Rumours and Stuff

[RealdEel]

My thoughts on squad make up is that you have your top 17 and the remainder are essentially squad fillers with the exception of maybe spine backups.
So with that I think Hawkins has shown he’s very handy backup for Moses. As I said he’s a difficult one because he’d be easy to overpay for what he actually provides during the year. Mitigated of course by him not being on a high salary.
Names people are throwing up as the future halves of the club really can’t be relied on even by 2027. There more likely going to be earmarked for development contracts at best through that period.
I get that Paulo and Kelman aren’t everyone’s favourite people either, but Tuivati at best is still developing in 2027 and nowhere near Paulo level (that’s ideal Paulo level, just replacing 2026 Paulo level is going to be a watermark we really should be aiming higher than) & like the junior halves, JFI still has a ways to prove he’s at even Kelman level, hopefully he gets his opportunity next year to do so

You can't build your squad like that our you end up with a short window of success and repeat the problems in the past..

You need to have a pathway and not hold onto old aging players.

Which lucky enough Ryles seems to be doing not hanging onto players for the sack of it or to fill a spot

 

[85 Baby]

Buddy, seriously what’s wrong with you? @Tiger5150 goes ok and I actually think he gives plenty of value to our forum.

Since you’ve transitioned to your new identity you have become a bit of an angry pussy. Almost unhinged.

#relax

Thanks Avenger you’re really the person I’d like to take emotional wellbeing tips from. I’ll try to be more mindful of being like Avenger.

 

[85 Baby]

@Tiger5150 Avenger says you’re a shitmerkin!
Good one @Avenger

 

[hindy111]

2023 was definitely still in the window. Despite all the injuries and suspensions we still won 12 games. Only a loser would accept giving up after 2022.

2023 was time to rebuild. 2025 we may of been competitive again. 2026 a top 4 chance. Watch how clubs like the chooks do it. It isn't like im creating ideas I am just watching how successful clubs run.
Doing what we did comes at extreme high risk. Whilst we hope its a cycle and in 2027/2028 we are top 4 it's just as likely this lasts close to a decade.
It's already been 3 shit years. 2026 isn't looking great.
It isn't about being a loser. It is about weighing up the pros and cons and what will give you the best shot at a title.

 

[RealdEel]

2023 was time to rebuild. 2025 we may of been competitive again. 2026 a top 4 chance. Watch how clubs like the chooks do it. It isn't like im creating ideas I am just watching how successful clubs run.
Doing what we did comes at extreme high risk. Whilst we hope its a cycle and in 2027/2028 we are top 4 it's just as likely this lasts close to a decade.
It's already been 3 shit years. 2026 isn't looking great.
It isn't about being a loser. It is about weighing up the pros and cons and what will give you the best shot at a title.

01 we made the GF 02/03/04 we were absolutely shit but lucky the club had been producing juniors in the background for 05..

This time around when we had something coming through the path was blocked.. So they moved on or didn't develop.

 

[85 Baby]

You can't build your squad like that our you end up with a short window of success and repeat the problems in the past..

You need to have a pathway and not hold onto old aging players.

Which lucky enough Ryles seems to be doing not hanging onto players for the sack of it or to fill a spot

Squad fillers for me are mostly going to be guys you’re confident aren’t going to f**k up too badly (Guymer, Samrani) or youngsters who hopefully develop into top 17 (Papalii).

You can’t have top 17 players outside your top 17 so every dollar you spend on players 18-30 is one less dollar you’ve spent in your top 17. I’ll admit there’s timing opportunities because also your top 17 is unlikely to be worth that much cap space so you may save money that could then be spent on your squad fillers.

And yes players will be unavailable and ideally you’d have the 290th best player (soon to be 306th) in the league to then call up, (or even higher because Kyle Flanagan is on Dragons top 17) but that doesn’t stop it being an inefficient use of salary cap.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

2023 was time to rebuild. 2025 we may of been competitive again. 2026 a top 4 chance. Watch how clubs like the chooks do it. It isn't like im creating ideas I am just watching how successful clubs run.
Doing what we did comes at extreme high risk. Whilst we hope its a cycle and in 2027/2028 we are top 4 it's just as likely this lasts close to a decade.
It's already been 3 shit years. 2026 isn't looking great.
It isn't about being a loser. It is about weighing up the pros and cons and what will give you the best shot at a title.

