Eels Blogs

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        Coryn Hughes > Poppa January 12, 2026 at 10:06am

        

        I'm a when in doubt take the best defensive option.

        Attack I'm not worried about defense is where this team can make huge strides up the ladder if we can improve on our edges and as you say Pops continue with the inside pressure and linespeed that's the key.Speed of the game is another good point and it's why I believe Sam Moa has a big influence on a middles because he'll understand the more mobility he can add with the mentioned physicality again makes a huge difference.Tuilagi can really be an influence here with his size and leg speed.

        Melbourne is going to be a real marker because you know with Harry Grant anything soft is going to get punished and then there little men piggy back off the back of it.No chance I start Tuilagi against Melbourne or any team that likes attacking edges.

         
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  Darren Munro January 12, 2026 at 9:04am

  We are odds on to get sualli at the end of his wallaby's contract. Be interesting to see how some players go after having big off season.  Teacum Brown has been killing it. Looks bigger than tuivaiti. Doorey, kelma and Moretti have all had their best off seasons ever. Will be interesting to what results they yield.

   
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    Hell On Eels > Darren Munro January 12, 2026 at 9:39am

    

    Darren, how are Lincoln Fletcher and Talen Risati tracking? Both seem to offer higher footy IQ than most coming through. With Rylesy seemingly focused on lifting average footy IQ across the park, I’m also curious to see how Pezet pans out. I think LB mentioned that Fletcher looks better than Lorenzo in the off-season, so far.
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      LB > Hell On Eels January 12, 2026 at 9:42am

      

      Oh I only said he has been mentioned more but 60's said Lorenzo was in rehab for a bit too.
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        Hell On Eels > LB January 12, 2026 at 9:45am

        

        What are your thioughts about those three LB? EA/Sonic seem to be quite bullish on them. When it comes to juniors, it's hard to tell who will make it eventually. Few do. But you can't give up too early. Twiddle is another, I suppose. 
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          Coryn Hughes > Hell On Eels January 12, 2026 at 10:18am

          

          Onething I look at when I see juniors is there physicality and competitiveness.

          If they can stand up physically they've got a chance they have.

          If they can't it's an uphill battle.

          Competitive you want the guys who get upset when they make mistakes and hate losing even little things.If there's a game of whatever it is that guy wants it there character traits I look at.

          Throw the highlights out the window we have to dig deeper than that.Kids who come from deprived backgrounds and have had to work for everything there whole lives.

          JFH Moses Leota that's what Riff were built off in the middle.

          We found Manu Ma'u Danny Wicks guys who had no business resurrecting there lives but did.Guys who've overcome obstacles in life these are the types I'm looking for off the park.
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            Hell On Eels > Coryn Hughes January 12, 2026 at 10:54am

            

            Coryn, spot on. Absolutely on the money. That’s exactly what Ryles will be looking for in the trials.

            Just one caveat: smaller spine players, and generals, with strong footy IQ might not jump off the page athletically or physically but are hyper-critical. They might need protectors. They're probably at their best late 20s-to mid 30s, a bit bulkier and mentally mature, when their muscle mass and bone density is at its peak, despite dropping off in fast-twitch acceleration and explosiveness. 

            You can get that good balance elsewhere with older players like Dylan Walker. He can handle the physicality in the middle but has good footy IQ. Even the Fox has good footy IQ for a winger, communicates on-field, and has helped Sean Russell.