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.
I hope I am wrong LB because I am not a Pezet fan in fitting our side. That said I feel that Ryles has a very good insight into this kid and he may have him wrapped up already.
Of course I will change my view if we get him....LOL
PS The way we operate and the relationship with Ryles not giving anything away makes me think we would have no idea until it happens.
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.
good memory for a Camel herder CE.... well put old mate.
John Peard was a very underated player in terms of his revised memories of his time at Parra, wonderful player in the Easts 74/75 premierships and came to Parra and went within a "beesdick" of securing Parra's first premiership in 76. This period was a great one for Parra and gets clouded out by the 80's success. We should have won in 76 and 77 and they will be talking about another great Parramatta era.
I will always have fond memories of him.
Thanks Poppa but I'm the original Cumberland not Cumberland Eel.
sorry mate, ce is in his eighties, so you maybe young cumberland lol
I think we're only going into the market if a high quality, ready to go 5/8 hits the market. Otherwise we're looking internally. Joash steadily improved throughout the season despite the fact he trained and played NSW Cup at fullback. We also have Dean Hawkins who showed a steady hand and offers a second kicker when he plays at 6. You then also have to consider the development path of Lorenzo Talataina. You don't want to be recruiting a guy who blocks his path and we lose him like Talagi.
That's one of the issues I have with people demanding we spend huge money on a 5/8. What's going to be the reaction if we sign someone who then blocks Renzo's path and we lose a junior to another club?
The only thing is Super that this blocked pathway idea is mostly a fabrication by the media.
I argued and argued that Sanders and Blaize shouldn't leave because you never know what could happen.. well bang, now we don't have a 6 at all.
Storm have 4 starting halves and a first grade ready Fullback sitting in reserve grade and have done for 2 seasons. They sit patiently and wait for opportunities. I believe that Lorenzo will happily wait for Ryles to tell him he is ready for regular first grade. He could spend a whole year in the 14 jersey in 2027 before permanent first grade appointment.
Thats 2 seasons we have to find a 6 to partner Mitch, with Hawkins covering Mitch for NSW and injury.
It really makes sense we grab a gun young player like Jonah Pezet or Luke Metcalf. We have the cash available.
We'd be crazy not to. We aren't winning a comp with Dean and Joash in the halves.
You act like we just let Blaize and Sanders leave like we didn't want them.We wanted Blaize and he wanted to go to Penrith as who wouldn't to be fair. Sanders thought he could start at Canberra right away.
We should have extended them, like we are doing now with rookies, longer. But saying they shouldn't leave as we don't know what could happen, but not like we didn't want them. Had Blaize had a contract and not an option for 2025 we are sweet.
Though i do agree i am not sold on Joash at 6. I do not think Ryles is either, well not long term. Pezet is very realistic, Metcalf not much as he would be expensive.
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