You're putting the cart before the horse by 'watching how clubs like the chooks do it'. They are doing what they're able to do, which isn't what most clubs are able to do. It's like you seeing the CEO of EnergyAustralia buy a private jet and thinking that will make your electrician business more successful.

 

[hindy111]

You're putting the cart before the horse by 'watching how clubs like the chooks do it'. They are doing what they're able to do, which isn't what most clubs are able to do. It's like you seeing the CEO of EnergyAustralia buy a private jet and thinking that will make your electrician business more successful.

Look. I'm going for a succulent Chinese meal in 60mins in my hometown St Marys. My mind is on Hiney11 chicken and sweet and sour pou.

I must save my energy.

 

[Avenger]

Thanks Avenger you’re really the person I’d like to take emotional wellbeing tips from. I’ll try to be more mindful of being like Avenger.

You’d be surprised. If you knew you’d fall on your ignorant arse. I help people like yourself everyday. This is just a release for me to act like any other merkin.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

01 we made the GF 02/03/04 we were absolutely shit but lucky the club had been producing juniors in the background for 05..

This time around when we had something coming through the path was blocked.. So they moved on or didn't develop.

We also didn't spend much on pathways during Covid because the PLC lost a lot of money, so didn't have it to spend on pathways recruitment ("development"). We didn't get back on track until 2022, and those kids we poached ("developed") are no older than 21 this year. Next year they'll be 22 (at the oldest) and starting to become regular first graders:

Guymer (22 next year)
Lokeni (22)
Nanva (22)
Pryke (22)
Renisini (21)
Tuivaiti (21)
Funa-Iuta (20)
Talataina (20)
Talagi (19)

Plus Papalii (22 next year) and Da Silva (21) who are external signings within this age group.

These merkins also have NRL potential, but probably won't be ready in 2026:

Coinakis (20 next year)
Beattie (20)
Popo (20)
Fletcher (19)
Petrus (19)
Polley (18)

 

[Eelogical]

Never mind - already been posted!

You need to get on top of your game, Eele. No dropped balls here.

 

[Eelogical]

Look. I'm going for a succulent Chinese meal in 60mins in my hometown St Marys. My mind is on Hiney11 chicken and sweet and sour pou.

I must save my energy.

Golden Chopsticks or the Silver Palace?

 

[85 Baby]

You’d be surprised. If you knew you’d fall on your ignorant arse. I help people like yourself everyday. This is just a release for me to act like any other merkin.

Mofo I’m the reincarnation of Mother f**ken Teresa.
Just with less potty mouth

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I help people like yourself everyday.

*pissants

 

[Timana]

I would only keep JACS and Walker. The others can stay or go.

I don't think we have a ready replacement for Walker just yet and he adds alot to our attack including smarts.

 

[Eelogical]

Mofo I’m the reincarnation of Mother f**ken Teresa.
Just with less potty mouth

When going straight ahead, do you indicate left when you exit a roundabout?

 

[Eelogical]

I would only keep JACS and Walker. The others can stay or go.

I don't think we have a ready replacement for Walker just yet and he adds alot to our attack including smarts.

The makeover is still undergoing surgery. The recovery mode will start in a few weeks time. In the meantime, Mad Monday beckons soon enough.

 

[85 Baby]

When going straight ahead, do you indicate left when you exit a roundabout?

Na just flash highbeams and honk the horn.

 

[85 Baby]

And yes they were both euphemisms

 

[The Predictor]

“Parramatta has everything; money, a huge fan base, strong junior pathways, a state-of-the-art stadium and a $70 million Centre of Excellence.


There's just one thing missing - wins.


Dean Ritchie on the Parramatta Eels”

Easy to come to this conclusion after the Souffs game, as long as those in charge understand there is still a need to make decent signings then it’s typical Bulldog Ritchie journalism,
All if the above points about strength don’t count for much if it’s not built in a similar fashion to our peers, solid, elite signings to support above average juniors. Let’s see how the next few months go, past cap management and relatively lack lustre recruitment need to be in the rear view mirror for the club to forge a path to success

He’s not wrong