Joseph Paulo. His performance against the Knights came as no surprise. I have seen enough of his 100+ first grade games to know he is not capable of stringing two consistent games together.
His retention for another 2-3 years is of more concern and leaves me dumbfounded with the negative domino effect is has on the entire squad. The first to fall was Kelpie Tanginoa the next in line in 2015 is Kenny Edwards, Manu Mau, Tepai Moeroa, Pauli Pauli or David Gower. Each week at least one of these players make way for Paulo's inclusion.
By all reports we are very close to signing Anthony Watmough and our young pack definitely needs an experienced hard head and again evident against the Knights we desperately need this. If Watmough signs another one of the above mentioned second rowers misses selection each week and even more money is running around in NSW Cup. None of these players are on second tier contracts.
The salary cap domino. Re-signing Paulo is just burning good money in a tight salary cap. With a full house of quality second rowers all ready on the books and making a play for another we are in desperate need of a strike centre. Ryan Morgan is not up to NRL standard. Full-stop. Beau Champion might fill the void or one of our young guns hopefully steps up. Nothing is guaranteed though.
One signing can have a huge impact on an entire squad for years to come even with a quality player. Who ever signs Daly Cherry-Evans are rolling the dice and will be parting with a huge percentage of their salary cap and having to shed players to accommodate. He might be the trump card in delivering premierships or he could do his knee in round 1 and you are left with a weakened team from the previous year and $1++ million sitting on the side line.
IMO Joseph Paulo's future at the Eels should have concluded in 2014. A no brainer.
As a side note. BA resigned Vai Toutai for 3 years and the first week Ken Sio is available he replaces him. Don't re-sign Vai, Don't re-sign Paulo, equals keep Sio. Is my math wrong?
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I imagine that Kelepi was let go to accommodate the upgrade of Tepai Moeroa, Manu Ma'u. And all of those players you've mentioned are all signed for next year, with 1 game to go Seffa isn't signed for 2015. Anthony Watmough plays lock despite wearing the #11 and David Gower is a much better prop than second-rower, he just doesn't have the explosive power of a Ken Edwards, Manu Ma'u, or Tepai Moeroa.
Anthony Watmough would be a great inclusion to our team, he would bring so much experience to our forward pack and even though many say that he is past it he's still making 100+ metres per game, 25+ tackles per game, and has been a constant in the NSW origin side for a while now.
Ken Sio isn't the great player that everyone makes him out to be, he would have been asking too much for what he's actually worth. Unless you have a Brett Morris, or Jason Nightingale wingers aren't really worth spending a lot of money for. Just on the re-signing of Vai Toutai, I reckon he's better than Justin Hunt who would be on a lot more than Vai.
I agree Vai is better than Justin Hunt but neither are NRL players in a top 8 side. So I would not have re-signed Vai and would be looking to off-load Hunt ASAP but unfortunately I can't see any interest in him from another club. Ken Sio might not be the greatest player as you mentioned but he was still a better option than a player the coach has rewarded with a new 3 year deal even if it was on less money. Bureta Faraimo would be on even less money than Vai and of equal ability. Vai another wasted signing towards the salary cap with the U20's players we have coming through better options.
Joseph Paulo rejects rivals to re-sign with the Parramatta Eels.
http://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/joseph-rejects-rivals-to-re-si...
Would of rather they offered the money to Kelepi than Seffa if he is resigned.
That's another problem altogether. How much influence does Jarryd have on recruitment, on team selections, on coaching appointments and on who gets re-signed etc.
This concerns me and should concern others.
"Joseph Paulo is set to knock back approaches" means that it isn't official.
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