Part of the modern game is the movement of players around a system to both earn themselves better money or a better shot at game time, and for the clubs to adjust their combinations and skill sets in their playing pool, not to mention salary cap. So I take a fairly balanced view of players leaving and staying and know these decisions happen for reasons oustide our control.
Given that, I'm happy for Wade to have a go somewhere else, and for Parra to be able to try some different options there (Burt, Hayne?, Reddy?). Wade's a good player who has served the Eels well, but you can't keep every good player on your books not giving them 50-80 mins of First Grade most weeks. Widders has been tremendous in his time at Parra, but the coaching change seemed like a chance for him to look for a different challenge somewhere else, playing starting team perhaps at Souths, best of luck Deano.
Same for O'Dwyer, came into his own second half of this season, but when he signed with GC most people wouldn't have really cared. Good luck to him, he'll be a good player and has served the Eels well when called upon. Jeremy Smith will get much more opportunity at Souths, as he only got a go this year due to injury. He's proved himself and been part of the brilliant resurgence, and will be keen to develop himself further, best of luck.
Would any of them make top 18 next season? Barring injury probably only Deano, with Wade too but at the expense of another player because you can't carry outside backs on the bench too often. All handy guys to have around though, but you can't keep everyone, or deny them the chance to try for other/better things.
From the "piss off" list, again I think these guys are all handy to have about and have served us well. They wouldn't have been used in first grade had there been alternate options available, so bagging them out to me doesn't serve any purpose. If we feel we should have had better players available in their positions, to me that comes down to hoping the club develops its own or purchases depth in those positions for the future, rather than bagging the guys that are asked to step in and do their best.
Morro, a guy on the cusp of rep duty but never quite made it. Solid, and would never have been out selected of the top 13 in his entire stay. Served us well, wanted to crack rep scene by playing closer to Sydney, didn't happen, best of luck in Bradford. Delaney, again when he signed for GC people thought it wasn't great loss. He didn't "come on" or seem to developp this season, he may do so under a different set-up. Filled a spot when asked for the Eels and handy to have around given the (lack of) remaining options, and best of luck to him at GC but we can't keep everyone....
Petersen was in the handy to have category already this season, having only just managed a contract to keep him in action before transferring to GC. Were it not for Jaryd Hayne's development, and John Williams recovering from his injuries to be an option, then we might have seen a lot more of Petersen in first this season. Has served Parra well over the years, no need to keep everyone when they have greener pastures, best of luck to him.
Which brings me to the occasionally maligned John Morris, the eternal utility man. Makeshift winger at Newcastle, hooker with us, half/five-eighth when we had few other options in that role in recent seasons. Has talents, but is probably not the guy you want as your main go to man. But he had to do a job, and he did it to the best of ability - not his fault we were weak in depth in the halves. Have to remember he went well outside Witt in a late season comeback when Dykes hadn't done the job, and again in this season's resurgence outside Jeremy for lots of wins in a row. Has served the Eels well, and good luck to him in finding a set role and combination at Wests, but given the purchases and young players coming through, like with Wade I can understand the decision not to retain him.
So pretty neutral to everyone leaving or staying, but excited about how things might turn out with next season's squad, and wishing all ex-Eels best of luck and thansk for their efforts!
Deano
