glad to see my vote is already counting!!!! :lol: :lol:
anyway, i like all the names you have come up with in that group. I think a few people will want to put Hindmarsh in there, because he has been outstanding in his 7 or so games since returning, but the fact is that to rate fairly in this poll, you'd want a player to have featured in at least 75% of our games.
Jamie Lyon was solid every week, especially in defense, but wasn't handed nearly enough ball in attack for mine (not his fault necessarily). We expected plenty of him anyway as an Origin and International star. He do really well after missing most of last season however.
Daniel Wagon's form varied over the year but at times he definitely proved his worth as a defensive workhorse and committed Eel. I am glad he is sticking around for a few more years.
Matt Petersen has been a really solid find on the wing, but has dropped off his mid season try scoring feats somewhat. It's great to have someone with that sort of strength and ability to dive at the line and stay in touch with such skill.
John Morris lived up to the high expectations set for him in coming across from Newcastle. He covered hooker and 5/8 with plenty of determination and skill and if i am not incorrect, has been the only player to play every one of our games in 2003. Not bad for a new recruit.
Ash Graham and Michael Witt have done great things coming in to fill the void at fullback and half back due to injury and poor form. They both have plenty to work on but that is the beauty of being young so no dramas there. Witt in particular has done some brilliant stuff in his first year of 1st grade and the club looks to have big hopes for the future.
Shayne Dunley and Lee Hopkins were the real surprise packets for mine. Both were no frills, no name players from Manly and Penrith respectively and both were brought in possibly more for depth than anything else. Dunley has added a heap of spark from the bench into dummy half and in his tackling but has only played about half the games this season. I may have had him as my vote if he had been around for more games. I really hope the club is locking his signature away at some stage.
I personally voted for Hopkins because his work rate alone has proven that he needs to be an integral member of this Eels outfit for years to come. We all recall his display of sorrow in the early round match against the Storm after conceeding that penalty on fulltime and i think as fans we all knew that this was a bloke that we cannot afford to lose from our lineup. Plenty of passion and lots of skill too.
