2019/20 Eels offseason discussion

[Joshuatheeel]

Sadly our season is now over, so thought it wouId be good to have thread to discuss all things eels during the off-season.

Discuss away

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Obviously signing new players will hopefully improve our performance in 2020, however what do we need to improve to push for top 4 spot in 2020?

I reckon one of our biggest issues is errors/ball control. We seem to compound one error into several leading to a really bad performance (cowboys / panthers / dogs / broncos games) or we start good but have a poor second half letting the opponents back into the game (like the second half against manly ).

While at times we start poorly with plenty of errors and we just can’t “steady the ship” and get back into the game ( raiders / knights game ).

While we also need to improve our ruck defence, we can been pretty poor there, causing us to leak points (storm / manly / sharks games). However with RCG and hopefully a couple of more players, it should help with fixing this.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

So what players do we need to recruit for 2020 ?

Obviously a replacement for Manu would be good.

I reckon a hooker that has the ability be top 17 quality wouId be good.

Also in the back up player department, if Hoffman is leaving, a cheap experienced player that can cover fullback, winger and centre would be good for depth. While a experienced middle forward wouId be good to replace Mannah / Moeroa / Gower - not a top 17 player but someone with experience and the ability to play NRL when required.

 

[Obscene Assassin]

Need to change our defensive style for finals. Our structure is based on minimal wrestle, not giving away ruck penalties but also on the opposition giving them away. This works in the regular season but come finals time that won't work.

 

[84 Baby]

This is a far more appropriate off season discussion.

I’ve said it numerous times in the past, the team needs a head doctor. I’d be poaching John Novak from Manly (and by poach, I’m fairly certain he’s just a contractor), he clearly did wonders for them

 

[Joshuatheeel]

This is a far more appropriate off season discussion.

I’ve said it numerous times in the past, the team needs a head doctor. I’d be poaching John Novak from Manly (and by poach, I’m fairly certain he’s just a contractor), he clearly did wonders for them

Ha ha, thought you were taking the piss.....

https://www.johnnovaksport.com/

“John Novak is widely known as Australia’s No. 1 Sports Mindset coach with his athletes quickly reaching National and International success at World championships and Olympics.

John is currently Head Mindset Coach for Manly Sea-Eagles-National Rugby League, Australia. He has worked with hundreds of elite athletes and teams in 38 different sports. His extensive experience in the mindset space is unparalleled. He is a true pioneer of excellence of the mind.”

 

[84 Baby]

Ha ha, thought you were taking the piss.....

https://www.johnnovaksport.com/

“John Novak is widely known as Australia’s No. 1 Sports Mindset coach with his athletes quickly reaching National and International success at World championships and Olympics.

John is currently Head Mindset Coach for Manly Sea-Eagles-National Rugby League, Australia. He has worked with hundreds of elite athletes and teams in 38 different sports. His extensive experience in the mindset space is unparalleled. He is a true pioneer of excellence of the mind.”

I take the piss as often as I take a shit.

I’ve heard him talk. I’m not sure how effective he is in real world, but for meathead footballers I reckon he’d get across to them very well

 

[Tooooks]

Ha ha, thought you were taking the piss.....

https://www.johnnovaksport.com/

“John Novak is widely known as Australia’s No. 1 Sports Mindset coach with his athletes quickly reaching National and International success at World championships and Olympics.

John is currently Head Mindset Coach for Manly Sea-Eagles-National Rugby League, Australia. He has worked with hundreds of elite athletes and teams in 38 different sports. His extensive experience in the mindset space is unparalleled. He is a true pioneer of excellence of the mind.”

I’ve mentioned shrinks before and assume people probably think I’m being facetious, but I’m not. I think a good head doctor would be very beneficial.

Signings wise, I’m hoping for at least one more high caliber signing. Then we need a better reserve grade hooker in case Reed is injured. Our backline is good enough to win a comp.

Defence needs to be our priority.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I’ve mentioned shrinks before and assume people probably think I’m being facetious, but I’m not. I think a good head doctor would be very beneficial.

Definitely! Obviously coaching plays a big factor, but some players do need help in that department.

I mean if you individually compared our 17 last week with the storms 17, I reckon in the physical department / playing ability there wouId be bugger all difference between most opposing players. Yet we shat ourself .....

