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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Good points!
The one thing that was a concern for myself and a few here was defence. He is very capable in defence, he is not a liability. He has that sorted, now just needs to fix other areas of the game. Will Ryles just go down the route of having Papali'i and Talataina fight for the 6? Or will he buy say Pezet?
One thing you can guarentee about Papali'i is that whatever Ryles wants him to do he will make sure he does it. He looks like a sponge and high energy.
Parra have been chasing game changing five eights for many a year. In the70's they signed NSW rep Graham Lye, followed by Australian Rep Dennis Pittard from the premiership winning Rabbitohs both were underwhelming as Eels.
The Eels stocks began to rise with the signing of John Peard in 1976.
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