Knock-on Effect NSW Cup - Eels Team

[hindy111]

I don't like the idea of Rankin at all. Old and puts no pressure on Jake. Or clogs up the fullback spot.
NSW CUP should be full of players who are up and comers or old and experienced but can play NRL. Obviously the whole squad can't be like this but I'd want the halves and fullback spot to be. They need to be ready to step into NRL if injury.

So we need 2 halves backing up and a fullback. If we have JA, Rankin and some no name like last season then ridiculous I feel.

Penrith had Salmon, SOS, Falls for halves alone.

The squad needs a revamp. JA is fine but the NSW cup spine at present stinks. We need a 1,6 and 9.

 

[oldmancraigy]

I don't like the idea of Rankin at all. Old and puts no pressure on Jake. Or clogs up the fullback spot.
NSW CUP should be full of players who are up and comers or old and experienced but can play NRL. Obviously the whole squad can't be like this but I'd want the halves and fullback spot to be. They need to be ready to step into NRL if injury.

So we need 2 halves backing up and a fullback. If we have JA, Rankin and some no name like last season then ridiculous I feel.

Penrith had Salmon, SOS, Falls for halves alone.

The squad needs a revamp. JA is fine but the NSW cup spine at present stinks. We need a 1,6 and 9.

Let's be reasonable at least?
We DID just make the GF. The overall squad can't be completely crud...

I don't mind a vet like Rankin in the spine. Takes the pressure off the younger guys and helps them learn on the field (especially if a coaching type vet)

 

[Gazzamatta]

Ele should have been given his debut. Definitely earned it.
Am currently in Napier NZ. What an unique town. Loving it.

 

[Chipmunk]

Ele should have been given his debut. Definitely earned it.
Am currently in Napier NZ. What an unique town. Loving it.

I went there once on a cruise. Quaint sort of town with the old art deco architecture.

 

[SneakyEel]

El looks good I wouldn't mind him on the bench next year

 

[Gronk]

El looks good I wouldn't mind him on the bench next year

Is he a middle or edge ?

 

[Twizzle]

Edge when I've watched him.

 

[Gazzamatta]

Edge when I've watched him.

Good player. Will improve in the top grade. He just needs a chance.

 

[hindy111]

He works hard. Goes ok but doesn't seem destructive in anyway and that's in a weaker grade. I'm sure he could fill a gap in bench if need be. I just doubt he will be a difference maker.

 

[emjaycee]

He works hard. Goes ok but doesn't seem destructive in anyway and that's in a weaker grade. I'm sure he could fill a gap in bench if need be. I just doubt he will be a difference maker.

We have 3 "difference makers" in our pack already. How many do we need?

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

4

 

[hindy111]

We have 3 "difference makers" in our pack already. How many do we need?

Do you want to win a grand final? If do we have to improve as we got belted.
Let's call it for what it is. In the game for less then 10mins. Been a while since a grand final was over that quickly and side had no sniff off a fight back.

We also lost some real quality. Replacing Papali with Al Zachem isn't taking you anywhere. We need better.

Otherwise we slowly slide down ladder

 

[emjaycee]

Do you want to win a grand final? If do we have to improve as we got belted.
Let's call it for what it is. In the game for less then 10mins. Been a while since a grand final was over that quickly and side had no sniff off a fight back.

We also lost some real quality. Replacing Papali with Al Zachem isn't taking you anywhere. We need better.

Otherwise we slowly slide down ladder

I am not suggesting we dont need to improve our squad mate, far from it... but not every team can be stocked full of difference makers. There will always be players who are 'average' NRL players in a squad. Are Spencer Leniu and Scott Sorenson difference makers or just average NRL players?

 

[hindy111]

I am not suggesting we dont need to improve our squad mate, far from it... but not every team can be stocked full of difference makers. There will always be players who are 'average' NRL players in a squad. Are Spencer Leniu and Scott Sorenson difference makers or just average NRL players?

What are you talking about. Spencer Leinu is a huge difference maker. A wrecking ball loaded with HUGE potential. Id throw 400k+ at him
Scott Sorenson is a very good player.

We lost 2 very good forwards and replaced with some potential. Id rather now we go and find a few very good young kids who are about 18-20 and take a punt on them coming good.

 

[hineyrulz]

Leinu is a difference maker every time he steps onto the field.

 

[hindy111]

Leinu is a difference maker every time he steps onto the field.

Wrecking ball.

 

[emjaycee]

What are you talking about. Spencer Leinu is a huge difference maker. A wrecking ball loaded with HUGE potential. Id throw 400k+ at him
Scott Sorenson is a very good player.

We lost 2 very good forwards and replaced with some potential. Id rather now we go and find a few very good young kids who are about 18-20 and take a punt on them coming good.

This is what we are doing... Larry Muagututia, Jock Brazel, Lebron Tuala, Luca Moretti, Tony Mataele.
All under 21 and close to being ready come 2024.

For 2023 we need to rely on some that are already 22+ and maybe haven't had a decent chance (with us or elsewhere). Murchie, Hopgood, Momoisea, Rodwell, El-Zakhem, Ogden... should be able to replace Papali'i, Kaufusi and Niukore from that lot.

 

[the phantom menace]

Seems a bit of poor planning (and poor bench use in 2022?) to not have Rodwell, El-Zakhem and/or Ogden a bit more ready to step into those roles.

 

[emjaycee]

Seems a bit of poor planning (and poor bench use in 2022?) to not have Rodwell, El-Zakhem and/or Ogden a bit more ready to step into those roles.

Maybe they are? Or would the preference been to have missed the top 4 in 2022 so we could give these guys more game time?

 

[the phantom menace]

Just making the point that the 15-man bench rotation of 2021 seemed an all or nothing approach, and not suited to development and retention.

I at least hope our coaching staff are changing up that plan for this season.