2004

[Misty Bee]

My argument is that we will need to be a hell of a lot higher than 8th to justify the pain and sub-par perormances over the last 2 years. Just coming 8th will not be acceptable!

 

[Stagger eel]

I thinks it's a sure bet we will improve, just by how much is anyones guess. One things for certain Smith has defenitly put all his eggs in one basket by releasing half the squad and signing a whole heap. It's no secret this is a make or break season for him.

No matter what circumstances any sort failure will result in a payout and a black mark on his CV.

 

[Hollywood Jesus]

then whats witt gonna do if thormans coming!

Don't expect Witt to play every game next year. He doesn't yet have a first graders body and was only usded this year so much due to there not really being any other choice.

Dykes and Thorman will be shifted to half when Witt has his breaks and I guess through that the Coaching staff will look for the best combo as we head towards the end of the year.

 

[Ron Jeremy]

We will finish 7th next year.....we won't have the squad for a top 4 IMO.

 

[Eelectrica]

I think the pass mark for next year will be either top 4 in the regular season, failing that, the Preliminary finals.
Grand final or else would be too much pressure for anyone to handle.

 

[Kasper]

I have noticed a few of you are not sure about Muspratt but how you don't want Wagon at lock. Muspratt is a good quality ball player as he has even played five eight for us throughout the year.

 

[Parra_Eels]

what i meant about them in 1st divisioon is i can't see them displacing vella, hindmarsh,wagon,vaeliki, burt, peterson etc.

 

[bartman]

I think Vella and Wagon may start next year from the bench, and as the team takes shape, they may struggle to keep their spots there (unless they have big form turnarounds).

I believe the four players: Witt, Thorman, Dykes, and Morris will cover the positions of dummy half, half, and 5/8 with one on the bench for most games. This gives us a steady 3-prong attacking base with a sub for in-game injuries or giving someone a break. Webster may be a back up to these four in the case of long-term injury (as this year).

I am really keen to see how the forwards stack up, including if any new buys really put their hand up and earn their stripes (scales?). People like Muckert, Stapleton, Cannings, Pearson, along with Hindy, Hopkins, Cayless, Tsoulos etc. could be the makings for a good (better than 2003 form) pack.

 

[Chipmunk]

I think Vella and Wagon may start next year from the bench, and as the team takes shape, they may struggle to keep their spots there (unless they have big form turnarounds).

I believe the four players: Witt, Thorman, Dykes, and Morris will cover the positions of dummy half, half, and 5/8 with one on the bench for most games. This gives us a steady 3-prong attacking base with a sub for in-game injuries or giving someone a break. Webster may be a back up to these four in the case of long-term injury (as this year).

I am really keen to see how the forwards stack up, including if any new buys really put their hand up and earn their stripes (scales?). People like Muckert, Stapleton, Cannings, Pearson, along with Hindy, Hopkins, Cayless, Tsoulos etc. could be the makings for a good (better than 2003 form) pack.

I think Vella has the potential to be a key player for us, but whether he performs like it or not remains to be seen. Wagon is not up to the standard we need to win a comp. I couldnt see him pulling off the tackle the Scott Sattler did on Todd Byrne tonight. However, Wagon will always be the first player Smith picks in the team.

 

[bartman]

I think Vella has the potential to be a key player for us, but whether he performs like it or not remains to be seen. Wagon is not up to the standard we need to win a comp. I couldnt see him pulling off the tackle the Scott Sattler did on Todd Byrne tonight. However, Wagon will always be the first player Smith picks in the team.

Vella has (had?) the potential. He needs to work hard and get injury free in the off-season, so he doesn't have his customary slow start to the comp (off bench last two years?). I really hope he does recapture his form, or he'll end up on the outer.

Sattler's tackle (and game) was awesome, and he's 31 yo! I don't know why Wags is on some "pedestal" - he tries hard sure, but for me his only value will lie in just toughing it out in the middle straight up and down, with strong defence there when needed. (And staying out of the backline attack!) I agree we need to develop a broader talent standard next year for the side to fire.

 

[Chipmunk]

I think Vella has the potential to be a key player for us, but whether he performs like it or not remains to be seen. Wagon is not up to the standard we need to win a comp. I couldnt see him pulling off the tackle the Scott Sattler did on Todd Byrne tonight. However, Wagon will always be the first player Smith picks in the team.

Vella has (had?) the potential. He needs to work hard and get injury free in the off-season, so he doesn't have his customary slow start to the comp (off bench last two years?). I really hope he does recapture his form, or he'll end up on the outer.

Sattler's tackle (and game) was awesome, and he's 31 yo! I don't know why Wags is on some "pedestal" - he tries hard sure, but for me his only value will lie in just toughing it out in the middle straight up and down, with strong defence there when needed. (And staying out of the backline attack!) I agree we need to develop a broader talent standard next year for the side to fire.

