Eels trial.

[Kilkenny]

I’m a massive Soni Luke Fan, I really hope he kicks on this season. He’s also a very popular player within the 1st grade squad

Turned 26 a couple of days ago, very talented junior and not sure why he didn’t kick on earlier. Perhaps there were concerns about his small stature, defence, had to be something to do with the defensive side of the game as he always possessed a dangerous running game. His two tries yesterday were very good, close to the line but had work to do, beat a number of defenders each time.

 

[Iamback]

I'm not asking for Moylan God tier ballplaying, just the ability to catch and pass

All timing though. Is the centre going to run on to it?
Is the opposition winger going to belt him. In which case go wider.

 

[mxlegend99]

The only thing this trial proved was that we are weaker than last year (Having lost Capewell, burton, Momirovski, May, Naden etc. That's not a surprise) and that with a few rep quality players out ontop of those losses we are not close to being the best team.

We saw last year with our origin guys out that even poor teams could best us. So of course a near full strength Eels side can pump us without Edwards, Cleary, Fish, Yeo and Leniu ontop of our departures.

I think we're looking at 3rd to 6th with this roster at or near full strength. It's not as strong as last year. The hunger is gone and realistically back to back is damn near impossible even with the same squad

 

[Smug Panther]

The only thing this trial proved was that we are weaker than last year (Having lost Capewell, burton, Momirovski, May, Naden etc. That's not a surprise) and that with a few rep quality players out ontop of those losses we are not close to being the best team.

We saw last year with our origin guys out that even poor teams could best us. So of course a near full strength Eels side can pump us without Edwards, Cleary, Fish, Yeo and Leniu ontop of our departures.

I think we're looking at 3rd to 6th with this roster at or near full strength. It's not as strong as last year. The hunger is gone and realistically back to back is damn near impossible even with the same squad

Who's better than us though? Only Easts and Melbourne can match us in the finals. We'll be ok

 

[Kilkenny]

Nathan is the key, he makes a lot of our players better.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

Nathan is the key, he makes a lot of our players better.

I agree.

What are you're thoughts about yesterday's game. You were there ?

 

[Black Diamond]

Nathan is the key, he makes a lot of our players better.

Sure does, his game management (amongst his other obvious skills) makes him the best 7 in the game.

 

[Kilkenny]

I agree.

What are you're thoughts about yesterday's game. You were there ?

I only watched Flegg and NSW Cup I went home to watch main game on TV with the wife who wasn’t well.

I thought Parramatta were very good from start to finish and we weren’t able to match them in any facet of the game. They didn’t give us a sniff, had all the ball and field position so the score line was no real surprise.

Im not overly concerned, we have a lot of our key players to return so let’s see how we measure up against the Sea Eagles in Round 1.

I think the most disappointing aspect was that some of the more experienced and established players didn’t turn up, make your own mind up about who I am referring to.

 

[Smug Panther]

I only watched Flegg and NSW Cup I went home to watch main game on TV with the wife who wasn’t well.

I thought Parramatta were very good from start to finish and we weren’t able to match them in any facet of the game. They didn’t give us a sniff, had all the ball and field position so the score line was no real surprise.

Im not overly concerned, we have a lot of our key players to return so let’s see how we measure up against the Sea Eagles in Round 1.

You'd hope both our captains and not Ivan rip into them for the next 2 weeks. Zero heart even from fringe players

 

[Kilkenny]

You'd hope both our captains and not Ivan rip into them for the next 2 weeks. Zero heart even from fringe players

I just think a relatively full strength Eels we’re up for it from the kick off, got all the breaks and good fortune.

I don’t think it was lack of effort or heart they were just so much better.

 

[WestyLife]

I just think a relatively full strength Eels we’re up for it from the kick off, got all the breaks and good fortune.

I don’t think it was lack of effort or heart they were just so much better.

We would've made them look ordinary if the roster situation was reversed.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

I just think a relatively full strength Eels we’re up for it from the kick off, got all the breaks and good fortune.

I don’t think it was lack of effort or heart they were just so much better.

A similar sumary to my own.

In saying that, Eels have every call, every chance they took came off. Played it like a finals games, rather than a trial.

Cleary wasn't happy with attitude of players already mentioned. The holiday is over.

 

[Kilkenny]

We would've made them look ordinary if the roster situation was reversed.

Perhaps, if we were at full strength and they had Moses and half a dozen others out.

Again I think the Eels are a better side than some on here suggest.

They have a very good spine the Eels. Mitchell Moses is a much better player than some suggest.

 

[WestyLife]

Perhaps, if we were at full strength and they had Moses and half a dozen others out.

Again I think the Eels are a better side than some on here suggest.

They have a very good spine the Eels. Mitchell Moses is a much better player than some suggest.

Post origin last year Moses was better. He's becoming an elite half in his own right.

 

[Kilkenny]

A similar sumary to my own.

In saying that, Eels have every call, every chance they took came off. Played it like a finals games, rather than a trial.

Cleary wasn't happy with attitude of players already mentioned. The holiday is over.

It is not ideal going into a new season when you have players signed to play elsewhere the following season.

Some can rise above it mentally, put in 100% and give there all while others subconsciously or otherwise aren’t able to sustain there performance levels.

 

[Kilkenny]

I know it’s “only a trial” but I still thought it would be worth assessing the individual performances of the players. It’s not panic stations yet but it did highlight the lack of depth at 2nd row and centre which may come back to bite us if injuries strike.

