With the Eels possibly in the market for a quality five eighth I have been thinking about past #6 signings and the huge hopes us fans had . Adam Dykes came to the Eels with massive expectations. Unfortunately it didn't work. Another massive signing was Kieran Foran and for different reasons that didn't go well. I guess we could say the Jason Smith and Jim Dymock signings worked out successful, however, those signings were related to the ARL - Super League war. I have probably missed a few more horror five eighth signings. I guess the times have changed from when I was playing junior league. As a kid, players like Brett Kenny, Wally Lewis and Terry Lamb had most kids wanting to wear the #6. These days you rarely see the best juniors playing five eighth. Half-back, fullback and Hooker have become the glamour positions. From the early 80's and into the 90's your best attacking player was generally your five eighth. Now that player is usually at fullback. Today's five eighths aren't even your best ball players. These players are at half-back and if you have a second ball player he will be either hooker or lock.
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Carter Gordon is an interesting prospect. He has had a long term injury but is fit again. Can play 5/8 and centre, has pace, has a very long kick. Has a MO at the Titans. At the right price would be worth a risk. Could end up a very high quality signing.
Not a bad shout, Perpetual Motion.
Never really rated him as a 10 for Wallabies and haven't seen him at all for Titans due to injury.
Wouldn't buy him until he's actually played a few games.
How much of a difference is he though from a guy like Joash Papalii? We'd be paying more for another development player?
Good blog, Slippery. Some insightful thoughts.
Fans might see big-name signings as evidence we’re swinging big. But how often do we see people motivated primarily by money actually work out? Doubt Ryles or the club are losing sleep over it.
Astute R&R, pathways, and development seem the way forward, with opportunistic recruitment when it pops up. 2027 might be a chance for something a bit more luxurious.
Walker, Williams, Iongi, Kautoga, Papali’i, Samrani, TDS. Then we’ve got Smith and Tuivaiti coming through. Hopefully, more, soon.
PS: Six is still a key question mark. Some extra bite and punch in the middle wouldn’t hurt, along with strike at centre/backrow options.
I agree it is still a question mark and Papali'i is not a sure thing to be our 6 for 2026.
Agree, good blog Slippery.... I think we need a marquis player, that can do the job that Dyllan couldn't do when Moses was out.
My list is Burton, Ponga and Jaydon Campbell as my choices i.e. anyone of those 3 but realistically all unlikely.
That said I will go out on a limb and say Joash Pappy can potentially grow into the role and I believe will be a better 5/8 than Talagi. Whist Talagi has been nursed by the Cleary's he is not as dominant as Joash defensively, he missed a number of tackles against the dogs tonight and he is best as a support player and running a hole. His inside centre leaves him for dead. Imagine what Joash could offer with Casey McLean running off him. Thats the advantage that Blaize has, he has a machine all around him.
Interesting. In the days of Brett Kenny, five eighths supported the half backs as first receiver, and the halves played both sides of the field. This business of split field positioning for halves has meant that the fullback has become another five eighth. So where does that leave #6s? As we have seen, they essentially become another centre who can be another ball player. Steve Ella was doing that 40 years ago.
What's the future? Maybe back to halves playing both sides, and this becomes essential for Parra if we have a rookie five eighth.
Cleary plays both sides and Moses is learning to. You can still be the primary playmaker and have a 6 on your back. Whoever your primary playmaker is, you still need to understand that it throws the balance out with 2. Trindall is a good example with Cronulla, he still plays 5/8 but takes on the play making role and main kicker. Hynes play 7 both sides. They have worked out a good balance, my guess is one of the reasons the Sharks have had a great backend to the seaason.
Those 3 players I mentioned would play as traditional 5/8's, with Campbell having the ability to play 7 as well. Burton could play as playmaker from 6 if required.
What am I saying then? .....we can have a dominant player if Moses is out without him being a 7. i.e Hawkins could still play 7 and he be subordinate to a dominant 6...... Joash could not be expected to take that role in the beginning and given our structure Hawkins would need to fill the role as Moses replacement.
Here's a wild left field one, Lomax could possbly play 5/8 if he tempered his game somewhat. He has the balls skills and the footy IQ. Precedents would be Greg Inglis, Jack Wighton (don't like him) and a few other centres over the years that have made the switch. All comes back to balance.....LOL Lomax makes more hit ups than anyone else on the field!
Pops, I reckon Lomax also has potential to be a great edge backrower/ utility, late career. He's Payne Haas on the wing with extra skills. Huge hands. Strong as a mule. Hopefully, he stays long term. A bit to work on reading defence, but great player.
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