Eels in the media

[Eelementary]

I wouldn't put Penisini in the world class elite bracket, by any means.

He's not even rep level yet - and may never be - despite Sean Russell scoring a PM XIII jersey.

The sentiment was more that I hope he doesn't regress further, or ruin his career.

I think he's a talent, who had a poor 2024; but I'm also excited to see whether he can thrive under a different coaching philosophy.

 

[I Bleed Maroon]

f**k, how did I forget Jason Smith? Just had my @I Bleed Maroon moment.

Stick him in there instead of Drown.

See? It's f**king easy.

 

[Incorrect]

Assuming all playing at their Parra peak, of course.

Gutherson
Burt
Vaealiki
Lyon
Tahu
Brown D
Moses
Pay
Marsh
Cayless
Hindmarsh
McCracken
Dymock

Smith J
Moimoi
Vella
Solomona
Hayne

So many decent players from the past 26 years that had to be left out.

So Hayne at his peak is only worthy of a spot as 18th man?? At his absolute peak he was possibly the greatest player to have played the game, certainly top 5, across all era's. Obviously didn't maintain it his whole career but as you qualified yourself, at his absolute Parra peak he is miles front of Gutho, Burt and Tahu at fullback/wing... Especially Tahu who didn't even play in that position for us from memory....

 

[Eelementary]

So Hayne at his peak is only worthy of a spot as 18th man?? At his absolute peak he was possibly the greatest player to have played the game, certainly top 5, across all era's. Obviously didn't maintain it his whole career but as you qualified yourself, at his absolute Parra peak he is miles front of Gutho, Burt and Tahu at fullback/wing... Especially Tahu who didn't even play in that position for us from memory....

Agreed.

Rookie Of The Year at age 18
Winger Of The Year at age 19
Fullback Of The Year at age 21
Two-time Dally M Player Of The Year, one of which was won at only age 21
A few RLIF awards
Dally M Representative Player Of The Year at age 26


Jarryd Hayne was a phenom, pure, and simple.

 

[Gronk]

Sporting News Dot Com ranked all the fullbacks for the 2025 season.

17. Iongi / Lomax
16. Weekes / Stewart
15. Bula / Mason
14. Kennedy / Ison / Dykes
13. Tracey / Taaffe
12. Gutho / Sloan
11. Clock-Stand / RTS
10. Hammer / Fuller
9. Mitchell / Gray
8. Teddy / Rugby Alphabet
7. Drinkwater / Chester
6. Walsh / Cobbo
5. Poga / Sharpe
4. Paps / Fa’alogo
3. Edwards / Lawrie
2. Kini / Brimson / Campbell
1. Turbo / Hoppa 5.0 / Koula

https://www.nospam47.com/au/rugby-l...tion-every-club-2025/f91e8b87334a5a6b2f2ffc05

 

[Eelementary]

Sporting News Dot Com ranked all the fullbacks for the 2025 season.

17. Iongi / Lomax
16. Weekes / Stewart
15. Bula / Mason
14. Kennedy / Ison / Dykes
13. Tracey / Taaffe
12. Gutho / Sloan
11. Clock-Stand / RTS
10. Hammer / Fuller
9. Mitchell / Gray
8. Teddy / Rugby Alphabet
7. Drinkwater / Chester
6. Walsh / Cobbo
5. Poga / Sharpe
4. Paps / Fa’alogo
3. Edwards / Lawrie
2. Kini / Brimson / Campbell
1. Turbo / Hoppa 5.0 / Koula

https://www.nospam47.com/au/rugby-l...tion-every-club-2025/f91e8b87334a5a6b2f2ffc05

Edwards at 3?

The incumbent Australian, and NSW fullback, is at 3?

Ok, then...list is now an obsolete joke.

I also love how ab old, slowing, aging Teddy is still in the top 8, according to these bozos.

 

[King-Gutho94]

It's a tough list to draw due to the quality of Fullbacks in the game.

I do have to laugh at Bula being ranked at 15th.

Especially as the Tigers have the best spine according to there CEO a few weeks ago.

 

[Gronk]

Edwards at 3?

The incumbent Australian, and NSW fullback, is at 3?

Ok, then...list is now an obsolete joke.

I also love how ab old, slowing, aging Teddy is still in the top 8, according to these bozos.

Hughes won the 2024 Dally M over Teddy by one point IIRC.

 

[Eelementary]

Hughes won the 2024 Dally M over Teddy by one point IIRC.

He's good, but I don't believe he's near the top 8 fullbacks right now.

I concur that an unknown quantity in Iongi should be 17th.

But I don't think he's the 8th best fullback in the game at this stage of his career.

 

[Eelementary]

Having said that, I predict that by the end of 2024, Isaiah Iongi will be firmly entrenched in the top 6 fullbacks of the game.

Big call, but he's a gem of a player.

 

[Gronk]

He's good, but I don't believe he's near the top 8 fullbacks right now.

I concur that an unknown quantity in Iongi should be 17th.

But I don't think he's the 8th best fullback in the game at this stage of his career.

The list has the Titans crew as #2 …..

 

[Eelementary]

The list has the Titans crew as #2 …..

Yeah, it's a bizarre list, to say the least.

King Gutho at 12 is also puzzling - his body is failing him, and he's slowing down, but he still had a reasonable 2024 (down from his usual standards,nod course).

It's clearly a piece to generate discussion, and not put forward honest opinions.

 

[Gronk]

Having said that, I predict that by the end of 2024, Isaiah Iongi will be firmly entrenched in the top 6 fullbacks of the game.

Big call, but he's a gem of a player.

Hopefully he’s not an arm grabber.

 

[Eelementary]

Hopefully he’s not an arm grabber.

From the times I watched him play in NSW Cup (which were only a handful of times, I must admit), he has a nice tackling technique.

I don't think he's as good a defender as Gutherson, but he probably makes up for it with his explosive tackle-breaking ability.

 

[hineyrulz]

Hughes won the 2024 Dally M over Teddy by one point IIRC.

The Dally M is a popularity contest, Edward’s has been better than Teddy for th last 3 years. Look at how much better NSW were once the crabbing selfish hog missed out the last 2 games.

 

[Gronk]

The Dally M is a popularity contest, Edward’s has been better than Teddy for th last 3 years. Look at how much better NSW were once the crabbing selfish hog missed out the last 2 games.

I wasn’t pointing anything out other than Teddy is still playing good footy.

 

[hineyrulz]

I wasn’t pointing anything out other than Teddy is still playing good footy.

He playing decent footy in a strong side, see how he goes next year when he has to do plenty more. He’s lost some speed and agility which was what he excelled at. He hasn’t got the ball playing skills to be an elite player anymore.

 

[King-Gutho94]

He playing decent footy in a strong side, see how he goes next year when he has to do plenty more. He’s lost some speed and agility which was what he excelled at. He hasn’t got the ball playing skills to be an elite player anymore.

His defence gets caught out as well.

He is out of position of lot which doesn't get picked up by the love-fest commentators there too busy just wrapping him for a single piece of play he might do.

 

[Gronk]

He playing decent footy in a strong side, see how he goes next year when he has to do plenty more. He’s lost some speed and agility which was what he excelled at. He hasn’t got the ball playing skills to be an elite player anymore.

In terms of the top fullbacks, if he isn't in the same cul-de-sac as AJ Brimson, then I will eat my hat.