Eels Blogs

Replies

• • Marty > Darren Munro January 12, 2026 at 4:35pm

    Odds on for Sualli...?

    Has he whispered something to you
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  DYNASTY.LOADING January 12, 2026 at 2:37pm

  Kelma is not a first grader
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    Poppa > DYNASTY.LOADING January 12, 2026 at 3:12pm

    

    You maybe right Dynasty but he has already played more first grade than you and me.

    On that premise you are wrong before you start.

    He may be talking to his kids 30 years from now and they ask what did you do in the war Grandad, well he might answer I played 20 games of first grade and spent a lot of time getting there.  Do you think that kids thinks he was "not a first grader".

    I have been around sport a fair bit and one thing I have learned is that you can spot potential but never know if it will be fullfilled.

    Fullfilling potential is something that can only exist within the person themselves.....it is very difficult to imagine some players and what they can achieve when they really set their mind to it.

    I think Kelma has the ability and this year he is making a real crack at it, especially given the training reports. If he fails, doesn't mean he is a personal failure, maybe just not quiet good enough. Maybe he will go to PNG and play 100 more.

    Can you make that judgement now based on your ability to be good enough to do so? I hope he succeeds, do you as well?

    Maybe you could say based on your ability to ..."i don't think Kelma can make it as a first grader, I hope i am 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.