The probability for this season is that either the "WTF is a salary cap" Rorters or Melbourne Mexicans (also known to wear a sombrero) will take out the comp. Souths could be in with a chance but Inglis is a big loss.
It also seems certain that The Eels roster is going to have quite a few changes for 2020 & beyond, especially in light of the end of our association with Wenty.
So, if The Eels are truly embracing the development club idea (and that doesn't mean just our own juniors), why not use the section of the season from the round prior to the first State of Origin game until seasons end to think outside the box.
We could give certain players an opportunity to debut or have greater game time at NRL or Canterbury Cup level & start assessing which players should be kept in our roster.
By the time off-contract players are on the market we should have decided which players to target that play in positions that we have identified we need strengthening in.
Round 12, Eels V Rabbits (they might be a bit more toothless without Cook for State of Origin)
S.O.O. 1
Round 13, Eels V Sharks
Round 14, Eels V Broncos
S.O.O. 2
Round 15, Eels V Raiders
Round 16, Bye
S.O.O. 3
OFF CONTRACT 2019
Parramatta Eels;
Daniel Alvaro*, Andrew Davey*, Bevan French*, Clinton Gutherson*, Josh Hoffman*, George Jennings, Michael Jennings*, Greg Leleisiuao*, Manu Ma'u*, Tim Mannah*, Matt McIlwrick*, Tepai Moeroa,
Mitchell Moses, Marata Niukore, Kaysa Pritchard*, Ray Stone, Brad Takairangi*, Peni Terepo, Stefano Utoikamanu
* Players that may not be re-signed or that we might be able to get an upgrade on. By this I mean The Eels need to make some harsh judgement calls on which players potentially have a "higher ceiling". I would add Kane Evans to the list to be moved on if we can do so without paying too much freight. Also, we should see if Gower will retire earlier & sort the Pritchard situation before season's end if possible.
?? Gutherson (Carlo, you were warned FFS!!!) ??
OFF CONTRACT 2019
Front Row/Middle ; Joe Ofahengaue, Tevita Pangai Junior, Toafofoa Sipley, Christian Welch, Tevita Tatola, Josh Kerr, Josh Aloiai.
Hooker; Reece Robson, Jacob Liddle.
NRL EXPERIMENTAL (THROUGH S.O.O. & TO END OF 2019)
1. Blake Ferguson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Jaeman Salmon (Ethan Parry available June 30?) 4. Marata Niukore 5. George Jennings
6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses
8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo
11. Shaun Lane 12. Nathan Brown 13. Tepai Moeroa
14. Ray Stone 15. Peni Terepo
16. Stefano Utoikamanu 17. Salesi Fainga'a
CANTERBURY CUP
2. Haze Dunster 4. Noel Aukafolau
6. Joseph Taipari 9. Kyle Schneider
It could be worth a look at Salmon (who trained there in the off-season) & Nuikore (who played the position in U20's) in the centres.
Also, Fergo, Maika & Parry could all be given a go at fullback.
Nathan Brown might be more effective on the edge.
Junior needs more agile front rowers with him in defence.
I would like to see Ray Stone start the game at 9 for around 20 minutes. Why not work our way into the game with territorial kicking & heavy defence (we still seem to be slow starters) & then have Mahoney fresher for attack instead of becoming a tackle-bot.
Captaincy options;
Shaun Lane (he might just command some respect, looking down on the ref), Fergo or Nathan Brown (could take him to another level).
Coaching options (if BA is not re-signed);
Geoff Toovey (a hard-headed borderline psycho).
Justin Holbrook (fresh ideas? perhaps more relatable to younger players)
Mick Potter (never really stood a chance at the Tigers & is already working
with the next generation in our system).
Signed,
Eric The 7" Eel (develop-mental-ly challenged).
Replies
So because you feel only 2 clubs are chance to win comp you want eels to not play there best squad but plan for next year.
As a professional team I'm pretty sure we should put our best team on the park and get experience for the players. That includes playing with experienced players like Jennings who you don't have in the team. I see you have also written off gutho despite his contract up in the air.
There are still top 4 and top 8 spots up for grabs and couple injuries or suspensions can open the door for any club to win the premiership. We don't have to be the best team week in week out, just for couple games in a row during the finals and as seen previously the best team doesn't always win the comp. Imagine Newcastle had that thought process in 2001, when Parra were miles in front of all other teams and just planned for the future.
Sometimes the stupidity of blogs on here makes me wonder what has come of the world.
The idea of trying out a few variations in the squad was for some players in some games & will most likely happen anyway with injuries & other factors. The suggestion of the Origin period allows an opportunity for a new face to experience NRL with a little less pressure against a team without their origin players. Also, by the time S.O.O. series begins The Eels will have come through a run of pretty tough games, so not only will we have a better idea of where we really rank in the Comp, there is the chance to freshen up a few of the players with some reduced game time (think Lane & Mahoney-this is their first season as 80m players) or even rest someone who has been battling with a minor injury.
The several ???? around Gutho's name are there for a reason. M.Jennings may not be offered a new contract or may baulk at a greatly reduced offer. Alternatives have to be explored & realistically, all teams would be looking into how to strengthen their roster well before the season ends. Most long-suffering Eels fans would be hoping that the Club are not only planning for next year but for many seasons in the future.
You think The Eels should only ever aim for top 4 or top 8? What's the problem with aiming higher? You think we can rely on every team to fall over for The Eels to do a Bradbury?
The improvement in the team's play from last season obviously stems from changes made to the roster. New signings, Junior, Fergo & Shaun Lane. Giving Dylan Brown & Maika Sivo an opportunity & promoting Marata to a starting position & the show of confidence in Reed Mahoney to handle 80 minutes game time have all had a positive effect. So we've improved & we just don't bother to try and go to another level? What's to be lost, if, for example, we give Salmon a few games at centre & he performs at a higher standard than the off-contract Takairangi?
The post was meant to throw around a few ideas in light of the Club's statement about becoming a "development club". What has "become" of the world is arrogant kent's who think it's only their right to have a say. It's called freedom of speech.
As for stupidity, Fake Midget probably means that in reality you are a Mental-midget. Go f**k yourself.