Squad succession

[Poupou Escobar]

Removed Paulo:

2016
Fullback: Gordon, Moss
W/C: Faraimo, Folau, Gutherson, Jennings, Radradra, Schulte, Toutai, Tuha
Half: Cornish, Foran, Kelly, Norman
Hooker: De Gois, King, Pritchard
Edge forward: Edwards, Gower, Ma'u, Moeroa, Scott, Tanginoa, Woods
Tight forward: Alvaro, Hasson, Mannah, O'Brien, Terepo, Ualesi, Watmough, Wicks
Utility: Fuimaono, Nelson, Takairangi

2017
Fullback: -
W/C: Folau, Gutherson, Jennings, Morgan, Radradra
Half: Foran
Hooker: Pritchard
Edge forward: Edwards, Gower, Ma'u, Moeroa, Scott
Tight forward: Alvaro, Mannah, Terepo, Twal, Watmough
Utility: French, Takairangi

2018
Fullback: -
W/C: Jennings, Radradra
Half: Foran
Hooker: Pritchard
Edge forward: Scott
Tight forward: Alvaro, Watmough
Utility: French

2019
Fullback: -
W/C: Jennings
Half: Foran
Hooker: -
Edge forward: -
Tight forward: -

So we officially have 35 merkins in this year's squad.

 

[Stagger eel]

I reckon it'll be 33 shortly

 

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

Watmough is still in the 35.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Gordon and Moss?

 

[Noise]

Would there be any other clubs that have most of their spine not contracted for next year? So far we have Foran and a backup in Pritchard...

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Watmough is still in the 35.

He's obviously gone, but there's been nothing official.

 

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

He's obviously gone, but there's been nothing official.

Oh yeh, I understand why he's still there. I was just point it out in terms of the 'count'.

 

[Stagger eel]

Gordon and Moss?

Yep

 

[Noise]

Our tight forwards are also light on for 2017. And Pou, you need to move Tepai to tight forward

 

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

Would there be any other clubs that have most of their spine not contracted for next year? So far we have Foran and a backup in Pritchard...

French is likely part of the plan at some stage in 2017 as well. And I'd assume Pritchard is intended to be the #1 hooker...but who knows?

EDIT: Or, tomorrow, with respect to French. See Team v Knights thread

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

And is Foz still allowed to f**k off if a board member sneezes?

 

[Djay]

All very interesting, if true about Gordon moving on then the article about French could make sense.

I can't help but think Hayne will be an Eel even sometime this year?

Or is that wishful thinking?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Our tight forwards are also light on for 2017. And Pou, you need to move Tepai to tight forward

If they can play on the edge I prefer to leave them listed as edge forwards. Just about every edge forward can also play effectively in the middle.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Yep

But adding Hastings?

 

[EelsFan05]

I reckon it'll be 33 shortly

Is this BA and Schubert telling players to go Stagger or are the players asking for releases? Or a bit of both?

 

[emjaycee]

Yep

Source?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Is this BA and Schubert telling players to go Stagger or are the players asking for releases? Or a bit of both?

For top 17 players off contract (e.g. Peats, Paulo, Gordon) it would be us telling them to take an opportunity if they can find it. For second tier players like Moss, they have probably been offered contracts for next year, with an option for (or even contingent on) immediate release.

And we will not be letting any players go unless we want to. A contract is a contract - both sides have to agree to break it.

 

[phantom eel]

So how is French debuting tonight, is listed in the "2017 squad", but is not listed in the "2016 squad"? This thread's getting sloppy :crazy:

Similary Twal is listed in the 2017 squad... but is not listed in the 2016 squad to "succession" forward from?

As for waiting for something official about Watmough's retirement... the Eels' own website has linked to an April article headlined "Parramatta Eels forward Anthony Watmough forced into premature retirement" on this part of their website: http://www.parraeels.com.au/info/eels-watch.html. The only thing uncertain about the retirement was how it would be paid for, not whether it was official.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

With French playing first grade it's clear he's back in the NRL squad, despite being removed from the NRL profiles months ago:

2016
Fullback: Gordon, Moss
W/C: Faraimo, Folau, Gutherson, Jennings, Radradra, Schulte, Toutai, Tuha
Half: Cornish, Foran, Kelly, Norman
Hooker: De Gois, King, Pritchard
Edge forward: Edwards, Gower, Ma'u, Moeroa, Scott, Tanginoa, Woods
Tight forward: Alvaro, Hasson, Mannah, O'Brien, Terepo, Ualesi, Wicks
Utility: French, Fuimaono, Nelson, Takairangi

2017
Fullback: -
W/C: Folau, Gutherson, Jennings, Morgan, Radradra
Half: Foran
Hooker: Pritchard
Edge forward: Edwards, Gower, Ma'u, Moeroa, Scott
Tight forward: Alvaro, Mannah, Terepo, Twal
Utility: French, Takairangi

2018
Fullback: -
W/C: Jennings, Radradra
Half: Foran
Hooker: Pritchard
Edge forward: Scott
Tight forward: Alvaro
Utility: French

2019
Fullback: -
W/C: Jennings
Half: Foran
Hooker: -
Edge forward: -
Tight forward: -

So we officially have 35 merkins in this year's squad. But expecting more changes in the coming week(s).

 

[phantom eel]

2017
Fullback: -
W/C: Folau, Gutherson, Jennings, Morgan, Radradra
Half: Foran
Hooker: Pritchard
Edge forward: Edwards, Gower, Ma'u, Moeroa, Scott
Tight forward: Alvaro, Mannah, Terepo, Twal
Utility: French, Takairangi

So that's 18 guys under contract next year, including 1 that is yet to play first grade (Twal), one that hasn't played first grade this year (Folau) and 1 currently on loan (Morgan).

We'll be carrying $500K of TPA guarantees in our cap, which basically puts us one quality player down. But there's still 7 tops 25 spots to fill, and then a smattering of other second tier squad players left to confirm.

We badly need 1 quality front rower/tight forward, maybe 2 if we can get them (to allow Twal some time to adjust/develop). Edge forwards/back row looks fine to me, three starters plus two benchies, with presumably some kids coming through as back-ups?

We'll need to resolve our five-eighth plroblem , in ligt of the current Norman situation. We'll also need a hooking option to supplement/provide cover for Pritchard.

Assuming French or Gutherson will play fullback, we have enough for a starting three-quarter line, but could do with a quality addition to make Folau or Morgan a back-up rather than starter.

So 2 front rowers (Wicks? + buy one?)
1 five eighth (?)
1 hooker (King? or buy one?)
2 backs (buy one starting quality? + another young/cheapie?)
1 backrower (young/cheapie?)
...all still to come, plus 5-10 second tier backups to round out the full time squad.