Rumours and Stuff

[Delboy]

Its a disgrace

Has it been confirmed why Blair Mills wanted to leave.

Was it the fact he just wanted to go back to NZ.

How the hell has a Super Rugby side paid for more money for a S&C then a club like ours or was the Moses f**k up at the start of last year gave Mills a bad rap and we moved him on.

And the fact is those roles require a good 12-18 month period for both players and S&C staff to get know each other & the S&C to know the players bodies and what there peak actually is.

Chopping & Changing those every 12 months isn't great business its three in three years atm and could be four in four next year.

Sarantinos & the Board keep spitting out nonsense there is every resource available & being used to make this club successful.

Well we certainly dont strive for the best available in there chosen fields.

Its also very telling the club never announced to members they replaced Mills with Mathew Jay into that role from Newcastle. It was just through a media snippet from the Mole i think. So much for awesome communication from our club. Were they too embarrassed to announce they signed the S&C from the wooden spooners.

The story from a guy in NZ, is that Blair Mills is success driven and didn’t believe the club was set up to achieve that. He returned to a Super Rugby club which is now top of the standings.

Relatively critical of things he saw , just didn’t see the forward planning necessary is the story .

 

[Delboy]

Matty Jay is a Ryles appointment. Sure the admin guys sign it off but Ryles wanted this guy.

If that’s true, the question remains is, what the heck do they do as advisers and professionals who should know each appointments back story

 

[Noise]

If that’s true, the question remains is, what the heck do they do as advisers and professionals who should know each appointments back story

Agreed but I’m sure everyone at the club knew that this guy had just worked with the spoon knights and the spoon tigers before that. Why the f**k would anyone want to touch this guy?

 

[Delboy]

Agreed but I’m sure everyone at the club knew that this guy had just worked with the spoon knights and the spoon tigers before that. Why the f**k would anyone want to touch this guy?

Well they certainly weren’t busy with multiple signings , so should have had time to research the guy and advise accordingly

 

[TheParraboy]

We got Sua. Just saying.

Talking middles, Just saying…

 

[EppingEel]

Probably been discussed already, but Michael Carayannis mentioned on the radio this morning that the Eels were in discussions with Kelma about a possible contract extension, but now with Sua being signed, he is not going to be resigned.

 

[TheParraboy]

Boys. Just thinking out loud here but we’ve all noticed the pressure from media dialled up to 11 this week and the honeymoon is over.

Riddle me this. If Dogs play like they did against Panthers and put a record score on us, 50, 60… What happens next week?

I genuinely think the club is about to go nuclear. It’s now got too much focus from the journos and it’s about to get ugly should that happen.

Like real ugly. Expect a load of stories to surface.

Think they hang in till the bye (5 games to go)

We get some troops back in the next week or two , Maybe Sa’u?

So I think we need to be a bit patient next few weeks

But yeah if we are winless and getting belted till then most weeks , then I’d imagine something may give…

If, I repeat IF Ryles gets tossed
Id imagine Nathan Brown to take over as Interim , hopefully it doesn’t get to that point. Or maybe Brown walks ?

SOS Trent ?

 

[Avenger]

Probably been discussed already, but Michael Carayannis mentioned on the radio this morning that the Eels were in discussions with Kelma about a possible contract extension, but now with Sua being signed, he is not going to be resigned.

I agree with him moving on.

Just an idea. If we don’t re-sign Dylan Walker.
I’d be probably trying to sign someone like Connor Watson. He will be 30 in May and we would benefit from his experience. I’d also be cutting Riley Smith.

 

[Delboy]

Think they hang in till the bye (5 games to go)

We get some troops back in the next week or two , Maybe Sa’u?

So I think we need to be a bit patient next few weeks

But yeah if we are winless and getting belted till then most weeks , then I’d imagine something may give…

If, I repeat IF Ryles gets tossed
Id imagine Nathan Brown to take over as Interim , hopefully it doesn’t get to that point. Or maybe Brown walks ?

SOS Trent ?

Why would we move a first year coach when the issue has been festering under a long term front office. Oh, they are safe from criticism as possibly they have coffee with the chairman, oh jolly , things are actually good.

