Daniel Backo

[Jake the snake]

Lets watch him play 1st guys, I remember a certain player by the name of Thorman who turned out to be shithouse.

 

[BD5733]

Yeah, but we all need to speak up someone over the offseason :lol:

 

[Pazza]

so true BD5733

 

[Eels Dude]

I don't think we should be putting pressure on all these youngters and saying they'll be the "next best thing". It's no good for them, and it's no good for us as it gives the fans unreal expectations. I hope Daniel Backo will be as good as some in here seem to think he'll be. I'd rather wait till he comes good before we start talking him up though.

 

[Utey]

Backo would be best played off the bench. He could create havoc for a tired defensive line. I wouldnt rule him out for centre one day as well. How many Juniors get spoken about every year. There is a 50% chance they will excel. Many are spoken about but only a minority come good.

 

[The Colonel]

Well by all accounts Brisbane is particularly annoyed at one Sam Backo. They gave young Daniel a car so he could travel home during the week and live at home so as not to be homesick and such. They have particularly big wraps on the kid and did see him as a LONG term prospect. I wouldn't be stamping his ticket just yet but I think we have a real diamond that just wants some polishing to play first grade. I don't want to build him up too big just yet but I reckon Matt could be pretty close.

 

[Freak]

If I told you this time last year that a player by the name of Luke Odwyer will play first grade in 2004 everyone would have said
"Who - What - What drugs are you on?"

The point Im getting at is I believe Smithy does throw the odd potential player right into the mix if he thinks it is the best thing for the team and the individual.

It would however suprize me to see Backo play 1st grade next year though, unless he was a top shelf defender, and I mean TOP SHELF!!

 

[Eelementary]

OK, can we just please get some persepctive on this?

SBW is a very good young player. A very good young player.

But he hardly is the greatest thing since sliced bread. He's good, but how good?

I mean he comes on after forwards like Mason, Price, Ryan and O'Meley have set him up. That is a great platform for anyone to work off.

Like I said, he is very talented, but he does, after all, come on after the incredible Dogs forwards have set a solid foundation for him to work off.



Now, if Dan Backo is as good as you say, there is no reason for him not to play the same role and have the same impact with us. I mean enxt year's Eels forward pack will be excellent - they lay the platform and Backo comes on, does his thing and voila!

 

[Eelementary]

And let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Backo will be competing with the likes of Afamasaga, Cordoba, etc. for a place in First Grade,and we've seen what Jack can do in First Grade.

 

[The Colonel]

Anthony Tupou, Frank Pritchard, Corey Parker, Ashton Sims, Bronson Harrison, Epa Lauaki...... they have and can benefit from packs that can lay a platform. These are future superstars..... Backo can benefit from a forward pack laying a good platform as well.

 

[Eelementary]

Anthony Tupou, Frank Pritchard, Corey Parker, Ashton Sims, Bronson Harrison, Epa Lauaki...... they have and can benefit from packs that can lay a platform. These are future superstars..... Backo can benefit from a forward pack laying a good platform as well.

Well that's all I'm saying - part of the reason those guys look so good is because they have a good forward pack laying the platform first.

If we do that too with our new look forward pack next year, there's no reason why Backo can't be the next big thing - provided he's up to it.

 

[Pazza]

Thats if we got the pack to give Backo a good platform. Riddell, Cayless, Hindmarsh and Morrison are great but other seniour players really need to lift their game.

 

[Utey]

Wagon and Vella are in the last year of their contract I think. So we should see some of them best I hope.

 

[Jake the snake]

Vella Last year with Parra I hope

 

[Utey]

I have a feeling that he will have a killer season and then be resigned. LIke Hopkins this year except he didnt get resigned.

 

[Pazza]

I dont care if Vella has a stella season. The only reason is cause he wants to keep his high paying contract. If he wanted to keep that contract he should have put more effort into 2003 and 2004.

 

[Stagger eel]

I'll stick my neck out and say he'll be playing in the ESL by 06, he suits that style of play.

 

[Avenger]

I will bet anyone that Vella (The maltese canary) WILL NOT be at the EELS beyond 2005.

 

[The Colonel]

I will bet anyone that Vella (The maltese canary) WILL NOT be at the EELS beyond 2005.

Unless he re-gains selection for NSW and Australia I'd hazard a guess that would be an easy bet....

 

[Pazza]

Vella is capable of playing some really good football. But i ain't going to hang around waiting for that.