Trial Takeaways - Eels Players

  • Iongi - I told you he was rated as the best fullback yet to make their NRL debut at the start of 2024. By the end of 2024, some people who watch a lot of NSW Cuo actually rated Iongi better than NRL fullbacks at other clubs. He is a pretty well rounded player. Great support play and showed his ball playing. 
  • R Penisni - I thought he was solid. At 20 years old, like his brother Will, he came through the juniors with great attack but a great defender which is very rare for a young centre. Was very physical and confident in defence why I love to see.
  • D Brown - he may have not been the main attraction on the highlight reels after the first try. But his balling playing in the middle in straightening the attack was brilliant as usual. Once his normal edge comes back of Will and JAC he will be more dangerous.
  • Volkman - as I said in the rookie report, he will be way to good in NSW Cup. His attack is amazing. But he has a lot of work to do on his defence. He is a small body and then he has poor defensive reads as well. Keeps his legs planted in defence as well which is a big no no against shape.
  • Guymer - bloke was leading the line speed and folding blokes. I really hope he gets a spot in the NRL side over Katauga (too ill-discipline espcially with Tuilagi on the other edge).
  • Tuilagi - bloody good ball and hole runner but needs to fix his errors still. Not trying to push offloads etc. Still fixing that discipline up.
  • Papalii - that great acceleration. Will be fighting for a 14 spot. But I recon Ryles will keep him in NSW Cup fullback spot to start the year.
  • Tuivita - I was really impressed with him. Some great runs and found his front. Good motor for someone his size as well.
  • Mataele - Nice atheltic forward. A season in cup and he will be even better. Just hope for no injuries this year.
  • Smith - Can see why he easily over took Lussick. Will be fighting for the 14 spot and 9 spot alll year. Could see him overtaking Hands by the end of the year.
  • Twiddle - Mini Teddy. Good passing and running game. 
  • Latu - The next backrower we need to groom. IMO. My prediction for break out player in cup. Runs and tackles hard.
  • Lynn - was actually impressed. He played his role well. But still a long way to go for him defensively. 
  • T Brown - Him, Tiwddle, Nanva will spend most of the year in Flegg. He is a big and atheltic boy. Player of the year in flegg. Will be pushing hard in a stacked nsw cup squad.

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  • I tell you what, if Simmo is not fit at round 1, I recon Richie would be playing round 1 if he was more match fit.

    • I was thinking the same. He was solid tonight.

    • This reply was deleted.
      • His defence was pretty good 9 tackles with 2 misses but shut them down a few times.

        Did his job in attack. Ran for just over 100mtrs with 2 tackle breaks and an offload.  Almost scored.

        Solid performance.

      • Apart from the early drop ball which was a bit of a risky one from Iongi, he impressed me. His defence was rock solid, they couldn't get around him on that left side.

      • He is a 20 year old centre who missed a whole year of footy because he did his ACL last pre season. If his defence was not impressive considering that context that you do not know what your talking about 

        • Ritchie also did not train fully until January.  He did really well considering, and will get better as he gets fitter.  We could see he was cramping up due to lack of fitness.  

        • This reply was deleted.
          • He has only played Flegg as his highest level. Played 4 mins in Cup.

            Coming back from ACL is hard on any player, but a 19 year old kid who has his first full exposure to NSW cup quality line-up?

            if he was expected to be a starter or main back-up ok I'd be concerned, but he doesn't have to be. He can spend the year in Cup no drama.

      • His first game in over a year and had only played 4mins in open age football before that.

    • Play Richie in the centres or the wing?

      • Wing. WIll and Lomax are the centres

This reply was deleted.

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