Eels Blogs

Replies

• • 

    Clintorian > DYNASTY.LOADING January 13, 2026 at 10:43am

    He has a lot to work to do on his on his defence (r1 trauma still visible), but I can't deny towards the end of the season he was showing some form and hitting some nice holes at speed when running off Mitch. I think this is the key with Kelma, you put him outside a good player and they know how to use him. On his own, easy to manipulate and cover.

    I'm hoping he has a good year and we're wrong.
• 

  paul taylor January 12, 2026 at 3:52pm

  Great discussion here as always .  Every team wants a Haas , Cleary , grant or Walsh .  Versions if them are out there .  Extracting that is the million dollar question.  I have a lot of confidence that we will get a 5-10 year nrl quality player out of the pathways system.  Lorenzo is a great footballer already with all the skills but has flaws that he needs to work on such as temperament , communication .  Fletcher was sg ball halfback in May and now on his first NRL pre season is killing it . He has all the skills and not dissimilar to Lachie Galvin in size and game management style .  My big Smokey is Christopher Petrus .  This kid is only 18 but is a weapon.  Reminds of young Dave Fifita just knows one speed and us almost unstoppable .  
  
  

  Ryda talagi is improving so fast it is surprising many within the club. He is a big lad, great feet and big engine . He has something that even blaze didn't have was the ability to hit the switch . He loves when teams chase him and sledge he raises the intensity .  His defence was little sloppy early years but hard nosed in Sg ball as he got his engine up to playing 60-70 minutes.   Lot of upside with him.  A big man with good feet , and late feet is a weapon . 
  
  

  The forward pack has to be balanced to play our fast transition style of play .  Our hookers offer different things at tactical times in games .  Williams , kelma , Doorey , Kautago are best when hitting lines and channels . I see Jdb and Hoppy  similar styles with ability to ball play and walker is icing on the cake to either uptempo the game or to close it down .  
  
  

  Ryles is no fool . He is playing our style that suits our players .  Very hard to defend against because they can play long , short , out the back or second phase .  
  • 

    EA > paul taylor January 12, 2026 at 4:30pm

    

    I think Popo will nearly be as good as Talagi. Dont forget our own Cam Murray in Sam Polley.

    Also I think Riley Davis is a lot like Reece Walsh. Acceleration is great.

    Fletcher, Lorenzo and Risati should all be FG halves and are just 18, 19 & 20 this year.

    Really hope Bloomfield and Sorovi become gun outside backs.

    I recon there is still a lot of improvement left in Latu and Kautoga
    • 

      EA > EA January 12, 2026 at 4:39pm

      

      Also I was told by a HM player that he recon Bloomfield and Risati will pick union.
      • 

        paul taylor > EA January 12, 2026 at 4:45pm

        

        EA, 

        Bloomfield will go RU because he wont make NRL IMO. Risati needs to knuckle down this year. Can play but I cant see him ahead of Lorenzo, Fletcher at this stage. 
        • 

          EA > paul taylor January 12, 2026 at 4:51pm

          

          Yea they recon Bloomfield and Risati are better union players than league and being selected in the u17 wallabies side showed it. So easier team for them to make professionally.

          However, I wouldn't be to fast saying Bloomfield wont make NRL if he did pursue league. Very high potential in attack. His 2024 HM seaosn at 16 years old was amazing at FB.
• 

  Prof. Daz January 12, 2026 at 4:51pm

  
  The article, via Archive Today: https://archive.md/BMSIB
• 

  paul taylor January 13, 2026 at 10:35am

  Hi EA, 

  I watched Bloomfield as a 15 year old fullback in 16/s development team catch a ball in his try line beat the first line then chipped over the next line , regathered , chip again and score. All tackle 1.  Lost his way juggling union , school , Hm , girls  etc last year . Eventually finishing centres after Riley Davis got fullback spot when he injured a hammy. 
  
  

  so much talent in that body , he can either way . Needs a strong mentor and leaders to guide him.  Just my humble opinion