More Heads Should Role:
Most of us agree that BA is only part of the problem at the club. For me, the Recuritment comitee is more responsible than BA for our regular season fadeouts and poor performances. Which idiot put so many player options into contracts which completely effects our rostster management planning and salary cap. Players either perform shit and take their PO or perform good and demand more money/leave the club. Statistics show we are the worse club in this area.
BA has done good when our roster is at full strength as he took us to a GF but the past couple seasons we have had injuries and suspensions which have been not helpful. It has exposed the club roster management and coaching of BA. Obviosuly it shows that Moses and Gutho hide the flaws off the poor systems and gameplans put in place by the club. However, it has showed the poor recuirtment at the club. When is the last time we have had quality depth in our spine? We still have not done anything to address it.
- You need to find a journey man halfback as your depth every year. Exactly what Panthers have done during their success with SoS, Cogger and Scheider. Keep DB at 5/8 whenver Moses is out. Yes, give him more control but still have your halfback to kick and organise the them.
- We are now in a very concerning spot with our hooker. Lussick and Hands are only meant to be placeholders for MA. But he could well and truley leave with BA.
- Is Asi sufficient as a back up 5/8 to DB?
- Talagi and Gutho for fullback next year plus Lomax is sufficient.
Now lets look at our outside backs. When was the last time we had quality outside backs and depth at the same time? It was a massive problem last year and we only signed Morgan Harper. Next year we probably need a quality winger till Martyn and Richie, Alamadine, AMS are ready for FG.
How much money have we invested into our forward pack. RCG and Paulo are on so much money. No doubt they are good but not for the money they are on.
Change in Captain:
I think there is a real possibility of a change of leadership with Gutho's time coming to an end. Paulo has shown no leadership and is one of the players some want on the chopping block. Personally I would love to see Hopgood become the captain of the club. 100% effort and never gives up. Next year I would co-captain him with Gutho (with Gutho leaving end of 2025) and than make him the sole captain in 2026. I would make Moses the vice-captain as long as he has calmed down his approach towards refs.
Change in Roster:
A change of roster is urgently needed. However, lots of players play good under different coaches. For this purpose I will be going of the fact we do not release anyone. Cuurent top 30 next year:
* OWN ADDITIONS
Outside Backs:
- Gutherson
- Sivo
- Russel
- Penisni
- Lomax
- Simmonson
- Talagi
- Tago
- Pacey Winger (Armstrong)
Halves:
- Moses
- Brown
- Asi
- Sezer (Or another journey man halfback)
Hooker:
- Hands
- Lussick
- MA (Sign a top hooker if he leaves the club)
Locks:
- Matterson
- Hopgood
Edge:
- Cartight
- Tualagi
- Doorey
- Lane
- Guymer
Middles:
- Ofahengaue
- Paulo
- RCG
- Mataele
- Grieg
- Moretti
- Tuivitia
Off Contract: Cini, Ogden, Harper, Makatoa, Asi, Simonson, Talagi (PO), Dunster (MO)
So we have a total of 22 players on contract for next year. From the off-contract players:
- goodbye to Cini, Makatoa and Dunster for sure.
- The club are probably 50/50 on Ogden and Harper as depth. Personally, I would be allowing Ogden to walk as we have enough depth and junior props coming through. I would also let Harper walk and give Tago a go instead.
- Simonson, Asi and Talagi I would be keeping.
- I wouldbe giving MA a spot in the top 30. He does have a couple years on his contract.
- We need a journey man halfback. Sezer will be an option I would be looking at. Sullivan, Galvin, Luai and Fainu at the tigers so Sezer not really a chance. I think Gutho is a genuine option at 5/8 next year if Brown is unavailable.
- Guymer deserves a top 30 spot with his development in cup going great.
- Find a pacey winger as I said before till our potential high ceiling juniors develop. Armstrong is a genuiene option.
- Based on this year, I would be trying to offload Sivo and Lane as they are on good money but seriously under performing. I would also be trying to offload one of RCG and Paulo as they are on way too much money. We could get a good forward on half their money and invest money else where.
Development Deals for next year: Ethyn Martin, Richie Penisni
Those two are my definites. Other potential candidates are AMS, Saxson Pryke, Brock Parker, Mohammad Alamadine, Josh Lynn, Jock Brazel, Will Latu. Could even look at some SG ball players from this year.
Replies
Trying to poach someone like Cobbo to play fullback and a good number 9. Release the likes of Paulo, gutho, Lane (maybe matto) and sivo.
Bringing in few younger forwards who aren't getting regular opportunities at other clubs. Bringing in a couple of backs who are young and hungry.
Keepers in backs
Penisini, Russell, simmo only on small coin, blaize and hopefully recruiting alot better and having a couple of these as backup.
Forwards
Ofahengaue, rcg, moretti, Ogden, greig, hopegood, Cartwright and same thing having some as backup and recruiting young guys destroying it for other teams but not many opportunities.
Back up half
Clifford, Lachlan Lam, Jack sinfield or sign a young half from another club. Moses or brown get a few injuries so they will get game time.
To get a hooker we might have to do a trade for one of the players at the top. Same with a good fullback or back.
1. Cobbo/Blaize
2. Simmo/Top tier winger
3. Penisini
4. Lomax
5. Blaize/Russell
The forwards you would have to see who you get to where they fit. Cobbo you might get with big dollars and promising fullback but also just a example. But we moved them on above and plus the other back ups we will have alot of money to trade with.
Yeah nice post mate.
I'd definitely be offloading sivo, lane, matto, maybe Paulo, Lussick can play nsw cup if not let him go too. Dunster, Ogden, maka, cini, Lume lume (not in top 30) Toni Matele can all leave.
I think Murphy also has to go he has been here for around m10 years also and I'm dreading this time under barrett a proven failure.
I think players need to see some time with different game plans (some would say with a game plan) but I would definitely bring in hands over lussick and lane should be getting a spell in reserves. There needs to be accountability and a new standard set from now across all levels and all areas. If the board is for real they are about winning premierships this has to start from now, make the tough calls in everything we do
Nice post, always appreciate your input
Bennett to sign with eels in 48hrs
True , plus it will be up to the new coach to decide who stays and goes.
Yep as I said in the blog we have to wait for the new coach and to see if players play better under the new coach. Hence why I did my top 30 for next year with without anyone being released early.
yea that is an issue Coryn. We will have to pay so much of their salary if we offload them. Paulo till 2026 is a worry if a new coach can't get the best out of him.
We're all talking about season 2025 which is fair enough. But I'd love to see Barrett change this side in a significant way. This week put the 7 on Sanders back for starters. Drop Sivo to NSW Cup, bring in a few NSW Cup forwards to replace underperforming FG boys who have never looked like being dropped by BA. Definitely play Hands and bench Lussick. There's a whole bunch of changes that need to happen. I hope Barrett has the balls to make a statement.
Likewise Mutt, would also love to see Barrett encourage them to play a little more freely, take more risks.
The Eels with nothing to lose are a far more dangerous side. We saw that round 26 against the Panthers last season.
They have looked exhausted for a long time now, like they haven't enjoyed it, hopefully this ignites that fresh energy we so often see with coaching changes.
Let's hope he changes the whole menu and goes rogue lol
Punt Sivo. Target Selwyb Cobbo who can cover and excel in so many backline positions and has speed to burn. Lussick goes or is back up only. If Bennett comes bring Bostock with him please.