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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Pezet is currently on the market courtesy of his get out clause and don't forget he tore his ACL last year, which meant he wouldn't have been in a position to go to market in 2024 or early 2025.
Both Pezet & Fa'alogo have getout clauses if Hughes & Papy are resigned, blocking their path to first grade. Even if Dynasty's theory & assumptions are correct, players' perceptions differ in reality.
Katoa, Jonah Glover, Luke Metcalf, Sanders, Tallyn Da Silva, Talagi, Iongi, Hopgood...
You are right, being 3rd in depth is not blocked. However, it can be if 1st string is signed long term. Someone like Ryda Talagi has a clear sense of where he could end up. De Belin signed til 2027, Paulo 2026. He will replace one of them. But right now he is not close to playing NRL, he would understand that. Now if you sign Hopgood, Tuivaiti and another Prop til 2030, then you might see it shrink. Difference is each squad has 5-6 middles in their 17 so there are bench spots at least.
The club is very open with its young guys about trying to get them a spot in first grade if the club deems they're up to it. The club openly said that both Blaize and Ethan wanted to stay at Parra but felt it was best for their careers if they went to clubs that had a spot available for them in first grade.
You missed out on a few great 5/8 we've had. Jason Bell, Buettner, Daniel Mortimer just to name a few. The losses we had during their years had nothing to do with them personally, it was a team problem.
Great or good?
Pop. Jason Bell...Great.
Sterlo always rated jason.
To expand on that recall the 1st semi in '97, we led half-way thru and Jason broke his arm and without him the knights came back to win.
No one in the media even mentioned that loss of our 5/8...I couldn't believe it!
I always realised the the amount of emphasis on terrible luck that would have been written if Joey would have gone down instead.
Yeah Jason was great for us but the media couldn't say it.
If we could receive a miracle and get Burton and if Mitch is able to get more square and play into the line to add to his elite kicking and short side play.....we will further improve our semi final chances......Mitch still plays with a lot of self preservation , he needs to look at Cleary who digs into the line like no other halfback.....however chances of getting Burton is buckleys and none.....and chances for Mitch to take a hit is maybe the same hahaha
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