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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How do you know that O'Neill had anything to do with Brown's options, actually worked well if he did. Which course/path would you like to follow little Wizzie. You can lose both ways, but you have shown recently that is not uncommon for you!
I'd have let him leave. I don't think I could've made myself any clearer over the last few seasons.
Maybe you've missed my posts on my thoughts .
SuperEel 22 I don't believe DB ever wanted or even planned to leave notwithstanding the option. The killer blow was the offer just to good to believe and he virtually had to accept it.
Where this worked so well for us is we did not get lumbered with Blaize and Dyllan had burnt out, could not have worked out better. Nothing special about what Blaize is doing at Penrith other than being an example of how to develop a player in an environment of no better alternatives.
Question if people on here had a choice of two of the following 3 players, who would you choose, Blaize, Casey McLean or Joash....... I would take Casey and Joash with daylight to third.
SuperEel 22 I don't believe DB ever wanted or even planned to leave notwithstanding the option
Brilliant observation, it's almost like he'd have been happy to stay as long as he could get the same money lol. Genius in our ranks ladies and gents .
Yeah it's a shame, the timing of DB's decision to leave could have come much earlier so we could have retained Blaze. The other missed opportunity was Galvin. Either of those two young kid would have given us the best young spine in the comp for many years to come.
Lets hope Papalii surprises us all and kills it in the off season. He could be our version if Ezra Mam, if he improves his defence, bulks up a little and learn to take the line on more.
Bring back Corey Norman 😂
I heard some interesting comments from Matty Johns regarding five eighth play that might help Papali'i. His comments were about Darren Lockyer and how he struggled when he first moved from fullback to five eighth. He was saying that Lockyer was playing too fast when he first moved. After a while he changed his game by slowing down his play. Fullbacks generally play fast looking for space, whereas five eighths do better slowing down and making defenders commit to them so it provides space for their attacking support players. The really good ball players have the ability to play slow yet they appear to have all the time in the world. Im not sure I've seen enough of young Papali'i to know if he has this in his game at this stage. The young half-back at the Dolphins is the best example in the game now of playing slow and fast when needed.
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.
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