 

[eel01s]

1. BA needs good assistants. I include a defence coach here. We need Flanno.
2. Edge forward. I'm thinking Fifita or Matterson.
3. Another middle forward like Arrow.
4. Back up hooker. Someone who leads linespeed in defence and is quick. Might have to manufacture a back from our juniors.

 

[Gronk]

Ha ha, thought you were taking the piss.....

https://www.johnnovaksport.com/

“John Novak is widely known as Australia’s No. 1 Sports Mindset coach with his athletes quickly reaching National and International success at World championships and Olympics.

John is currently Head Mindset Coach for Manly Sea-Eagles-National Rugby League, Australia. He has worked with hundreds of elite athletes and teams in 38 different sports. His extensive experience in the mindset space is unparalleled. He is a true pioneer of excellence of the mind.”

John is literally the nicest guy you could ever meet. So it's a yes from me.

BTW he was with Des at the Dogs as well.

 

[84 Baby]

John is literally the nicest guy you could ever meet. So it's a yes from me.

BTW he was with Des at the Dogs as well.

I know one of his predecessors at the Dogs too. I don’t know if he’s as good a fit with rugby league players but he’s been involved with some really successful sports people/teams, including a prominent cricketer. He’s never spilled to me who it was but I strongly suspect it may have been Steve Smith (pre captaincy)

 

[Happy MEel]

Obviously signing new players will hopefully improve our performance in 2020, however what do we need to improve to push for top 4 spot in 2020?

I reckon one of our biggest issues is errors/ball control. We seem to compound one error into several leading to a really bad performance (cowboys / panthers / dogs / broncos games) or we start good but have a poor second half letting the opponents back into the game (like the second half against manly ).

While at times we start poorly with plenty of errors and we just can’t “steady the ship” and get back into the game ( raiders / knights game ).

While we also need to improve our ruck defence, we can been pretty poor there, causing us to leak points (storm / manly / sharks games). However with RCG and hopefully a couple of more players, it should help with fixing this.

I reckon that comes down to onfield leadership. When we start to leak line breaks and points we can’t stem the bleeding. I love Gutho but he is the nice guy/joker personality, which you absolutely need on the roster in influential positions. But I still think we need a hard edged captain for when the going gets tough to snap the players out of the rut we sometimes find ourselves in.

 

[Twizzle]

So we need replacements for Timmy, Tep and Ma'u.

A middle, middle/edge and a mainly edge.

RCG replaces Timmy, Matterson maybe a Tep/Ma'u replacement. One to go

Reed is an 80 minute player and only needs the occasional rest, but if he gets injured we're f**ked. Schneider not really ready yet but maybe next season assuming he is over his injury.

More questions than answers for mine.

 

[Happy MEel]

So we need replacements for Timmy, Tep and Ma'u.

A middle, middle/edge and a mainly edge.

RCG replaces Timmy, Matterson maybe a Tep/Ma'u replacement. One to go

Reed is an 80 minute player and only needs the occasional rest, but if he gets injured we're f**ked. Schneider not really ready yet but maybe next season assuming he is over his injury.

More questions than answers for mine.

I reckon Isaac Luke answers the depth hooker question.

 

[Twizzle]

I reckon Isaac Luke answers the depth hooker question.

yeh, we could do worse as long as he doesn't block Schneider's development and Davies steps up which seems viable.

 

[Happy MEel]

yeh, we could do worse as long as he doesn't block Schneider's development and Davies steps up which seems viable.

I reckon his experience will only support Scheider’s development and Luke’s age means he won’t be blocking pathways into first grade.

 

[84 Baby]

The one blocking Schneider at the mo is Mahoney. Good but also scary problem to have

 

[84 Baby]

I reckon that comes down to onfield leadership. When we start to leak line breaks and points we can’t stem the bleeding. I love Gutho but he is the nice guy/joker personality, which you absolutely need on the roster in influential positions. But I still think we need a hard edged captain for when the going gets tough to snap the players out of the rut we sometimes find ourselves in.

Gutho a good captain to do media, talk to refs, etc but we need someone (doesn’t need to be captain) to tell the merkins that they are merkining it up and to stop being merkins. Nrown is supposedly a bit Gutho as well and Reed has neither the runs on board or size probably. The real possibility in couple years I think is Drown. Tell him to get a bit of an angry streak, and when he blows his top I reckon even the likes of Junior or RCG will shut up and listen

 

[Twizzle]