Eels Blogs

We need depth, that was our biggest need for 2024. So here we are all thinking that we have roughly 2-3 spots available to be active in the market. Then comes to light, our top 30 is full, to which i am thinking who is taking the final spots? Tevita Taumoepenu and Blaize Talagi have taken the final two spots in our top 30. Talagi i think is a bit early for a top 30, but i do think he can become a starting Centre in 2024, so i do not mind that spot. Taumoepenu however, good god what is going on there. I did mention early 2023 that Taumoepenu could be a longshot smokey for a debut if he continued his development and form. He had a good 2022, seen as a workhorse Prop. In 2023, he played 11 games, his last being . Now you could say he got injured that is why he played limited games, that is fair to say. Though before that he was averaging 15-20mins per game, including being 18th man in Round 3. If he cannot get big minutes in NSW Cup, how can he be on a top 30 deal? Dan Keir makes more sense from NSW Cup. It reminds me little of David Hollis signing. Although, at least Hollis was a promising Flegg 19 year old. Taumoepenu is not promising.

This is similar to Sam Loizou, sitting in top 30 for two years without a game. But he at least got a debut in 2021. Even worse, they have a contract that we have to honour. Unless a club comes for them. In the top 30 there are 5 who i think can be candidates to make way;

Ky Rodwell: 2022 looked to have moved up the pecking order as the main back-up, even over Makatoa. 2023 pre-season was favourite, alongside Ogden, for a bench spot as one of two middle forwards. He started the first pre-season game and botched it badly, allowing Makatoa and Greig to overtake him. Now, seems to be on the outer. I would not be too upset if we kept him as he has played 5 games so if desperate he can fill in on a bench at least. But he is better chance of moving onto say a Championship team in England to free up a spot. I understood signing him as he looked promising.

Zac Cini: Did not get a club debut in either 2022 or 2023, despite injuries. Round 1 had a good chance to start on a Wing for Simonsson but got an injury but played Round 1 in NSW Cup anyway. Clear indicator of BA's trust with naming Lumelume over him, made more sense giving him the top 30 deal. Asi would even be over him. Again, as a desperate option i don't hate him staying. But he is a realistic option of a team wanting him in England at least. So would be the best option for someone to go if we needed to sign someone. I do not blame us signing him to a deal in order to keep him happy, but the trust is not there from BA.

Jirah Momoisea: I actually do not mind him staying recently. As a middle, edge and Centre, he does add versatility at least. Hopefully a second season at the club could give him more confidence. He could get a club to take him, again England a good chance. Would not mind him going, but also don't mind him staying.

Toni Mataele: Well he was a disappointment. I do not blame us signing him as he showed promise, when at Newcastle he looked good and 2023 was going to be a break-out year, he struggled, especially with defence. Mataele even went back to Flegg to play as a Prop, indicating the club could be moving him to the middle. Since he is signed til 2025, the longest of the 5 listed, it would be harder to get rid of him. So hope and prey he can get better. Though with Tuilagi being an unexpected signing, i think that puts the nail in Mataele's coffin unless he has a great pre-season and there are injuries. But with Lane, Cartwrigth, Tuilagi, Matterson and Doorey all in the squad and the likes of Guymer and Brazel in development squad Mataele seems to have lost the trust of the staff.

Tevita Taumoepenu: Didn't even think he was still at the club. He should be gone, no disrespect to him personally just BA wont play him, if Cayless doesn't why should BA? He is getting older so ceiling is lowering quick, we have enough forwards also. Issue is he is on a top 30 deal with top 30 money, who else will give him that? We cannot just cut him as he has a contract, which overall is fair. It is not his fault he got the deal, this is all on the club. So with no takers, it is a top 30 spot wasted. A positive is Moretti can play round 1 on development deal at least.

We need to move on 2 at least then move forward with getting a Centre like Connor Tracey. Backline strengthens already, get rid of a forward and sign a back and our depth is better, much better. Plus no room for a Half of some sorts. It is concerning, especially with players BA will not play. Though kids like Tuivaiti who is on a development deal, i can see BA playing. Moretti will be first middle replacement that is better roster management. Now i am going to blame O'Neill for this one, expecting them to develop. Now not all GM's bat .500, not all deals can be perfect. Their recent moves have shown they are dropping the ball. Even TCT said last year our squad might not be good enough. Now we have two signings and a few more for lower grades signings, the statement stays firm and true.

So let's hope some magic can be worked, as i do believe if time can be reversed 4 of the 5 could be gone if they went back. 1-2 can be, though issue is to get a back we need to get rid of Matto? I think we can do it without giving him up depending on who you get. If we enter 2024 with no more new signings, It is a rebuild.