Eels Blogs

Replies

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  Johno November 22, 2010 at 1:27pm

  Wasn't he with the Storm this year?
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  1Eyed Eel November 22, 2010 at 1:37pm

  Yes, but he's moved into the full-time squad this year. Played NYC last year, but they brought him up after Round 18 to start training with the older boys this year, according to the video.
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  Bourbon Man November 22, 2010 at 1:45pm

  What was it that he did that led to him being let go? I saw him play an Under 20's game two years ago against the Sharks and I thought he was the junior prop I'd ever seen!
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  Clive November 22, 2010 at 3:12pm

  Just another in a long line of good kids that end up playing well at other teams,our talent identification in the last decade has been awful to say the least.I agree he looked like a handy prospect bourbon man but i still think the Mannah brothers both looked better in NYC,but then again i thought Daniel Backo was going to be our next Australian rep quality prop a few years ago so i might be a terrible judge.
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  Bourbon Man November 22, 2010 at 3:22pm

  Yeah I never actually saw Tim Mannah playing in the Under 20's as he was injured on the odd occasion I got a chance to watch. John Mannah did impress me though.
  
  I only saw Mitch Johnson once and thought he was amazing! He dominated that game like Webcke and Petero dominated the NRL in their pomp. I was disappointed to see him let go, however, I vaguely recall hearing somewhere that he was released for disciplinary reasons. Always wondered what he'd done that was so bad as to not be persisted with...
  
  BTW, has anybody heard anything of Albert Kelly?? Perhaps SBBB might know but it seems as though the bloke has disappeared off the face of the Earth!
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  Dorki wizard November 22, 2010 at 3:43pm

  I'm not that convinced Phil, he's a bit of a loose cannon and has always had discipline problems...
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  Clive November 22, 2010 at 3:52pm

  Yeah Tim did have a few injuries in NYC but there were a few games that Tim and John both played and they completely steam rolled teams together.I was really shocked when John left and it surprises me that we didnt chase hard to get him back for 2011.I didnt see much of johnson but from what i did he did look the goods and as for Albert Kelly he has probably gone MIA,i have heard preseason training is not his go.
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  blueNgold November 22, 2010 at 8:05pm

  I was devo when Johnson was let go.
  
  Even though he was young, he showed all the major signs that he would be a star. Dominated his age group with size, strength, and skill. Also had that intimidating factor that we have lacked in the forwards for years and I was already predicting he would completely change the style of our forward pack in the years to come.
  
  From what I have gathered he didn't apply himself completely to training, had ego problems as well as anger issues, which then lead to issues with the coaching staff.
  
  He know longer believed he could progress at Parra and it was as much his decision to leave as it was the club to release him.
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  1Eyed Eel November 22, 2010 at 8:23pm

  I know Henry, but young kids often turn that around. I understand you have to set some benchmarks in terms of application and behaviour, etc but this is what Melbourne does so well - they'll take someone like Mitchell, put in place the disciplinary framework and he'll murder it.
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  DK Eel November 23, 2010 at 10:26am

  To add to the thread, i would have loved to have seen Parra chase Johnny Mannah back to us.
  
  I can recall both Johhny and Tim smashing the opposition in the Toyota Cup (and like Clive I was quite shocked when we let him go in the first place)
  
  Albert Kelly - the biggest issue Parra had with Albert, I believe, was disciplinary. From a source I have close to the lower grades, Albert would just disappear for a few weeks at a time, claiming he needed to go on "walkabout", then he would just turn up as if nothing had happened (not telling officials where he was or how long he was going to be gone for). While Albert is undoubtedly a talented player (especially in the Toyota Cup), his appearances for the Sharkies in the top grade have not exacctly set the world on fire (granted playing at fullback is not the best spot for Albert, but as "they" say, a good player can shine regardless).
  
  Not sure he was such a loss for us to be honest.
  
  Johnson .... on the other hand, does appear to be maturing as prop quite nicely ...
  
  
  but we do have a bit of depth for the forwards next year -
  
  Hindy, Smith, Horo, Webb, Mannah, Poore, O'Hanlon, The Shack, MK, Mitchell, Reni (when the ban lifts!) ...
  
  but time will tell there ....
  
  in the words of Joe Swanson for 2011 -
  

  

  BRING IT ON !!!