 

[EppingEel]

I agree with him moving on.

Just an idea. If we don’t re-sign Dylan Walker.
I’d be probably trying to sign someone like Connor Watson. He will be 30 in May and we would benefit from his experience. I’d also be cutting Riley Smith.

Hard disagree on both. Watson lost most of his value with the introduction of the 6 man bench, and Ryley has shown that he is a first grade hooker. He looks like he is currently carrying an injury.

 

[JokerEel]

I agree with him moving on.

Just an idea. If we don’t re-sign Dylan Walker.
I’d be probably trying to sign someone like Connor Watson. He will be 30 in May and we would benefit from his experience. I’d also be cutting Riley Smith.

Yeah I would be signing Watson either way start him at 13 have Walker on the bench.
I agree with Smith if we get a player like Watson who can also play 15 minutes at hooker as well you play TDS.
It gives you more options.

 

[TheParraboy]

Why would we move a first year coach when the issue has been festering under a long term front office. Oh, they are safe from criticism as possibly they have coffee with the chairman, oh jolly , things are actually good.

Yup , Front office rules (I don’t say that as a compliment)

I dont think many of us want Ryles shafted ..,

I actually think nothing happens this year…They will back Ryles citing injuries.. I think we will get better (my opinion only)

 

[Noise]

Why would we move a first year coach when the issue has been festering under a long term front office. Oh, they are safe from criticism as possibly they have coffee with the chairman, oh jolly , things are actually good.

2nd year coach. We moved on Kearney in July of his second year. This is heading the same way

 

[King-Gutho94]

Probably been discussed already, but Michael Carayannis mentioned on the radio this morning that the Eels were in discussions with Kelma about a possible contract extension, but now with Sua being signed, he is not going to be resigned.

Kelma has been here 3 years and hasn't improved his defence.

Just like at the Tigers and then Manly. Damaging with the ball but its pointless if your defence isn't up to scratch.

His had 6 different head coaches (2 were caretakers) Madge, Kimmorley, Seibold, Arthur, Barrett, Ryles at FG level.

If he hasnt improved that part of his game by now he never will.

 

[EppingEel]

The big thing with Kelma is that he appears to be very lazy. Always laying in the ruck, slow to get back onside, doesnt chase kicks etc.

 

[Pazza]

Sua is a massive upgrade on Kelma

 

[King-Gutho94]

Hard disagree on both. Watson lost most of his value with the introduction of the 6 man bench, and Ryley has shown that he is a first grade hooker. He looks like he is currently carrying an injury.

I was told about Ryley Smith with a little minor thing a few weeks back is correct then honestly he needs lift up his standards & professionalism when away from the team. If his carrying an injury all season its even worse.

It seems like to me the standards have slipped and we are letting things to slip to pub level again.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

The big thing with Kelma is that he appears to be very lazy. Always laying in the ruck, slow to get back onside, doesnt chase kicks etc.

Yep....he may have not stop this try from the weekend after Moses miss.

But he was in a good position to chase and maybe stop Brimson after the offload (or Kini may not even have been able to pass if Kelma was there or Penisini may not have had to come in staying on Brimson. Gee Paulo was even there....)....shocking effort! Happens all the time....

 

[Delboy]

2nd year coach. We moved on Kearney in July of his second year. This is heading the same way

Believe he did well in the second half of his first year, lost 2 Intl players who were re0laced with retreads and then injuries. Recruitment was, is and will be the Trojan Horse on the club , needs to be fixed asap.

signed 1 player for 2027, let’s have fingers crossed they have been busy beneath the daily waves, confidence factor in that happening , not a lot.

 

[eels_fan]

I don't think there is any movement on the coach even if we lose the next 4 games by 40.

He's not to blame for injuries, he's not wholly to blame for squad strength and depth, and the culture of failure that has seeped through our club for 40 years.

Ryles deserves at minimum another off season and half of 27 to prove he can right the wrongs.

If and when a decision is made to make a change - it has to be full broom from HoF down to the physios and start again