Eels Blogs

This team is being built with juniors, the way it used to be. With talent being blooded this year, the team showed it was not quite ready to leap into great things just yet, however tipping the toe into what it is like we did do. With the lack of signing news coming through and needs in the 17 and in depth let's see what young kids we have and who fits where, if anywhere at all.

Dylan Brown - Five-eighth - played 14 NRL games, got better every game he played, he is our 6 for the future, so much so Jaeman Salmon who was touted as the next boom NRL star before being named in a Parramatta squad with no mention of Brown until his debut in RD 1. He's a lock in the 17 and will be re-signed very soon.

Reed Mahoney - Hooker - Another lock and another overshadowed by a fellow player of the same position in the club, that being Kyle Schneider, Mahoney has always been my preffered option. Like Brown, Mahoney gets better each time he plays, he produces that tough, never give up mentality we've lacked for years. However, i would wish he would explore options and back himself more than what he did this year, his kicking game and running game were excellent when he showed it though not enough. Hopefully after a 26 game campaign and 35 NRL games under his belt his body will adapt allowing more consistent performances, with no risk of Schneider who i havent been impressed in, from the limited action ive seen of him, might need to see more before judging but so far not wowed by him.

Oregon Kaufusi - Prop/Lock - One the fell by the wayside during the year, moving from 18 year old debutant, to bench spot in Wenty. In the 8 games i saw of Kaufusi this year, including some NSW cup appearances, i liked what i saw. Looked bigger, stronger and more complete later in the year than earlier on. Perhaps he spent the year in Wenty to develop his body and get used to hits before taking up full time NRL. though was not named in the 21 at all in the last half of the year which can be worrying, however shouldn't give up on him yet. Could force his way into a bench spot or constant 21 squad player with a good pre-season.

Ray Stone - Lock - The fact BA picked Stone over Moeroa towards the end of the year speaks volumes, not saying Moeroa is a great player but he was a BA favourite due to his defence. You could say Stone is Moeroa's replacement, with added value of being a fill-in, worst case scenario hooker off the bench. Stone, only weighing 95kg, would benefit from a weight increase to possibly 98-100kg, though despite this Stone handled NRL fine, not looking out matched at all. Stone is a player who every week you know what you will get; a hard working, high motivated, aggresive Lock, always looking for hit-ups and tackles, though misses a few it is through trying too hard which is more forgivable oppose to not caring, which some players can be victims of over the years. I expect Stone to be a constant in the 21, even a smokey for a full-time bench spot, based on his strong defence and versitility to play Hooker. Only thing going against him is injury prone and size, hopefully can over come them, he's a typical 80's player needed in this line-up.

Maika Sivo - Wing - Nothing much to say really. Surprised us all, 22 tries in 25 games, needs to learn the game a bit more but when he does wow. Lock for wing spot next year with an extension to get done soon, he's going nowhere.

Stefano Utoikamanu - Prop - Only 19 years of age, played nearly a full year starting for Wenty, and seems to be between him and Kaufusi as to who will be our next boom prop. Honestly with stats i saw earlier on i liked what i saw, then watching him for Wenty i could say i was a little disappointed. Unless his body was starting to detearitate due to age and needs a bit of building up, but i found when on the field he wasnt searching for the ball much, instead focusing on defence, granted he did miss the first 9 games due to a MCL injury. Expect Utoikamanu to get a bench spot, worst case 21 squad spot, do not be surprised if he manages up to 10-15 NRL games next season. In the Stefano v Oregon discussion, i'd hold my decision until Stefano's debut.

Ethan Parry - Centre/Wing - Played 2 NRL games, and was 'meh' to say the least. Tried and wasn't afraid to put his body on the line, though he looked out of his depth in those games. Now there could be a few things to this, first he's a centre not a winger asking him to take high balls and reading defences a little differently and partnering with unfamiliar centre can cause a learning curve for players. Secondly, adapting to physical demands of NRL, he looked thin and not a bad thing but perhaps physically he wasnt ready. Third, and hope isnt the case, he just hasn't got it, from the Wenty games watched he didnt really dominate to demand a NRL spot, George Jennings showed more to snag a spot next year. Now in 2020, unless a serious injury, winger and centres will not get near a captain's run. And with limited depth in the wings and centres, with Jennings, Leleisiaou, Salmon and Dunster are the only options, expect Parramatta to sign a three quarter with some NRL experience for 2020. With Sivo set to miss RD 1 next year, it opens the door for a wing spot and Parry having 2 games under his belt is in competition with Jennings and Taka's as his only threat atm. It could go either way, could get a couple more games and be groomed as MJ replacement or never put on an Eels FG jersey again and fall by the wayside, none will surprise me. if i had to pick i suspect he gets at least a few more games perhaps in origin to prove his worth before the club decide his future.

Trey Mooney - Prop - Here's the first of the jersey flegg talent, Aus schoolboy and NSW rep, a big prop showing alot of potential. guarenteed to train with FG in pre-season, much like Stefano. Can't say much as havent watch him, however more props the better.

Kyle Schneider - Hooker - As mentioned earlier, i do not see the hype. Though i want to see more of him, i feel nothing jumped out to me as special unless im missing something. Anyway seemed to have missed the last half of he 2019 season through injury, which would have been disasterous, with definitely being in consideration for a Wenty spot with the raps he has in the club, he would've been trialled against the big boys. I do hope he works out, i am always a fan of two hooker in a 17, and if he works out he and Mahoney can form that partnership while competing non-stop. Expect Schneider to still be on their radar, however i do feel Schneider was there man as the 9 of the future with Mahoney as a stop gap possible 14. until this year and how Mahoney played, which could see Schneider debuting at parramatta but developing elsewhere. He'll train with FG again and would think start in jersey flegg until he's back to match fitness then trial him in NSW cup. I wouldn't put money on a debut, suggesting Parramatta want a fellow hooker with NRL experience as Mahoney's back up.

Greg Leleisiaou - Wing - Curious case, terrific runner, decent under the high ball, averages massive running meters, 22 years of age. 0 NRL games, and the word to describe that fact is why? he has the stats, the form, the build and yet cant get a go. From watching him his defence and readings arent much to be desired, and could be a part of the reason for not debuting however i feel if he has not debuted now his future is not as an Eel. Expect him to go to like a Warriors or Titans, struggling club looking for that diamond in the rough, he will make it to fg, it just wont be in Parramatta.

Andrew Davey - Second-row - Surprised the hell out of me, i chastized the signing at first. why put a 27 year old, never had an NRL contract, averages 70m running in 80mins in QLD cup? couldn't dominate in QLD cup how can he play FG. Then watch him and seemed that the fact he had NRL coaches actually coaching him this time around and a debut close he played well, looked different and stronger. Not sure on his contract situation, though a one year extension wouldn't hurt. Would have loved for him to have gotten a debut and a few games for depth as our back row stocks are very thin, however his age could be enough to give Eels staff confidence. This is his last chance, if he doesn't debut in 2020, i feel that's it. I predicted minimum 1 NRL game for Davey.

Now this is not gospel, if you disagree then that's great if you agree that's great also.

Mention anyone that i have forgotten and i will edit it further, but for now i feel those are the main ones, chose not to include Haze Dunster, Rhys Davies, Sione Fonua, Tui Afualo etc. as i do not feel they're looking at FG next year at all, Davies maybe however i dont feel the Eels will persevere, considering Smith and Salmon are at the club, though dont get me wrong i like Davies, a lot, just dont think he'll get a contract.

So who will be in the 17, who will fall by the way side?