We exceeded expectations this year. We can do it again next year

To all those Parra supporters who reckon it's the bottom 4 for us next year:

YES

Hayne is an awesome player

Hayne won us games almost single-handedly

We most likely would have finished in the bottom 4 if Hayne wasn't with us

BUT

Now that he's gone, we have money to spend. We don't even know the full makeup of our squad yet.

If we can land at least one decent rep-level replacement, (eg B Stewart), we greatly minimise the loss of Hayne.

We played pretty well to beat the Dogs without Hayne

We got absolutely hammered in a few games where Hayne played.

Don't forget, we get Peatsy back. That's like a new signing. And the last time I checked, we still have Hoppa (who was doing ok until he bunged his shoulder in origin), Semi, Sandow, Junior, Pauli and a few other decent players.

We still have BA as our coach. Players he once worked with are flocking to play under him again. How long has it been since we could say that about our coach?

As other teams have shown, it is possible to do well without Hayne.

We must sign a rep player before next season. If not I see us in the bottom four sadly, none of the boys in the 20's proved they were ready for first grade. Justin Hunt has nothing and isn't even a look in for Hayne's replacement. We were lucky to win some games this year but we were unlucky in some loses as well. I think the ladt two rounds really showed where we are at. We still need some experience in the forwards which Watmough is perfect if we get him. I can't see Champion as being a huge hit for us and will be out injured or playing for Wenty. So I reckon if we get Watmough, a talented centre and a rep fullback then we will be a real threat. Robinson is a good signing and hopefully him and radradra will be wingers. Crooks from what I have seen is a good player as well but I can't see him being big enough for centre. We do have some good depth there but to be a threat thats what I believe we still need.

"The defensive issue is in the halves, Pezet was a turnstyle in that period and our defence misshapen, it was only after Haas went off that we regained any rythm.....Moses was also trying to be everywhere and ended up nowhere, clutching air a lot.…"

"JDB had the highest tackle efficiency of any Eels player at 95%. That's basically his job. Make the tackles in the middle in the opening 20 minutes."

Replies

Cranky Brad is here!!! October 18, 2014 at 3:28pm

We must sign a rep player before next season. If not I see us in the bottom four sadly, none of the boys in the 20's proved they were ready for first grade. Justin Hunt has nothing and isn't even a look in for Hayne's replacement. We were lucky to win some games this year but we were unlucky in some loses as well. I think the ladt two rounds really showed where we are at. We still need some experience in the forwards which Watmough is perfect if we get him. I can't see Champion as being a huge hit for us and will be out injured or playing for Wenty. So I reckon if we get Watmough, a talented centre and a rep fullback then we will be a real threat. Robinson is a good signing and hopefully him and radradra will be wingers. Crooks from what I have seen is a good player as well but I can't see him being big enough for centre. We do have some good depth there but to be a threat thats what I believe we still need.
slip October 18, 2014 at 3:33pm

BA had contacts at Manly. Bring it here!!! Watmough is coming, sign Stewart and DCE for 2016.
Eelation October 18, 2014 at 3:40pm

Watmough will be great for our pack. But, we need a rep back. Brett Stewart is my preference. Josh Hoffman a distant second.

We'll have a team that can compete for the 8 with two of the above.
Blue and Gold October 18, 2014 at 3:40pm

I agree. Our inexperience showed when it really mattered at the back end of the season. We'll learn from that.

Most importantly, with or without Hayne, we have got to learn to play 80 minute footy week in week out. It's a mental thing IMO.

B Stewart would be a bonus with Watmough in 2015.
Carloeel October 18, 2014 at 7:14pm

Totally agree wat comes first the chicken or the egg? Belief or results to create belief... Without hayne is there belief or the placebo of a hayne safety net that is needed ...
My Bob October 18, 2014 at 8:01pm

We need a forward leader, a hard nut who is competitive and has to win, que Anthony Watmough. We would love Foran, but if that can't happen then a blockbusting centre would be nice.
- Eeldarado > My Bob October 18, 2014 at 8:11pm
  
  Exactly MB
- macybrown > My Bob October 18, 2014 at 8:33pm
  
  You can say that again MB. We needed those with JH.
  
  Since it seems more than likely Hoppa is going to be at fullback.
  
  I don't know what his contractual status is with Storm but someone like Mahe Fonua would be what the dr ordered I reckon.
  
  I would also love to see Fabian Goodall get a chance to partner Semi.
SuperEel 22 October 18, 2014 at 8:05pm

The egg, chickens evolved from dinosaurs.
shane October 18, 2014 at 9:40pm

If we get Watmough and a experience back we will be competitive. If we resign Seffa and play the structure we played this year to accommondate him and no experienced signings we will get the dredded spoon.