Eels in the media

[hineyrulz]

It’s a sad reflection on some posters when the comments are not about a players ability, just his name. Surely trying to keep the team that won junior reps together a la Panfers is sensible, but then again some wake up each day to post childish posts.

So he's not 72kgs atm and a massive liability in defence???? No one is questioning he doesn't have talent but you are allowed to question if he will be ever big enough or have the frame to play first grade. Especially the way we will use him, atm Mahoney makes him looks tiny. Keeping the junior reps together is fine but it's just a shame it already looks like we've lost the halfback from that team.

 

[Obscene Assassin]

Have they questioned other Dev contracts in the past that have the same fine print ? In hindsight, does Mataele deserve a Top 30 spot ?

Eels announce two new signings

The Parramatta Eels are pleased to announce the signings of Matt Doorey and Toni Mataele.

www.parraeels.com.au

His work in the middle later in the year I think so. We don't have someone of his size with his speed in the pack coming through. If he can continue developing I think he could eventually take Reg's role within the team.

 

[Happy MEel]

Have they questioned other Dev contracts in the past that have the same fine print ? In hindsight, does Mataele deserve a Top 30 spot ?

Eels announce two new signings

The Parramatta Eels are pleased to announce the signings of Matt Doorey and Toni Mataele.

www.parraeels.com.au

We at least know Mataele will be physically up to first grade from a size perspective. We’re banking on a 72kg hooker who has played 1 game against men to be worthy of a top 30 spot in a few years time. I have no issue with the development contract component. Securing him a top 30 place is ridiculous at this point.

Be honest, how many other nrl clubs do you think would have been offering him a guaranteed top 30 spot in a few years time? Surely even you could admit the most prudent thing to do would be to offer him the dev contract for 24 and 25, see how he goes this year against men in NSW Cup and then if he goes alright, extend him the additional year in the top 30 for 26.

But no, it looks like the nepotism gnome strikes again.
The only way I can see this making any sought of sense is if it’s a club option. However that article made no reference to that. I can also absolutely see BA putting the interests of his son over the interests of the club in this regard.

 

[Gronk]

We at least know Mataele will be physically up to first grade from a size perspective. We’re banking on a 72kg hooker who has played 1 game against men to be worthy of a top 30 spot in a few years time. I have no issue with the development contract component. Securing him a top 30 place is ridiculous at this point.

Be honest, how many other nrl clubs do you think would have been offering him a guaranteed top 30 spot in a few years time? Surely even you could admit the most prudent thing to do would be to offer him the dev contract for 24 and 25, see how he goes this year against men in NSW Cup and then if he goes alright, extend him the additional year in the top 30 for 26.

But no, the nepotism gnome strikes again.

Be honest, who would give a crap if his name wasn't Arthur.

 

[Pazza]

are we going to worry about the size of an 19 year old???? lots of growing to do over the next couple of off seasons.

 

[Happy MEel]

Be honest, who would give a crap if his name wasn't Arthur.

I freely admit that his surname makes this a more
Prominent issue. Doesn’t make it any more acceptable.

 

[Happy MEel]

are we going to worry about the size of an 19 year old???? lots of growing to do over the next couple of off seasons.

Why are we risking it with a top 30 spot? There’s simply no need to at this stage of his career. He certainly hasn’t shown that he’s the next Cameron Smith.

 

[JokerEel]

Be honest, who would give a crap if his name wasn't Arthur.

Why is there an article of MA though? Why not on one of the other many talented Flegg players?

I think MA will be a good player down the track btw.

But really after all the JA bullshit his old man should have been like let's announce some other talented kids to keep the spotlight from MA.

It's bloody dumb

 

[Pazza]

Why are we risking it with a top 30 spot? There’s simply no need to at this stage of his career. He certainly hasn’t shown that he’s the next Cameron Smith.

isnt he on a dev contract???

 

[the phantom menace]

I think there has been questioning of some people that also ended up with an unheralded automatic top 30 spot - Loizou (sp?) immediately comes to mind.

Personally I hope MA continues his development and becomes a legitimate top 30 player in 2026 and beyond... but can see why people are questioning this type of contract, when a development contract for two years would likely have done the job (with the option of a top 30 contract for 2026 to be offered when merited, at any point within that development two years).

 

[Happy MEel]

isnt he on a dev contract???

Not in 2026

 

[Happy MEel]

I think there has been questioning of some people that also ended up with an unheralded automatic top 30 spot - Loizou (sp?) immediately comes to mind.

Personally I hope MA continues his development and becomes a legitimate top 30 player in 2026 and beyond... but can see why people are questioning this type of contract, when a development contract for two years would likely have done the job (with the option of a top 30 contract for 2026 to be offered when merited, at any point within that development two years).

This

 

[Pazza]

Not in 2026

youre worried about a 25 to 30 roster spot in 2026?

 

[Happy MEel]

youre worried about a 25 to 30 roster spot in 2026?

Yep, if he turns out to be another Loizou (which was another brainless decision). What if there’s another junior coming through that deserves it more, but we lose him as we can’t offer it to him and another club can? It’s an unnecessary risk.

 

[Gronk]

I freely admit that his surname makes this a more
Prominent issue. Doesn’t make it any more acceptable.

Groundhog Day. His brother was “nothing better than Ron Massey”, yet he’s currently Top 30 for Manly and and playing exactly the same role there as he was here.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Be honest, how many other nrl clubs do you think would have been offering him a guaranteed top 30 spot in a few years time?

I think it’s pretty common for clubs to sign talented kids into the top 30, especially at the end of long extensions. He is an elite dummy half at SG Ball and Flegg level, and it’s not a stretch to think that he will be a strong reserve grader (which is where the bottom of the top 30 plays) in three years.

Yes it’s a risk, but the alternative is losing the player to a club willing to take the same risk and make the same offer.

 

[Happy MEel]

I think it’s pretty common for clubs to sign talented kids into the top 30, especially at the end of long extensions. He is an elite dummy half at SG Ball and Flegg level, and it’s not a stretch to think that he will be a strong reserve grader (which is where the bottom of the top 30 plays) in three years.

Yes it’s a risk, but the alternative is losing the player to a club willing to take the same risk and make the same offer.

Is it? Do you have some similar examples? Regardless, don’t we have the advantage that his dad is the head coach? We shouldn’t need to take these risks under these circumstances.

 

[King-Gutho94]

Groundhog Day. His brother was “nothing better than Ron Massey”, yet he’s currently Top 30 for Manly and and playing exactly the same role there as he was here.

Jake was playing 5/8 at Manly.

Not the 5 min ultilty role at the end of the game he was for us

 

[Pazza]

Yep, if he turns out to be another Loizou (which was another brainless decision). What if there’s another junior coming through that deserves it more, but we lose him as we can’t offer it to him and another club can? It’s an unnecessary risk.

every club has loizous... sometimes you hit sometimes you miss...

 

[Obscene Assassin]

Why are we risking it with a top 30 spot? There’s simply no need to at this stage of his career. He certainly hasn’t shown that he’s the next Cameron Smith.

If this was the level that we (or any other club) give players T30 contracts I don't think there'd be any players signed.