Eels in the media

[Lemon Squash]

I think Bevan just came through at the wrong time.

If he was a 21 year old going into season 2025 he would be among the new prototype of the modern fullback that's emerging. The smaller/electric types (Kini, Walsh, Taupiki, Faalogo etc).

When we turfed him Gutho was just making the 1 position his own. He didn't have the age/experience to go into the halves at that stage of his career.. We chucked him on the wing at a time where it was dominated by big power athletes which Bevan wasn't and he got dominated.

I would have loved to have seen him come back to the NRL 1-2 seasons ago but I think the time has passed him now.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I'm not saying it was Arthur's fault - I'm saying that he could have tweaked how he handled French, or worked out a plan to hide him from the defensive line.

French, himself, needed an attitude adjustment - something which would have benefitted French himself, and the club.

Arthur was seemingly unable, or unwilling, to to do, and maybe it's because he wasn't in his long-term plans.

I'm not here to have a go at Arthur.

It is a shame, though, that French's career at the Eels ended how it did.

He clearly had some flaws to his game, but he was probably worth persisting with, had someone been able to get him to fix his attitude.

If French was good enough for the NRL, surely he would be back by now? He’s been in the UK, what five or six years? I think the nature of the game suits him over there. I doubt Gutherson would be as effective in the UK, but he is still an NRL player. French isn’t.

 

[the phantom menace]

“Who is more foolish? The fool or the fool who follows him?”

Obiwan Kenobi

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

Stephen Hawking

 

[T.S Quint]

If French came back to the NRL he’d be getting rag dolled just like he was years ago. That’s why he’s still overseas playing a reserve grade-calibre competition and no NRL teams want him.

Steve Menzies was playing over there when he was like 40 years old or something. f**king Rangi Chase was their player of the year at one stage.

I have absolutely zero regrets that he is gone from the Eels and I would t want him to come back, not even a little bit.
BA did nothing wrong dropping him to Wenty and then releasing him from the club. Anyone blaming him for French’s shortcoming are just delusional and biased.

 

[the phantom menace]

Talagi reminds me a bit of French.

Bottom line is no matter how good you are in attack, if you can't defend you'll eventually be found out, and there's no place for you in NRL.

Will be watching Blaize's future "progress" with interest... I predict some time at Hull KR in his future.

 

[Eelementary]

If French was good enough for the NRL, surely he would be back by now? He’s been in the UK, what five or six years? I think the nature of the game suits him over there. I doubt Gutherson would be as effective in the UK, but he is still an NRL player. French isn’t.

Possibly.

It's also possible that, given his display of poor attitudes in the past, NRL coaches don't want to take that chance with him.

We will never know.

But I'm far more excited to see Lomax, and Addo-Carr, in the Blue and Gold.

 

[Eelementary]

If French came back to the NRL he’d be getting rag filled just like he was years ago. That’s why he’s still overseas playing a reserve grade-calibre competition and no NRL teams want him.

Steve Menzies was playing over there when he was like 40 years old or something. f**king Rangi Chase was their player of the year at one stage.

I have absolutely zero regrets that he is gone from the Eels and I would t want him to come back, not even a little bit.
BA did nothing wrong dropping him to Wenty and then releasing him from the club. Anyone blaming him for French’s shortcoming are just delusional and biased.

Btw I never blamed Arthur.

French had a lousy attitude - I just mentioned that, had he been in Arthur's plans, he might have been able to kick French into gear.

Que será, será.

Certainly much more excited that we have genuine, world-class backline players in The Fox, and The Pool.

 

[Angry_eel]

Talagi reminds me a bit of French.

Bottom line is no matter how good you are in attack, if you can't defend you'll eventually be found out, and there's no place for you in NRL.

Will be watching Blaize's future "progress" with interest... I predict some time at Hull KR in his future.

Hence why, Dylan Brown is so well-paid and well-respected. I think he's average as an attacking half but his defence is amazing.

 

[Noise]

Hence why, Dylan Brown is so well-paid and well-respected. I think he's average as an attacking half but his defect is amazing.

His defect being alcohol

 

[Angry_eel]

His defect being alcohol

His defensive hands become attacking when he's on alcohol

 

[hineyrulz]

His defect being alcohol

And Norks.

 

[the phantom menace]

Hence why, Dylan Brown is so well-paid and well-respected. I think he's average as an attacking half but his defence is amazing.

Exactly, Brown's not/never been a weak point in the front line defence, which for a half is a great quality.

Moses has come along in leaps and bounds on that front too.