Hoppa going to the Eels in 2014

[caylo]

And yet another way of looking at it is DCE has achieved stats 'better' than a 4 year veteran. Imagine how good he will be in 3 more years.

There is a lot of way to look at it but T.Smith had the best first season of any halfback in recent memory and then went off the boil and is now behind Porter at the Sharks. Sandows first season was just as good if not better then DCE is a team that was coming last when he first appeared mid season.

DCE is the same age as sandow, IIRC they are about a month apart and Sandow has 4 year experiance compared to DCE one.

The hardest thing for any halfback is to back it up and DCE will have it much easier with someone like Foran as his half partner and guys like the Stewart brother and Lyon around him but next year he may very well struggle to back it up.

No one can argue that Sandow and DCE are both talented and with Hayne, Matuia and Roberts around him plus Tonga in the backline he Sandow will have adequate support to perform just as DCE has. Sandow probably has the best long kicking game in the NRL and his short kicking game and running game are just as good as DCE so while you may disagree he is more then capable or producing the same sort of performances as DCE.

You could also say from that stat f*ck all, as compare the number of TA and LBA for our other players ie. Foran, Glenn Stewart (even Brett Stewart) and I think you'll find its shared around alot more than the rabble that was Souths creative nucleus.

Because Issac Luke, Sutton, Taylor, Nathan Merritt and Inglis are all hopeless player? Every team (probably bar parramatta this year) are so one dimensional that they only have one attacking option. You can not argue that DCE is not better off with guys like Foran and the Stewart brother in his team compared to not. DCE running game would much less effective if the opposition wasn't retreating from him but I doubt DCE stats would have improved if you removed those players and replaced them reserve grade players.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Tell you what, you can have Sandow and we'll keep Cherry-Evans.
I'm sure you've got a halfback every bit as good as Cherry-Evans

They're the same age, yet Sandow's been playing since 2008. Plus he's carried Souths this year. He's been trying to carry them since his rookie year.

Cherry-Evans is a good player but he's had the luxury of playing in a good team his entire career (less than 30 games).

Let's see how he handles adversity before we go talking up a rookie too much. Even Tim Smith won Dally M Rookie of the year (2005) and he set up loads more tries than Sandow (Dally M Rookie 2008) or Cherry-Evans (Dally M Rookie 2011).

You could also say from that stat f*ck all, as compare the number of TA and LBA for our other players ie. Foran, Glenn Stewart (even Brett Stewart) and I think you'll find its shared around alot more than the rabble that was Souths creative nucleus.

Linebreak Assists

13 Foran
12 Sutton
10 Lyon
9 Cherry-Evans
9 Stewart, B
8 Luke
8 Sandow
7 Hopoate
7 Taylor

Really just shows both halfbacks give a lot of early ball.

Certainly disproves the original comment that good outside backs are wasted at any club with Sandow as halfback - he sets up just as many tries and linebreak assists as Cherry-Evans.

Put those players in Souths lineup this year and Sandow would have had less TA and LBA assists as there would have been better players than him there to provide them.

With the better players he would also have had more opportunities to put blokes through gaps and set up tries.

 

[Sea_Eagles_Rock]

I'll take DCE anyday over Sandow. I don't rate him... Clearly the selectors agree with me too.

The fact is you are trying to buy a premiership in 2014/15. Good luck with that. I doubt we will go B2B, but we will go closer to winning again than you will with Sandow and Hayne.

 

[Tommax25]

Disappointing he came out and told Manly fans he was going to come back, knowing full well he wasn't.

Good on him though, and good on Parra. Great signing, he'll be a superstar. Surely it's not $800k a year though as reported on Fox Sports, and linked earlier. That's outrageous.

f**k John.

Thats what got me upset, not that he left. He has every right to get the best deal for himself and we can't keep everyone but to say he planned to come back after the two wasted years of his life on the mission when he knew full well he'd be signing with Parra is a bit of a kick in the guts. Just come out and say it Hoppa! Although I imagine he didn't want to tarnish the Premiership celebrations by within a few days announcing he'd be coming back to Parra. Still, say nothing rather than lie.

 

[zombie jesus]

Lol....he won't be on 500k, let alone 800k. I do love how people automatically believe every ridiculous salary the media make up though. Not sold on the signing myself. Not that he's not an excellent player, but who knows how he'll come back from two years out of the game...

