Eels in the media

[Poupou Escobar]

Actually, if Penisini was one of the PO gang (Brown, Lane, Matterson...) then I think the reason for poor form and engagement is self-evident.

Absolutely not need to play to or near your potential regularly, if you had the control to flick a PO switch and extend your contract on its current terms.

How is that any different to having a contract locked in "on its current terms" with no PO?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Except you are missing the point that professionals (in sport and elsewhere) get paid to perform at their best sure, but they also have a level of self-pride in what they do.

Do you honestly think that because they have a contract in place, their incentive to play to their best is removed or reduced? Wow, to me (ie. in my opinion) that is a big stretch.

And if he wanted to take advantage of being off contract and getting an upgrade, surely he would want to play his best.

 

[the phantom menace]

How is that any different to having a contract locked in "on its current terms" with no PO?

Sigh. If a player is sitting on a PO they alone can trigger for an easy extension, it's very different to a contract with no PO that will end one year earlier - where they have to perform sufficiently to earn an offer from their current club or other clubs

 

[Timana]

Penisini's poor form is only in his defense, not his attack which hasnt dropped. That could easily be put down to the new defensive structure and style that Ryles has introduced. Add to the fact he has shifted sides which means a change to angles, shoulder to use, line speed on that edge and he has new partners to build trust in and work on timings with. His running metres, LBs and TAs are all on par with previous years.

So, lots of reasons that don't rely on him being dirty because he got shifted to a new position and his brother isn't playing with him.

And he's digging in but I think he's trying too hard too. Maybe need a week break and get someone to work with him more

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Sigh. If a player is sitting on a PO they alone can trigger for an easy extension, it's very different to a contract with no PO that will end one year earlier - where they have to perform sufficiently to earn an offer from their current club or other clubs

I’m talking about the case where a player does have a contract for multiple years. They have the same security as if they had a PO. Does it cause them to play poorly? Are you one of those who believes players should only be offered one year contracts, to keep them from becoming complacent?

 

[the phantom menace]

I’m talking about the case where a player does have a contract for multiple years. They have the same security as if they had a PO. Does it cause them to play poorly? Are you one of those who believes players should only be offered one year contracts, to keep them from becoming complacent?

I'm talking about why Brown, Lane, Matterson and Penisini are playing poorly. They didn't have the multiple year contract locked in - they each had disincentivising POs they could just trigger.

 

[hindy111]

Actually, if Penisini was one of the PO gang (Brown, Lane, Matterson...) then I think the reason for poor form and engagement is self-evident.

Absolutely not need to play to or near your potential regularly, if you had the control to flick a PO switch and extend your contract on its current terms.

He does have a PO as d he took it up for next year.

 

[emjaycee]

He does have a PO as d he took it up for next year.

Hey, don't let the truth get in the way of a good drama.

 

[hindy111]

Penisini is powerfull and busts tackles. Unsure what happened to him. I feel like if we where a strong side he'd look fine but in a weak side he is exposed.
But let's be fair. Lomax.was just as horrible last week. Two of his passes where very poor quality. And Fox did stuff all.
I think the problem is our forwards are getting hammered and not creating space which is effecting the backs

 

[the phantom menace]

He does have a PO as d he took it up for next year.

Yep, that was my point. Didn't need to show any good form to trigger his extension for a further year.

Hey, don't let the truth get in the way of a good drama.

Huh...?

 

[hindy111]

Yep, that was my point. Didn't need to show any good form to trigger his extension for a further year.

Huh...?

Players might do this when on their last lunch meal. Final pay day like Lane,Matto,Jnr etc. I'm not saying they are.
Much a young buck has another 10yrs. I highly doubt he would be taking it easy

 

[Timana]

Penisini is powerfull and busts tackles. Unsure what happened to him. I feel like if we where a strong side he'd look fine but in a weak side he is exposed.
But let's be fair. Lomax.was just as horrible last week. Two of his passes where very poor quality. And Fox did stuff all.
I think the problem is our forwards are getting hammered and not creating space which is effecting the backs

I dont think he's attack this year is that bad.

The forwards aren't winning the middle and we are making alot of errors.

We are also playing a more 1 out style so our quick edges don't get open space.

