Here's an idea...

[PARRA_FAN]

Instead of signing all these high profiled players with big money, why dont we keep our players we've got and develop some of the youngsters coming through. Is that so hard to do?

Why are we going after Orford, when we've got Smith and Witt?

What Parramatta needs are good centres, and a couple of good props/second rowers, and then improve on the ones we've got.

For once, why cant this happen at Parramatta?

 

[Stagger eel]

Instead of signing all these high profiled players with big money, why dont we keep our players we've got and develop some of the youngsters coming through. Is that so hard to do?

Why are we going after Orford, when we've got Smith and Witt?

What Parramatta needs are good centres, and a couple of good props/second rowers, and then improve on the ones we've got.

For once, why cant this happen at Parramatta?

I suggest you pull out the History books and have a look at Parra's performances between 1987 to 1995 then comeback and let us know if you've changed your opinion.

 

[Eels Dude]

Spot on Parra Fan, that's what I've been saying all along. We have a great junior bases, we just have to wait for the players to develop and we'll have a top quality football side again. Better than continuing looking elsewhere for experienced, but lower quality players and sacrificing our young blokes.

 

[Freak]

I would doubt Parra is going to buy every single high profile player in the market, but we will put our name out there if nothing else than nusence value and to make other sides pay top dollar if they wish to sign them.

Such as what the Sharks did with us with Riddell.

It makes sense.

 

[mickdo]

We need to do both.

 

[The Colonel]

Honestly what you are saying is a good idea however in the past while this does work you need to sign one or two players to complement and bring an outside influence into the team.

Look at Brisbane in 92 and 93. Their main recruits were Lazarus and Gillmeister, without those two they would not have won the premiership.

Parramatta - Stevens, Edge and the return of O'Reilly amongst our young players and we win 81-83. The addition of Leabeater and Bugden helped us in 1986.

Penrith - the addition of Priddis and Lang helped them turn things around.

They had the good young players however they needed an outside influence to make it all work. The players we have at the moment have their combinations and the addition of two or three maybe even four players could turn us from where we are to back where we should be.

 

[Belly in Brisvegas]

I'm going to put myself on the line here and ask what the hype about Witt is. He can kick goals but that is about all I have seen from him so far.

I think he is too slow for a half-5/8 and doesn't appear to be a great leader of the team (maybe those who get to the games have an opinion on what he is like in back play directing the team around).

I am yet to be convinced that he is the solution.

I keep hearing "the good teams have a "marquee" halfback"...I don't think Witty is marquee. Matt Orford on the other hand......

I can't comment on Tim Smith but I am in hope that the wraps that he is getting materialise into a great 1st grade career with US!!

 

[1eyedeel]

Two reasons: You don't win Premierships without a star half or five-eighth. We don't have either.

Secondly: Young players develop far quicker with a mentor, hence why Canberra have signed Jason Smith. Tim Smith will develop far quicker if he spends a year playing and training alongside Orford. I think a short term deal with Orford with the idea of either Witt or Smith being groomed as the apprentice to take over is absolutely the way to go. Unfortunatley, I don't think it's going to happen because I think Orford will go to Newcastle.

Either way, I've basically resigned myself to the fact that either T Smith or Witt is going to have to go. With Morris as a long-term 5/8, as I've said in another thread there's not enough room for them all and we have Blake Green coming through, too.

The question is which one do you keep? There's probably a 50/50 chance your going to let the wrong one go...

 

[Stagger eel]

We need to do both.

I dare say we are doing both!

we've resigned Feleti yesterday and are currently looking at extending Jack Afa's contract beyond next year?

I know we're all concerned about Tim Smith going however I believe Tim has already made up his mind or else he would of signed him ages ago.

 

[PARRA_FAN]

Witt is a young developing halfback, other clubs have had the same and have turned out to be superstars. Ive seen him play he goes pretty good.

If we develop Witt he'll be a great halfback. Look at what Brisbane's done to Brett Seymour, Penrith to Craig Gower, Newcastle to Johns and Gidley, New Zealand to Jones. Parramatta should do the same and use him well.

To win a premiership, you need a good half. But the half wont go well without good forwards.

Dean Pay was our best buy, wasnt that high profiled but certainly gave the forwards something.

 

[Eels Dude]

Newcastle to Johns and Gidley, New Zealand to Jones. Parramatta should do the same and use him well.