Anyway, mostly making an enquiry about opinions on his brother Jamil and Luke Vescio, who we've apparently signed too...any good?

I don't believe the figures either, whatever he is on though it will be significantly more than what we were willing part with.

On Jamil, I haven't seen him play, he's supposedly just as talented. One thing I can say is personality wise he seems to be more like John than Will.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I'll take DCE anyday over Sandow. I don't rate him... Clearly the selectors agree with me too.

Who said the selectors don't rate Sandow? He's in the emerging Origin squad for Qld. Wayne Bennett loves him which is hardly a snub.

Cherry-Evans is a very good halfback but he's made the Australian squad on the basis that he played in the grand final and so many of his clubmates are in the side. Just like how so many Dragons players made Origin this year.

The fact is you are trying to buy a premiership in 2014/15.

Considering the players we've bought for next year I'd say a premiership for 2013 is realistic. Even next year we could go close.

As for buying Hopoate, that's just good business. What club wouldn't want a 21-year old Origin and premiership player on their books?

If he helps bring another premiership then all the better.

Good luck with that.

Thanks mate. It seems to work for clubs like Manly and the Bulldogs so why shouldn't it work for us?

I doubt we will go B2B, but we will go closer to winning again than you will with Sandow and Hayne.

We made a grand final when Hayne was the only player in our spine who could break the line and kick. You think Sandow's not going to take pressure off him?

Robson and Mortimer mate. :lol: And you begrudge us buying players?!? :shock:

 

[Nice Beaver]

Who said the selectors don't rate Sandow? He's in the emerging Origin squad for Qld. Wayne Bennett loves him which is hardly a snub.

Wayne Bennett also rates the pug faced dick Soward too. Bennett also told Ballin he'd never be a first grader. Being a great coach doesn't mean you're opinion is valid all the time.
Good luck to the Hopoate's. If a club wants to throw that much money at them they'd be crazy not to take it.
Hopefully Parramatta supporters will STFU with their poaching whinges for a while :roll:

 

[ceagle]

Defense is 50% of the game, you can dispute who is better attacking halfback, but their is no doubt that DCE is undeniably a way better defender then Sandow. If I had the choice between Sandow and DCE and DCE wasn't even allowed to handle the ball, I would still pick him.

 

[natheel]

This was DCE first season....it'll be interesting to see how he goes with more pressure on him next year

 

[Nice Beaver]

This was DCE first season....it'll be interesting to see how he goes with more pressure on him next year

I think he will disprove the second year syndrome theory emphatically.
Unlike a few other Rookie of the Year winners (Tim Smith and to a lesser extent Sandow come to mind) he has a team of quality around him.
Good luck to other teams who want to focus on Cherry-Evans when you've got Foran on the other side of the ruck. Not to mention Glen Stewart, Jamie Lyon etc.
I won't even get into the mental state of some other rookies.......

 

[natheel]

I think he will disprove the second year syndrome theory emphatically.
Unlike a few other Rookie of the Year winners (Tim Smith and to a lesser extent Sandow come to mind) he has a team of quality around him.
Good luck to other teams who want to focus on Cherry-Evans when you've got Foran on the other side of the ruck. Not to mention Glen Stewart, Jamie Lyon etc.
I won't even get into the mental state of some other rookies.......

mate i know that last line was aimed at mortimer...i dont really give 2 shits about that.

i just think DCE has alot to prove. i hope for his sake he kicks on. but i have a feeling that the 'second year syndrome' will hit in with him. its always a trend. every team says it wont happen to their rookies but it does especially the halves...they have more on their shoulders.

media will ride him next year and yeh u have foran who is a great player but i just think DCE will fall back a touch.

manly will be the benchmark next year, they will be aimed at heavily and like previous premiership winning sides teams will lift tremedously to face them.

yeh u may have some tough forwards but i think some of ur players may buckle at points (it always happens)

im not talking up parras chances or anything and im not trying to rip into manly fans im just giving my opinion on what i think winning the premiership may do to manly.

another possibility is players salaries will rise...manly will face difficult decisions over the next couple years on who to keep and who to let go etc

there r always harsh factors for a premiership side in trying to keep their team together

 

[zombie jesus]

mate i know that last line was aimed at mortimer...i dont really give 2 shits about that.

