Eels Blogs

As we head into June and not far off the middle of the season, attentions really begin to look at 2027 rosters across the NRL.

So far the club has signed a very good talent in Jayd'n Sua. He has played 6 origin games for Queensland (last in 2024) and 10 internationals for Samoa. At 28 years of age he has the potential to continue his representative type form which no doubt we can benefit from. The club has done good here.

But from this signing it does appear from the outside looking in, this is where it stops. At this time, the Eels are losing the following at the end of this season and or these players have not been resigned yet.

Jonah Pezet, Sean Russell, Te Hurinui Twiddle, Toni Mataele, Ryan Matterson, Junior Paulo, Richard Penisni, Will Penisni, Jake Tago, Kelma Tuilagi, Ronald Volkman and Dylan Walker. We could possibly include the loss of Zac Lomax at the start of this year as well, and at a push Dylan Brown last year hasn't been replaced. (Money or talent wise).

So far,  our signings have been very very slow almost non existant. Our next big name Junior to be talked about is 5/8 Lorenzo, even he hasn't scored a full time contract with the Eels yet. His contract is a development contract only till 2028.

Now I'm sure that the powers that be within the Eels R@R dept , that are so highly regarded by many 1EE'ers here know what they are doing, and some serious signings are just around the corner. But what corner and how long before we reach that corner is starting to take its toll on Members, Supporters and Fans alike. We here on this website are regularly told that there isn't much out there to be signed, we have to bide our time, we are going to rely on juniors. All very good arguments, that is until they are not.

Is it time to get concerned yet. 

Lets try and put it into context and have a look at what is happening with other clubs, are there any players available , are we being mislead into thinking that there is no one available and we should we begin to wonder if the targets are not getting signed. I don't know the answer, but I am becoming a bit concerned about my club, It may very well just be that the club are keeping their secrets very close to their chest, that word isnt filtering out on targets or signings. Thats all possible. Is it reality though, I don't know, but the silence is making sceptics of a lot of people.

So let's compare, let's see what's moving within the NRL. Just in the last few weeks we have the following.

St George have signed Luke Metcalf, Keaon Koloamatangi, Scott Drinkwater and Phillip Sami

Cowboys have signed Jesse Ramien and Sione Katoa

Roosters are making serious offers for Cowboy International Winger Murray Tuilagi after the cowboys withdrew their offer. He is available to be signed right now. They have signed Ruben Garrick as well.

Papua New Guinea have signed Jerome Luai, Connor Watson and Alex Johnston

The Perth Bears have signed 19 players but let's cherry pick  2 in Tyrone Wishart and Toby Sexton

Now i could keep going, but there is some serious talent sitting there, if we go back just a couple of months we could throw in Mitch Barnett to Brisbane next year as well.

So when we consider the amount of players leaving the club or have not been resigned yet, surely that indicates we have a lot of wriggle room and some serious cap monies available, should we have been in the market for the players that have moved recently or is it possible we were in the mix but missed out on the signing. Either way, it's all hush hush,  I don't know the answers, and I don't pretend to know. What I am asking is Should we be concerned, or is everything tip top and in shape, are we really progressing to the clubs plans, or is it going awry.

I have to admit, I'm getting very concerned! I don't know what is wrong, all indications are that there is something amiss with signing or resigning players.. ( attracting talented players). The club is closing ranks, shouldering arms, and going into protection modes if the recent Talking Parra Podcast blog is to be believed. I love this club, I've followed this club for close to 57 years and i really hope that they are working out what can be improved. I'm not sure that having a siege mentality against their own fans is the way the club should be going. It really raises this fans suspicions. I'd really hope that being open and transparent is just around the corner, so too the future talented signings. Until then their actions or lack of, are becoming more concerning by the week. Our 2027 roster does not look that flash on paper, does a spoon year beckon, or do the boys stand up, improve and march us into finals footy.  I sincerly hope it's the latter, but I'm concerned. 

Have your say, I'm sure the club are listening and monitoring social media, so be careful, be straight , but be respectful, That's how we generally get measured change for better.