Analysis of 2005 Losses

[Hurriflatch]

David Vaealiki (Wigan)
+ Good chance for a player like Ben Smith or Josh Davis to get a 1st grade spot avoiding another Tonga
+ Had been running into a few injuries
+ Frees up space under the cap

- He is still an international class player
- At his best would be a walkup start to 90% of NRL sides

Adam Dykes (Sharks)
+ Injury prone player
+ Has only had 1 GREAT year in his career
+ Frees up space under the cap

- At best is the class player the Eels lack in the halves
- The most experienced half Parramatta have had in last 5 years

Chris Thorman (Huddersfield)
+ Sturggled with adapting to the NRL
+ Gives Tim Smith, Blake Green, Marcus Perenara a step closer to top grade
+ Frees up space under the cap

- Was just starting to find his feet it took Morley at least 12 mths to get his

Craig Stapleton (Tigers)
+ Could have held back the likes of Afamasaga, Mateo & Backo
+ Frees up space under the cap

- Crowd Favorite
- Workhorse
- Takes away from expierence in depth

Chris Armit (Bulldogs)
+ Hadn't yet really come on in 1st grade
+ Frees up space under the cap

/ debatable if he is better then the likes of Afamsaga, Backo, Taia and Tsoulos

- Could realise his potential elsewhere

Nathan Armit (Bulldogs)
+ Clears path for Backo etc to come through

/ Could be better then those players

- Gives Hadley an co ammo if he does come good

Corey Pearson (Retirment)
+ Taking up the spot of a talented youngster
+ Frees up space under the cap

- Lowers the experience level at the club

Jamie Lyon (St Helens)
+ He is scum
+ He is a dog
+ He is a monkeysarse
+ He loves fat bearded men
+ Frees up space under the cap

- He is still a International class player

Junior Langi (Salford)
+ Makes it eaiser for the likes of Ben Smith to get a spot in top grade
+ Frees up space under the cap

- Less depth in a weak position at the club

Mal Kaufusi (London)
+ Frees up space under the cap
+ Clears path for Taia, Tsoulos, Cordoba etc to get into 1st grade

- Crowd Favorite

Wise Kativerata (Randwick RU)
+ Fress up space under the cap
+ Gives Brett Anderson, Josh Williams etc a better chance to make top grade

Ryan Hinchcliffe (Raiders)
+ HAd a number of injuries

/ Debateable if (fully fit) is better or worse then the likes of Taia, Hauraki, Afamsaga, Mateo etc

- Crowd (ie Jess & Nikki) favorite

Tomorrow: Re-signings & Players still Off Contract

 

[Morenito]

WHat about Lee Hopkins?

 

[Hurriflatch]

Still classed as "off contract" as it's not yet 100% official. (last I heard)

 

[Twizzle]

Jamie Lyon (St Helens)
+ He is scum
+ He is a dog
+ He is a monkeysarse
+ He loves fat bearded men
+ Frees up space under the cap

- He is still a International class player

I disagree slightly

He WAS a world class player

In his current condition he is not an international class player

It may be a long time, if ever, that he plays for Australia again.

 

[PARRA_FAN]

You know its the first time in a while Im not disappointing in losing players except maybe Armit and Hopkins they really tried their best for the Eels. I still cant believe Armit didnt get much of a go in first grade he wouldve been something at Parramatta.

 

[PJ Marshal]

Armit will establish himself at Canterbury next year imho, he had a Tonga like season for us this year

 

[bartman]

Yes Hurri, we are short in the centres... It's great that young guys will get a go and all, but compared to what we had in 2003 and before we are still well short on class there for next year.

Also we need to hope that we finally have the halves thing sorted out, including a way where they can actually pass to a backline, which hasn't been done since 2001. In that regard I'm not sad to see Dykes on this list, but we best hope others step up and better his efforts or it won't be pretty.

And then of course you need the forwards to actually go forward. Something Smith admitted that he was trying to fix for this year (big and ugly), but that didn't seem to come off much at all? Gotta get that go forward in the front row somehow!

Here's hoping...

 

[Hurriflatch]

Well, to his credit Smith did get it half right

Parra were ugly in 2004

 

[Utey]

Good Article . I agree but with players we sign we have to lose some. T

 

[ParraMatt]

I think the players we lost don't really reflect on the players we have signed. Good Recruitment Smithy.

 

[Eels Dude]

I'm also worried about the centre positions. If we have a couple of injuries then we're going to have to rely on some of the younger blokes coming through earlier than expected. Ben Smith etc are talents but whether he's good enough to just fit into the starting side is another question.

 

[Utey]

The centre and 5/8 position are my biggest woes. Iam scared of seeing Wagon there again.

 

[Eels Dude]

Interesting to see where Wagon will end up next season. I can't see it being 5'8th, that'll have to be a fight between Morris and Witt. It all depends on whether Cayless will return to the front row next year, if he doesn't then that would leave us with a backrow of Cayless, Hindy, Morrison, and no spot for Wagon.

 

[Utey]

I reckon it will be this. Iamthinking like Smith here:
8 - Cayless
9 - Riddel
10 - Stringer
11 - Hindy
12 - Morrison
13 - Wagon

 

[Eels Dude]

Wonder if it'll happen or not. Vella off the bench would be great I reckon. That's where he started his career and that's where he shot to prominence. Him and Cannings taking the field after 20 minutes has got to be a scary thought for the opposition.

 

[Utey]

WHo knows. Smith will have to put a lot of thought into the starting pack. We continually get ran over by opposition packs. You cant win the game when you are on your own line. We need a dominant pack.

 

[Eels Dude]

The best thing about next year is our bench I reckon. Those that don't make the starting side will have plenty to offer in the rest of the game. We need all players to perform though. Cayless and Vella need to play more consistently week in and week out. We need players like Tsoulos to come through at a faster rate, and we need the older players to set a good example for the young guns coming through.

 

[walker smith]

only one problem with this post hurriflatch - most of your evaluations that conclude a loss to be positive are of players we bought THIS year!!

 

[Avenger]

I reckon it will be this. Iamthinking like Smith here:
8 - Cayless
9 - Riddel
10 - Stringer
11 - Hindy
12 - Morrison
13 - Wagon

I disagree. Chad Robinson will start, somewhere. He did not come from Bondi to be on the bench again.

 

[Utey]

Robinson will not start. He was most likely a buy to give us depth. He will be benched.