Wagon's "pedestal" is as the Captain of the Coaches Pet Club

 

[MR GEORGE]

sattlers tackle was a trysaver and season saver for penrith.

 

[Pazza]

Parramatta are a top 4 team for sure. The team has had a very unrewarding couple of season but they have still managed to show glimpses of brilliance. That last game against the Panthers they really did show some class but at the end of the day the panthers are a great side.

The game has changed since our near success in 2001, and i feel the team is really addapting to these changes. I have never seen Hindmarsh and Cayless so agressive then in the last few games. We have two of the best forwards in the game and they got very limited game time this season. If they had both played 20 games + this season i have no doubt Parra would have made the top 8.

I think Parra has recruited well for next year, these new players are big tough guys. They arn't going to win us footy games but they are going to help our game breakers a hell of alot. Cannings and Pearson are hard runners, on their day they can do some serious damage. They will be playing second string to players like Hindmarsh and Cayless. But what did you expect? Parra to recruit a player better than Hindmarsh or Cayless? The Panthers have shown that a big strong forward pack is the most essential element in the modern game and Parra has shown that it is willing to develop a big strong forward pack. Players coming through like Armit and Tsoulos are scary guys. There is no way a pack with Cayless, Hindmarsh, Vella, Cannings, Pearson, Wagon, Hopkins and Armit cannot go forward!!!!!! There is no way that Dykes, Witt, Morris and Thorman cannot cause damage!!!!!! There is no way that Burt, Grothe and Lyon cannot score tries!!!!!

If things like injuries and so on fall our way, Parra can be a very good footy team!

 

[Ron Jeremy]

Parramatta are a top 4 team for sure. The team has had a very unrewarding couple of season but they have still managed to show glimpses of brilliance. That last game against the Panthers they really did show some class but at the end of the day the panthers are a great side.

The game has changed since our near success in 2001, and i feel the team is really addapting to these changes. I have never seen Hindmarsh and Cayless so agressive then in the last few games. We have two of the best forwards in the game and they got very limited game time this season. If they had both played 20 games + this season i have no doubt Parra would have made the top 8.

I think Parra has recruited well for next year, these new players are big tough guys. They arn't going to win us footy games but they are going to help our game breakers a hell of alot. Cannings and Pearson are hard runners, on their day they can do some serious damage. They will be playing second string to players like Hindmarsh and Cayless. But what did you expect? Parra to recruit a player better than Hindmarsh or Cayless? The Panthers have shown that a big strong forward pack is the most essential element in the modern game and Parra has shown that it is willing to develop a big strong forward pack. Players coming through like Armit and Tsoulos are scary guys. There is no way a pack with Cayless, Hindmarsh, Vella, Cannings, Pearson, Wagon, Hopkins and Armit cannot go forward!!!!!! There is no way that Dykes, Witt, Morris and Thorman cannot cause damage!!!!!! There is no way that Burt, Grothe and Lyon cannot score tries!!!!!

If things like injuries and so on fall our way, Parra can be a very good footy team!

Good post mate.......i like your optimism but?? i don't think who we will have will be enough to be a genuine premiership threat.....espically when you look at the depth of many other clubs.

Willie Talau was playing First Division for Canterbury this year....it shows the depth they have.

 

[The Colonel]

Willie Talau was playing first division for two reasons -

1. The form of Ben Harris
2. Because he signed to play in England.

The depth of the Dogs will be tested next year. They may have a pretty good pack at this stage but without Thurston who has apparently signed with Manly their depth in the halves will be tested. They have also lost Reardon, Hall, Polglase, Marteene, Riddle, Norton, Vagana, Lester and Edwin Asotasi. The biggest losses will not be Norton, Talau and Vagana but the young blokes in Polglase, Asotasi and Hall for the simple reason they were to be the next long term players in first grade.

 

[Freak]

Would hope to see the Eels make some type of improvement in 2004.
Realistically in 2003 we finished 4 wins outside the top 4. When considering the following I do not see why we cannot turn it around in 2004.
1. Hindmarsh out for 12 games.
2. Our draw was simply ugly!! (2 late byes)
3. We lost 3 games by 2 points.
4. We have recruited well
5. Our halfback has some 1st grade experience now.
6. Depth Depth Depth and even mopre Depth in our forwards.
7. Top 8 opposition sides in 2003 are on a sliding scale. EG Brisbane, Canterbury, Newcastle.

We are still a very young side on comparison and now that we have a clean sheet with injuries and no major losses except Hodgson we now hopefully will be right up where we belong in 2004!!

GO THE MATTERS!!!

 

[Pazza]

Players always come along that no one expects. Players like Witt, Tsoulos and Armit that didn't figure in anyones pre 2003 team discussions but they turned out to do a good job for the team.

 

[Redback71]

hey guys if fui fui moi moi turns out to be a legend and an awsome players want part of his name will we chant in the stands to spur him on.

for i cant even pronounce fui fui moi moi :lol: :lol: :lol: