Eels Blogs

Replies

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      JC > LB April 14, 2026 at 12:55pm

      At the end of the day we need bodies out on the field, we can't just keep throwing young players who aren't ready to the wolves.
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        LB > JC April 14, 2026 at 1:38pm

        

        Right and what did I say in that comment that suggest otherwise?

        I said Uele is better than what we have for this year. I don't believe in signing for sake of it, but for rest of this year to cover for injuries just to get by I don't mind someone like Uele.
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          JC > LB April 14, 2026 at 4:35pm

          

          Settle Grettle, i wasn't going against you i was just pointing out we need players and we are probably going to have to give someone an extra year or pay a little too much, we have no leverage and it would be a bigger mistake to continually throw young players to the wolves and risk destroying their confidence. 
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  Nitram April 14, 2026 at 1:36pm

  I dont care what anyone says our list of backs heading into the season (when including back ups too) was up there with the worst in the comp. We needed an easy draw and no injuries like manly. Their reserves are also shit but no injuries in their backs and an easy draw and they have stayed competitive. Luck goes a long way.
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    LB > Nitram April 14, 2026 at 1:40pm

    Very easy draw to point they went 0-3.
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      Nitram > LB April 14, 2026 at 1:44pm

      If all teams were full strength then sure manly probably get the spoon. But factoring in no injury issue and an easy draw and that changes quickly. Luck.
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  Coryn Hughes April 14, 2026 at 1:40pm

  

  Unless it's elite talent I'm not handing out anything past a 1 plus 1 with that second year being a club option.

  I need to put these guys from other clubs on notice not roll out the deck chairs for them.
  

  Much like when we took ICE from the Warriors prove it 2 yr deal on minimum wage and he outplayed his contract and became that Daly M back rower of the year.

  The only way you take a guy like Timoko as an example is if Canberra are paying at least half the freight much like when Riff helped us out with RCG for 5 years or whatever it was.

  Yes we are desperate but we don't need to act like it and give unwanted players 5 star treatment we need to see them earn those stars before showing them that comfort if not kick rocks and move on.
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  SuperEel 22 April 14, 2026 at 1:52pm

  We've been on the hunt for weeks. A complicating factor is that virtually no player wants to only sign for part of a season. They all want at minimum an additional year to 2 years. So adding someone to the roster this year is clearly needed, it's complicated by the fact we may not need that player next year (especially in the case of middle forwards). So we could get someone added to the roster who then falls down our depth chart when we get players back and suddenly we're paying probably a substantial sum to a NSW Cup player.
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    Coryn Hughes > SuperEel 22 April 14, 2026 at 3:12pm

    Yep I can see this you don't dedicate long term money to also rans nope you almost take the pain.

    Like in my post above yes we are desperate but we don't make desperate decisions if there are long term cap implications season on the line regardless.I get that bit.

    Thats our issue in a nutshell our development is still a couple of years away and our depth basically is depleted through injury rock meet hard place.

    Me I've hated our back 5 for years it's alright when the best is on the park but lord now it isn't we are exposed.
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    Nightmare Off-Season > SuperEel 22 April 14, 2026 at 3:50pm

    

    Which is why reactionary recruitment is never a good strategy, Super. 

    Injuries are unlucky, but we chose to enter 2026 with an inadequate squad because we didn’t want to pay for talent... and now, we may over-pay average players the money that could’ve gone to that talent.

    2026 is over, by injury and our own design. There are no excuses because injuries are purely amplifying the issues that were already there.

    But, to yours & Coryn’s points, there is no point spending $$ and years on players if we don’t really want them. Whats available is not going to save our season. We have to take 2026 on the chin, because as a club we asked for it.

    In saying that, any one of Timoko, Xerri, Tualagi, Tago if available, walk into this side at its strongest 17. With Russell going, you could make a case to purchase 2 of the centres and Murray Tualagi.

    This season is over but lets hope we learn from it & evolve. Our unique approach to recruitment is unique for a very good reason, enough is enough.