Gone (2): Ky Rodwell, Ethan Sanders
TBC: Haze Dunster (2025 MO)
2025 Squad?
This is highly fluid as much is unknown, and will change in time. We'll try to keep this updated as more information is known.
1. Z Lomax / Clint Gutherson
2.
3. Z Lomax / Clint Gutherson
4. W Penisini
5. Talagi* TBC
6. D Brown
7. M Moses
8. RCG
9. S Garlick *TBC
10. Joe Ofahengaue
11.
12.
13. Hopgood
14. Brendan Hands/ Matt Arthur**
15. Junior Paulo
16.
17. Guymer **
Depth
18. Bryce Cartwright
19. Kelma Tuilagi
20. Luca Moretti
21. Matt Doorey
22. Wiremu Greig
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
Development Contracts
1. Charlie Guymer
2. Matt Arthur
3.
4.
5.
*TBC
** Allegedly have development contracts
Replies
I am not sure why Greig seems to not be given more exposure.I always liked him.
Tough decision for young players to choose where to go. Motivation is different to all of us. Where does the future offer long financial reward or being comfortable in the home you are in for different reasons. Staying with Ryles could be key if he can develop a good training and playing philosophy where players can see themselves develop professionally . That is where I would be guiding young players as mentor.
It could be attitude as well. It is amazing how he goes from a breakout year and making the NZ squad, to now only play 2 games despite being fit all year.
He got caught breaking the nutrition diet they had him on.
A few times I might add.
People are sometimes there own worst enemies. Brilliant future ahead of him which could set him up for life. He chooses McDonald's instead. Character is an important signing on decision.
Tad, great to see you back.
Hope you have been well?
Hopefully he gets back the drive under Ryles.
As off now MA still has a development deal next year.
Thanks EA. Top stuff. If you hear anything else let us know.
Out of curiosity, is there a reason Guymer isn't on an NRL contract next year? I suppose some benefits are the club have longer to extend him or resign him for the future, but can still play him in the NRL.
I think Guymer dev deal for next year was done a while ago. Hopefully upgraded and extyended asap
Do not get me started. The recruitment team is beyond a joke. We fail to lock up our juniors early which means rivals circle. As a result our players leave or ask for ridiculous money to stay
Muttman said if he goes to Panthers we will raid their juniors. Well good luck. Their best juniors are locked up long term. some before they even make their nrl debut they are signed long term. They play 2-3 years in thenrl for panthers. Eventually when their contract expires and they ask for big money. They end up leaving (Crichton, Luai, Turuva, Leniu, etc) for it but it does not matter because their next junior is ready and signed on a long term undervalued deal. And the cycle repeats. We lost Stefano and Sanders because of it and now Talagi either leaves or we have to overpay.
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