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?
I hope Joash nails six. He’s got the right attitude, Parra in his veins, passion, energy, solid defence, and a handy short kick. The running game isn’t there yet, but there's potential.
If we nab Pezet, I'd get it. Sure, he's probably a bonafide seven as Pops & Michael W say. But he's played plenty of six. Long-term he could succeed Moses, who’s missed a fair bit of footy lately and could fill in. An apprenticeship under Moses makes sense, especially since Moses said he wishes he’d had a senior half to learn from in his career.
Whatever happens, I hope Joash has a long-term future with us.
IMO Joash is a really fantastic back up Fullback who can do some damage in the 14 for now.
Plenty of good versatile options out there, let Joash develop in his natural position and let him play the game his way.
Jayden Campbell is the dream. It really sucks he is going to get squeezed out, They've really buggered it up in GC. That's a kid who has all the talent in the world and a perfect Titans story.
Well said on Joash. He is a Fullback.
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.
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