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I still remember the time Sevens completely and utterly misread a post from bigfella who was quoting someone else ... and sevens unloaded on him not getting the whole quoting someone else thing ..... lol^^^^^ Leadbeater (allegedly) seems nice. Didn’t he post here once as “sevens” ? Or am I imagining that ?
Parramatta Eels chairman Steve Sharp applies for AVO against former teammate Terry Leabeater
Sharp AVO application against Eels rivalwww.foxsports.com.au
That's about as good and accurate an article I have read about the eels in a long time.The obvious issue is that with a host of players off-contract at the end of 2022, does Parramatta really have the time to be patient in the expectation its title window will always be open?
Moving to the middle men, Parramatta will still enter the 2022 season boasting one of the most robust packs in the league.
That does not mean there is not a need for change though.
From a tactical point of view, Parramatta was at times too reliant on the power game up front as the foundation of its gameplan.
Finding a way to win when the big men are not enjoying the same forward momentum is one challenge for Arthur’s coaching credentials moving forward.
It obviously makes sense though to play into that strength but some of Arthur’s selections have not exactly done that.
Isaiah Papali’i, for instance, thrived on the edge before being moved into the middle at the latter stages of the season to cover for Campbell-Gillard.
The 23-year-old himself said in August he sees his future in the front row but having taken out Dally M honours for his breakout season in the backrow, there is little doubting where he is best suited at the moment.
Ryan Matterson, Shaun Lane, Bryce Cartwright and Marata Niukore are the other options Arthur has to work with, although the latter is being pursued by rival clubs.
Moving to lock forward, there are also questions as to whether Nathan Brown should remain in the starting line-up.
Brown’s bruising playing style has seen him take on the role as Eels enforcer since joining the club in 2017.
That style along with injuries have taken its toll though.
The 28-year-old still has plenty left in him but Parramatta could do with bringing him off the bench for maximum impact.
In turn, Ray Stone or even Matterson could be a solid option to begin games at lock, absorbing the early defensive workload before unleashing Brown against tired defenders.
It is just another decision for Arthur to make as he works out how to get the best out of his big men.
That then leaves the backline, where Parramatta will be looking to fill the void left by hulking winger Sivo.
Having suffered a ruptured ACL as well as MCL damage at the end of August, Sivo is expected to be sidelined for the start of the 2022 season.
For an Eels side that has lacked strike on the edge, it could be an opportunity for to test out alternatives to Sivo, whose defensive decision-making remains a concern.
With Blake Ferguson gone and Haze Dunster still developing, there is a need for both experience and also a metre-eater to help Parramatta get out of its own end.
Youngster Sean Russell would be first in line to get a shot at the role should the Eels look internally.
In reality, Ferguson was the best off-contract option so if the Eels passed up on re-signing him, it looks unlikely they will go to the open market.
If Parramatta goes down that route of developing from within, it can take confidence from the rise of Will Penisini, who has just five NRL games to his name but played with class beyond his years.
Waqa Blake also put an unconvincing start to the season behind him to finish one of Parramatta’s form players on the left edge, increasing his involvement and actually going after the contest instead of waiting for it to come to him.
With Blake capable of playing on the wing and Tom Opacic as a back-up option in the centres, there are options for Arthur to work with.
The depth though remains a question mark and is just one of several lingering over Arthur and the Eels in 2022.
Looking at the squad as a whole, all the components are there for Parramatta to be in title contention again, having gone within two points of knocking off the eventual premiers.
Now, instead of entering the off-season with a reminder of how far away they are from being genuine contenders, Parramatta enter 2022 knowing just how close that reality is.
Whether that is false hope or a genuine sign of change remains to be seen.
With it comes even greater expectations to make sure 2022 does not follow a similar script to the past three.
Eels were in ‘freefall’ then 160 minutes ‘saved’ Arthur. Now the real $4.2m headache begins
Eels were in ‘freefall’ then 160 minutes ‘saved’ Arthur. Now the real $4.2m headache begins
www.foxsports.com.au
We were actually looking pretty strong in 2016. The problem is that backstabbers blew the whistle on what we were doing to compete with the likes of the Chooks and the Storm. Is the problem the cheating or the whistle blowing? f**king no chance the top clubs aren't still doing the dodge. If the Storm are able to dominate without cheating then WTF did they bother cheating for?
It makes 2018 look all the more peculiar if you accept we were on track for the finals in 2016.
I have no doubt that actions taken to comply in 2016 bit us on the arse in 2018. In 2019 we suddenly had the cap space to bring in two of the game's best players in Paulo and Ferguson.
I'd ratherKey recruits and returning stars turn NRL on its head: Every club’s best 17 for 2022
Predicted Eels best 17: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Haze Dunster 3. Will Penisini 4. Waqa Blake 5. Maika Sivo 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Nathan Brown 14. Ray Stone 15. Marata Niukore 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Ryan Matterson
Analysis: Maika Sivo will return from injury to take Blake Ferguson’s spot on the wing after his retirement from rugby league following the Eels’ decision not to re-sign him. Reed Mahoney returns from injury at hooker with Ray Stone dropping to the bench. Will Smith is yet to be re-signed so he drops off the bench. Oregon Kaufusi replaces Bryce Cartwright on the bench.
Key recruits and returning stars turn NRL on its head: Every club’s best 17 for 2022
Key recruits and returning stars turn NRL on its head: Every club’s best 17 for 2022
Don't get me started on the Storm. In my opinion as long as they had Smith and Slatter, and to a Lesser extent Cronk, they were still benefiting from their salary cap cheating scandle.
