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Rumours and Stuff

amitropo

Juniors
Messages
585
Ray stone hits in defense but what else does he have? Too small and not talented enough to be anything other than a fringe first grader. As for opacic he’s one average player. May read the defense well but has zero attack.
Could Ennis be coming for stone and younger 9’s not Mahoney?
 

Noise

Coach
Messages
17,322
Ray stone hits in defense but what else does he have? Too small and not talented enough to be anything other than a fringe first grader. As for opacic he’s one average player. May read the defense well but has zero attack.
Yep. Ray Stone is no dummy half no matter how many times BA tries. He does not have the passing skills required of a first grade 9. See the final 15 minutes of our semi vs Penrith as exhibit A.
 

Incorrect

Coach
Messages
11,828
So is Crease-face Crawley talking out his ass as usual or is there something to the inference that the relationship between Rheed and the coach has been or is "strained"??
 

eels_fan

First Grade
Messages
6,925
So is Crease-face Crawley talking out his ass as usual or is there something to the inference that the relationship between Rheed and the coach has been or is "strained"??
I think he's referring to the fact the relationship is now strained as he's advised us he's leaving, and the club were very confident or lead to believe he would be staying.
 

hybrideel

Bench
Messages
4,086
Yep. Ray Stone is no dummy half no matter how many times BA tries. He does not have the passing skills required of a first grade 9. See the final 15 minutes of our semi vs Penrith as exhibit A.
I think that unless we get another hooker then Stone will start the game and the job will just be to distribute and tackle, but we will need a bench hooker to sub him out.
That last 15 minutes could be put down as much to exhaustion than anything else. Not making him play longer minutes would help.
I would not go this way personally, however history suggests there is a good chance that BA will. The risk other than his lack of number 9 skills is his ability to stay on the field. There is talk about Mahoney not being worth the money because of 2 injuries but Stone hasn't been able to string a dozen games together yet
 

Gronk

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
74,109
So is Crease-face Crawley talking out his ass as usual or is there something to the inference that the relationship between Rheed and the coach has been or is "strained"??
Crawley just joins the dots and comes up with "theories".
 

Joshuatheeel

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
19,625
So is Crease-face Crawley talking out his ass as usual or is there something to the inference that the relationship between Rheed and the coach has been or is "strained"??
There was a mention in one of the signings articles yesterday suggesting this, but related to him signing with the dogs not anything before
 
Messages
17,239
I have a feeling that with Arthurs style of game and having Moses as the dominant playmaker, the Eels just don't value the hooking role all that highly. They don't care too much about creativity in that position, more just a defensive line leader who can throw a long ball. If there is any dummy half running to be done, it's usually Gutho anyway. Due to that they have a limit on the amount they are willing to pay for the hooker position and Mahoney's offer from the dogs was way over it.
I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't fil the spot and went with Stone along with Rein or one of the young guys we picked up.
And on the subject of loyalty, if I remember correctly, before getting his last contract, Reed was on a train and trial for a while with us. He wasn't even signed to the fulltime squad until a couple of weeks before the season started when we had no other hooking options. We haven't exactly shown him the love
If BA had intentionally told Mahoney not to run then that would do me. We will soon see. If Mahoney develops a running game he would be dynamite.
 
Messages
17,239
Very good post. I think people are forgetting how effective Mitch Rein is and how tough he can be. He is a very astute signing and will do a job for us in 2022 seeing that Mahoney is still recovering from major shoulder surgery. I watched some recent videos with him at the Titans and he was impressive and even at age 31 probably still quicker than Mahoney at dummy half.

People like to put shit on Ray Stone but he is probably one of my favourite players at Parra. Tough, hits hard in defence with good pace/step for a forward. I still remember the try he scored when he stood up the fullback at Bankwest Stadium to score under the posts.

I’m tipping him for a breakout season next year where he will show why he was a former rep player at schoolboy level.

Also don’t underestimate Curtis Scott if he gets a chance to reignite his career. You don’t get $700k contracts if you can’t play. He will make that Slovenian merkin look second rate especially in attack.
Stone is an awesome player. Just not at number 9. Sorry he can’t pass, bout suited and we saw what happened against Penrith in the final. If we had Mahoney we beat them. It’s crucial we get a specialist hooker.
 

Incorrect

Coach
Messages
11,828
Wow, Robson is the one to get, didn’t think he would be available. He was highly rated as a junior.

and already goes ok in a shit structure
Yep, I'd take Robson in a heartbeat

Given how bent out of shape their cap is with all that money tied up in Holmes, Taumololo, Townsend et Al, you wouldn't think they'd have much to play with in terms of offering him an upgrade.

Cows should consider releasing Taumololo and letting him sign with the Dolphins. They'd surely live a signing like that to kick start their recruitment given they look like missing out on their other targets so far
 

Joshuatheeel

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
19,625
Yep, I'd take Robson in a heartbeat

Given how bent out of shape their cap is with all that money tied up in Holmes, Taumololo, Townsend et Al, you wouldn't think they'd have much to play with in terms of offering him an upgrade.

Cows should consider releasing Taumololo and letting him sign with the Dolphins. They'd surely live a signing like that to kick start their recruitment given they look like missing out on their other targets so far
Yep and I reckon he is as good Mahoney plus a lot bigger
 

Twizzle

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
151,047
So is Crease-face Crawley talking out his ass as usual or is there something to the inference that the relationship between Rheed and the coach has been or is "strained"??

TCT reported this happened when Rheed told BA he was off, BA not happy with him.

Its about 100 pages back now
 

IFR33K

Coach
Messages
17,043
Yeah why bother getting Stone to do some skills work at passing just in case we lose 3 hookers again or he is needed there during a game!!

f**k what a stupid idea by BA!!! f**k skill work!!

We still had a fit will smith for the semi final. Yet BA choose stone to start. It’s no surprise BA devalues the position. Everyone was questioning BA back than. Not sure how it’s defendable
 
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