Stars of the Future

Caught the Harold Matts and SG Ball matches today at Cabramatta. The Eels were playing Western Sydney Academy of Sport, which basically assembles players that didn't gain selection for Parra or Penrith and keeps them in the development system.As you would expect, the Eels were too strong in both, winning the Matts 46 to nil and Ball 66 to 4.Obviously there were some impressive moments (see Forty's coverage) but I thought I'd put forward some names to keep an eye on:* Wiiliam Kei is an impressive centre for the Ball team. He looks a class above all other players* Steve Dresler is a prop in the Ball team recruited from the Titans (part of their contract signature dramas). Possesses a good motor, size and skill* Tui Afualo is a centre in the Hurrell mould for the Ball team* Alex Seve is a talented 5/8 with good ball skills and support play* Travis Turnbull is only 17 but starring as the half for the Ball team. He could be one out of the box.If you've never caught a junior rep game, you'd be amazed at both the size and the talent of these young kids.

You need to be a member of 1Eyed Eel to add comments!

Join 1Eyed Eel

Votes: 0
Email me when people reply –

Replies

  • This year the Eels have around 6 boys in th Matts squad and decided that they would not send any Ball players into the Academy.

    They are running a senior talent squad of U17 and u18s to keep them under their own eye, something most people don't know is that as the Western Academy is sited at St Mary's, any Parra players have to transfer into the Penrith district and play basically under their control. Once the Matts is over, they transfer back into the Parramatta district jumior league, complicated and unnecessary

    The Academy play a Penrith style,of footy, and to be honest it is not the same as our players have become accustomed to ( forward dominated) having said that, the Academy will help develop players in the !Matts side that just missed out on selection

    In the Matts side, Scneider playing 9, was the standout, kicking goals from the sideline and setting up plays when guiding the team well, back,up hooker Sommerton also played well. Valance Harris was a constant menace on the edges too. The fullbacks on both sides were Parra players and looked very comfortable,JP Nohra in the Parra side was very good on his feet , both defended well

    The U15 talent squad played the Canberra u15 and won comfortably, 7 tries to 2
    • Appreciate your additional info Derek and good to chat to you today. Schneider did look good and his kicking was top shelf.
  • Thanks for the write up Sixties. What style of Player is Travis Turnbull mate?

    And thanks for your input to Derek, much appreciated. 

    • I don't know if I would pigeon hole him into a style. Like any good half, he mixes up his passing game with taking on the line himself. Probably blokes like Forty or Derek who have seen more of him play would be best to comment.
  • Thanks mate, I'm really interested in these grades. This is where our future lays.
  • The Eels dominance in both the junior rep competitions since they started is frightening. I've often thought that maybe it has caused more harm than good for our club. Maybe these young future stars think first grade will be as easy as junior reps and just coast through instead of them being hungry and needing to put 100% effort in. Maybe our kids think they will always be bigger and stronger as they are in junior reps. Maybe they get over hyped to early and it goes to there heads. Maybe even our junior selectors are picking the wrong kids, sure they pick the bigger stronger kids that will win the junior rep comps, but miss the smaller but smarter halfback that will one day either be picked up by another club or simply give up. I've seen it happen time and again, the small kid, with the footy brain gets left out for the big kid that can't direct his team but he can run over the oppisition.

    IMO even someone like Sterling would struggle to compete in today's Parramatta junior system. The size and strength of the other kids would make a young Sterlo look average and therefor he probably wouldn't make it at Parramatta today. Maybe the Eels need someone that can identify the thinking footballers and concentrate on developing there footy brain for the future.

    Put simply, NRL comps are usually won on the back of the footy brain whereas junior comps are usually won by the bigger stronger kids.

    It's always good to see the junior rep sides winning, but maybe, our club is missing the big picture.

    Good luck to our kids, I wish them all the best.
  • Who was the winger who got five or more tries?
    • William Kei, a centre we got from the Dogs I believe. From the few games I've seen of him he's powerful and has a nice left foot step.

  • Cheers sixties, Derek and Slip. Schneider seems like a decent player and can slot into half well. Kid from central coast and attends Hunter sports. Is Turnbull the player we scored from QLD? Red headed half? Very good player.
  • He was pretty much untouchable yesterday
This reply was deleted.

More stuff to read

Anguillidae replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion One of these 6 players will be an Eel
"Pure speculation. And really, it should be 'NO DEAL' until they come to the party with a player WE WANT + a compensation payment. Presumably, Moses has them over a barrel, so that should be the only acceptable outcome."
15 minutes ago
KENDOZA replied to LB's discussion Eels and Storm in last minute talks before courts
"Heard its 300k cap relief and 100k cash"
25 minutes ago
Longfin Eel replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion One of these 6 players will be an Eel
"Agreed. There is no way Ryles will want Lomax anywhere near the squad. He's finally got everyone buying in - doesn't need someone with an eye to his next contract elsweher."
51 minutes ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion One of these 6 players will be an Eel
"We were after Moale in the off season and he chose the Storm over us the irony if he were to end up with us after choosing the mentioned."
53 minutes ago
More…