Kurt Gidley was an ordinary player when he first broke into first a couple of years ago, now he's been selected for origin! All those Witt knockers should realise that the bloke has great potential, we haven't seen the best of him yet but I think we've seen enough to say he's going to be a very good player indeed. Give the guy a chance, If you got rid of every player who wasn't outstanding in their first couple of years in top grade we'd be releasing a dozen Willie Tonga's every year.

 

[Stagger eel]

I'm sorry Mate!

but I've watched every firstgrade and a heap of Premier league matches that Witt has played in and I've seen no indication what so ever that he will turn out to be the player you think he'll be! sure there is a lot of room for improvement but he won't be no Gower or Johns and I rate both Seymor and Kurt Gidley a better player than Witt who's just about the same age as them.

 

[Belly in Brisvegas]

New Zealand to Jones

Actually....what about Stacey Jones???????

I think he would be a better option than Orford...surely he couldn't be asking too much more than Orford and would be a great mentor for the young halves in the club.

And has just only turned 28 so will have a few years up his sleeve.

Could do much worse.

 

[Eels Dude]

I'm sorry Mate!

but I've watched every firstgrade and a heap of Premier league matches that Witt has played in and I've seen no indication what so ever that he will turn out to be the player you think he'll be! sure there is a lot of room for improvement but he won't be no Gower or Johns and I rate both Seymor and Kurt Gidley a better player than Witt who's just about the same age as them.

Well I think you're being too critical too early, Witt's form has been down this year but last year he was going great for a guy with so little experience. Give the guy a chance, is that so much to ask? Everyone was talking about the future player he was going to be at the end of last year.

If you're going to say Witt isn't a future player at this stage of his career, then I don't think you (not you specifically) have the right to criticize Brian Smith for letting go other players at a similar age eg, Tonga, Tim Smith, Joel Clinton.

 

[PARRA_FAN]

It'll be bloody typical if we let go Witt and he turns out to be sensational elsewhere. :roll: :x

 

[PARRA_FAN]

Actually Eels Dude, I dont think his form was never down at all, just didnt have enough support when he had the ball.

 

[Stagger eel]

I'm sorry Mate!

but I've watched every firstgrade and a heap of Premier league matches that Witt has played in and I've seen no indication what so ever that he will turn out to be the player you think he'll be! sure there is a lot of room for improvement but he won't be no Gower or Johns and I rate both Seymor and Kurt Gidley a better player than Witt who's just about the same age as them.

Well I think you're being too critical too early, Witt's form has been down this year but last year he was going great for a guy with so little experience. Give the guy a chance, is that so much to ask? Everyone was talking about the future player he was going to be at the end of last year.

If you're going to say Witt isn't a future player at this stage of his career, then I don't think you (not you specifically) have the right to criticize Brian Smith for letting go other players at a similar age eg, Tonga, Tim Smith, Joel Clinton.

Witt is a good prospect!

But at this stage I'm only comparing to the players mentioned! and he is not that great. I'll be surprised if even turns out to be a better player than Seymour and Gidley, because at the moment he is not up to that class.

Loved to be proven wrong, especially if he's wearing an eels jumper.

 

[Freak]

IMO Witty is extremely raw. His best attribute is his desire to not fail! He plays with passion and simply loves to win! I thought he went good against the Knights and I think he will be given a good stint in first grade now until the end of the season. I will pass judgement on him then, but for now I am excited to see him back in first grade.
You got to remember he too is extremely young and has a solid junior rep background. We signed him for 4 years so that tells me that at this time last year both Smith and Witt were keen to build the side around him.
It must of hurt him to not to have the number 7 jersey at the start of the season, but I think now given another chance, he will take it with both hands.

I was so critical of Witty last year, but 12 months on I can see an improved ball player, a great goal kicker and one of the better defending halves in the game. He is extremely strong and can read a game. But the one thing that I love about him is his passion in the jersey!!! He can lead us and will mark my words!!!

 

[PARRA_FAN]

Sherwin wasnt good when he started then turned out to be a class halfback in 2002 and 2003, although not having the best of season so far.

 

[Eels Dude]

Good point Parra-Fan, Sherwin was 21 (2 years older than Witt when he made his debut) and took 3 or 4 years before he became a great halfback. The Canterbury club showed faith in him and were rewarded.