1. Charlie STAINES - Was’t terrible, just played like a winger positioned at fullback. Hopefully this ended the obsession of some posters calling for him to replace Edwards. I did wonder during the game if his increase in size has affected his speed?
2. Robert JENNINGS - Tries hard but I can’t get excited by him as he has zero x-factor. I like the fact he’s always keen to take a hit up, he’s like a bargain bin version of To’o.
3. Izack TAGO - Got absolutely burned in defence a couple of times. I went from being all in on him to wishing to god we had a decent centre option so he could play that bench utility role (covering edge 2nd row or centre in the case of injury only). Cleary has already given him the centre spot though so let’s hope his defence improves quickly.
4. Stephen CRICHTON - Expected more from him but unfortunately it was one of those games he has sometimes where he is totally invisible. Didn’t help that he had a middle forward playing out of position on his inside but I wonder if it would be better to move him back to the left now Burton is gone?
5. Brian TO'O - Uncharacteristically average game. Hopefully will be better for the run.
6. Jarome LUAI - Poor game, needed to play a leading role with Cleary out but didn’t. I know it’s only a trial but he also looked lost at times when Cleary was injured last season. Turning the ball outside to Kikau on every play isn’t going to challenge the opposition defence.
7. Sean O'SULLIVAN - Tried hard but showed why he’s a fringe first grader. Totally outclassed by Moses. Wasn’t helped at all by his forwards or Luai though.
8. Moses LEOTA - Best forward for us by quite some margin. One of the few Panthers who impressed.
9. Apisai KOROISAU - Diabolically bad. Directly resulted in 2 tries and a number of dropped balls through horrible service out of dummy half and simple fumbles. I wonder how much the anti-vax distractions have affected his pre-season.
16. J'maine HOPGOOD - Got a shot at starting prop with Leniu out. I’ve been a Hopgood apologist but I thought he had a poor game and wouldn’t care if he starts the year in NSW Cup. He’s not quite Billy Burns level but he seems to be good for at least 1 or 2 simple errors per game.
11. Viliame KIKAU - Really poor both in defence and attack. The fact he’ll have to play big minutes due to the lack of edge 2nd row depth is terrifying.
12. Scott SORENSEN - Love Sorro, don’t love him on an edge. Play him in the middle or not at all.
13. Matt EISENHUTH - Not up to first grade. Get well soon Isaah!

14. Mavrik GEYER - Had about 2 minutes of game time before going off injured. I think last week showed he’s still a way off first grade anyway so we probably didn’t need a 2nd look at him.
15. Chris SMITH - Played ok and might be a chance of a bench spot considering he can cover an edge.
17. Jaeman SALMON - Wasn’t a fan before and still am not. The fact he can cover a few different positions is the only upside, not enough to warrant a bench spot though IMO.
18. Eddie BLACKER - Career NSW cup level player, how can a guy of his size cause so little damage?
19. Sunia TURUVA - Wasn’t bad in very limited minutes, might still be a little raw for first grade but has potential and shows enthusiasm.
20. Taylan MAY - One of the only impressive Panthers players. It’s a pity he got so few minutes and I wonder if that’s an indication of his position in the pecking order? I’d be fine with him starting at wing from round 1 as he’d provide some x-factor.
21. Mitch KENNY - Didn’t impress but may have been gassed from playing earlier. If he’s our number 1 hooker next year we’re in big trouble.
25. Liam HENRY - Didn’t impress in limited minutes
28. Hohepa PURU - Got a few junk time minutes and unfortunately dropped the ball off the May line break

Great post thanks for your effort and input. My opinions on some players may differ but it’s all about opinions well done.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

It is not ideal going into a new season when you have players signed to play elsewhere the following season.

Some can rise above it mentally, put in 100% and give there all while others subconsciously or otherwise aren’t able to sustain there performance levels.

Us supporters, along with coaching team will find out fairly quickly whether Kiks, and Api will attempt to 'phone it in' or actually work for the bettermett of the team.

I'm sure if that's the case, they will be moved on early.

I'm hopefully that both players have more pride in their game than that,

Time will tell.

In a team well beaten I thought Leota tried hard all game, Tago had a couple of bad reads in defence, but hopefully he will have learned huge lessons there.

 

[Smug Panther]

Us supporters, along with coaching team will find out fairly quickly whether Kiks, and Api will attempt to 'phone it in' or actually work for the bettermett of the team.

I'm sure if ted hat's the case, they will be moved on early.

I'm hopefully that both players have more pride in their game than that,

Time will tell.

In a team well beaten I thought Leota tried hard all game, Tago had a couple of bad reads in defence, but hopefully he will have learned huge lessons there.

Thats not something anyone can learn that quickly. He'll be carved up all year imo but just means others have to cover and he has to score a lot

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

Thats not something anyone can learn that quickly. He'll be carved up all year imo but just means others have to cover and he has to score a lot

Would Jennings at centre be a 'better risk' then ?

 

[Kilkenny]

Us supporters, along with coaching team will find out fairly quickly whether Kiks, and Api will attempt to 'phone it in' or actually work for the bettermett of the team.

I'm sure if ted hat's the case, they will be moved on early.

I'm hopefully that both players have more pride in their game than that,

Time will tell.

In a team well beaten I thought Leota tried hard all game, Tago had a couple of bad reads in defence, but hopefully he will have learned huge lessons there.

Tago got caught out by some pretty decent sweeping plays by the Eels, it happens, he certainly wasn’t helped by Kikau on one of them. I think too much expectation has been placed on Tago, he is a kid, very inexperienced in a position which is very difficult defensively. I’m not convinced he is quite ready and personally I think he could benefit from half a season in NSW Cup to further develop all that comes with playing in the centres.