Rumoured/Confirmed Signings and More Crap XVIII

[Pazza]

RS gave him his first grade debut, maybe BA doesn't rate him?

 

[Forty20]

Ualesi had a quieter 2014 than I expected. Injury played a significant role in the matter as Joseph found himself off the park a fair bit due to various knocks. He started the season strongly on the right edge with Sandow and Morgan but was later pushed into the middle before ending the season as an out and out prop. He has got above average ball skills for a middle forward (at least in my opinion) and a motor as good as any going around. Looking at the picture of him in the training squad he looks to finally be filling out which is crucial if he is going to make it as a middle forward.

He is in an odd position now. More experienced players like Wicks and Fa'aoso have joined the club on short term deals and would presumably be ahead of him while he has the likes of Josh Aloiai and Tui Kamikamica snapping on his heels. I think in some way he missed his window of opportunity. There were a number of spots up for grabs this year and in his absence Ma'u, Edwards, Pauli, Gower and Moeroa all stole a march. At the very least he will be a solid player for Wenty but it would be great to see him go to the next level and put pressure on the NRL squad.

Alvaro is a work rate prop, I would compare him to Aiden Tolman with the impact he has on a game. NSWRL, in conjunction with ProZone Statistics, released game stats from about Rd.13 onwards this year and Alvaro was regularly outputting over one hundred running metres and 30-40 tackles. There isn't anything flashy about his game but his effort is top notch. It remains to be seen whether that will be enough to elevate him to the next level but I can see him doing the job required for us if injury or other circumstance lands him a spot on the bench in first grade.

*Edit*

Ualesi has a pretty big motor and a handy offload. If he is able to get onto the paddock for Wenty in the NSW cup more often this year you just never know. I think in 2013 according to Forty he was our MVP in the 20's.

He was the best player at the club in 2013 based on weighted statistics drawn from the ever popular Super Coach. Hardly the most coveted award I know but on the adapted metrics he ended up comfortably ahead of Hayne.

 

[Obscene Assassin]

Having players like Fa'aoso, Watmough, and Wicks might just bring the best out in Ualesi, Pauli, and Terepo imo. They can teach them so much and these three guys are naturally big they just need that extra edge to make sure they're dominant over a long period of time. Going to be a big year in all 3 major grades for the Eels.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Ualesi hasn't missed his window (obviously he is still training full time) - he just needs to stick at it. He is only 22 next year, the same age as Junior Paulo. Ma'u didn't make his NRL debut until the year he turned 26 (this year) and Edwards made his debut last year in the same game as Ualesi, and he (Edwards) turned 24 last year.

Here's the ages our forwards turn in 2015 (entire current training squad):

32 Watmough
31 De Gois
31 Fa'aoso
30 Gower
30 McPherson
30 Wicks
27 Mannah
27 Ma'u
27 Nelson
26 Allgood
26 Edwards
26 Lussick
26 Mossop
26 Takairangi
25 Peats
24 Terepo
22 Alvaro
22 Paulo
22 Ualesi
21 Kamikamica
21 Newbigging
21 Pauli
21 Pritchard
20 Aloiai
20 Moeroa

So I doubt Ualesi will make the 30 man squad (if we go with only 30) but we might keep him on in some kind of over 20s development squad like we did this year. Otherwise it's up to him to find a NSW Cup club or another NRL club willing to pay him. If he keeps training fulltime (and playing NSW Cup) he will almost certainly end up good enough for an NRL club's top 30 or even better in a few years. Ma'u, Edwards and Nelson weren't ready for the NRL until this year and the three of them were in their mid 20s. They were all definitely up to the standard. But plenty of blokes who would become solid first graders give up long before they're ready, and for less than $80k a year can you blame them?

 

[Forty20]

I should have phrased it better, Poups. He certainly hasn't missed out on cracking the NRL but perhaps he might have at Parra. I am more than happy for him to fight his way to the top at the Eels if he believes he can make it.

 

[T.S Quint]

You kerbstomped a guy providing the community a service, doesnt seem fair at all.

He looked at me funny.

 

[Avenger]

The Lurker has been reading our forums but anyway:

Not Allgood?

I’m hearing tough prop Mitch Allgood could be on the move next season despite being under contract to the Eels.


Allgood was left behind when the Eels jetted out on their end-of-season trip to Seattle in the USA this week - a clear indication that he is on the outer.

His name has been mentioned to several clubs and with the likes of the Dragons and Storm needing props, he won’t have any trouble getting a start for 2015.

Strong and tough, Allgood isn’t the biggest prop in the game but plays with plenty of passion and will give value.


http://www.sportal.com.au/league/nr...umour-file---friday/lu4w8ilhnuqx1ehq8mwkarhrv

 

[Avenger]

PS

He should leave because his value will go down to Ben Roberts levels if he leaves after the 2015 season.

Probably the most overrated prop we have had since the Greek Pillow, Justin Tsoulos.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

, Allgood isn’t the biggest prop in the game

What a dick!! Does the lurker even watch footy? Allgood is bloody big, he is one of the bigger props in the game over 190cm and 110kg. Allgood has frame to be the best prop in the game!!

 

[Obscene Assassin]

George Burgess is 196cm and 120kg, Junior Paulo is 188cm and 120kg, Sam Kasiano is 190+cm and 130kg, Sam Burgess was around 195cm and 120kg. I'd say for a modern prop, Allgood is pretty average in terms of size.

 

[hineyrulz]

Allgood is a very solid back up, and very good defensively the main problem is he is on more money then what he is worth. A symptom of how we have done business since Hagan was coach.

 

[Hollywood Jesus]

I kerbstomped a guy WHILE running a drug operation.

 

[Rhyno]

Ferguson about to sign

 

[Poupou Escobar]

With whom?

 

[Obscene Assassin]

About to sign with the Roosters?

 

[I bleed blue & gold]

I saw Allgood the other day and he looks bigger than i have ever seen him. I don't rate him that highly, but i hope he has a big year. He is a nice bloke, but i don't know if his future is at Parra.

 

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

What a dick!! Does the lurker even watch footy? Allgood is bloody big, he is one of the bigger props in the game over 190cm and 110kg. Allgood has frame to be the best prop in the game!!

Surely it's a statement of fact. There are bigger props in the game.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Surely it's a statement of fact. There are bigger props in the game.

He is pretty bloody big, plenty are smaller then him and only a few bigger then 110kg

 

[The Colonel]

He plays small...

 

[Avenger]

Allgood has no leg drive. I know we always take the piss out of that term but it is important for a prop. He also has no mongrel. David Gower shits on him in everyway. Also with the signing of Wicks and Richy F the writing was on the wall.