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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But it's just not true. A player may be lead to believe it is true if the club culture is weak but no one says it's a blocked path except the media and the fans who gobble up the narrative.
They leave if they think the future of their career is in jeopardy but not because they are 3rd in line for a halves position. Rep halves mean it's even more likely they will play first grade.
What? What about Isaiya Katoa at Penrith? Saw his path blocked by Cleary, so went to the Dolphins.
Both Sanders and Talagi thought they were good enough to be playing week-to-week in the NRL, in the halves. At the time they departed that was not a legitimate option for them at Parramatta. It doesn't matter how good your club culture is, if you think you can play NRL and there is another club with a clear spot open, you'll go there.
Some players hold out for a year or two longer just to play for a good club, if they can get a 14 spot even longer if there is a chance of a comp.
But look at Penrith, Katoa was behind both Cleary and Luai and deciddd to test himself. Dont blame him. Even media said imagine if Katoa stayed a year or two longer he would be their 6. But Katoa left and they had to buy Talagi.
The best team in the last 6 years missed out on a 6 and had to buy one. It happens.
Katoa would of played many NRL games and won comps by now if he didn't leave.
Path wasn't blocked. If he had his time again he'd have stayed for sure.
Playing for who?
"Path wasn't blocked." Except for the existence of both Nathan Cleary and Jahrome Luai who were nailed on starters and Katoa was never displacing them.
"I would have loved to stay at Penrith, being a junior there, I love the club, love the area, love the people in the club... but at the same time I needed to strip it right back and look at what was going to be the best thing for my own career personally."
Katoa said that when he signed for the Dolphins. He saw staying at Penrith as hurting his long-term career because he'd be playing lower grades for the foreseeable future.
Cogger and Schneider both have rings.
And??? They are not great players. They are 'do a job' players. Cogger left to start, he failed now going back. Schneider now venturing out the same way.
Schneider is onto, what, his 5th club now? And he's off to the Dolphins thinking he'll get a crack at first grade.
Cogger has a ring and then immediately left to find a starting spot before realising he's not at that level.
Well as Super said, why would Katoa leave Penrith? Why would Iongi leave Penrith?
Penrith's culture is better than anyone's at the moment.
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