Parramatta Eels' salary cap doesn't fit, shelling out more than $750,000 for departed

[Joely01]

We won't if we re-sign Paulo and Sio.

We better not re-sign Paulo

 

[Joely01]

What you are talking about is balance and I totally agree. If Sio goes and we are able to snag a specialist and experienced goalkicking centre like Inu that is a better use of our cap.

I don't think that is good balance though.

We are letting go of a specialist winger, and keeping a guy we keep playing on the wing who is actually a centre. And are trying to sign a centre who can also play wing but isn't a specialist.

Next year if Sio leaves, we could only have 1 genuine first grade winger in Semi.

We seem to have quite a few who can play wing but are better centres than wingers. I would call that good balance

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Toutai and Goodall are both better wingers than centres.

Toutai has played over 20 NRL games for two different coaches. He only played centre once (under Stuart) - the other 20+ games have been on the wing.

However, Vai Toutai has played plenty of centre in the lower grades, including a couple of games this year in the NSW Cup. He played centre in the NYC in 2012 (the year he turned 19) and only last year (his final year of eligibility) did he shift to the wing (outside John Folau). Then he made his NRL debut on the wing.

Two coaches in a row have seen him as more of a winger than a centre, though it's safe to say he has potential at both positions. Obviously he also weaknesses at both but you have to admit he's improving, which is why the staff have persisted with him, including the long extension.

As for Sio, this time last year every merkin hated his guts. He's no world beater and has less potential than Toutai and Goodall.

 

[emjaycee]

Toutai and Goodall are both better wingers than centres.

Toutai has played over 20 NRL games for two different coaches. He only played centre once (under Stuart) - the other 20+ games have been on the wing.

However, Vai Toutai has played plenty of centre in the lower grades, including a couple of games this year in the NSW Cup. He played centre in the NYC in 2012 (the year he turned 19) and only last year (his final year of eligibility) did he shift to the wing (outside John Folau). Then he made his NRL debut on the wing.

Two coaches in a row have seen him as more of a winger than a centre, though it's safe to say he has potential at both positions. Obviously he also weaknesses at both but you have to admit he's improving, which is why the staff have persisted with him, including the long extension.

As for Sio, this time last year every merkin hated his guts. He's no world beater and has less potential than Toutai and Goodall.

He was only hated because he was shit under the high ball, bombed a couple of tries by dropping the ball with the line open and kept coming in off his wing giving his opposite number an easy run to the line...

 

[oldmancraigy]

He was only hated because he was shit under the high ball, bombed a couple of tries by dropping the ball with the line open and kept coming in off his wing giving his opposite number an easy run to the line...

Well, it's hard to blame just him for that?

The center inside him last year has a LONG history of being found in the middle third of the field defensively, instead of in his position. He's still doing it when he plays this season...
His winger can just stay out, but the try will be scored where the center isn't. So the winger rushes in, catch and pass and try.

Sio is a passable first grade winger - but nothing special, and I'd be fine with Inu playing wing ahead of him (or Goodall next year). If Sio wants more money than the coaching staff are offering him, buh-bye.

 

[Joely01]

Toutai and Goodall are both better wingers than centres.

Toutai has played over 20 NRL games for two different coaches. He only played centre once (under Stuart) - the other 20+ games have been on the wing.

However, Vai Toutai has played plenty of centre in the lower grades, including a couple of games this year in the NSW Cup. He played centre in the NYC in 2012 (the year he turned 19) and only last year (his final year of eligibility) did he shift to the wing (outside John Folau). Then he made his NRL debut on the wing.

Two coaches in a row have seen him as more of a winger than a centre, though it's safe to say he has potential at both positions. Obviously he also weaknesses at both but you have to admit he's improving, which is why the staff have persisted with him, including the long extension.

As for Sio, this time last year every merkin hated his guts. He's no world beater and has less potential than Toutai and Goodall.

I've never hated Sio, always have rated him as a player.

If Vai is a better winger then centre that will just about do it for me. I don't think it shows he is more a winger more so of the lack of genuine winger talent at the club

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I like Sio but couldnt hunt provide the same finishing ability on the wing?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Hunt is too small for the wing. He's Luke Burt without the kicking game.

 

[eel01s]

If Hunt is too small for the wing, and no good at fullback, then why did Sticky sign him to 2016?

 

[EelsFan05]

If Hunt is too small for the wing, and no good at fullback, then why did Sticky sign him to 2016?

Because he is a moron.

 

[Avenger]

If Hunt is too small for the wing, and no good at fullback, then why did Sticky sign him to 2016?

Because he is a moron.

:lol::lol:

 

[eel01s]

Agreed, I am just wondering at Sticky's thought process. Was it just a matter of getting someone, anyone, to replace the powerpoint 12?

Did anyone really think Hunt was a regular 1st grader?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

If Hunt is too small for the wing, and no good at fullback, then why did Sticky sign him to 2016?

He's good enough as a backup fullback, which is where he sits in our roster. He played fullback for Souths a couple of times for a win and a loss. In that loss he had 100 metres, five tackle breaks, only one error, six tackles and one missed. In the win he had 120m, a linebreak, TA and 2 errors.

His only shit game at fullback was for us with an injured back. You shouldn't judge him on one game.

 

[oldmancraigy]

Hunt can't have cost much. He was worth a shot.

Worst case is that he is a MASSIVE UPGRADE over Mullaney.
We're not signing him to play first grade for us.... and he only played that game because we were missing a few other troops at the time.

I imagine most of us would prefer a big, strong utility back who is not in the top 17, but can cover various backline positions. Unfortunately we don't have one - and to buy one always costs a packet, because those blokes are filling that particular role at their current club, and are looking to get a starting gig (and pay packet) elsewhere.
So you take a stab on someone like Hunt. Unfortunately he's totally crap. But oh well? Perhaps next year we can throw Nathan Davis out there as the 'fill in' when Hayne is unavailable.

We'll eventually finish clearing out the deadwood of 1 dimensional blokes who aren't quite first grade standard.

 

[Joely01]

Agreed, I am just wondering at Sticky's thought process. Was it just a matter of getting someone, anyone, to replace the powerpoint 12?

Did anyone really think Hunt was a regular 1st grader?

Hunt is a very good back-up player. That game against Penrith he will never have one like it again.
He has genuine speed, and is a very good support player.

He also hasn't had a great run this year with injuries, starting during preseason.

 

[Jake the snake]

Hunt is a very good back-up player. That game against Penrith he will never have one like it again.
He has genuine speed, and is a very good support player.

He also hasn't had a great run this year with injuries, starting during preseason.

Souths supporters didn't rate him!

 

[Joely01]

Souths supporters didn't rate him!

And you will listen to them?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Souths supporters didn't rate him!

Of course they didn't - he's a backup. Nobody wants their backup players in first grade because it means your first stringer is unavailable.

 

[84 Baby]

And you will listen to them?

Too easy :lol::lol::sarcasm:

 

[Freak2]

I think the story probably has some legs but is also fabricated to sell.

In saying this I think we are in a reasonable position to get back on track with Salary Cap restraint. There is only 2 real ways to get out of this pressure.
1. Recruit well. (which I think we did this year with Peats and Mossip)
2. Develop and promote. - Again our 20's are doing exceptionally well, as our players like Junior, Pauli, Semi. etc etc.

In all I think we are much better shape than a lot of other clubs ATM.