Our halves aren't able to setup the outside backs and we don't have decoys running to hold the middle.

On 360 yesterday, Lomax was asked what was different even though it was prefaced with we know you weren't there last year.
He said the defensive system is completely different... so the boys must be finding it hard to adapt

 

[the phantom menace]

Players might do this when on their last lunch meal. Final pay day like Lane,Matto,Jnr etc. I'm not saying they are.
Much a young buck has another 10yrs. I highly doubt he would be taking it easy

All good, we'll just slot him into that group of players that showed promise in an initial year, were hyped up as juniors by the club or their managers ("leadership skills") but ultimately ended up as NRL plodders.

I (usually) like Penisni's defence, and he's got some individual skills too - it's just this year he seems like he doesn't want to look for work or collaborate with other teammates, and he's turning to . And he's looked that way for a while.

Maybe he's discovered cars and girls...?

 

[Timana]

All good, we'll just slot him into that group of players that showed promise in an initial year, were hyped up as juniors by the club or their managers ("leadership skills") but ultimately ended up as NRL plodders.

I (usually) like Penisni's defence, and he's got some individual skills too - it's just this year he seems like he doesn't want to look for work or collaborate with other teammates, and he's turning to . And he's looked that way for a while.

Maybe he's discovered cars and girls...?

I am seeing something different. I've noticed alot of rucking out by Penisini more than fox if you ask me. Well more effective than fox.

He's never really been a COLLABORATIVE type (if you mean link with others). He's more a go yourself bullocking type with some footwork. And his defense, well he does make alot of 1st or 2nd contact after kick offs. Generally, I think he is struggling to adapt to the left edge as he hasn't got blistering speed. He's making wrong calls buy digging in in tackles instead of sliding.

I was watching a podcast and they mentioned that BA's style was they come in whereas alot of the better defensive team slide. and JR style is to slide He hasn't 100% adapted to that yet.

I know he's been shit but I do think he is struggling to adapt.
Stick him on the right edge as 2nd row, Liam Martin style until Lomax moves (for mine wing or 6).

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I'm talking about why Brown, Lane, Matterson and Penisini are playing poorly. They didn't have the multiple year contract locked in - they each had disincentivising POs they could just trigger.

Drown doesn’t have a PO, it was invalidated when he signed with the Knights. Any of the others who activates his PO won’t have one either.

 

[emjaycee]

Yep, that was my point. Didn't need to show any good form to trigger his extension for a further year.

Huh...?

I think you are missing the point that Penisini, Lane, Matto have all triggered their PO's which gave them 1 extra year (i.e. 2026). So at the end of this season, they are all available for other clubs to sign for 2027 and beyond. This would mean that the season to show their worth is actually 2025 and therefore your assertion that they are 'tanking' in 2025 because they have triggered their PO doesn't make sense.

 

[Suitman]

I think you are missing the point that Penisini, Lane, Matto have all triggered their PO's which gave them 1 extra year (i.e. 2026). So at the end of this season, they are all available for other clubs to sign for 2027 and beyond. This would mean that the season to show their worth is actually 2025 and therefore your assertion that they are 'tanking' in 2025 because they have triggered their PO doesn't make sense.

Having an axe to grind never makes sense.

 

[the phantom menace]

I think you are missing the point that Penisini, Lane, Matto have all triggered their PO's which gave them 1 extra year (i.e. 2026). So at the end of this season, they are all available for other clubs to sign for 2027 and beyond. This would mean that the season to show their worth is actually 2025 and therefore your assertion that they are 'tanking' in 2025 because they have triggered their PO doesn't make sense.

I've never asserted they are "tanking"... I'm just indicating - based on observation - that they are playing well beneath their ability and potential, individually and as cogs within a team. And I've (of course) speculated as to why (since nobody truly can know).

As you've agreed, they cannot (do not need to) sign to commence the 2026 season with another club. We're at the start of 2025, so they have a whole year up their sleeves before they actually need to worry about where the 2027 cheques might be coming from - except for Dylan Brown who's sorted and doesn't need to care either.

 

[the phantom menace]

Having an axe to grind never makes sense.

 

[Pazza]

I thought the POs were defeated once and for all......