i just think DCE has alot to prove. i hope for his sake he kicks on. but i have a feeling that the 'second year syndrome' will hit in with him. its always a trend. every team says it wont happen to their rookies but it does especially the halves...they have more on their shoulders.

media will ride him next year and yeh u have foran who is a great player but i just think DCE will fall back a touch.

manly will be the benchmark next year, they will be aimed at heavily and like previous premiership winning sides teams will lift tremedously to face them.

yeh u may have some tough forwards but i think some of ur players may buckle at points (it always happens)

im not talking up parras chances or anything and im not trying to rip into manly fans im just giving my opinion on what i think winning the premiership may do to manly.

another possibility is players salaries will rise...manly will face difficult decisions over the next couple years on who to keep and who to let go etc

there r always harsh factors for a premiership side in trying to keep their team together

We won a premiership 3 years ago, managed to keep the nucleus of the side and rebuild the halves and forward depth. As long as Hasler is around, we'll do it again. The "harsh factors" are nothing new to the club and as the latest premiership and consecutive finals record prove, we are the club best capable of maintaining a high standard.

 

[Nice Beaver]

mate i know that last line was aimed at mortimer...i dont really give 2 shits about that.

Actaully it was aimed at that idiot Tim Smith. But yeah, Mortimer could be thrown into the mix as well (despite not winning the rookie of the year award).

Time will tell. As sure as you are that he will drop off, I'm equally as sure he won't. I think its all about temperament. Lots of these rookies burst onto the scene as 18 year olds and its all too much.
Cherry-Evans is 22 years old and played in the Qld Cup for a full season against seasoned and hardened players.
While certainly not up to NRL standard its a lot better stepping stone than Under 20's.
He has not been rushed in any way, shape or form. Can't say the same for a lot of these other rookies who burst onto the scene.
Take last years Rookie of the year for example - Matt Gillett. He was 21 going onto 22 when he started in the NRL having played Qld Cup previously. Doesn't seem to have suffered second year syndrome to me......
Anyway, good luck Hoppa. Hope you don't turn into another one of Parramatta's "star" signings......

 

[natheel]

I'm confident our club is heading in the right direction not with just sk as coach but Nolan as recruiter. He's great with the retention of juniors unlike reddy was.

Good luck to DCE he is a true talent that's for sure

Our 2 clubs will always have a healthy rivalry and it's always great to have debates and league discussions with u blokes!

 

[Nice Beaver]

I'm confident our club is heading in the right direction not with just sk as coach but Nolan as recruiter. He's great with the retention of juniors unlike reddy was.

Good luck to DCE he is a true talent that's for sure

Our 2 clubs will always have a healthy rivalry and it's always great to have debates and league discussions with u blokes!

Hear hear natheel!! Good to have a discussion with a rival club supporter without it degenerating into the usual shit that goes on in these forums.

I do actaully think the Eels will improve a hell of a lot next year. Christ bring on season 2012 now!!!!!! Eagles back to back

 

[Sea_Eagles_Rock]

Who said the selectors don't rate Sandow? He's in the emerging Origin squad for Qld. Wayne Bennett loves him which is hardly a snub.

Cherry-Evans is a very good halfback but he's made the Australian squad on the basis that he played in the grand final and so many of his clubmates are in the side. Just like how so many Dragons players made Origin this year.



Considering the players we've bought for next year I'd say a premiership for 2013 is realistic. Even next year we could go close.

As for buying Hopoate, that's just good business. What club wouldn't want a 21-year old Origin and premiership player on their books?

If he helps bring another premiership then all the better.



Thanks mate. It seems to work for clubs like Manly and the Bulldogs so why shouldn't it work for us?



We made a grand final when Hayne was the only player in our spine who could break the line and kick. You think Sandow's not going to take pressure off him?

Robson and Mortimer mate. :lol: And you begrudge us buying players?!? :shock:

You have a lot of work to get near next year. I think it is easier to drop than climb the ladder. I have no grudge about buying players to improve your chances. Fact is that is what the competition is all about now. That's what makes the whole manly hate so funny now. It is for something that happened nearly 40 years ago and has been the way league has been turned for over 20 years now.

Robson and Mortimer. Two quality halves. Cut from the same mould as Witt. Nobody can blame you for wanting to improve that.