Let's talk about the Eels.

[beads6]

Yep, Mortimer has the goods but is suffering from 2nd year syndrome. Lacking confidence and he is not sure what his role is I reckon. Just put him in the 7 and tell him to run the show.

 

[simostorm]

What irritates me is that everyone can see our major weaknesses - halves and hooker. But Anderson does nothing to fix it.

We have a young bloke playing for Wenrworthville by the name of Anthony Mitchell. I've seen a fair bit of him and he's exactly what we need - crips service from dummy-half and zippy out of dummy-half. Plus he has a good kicking game. And for a little bloke he defends well.

But Ando won't play him, even though we need a quality hooker.

Just on Mortimer - I want to ask non-Eels fans what they think of him. Do you guys reckon there is a good, NRL quality player deep down there somewhere? Or is he average?

From his glimpses so far I a prepared to say there is a potentially good player somehwere in there, but it seems it's just me...

He's rubbish.

 

[Eelementary]

Cool. Thank you for your honest feedback.

It's kind of a curious situation - he's lacking confidence on the field, but he as all the confidence in the world when he's talking to journalists. I'm not having a go, but it is interesting to see the contrast there.

 

[beads6]

Cool. Thank you for your honest feedback.

It's kind of a curious situation - he's lacking confidence on the field, but he as all the confidence in the world when he's talking to journalists. I'm not having a go, but it is interesting to see the contrast there.

Maybe he is putting on a brave face? He clearly has talent he was outstanding in his debut year.

 

[Eelementary]

He's rubbish.

Not a huge Eels fan, are you, mate? :lol:

No, that's cool. You are not alone with that assertion. Half the Eels forum says the same thing.

 

[Eelementary]

Maybe he is putting on a brave face? He clearly has talent he was outstanding in his debut year.

That's an interesting point. Could well be the case!

 

[Big Pete]

gUt - Can you really blame the Eels? To me, your major gripe seems to be with the media who tend to go overboard with them on the drop of the hat.

The Eels do a ton of good work for the League and their players are among the best behaved.

With that said, I don't think you're being hypocritical. The Broncos love is limited to one city, the Eels love is spread through every Rugby League capital.

Eele - Morts has a good head on his shoulders but doesn't have the talent to compete in 2010. With time, he could be a very solid first grader.

 

[abpanther]

Makes even less sense that they let Kingston go.

In relation Mortimer, I think last year he was most effective in his support play, sniffing around other ball runners, being active and latching onto any opportunities. Now with the pressure of trying to play first receiver, he seems to have lost the ability to trail and spark second phase play.

JMO

 

[Eelementary]

Thanks for your honest sentiments. I'd like to hope he has more to offer than his pedigree.

 

[Eelementary]

Makes even less sense that they let Kingston go.

In relation Mortimer, I think last year he was most effective in his support play, sniffing around other ball runners, being active and latching onto any opportunities. Now with the pressure of trying to play first receiver, he seems to have lost the ability to trail and spark second phase play.

JMO

Oh, we tried to retain Kingston. But his deal was negotiated so clumsily that we just couldn't afford to keep him, sadly.

However, having said that - I am so stoked for him that he's (1) playing great footy and (2) he finally has a solid financial deal and a long-term contract. He and his lovely wife can relax now. I am happy for them both and am happy that Penrith are getting good value out of him for showing faith in him like that.

There was an article last year that said Kingston was living on a year to year contract basis...Yet his wife and he never let it get them down. Now he has a solid, long-term deal and I am very happy for the guy. Great player, and a terrific bloke.

 

[stormbati]

Maybe Mortimer isn't getting the right coaching.
Personally, I don't see a first grader in him.

 

[AuDragon]

Every team has bandwagoners and yes, I absolutely hate the Hayne wankfest too, mainly because it's nationalised and fed to us through the TV screen.

Parra however doesn't annoy me anymore than any other team. They actually have players that I've learned to admire, like the already mentioned Caylo and Hindy, but I would definitely elevate Luke Burt to that distinction also.

Yes, the Courier Mail predominantly writes about the Broncos. Jee, what a surprise! :shock:

Pretty sure the papers in Townsville, Penrith, Woolongong, Newscastle, Canberra or Parramatta do the same about their local team. I know the Gold Coast Bulletin here prints everything about Prince's latest house bid, or where Rogers got his latest tattoo. So what? It sells!

Back to Hayne. IMO he possesses excellent physical and intuitive ability, which makes him unpredictable and extremely dangerous around the ruck in attack, while being an absolutely worthless FB in defence, where you need to anticipate and react quickly to what's happening on the field. And well... He just doesn't cut it when actual thinking becomes involved, which is why smart halves will always "own" him.

Finally, the Parra fans. Just like anyother team, there are the good, the bad and the ugly. Unfortunately, the latter are always the loudest... :roll:

 

[Eelementary]

Every team has bandwagoners and yes, I absolutely hate the Hayne wankfest too, mainly because it's nationalised and fed to us through the TV screen.

Parra however doesn't annoy me anymore than any other team. They actually have players that I've learned to admire, like the already mentioned Caylo and Hindy, but I would definitely elevate Luke Burt to that distinction also.

Yes, the Courier Mail predominantly writes about the Broncos. Jee, what a surprise! :shock:

Pretty sure the papers in Townsville, Penrith, Woolongong, Newscastle, Canberra or Parramatta do the same about their local team. I know the Gold Coast Bulletin here prints everything about Prince's latest house bid, or where Rogers got his latest tattoo. So what? It sells!

Back to Hayne. IMO he possesses excellent physical and intuitive ability, which makes him unpredictable and extremely dangerous around the ruck in attack, while being an absolutely worthless FB in defence, where you need to anticipate and react quickly to what's happening on the field. And well... He just doesn't cut it when actual thinking becomes involved, which is why smart halves will always "own" him.

Finally, the Parra fans. Just like anyother team, there are the good, the bad and the ugly. Unfortunately, the latter are always the loudest... :roll:

Very well put!

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

LOL x 2 Johnsy.

It seems as if the only non parra fans that have brains happen to be dragons supporters.

I find that true, the 2 clubs have a lot in common, both with large fan bases, both with the "chokers" tag, both cursed by Brian Smith. (apparently no team that Brian Smith has ever coached at any level has won a Premiership during and after he coached there. Amazing)

The Dragons fans (most of them, the ones whose posts are worth reading) and their rather humble attitude this year is making me lean towards getting on their bandwagon for the year once Parra are gone. But a Titans Grand Final would do wonders for the game IMO.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

I see a good player in Mortimer, I think he can develop into a solid first grader too. But even now I dont think he is ready for first grade. If it weren't for injuries last year he wouldn't have been elevated. I still think he is 12months off at least. But now he is here, we need to persist with him. He will come good.

I like his short passing game, I think if he chose a certain area of the defence line to work on for a couple of tackles for a few sets in a row, he could really learn how to break a teams defence apart. I do like the way he takes on the line too, but he should learn to do it with support runners, he lets the defence make the decision for him too much, he gets slow service.

Parra are building, last year was a kick up the arse and thank god we had it. Our club got a wonderful amount of support in the build up. You can hate bandwagon fans all you like, I love them and if I were the club I would sell them everything I could.

Look at Penrith, they have had a great year, but they still cant get the Penrith people excited for them. I rekon they would kill to have the amount of interest Parra had and still has.

 

[typicalfan]

True, what are people expecting from Mortimer? To be as good as Steve already? It took the very very great Steve Mortimer 4 seasons to make a grand final, Daniel got there in 1. Doesn't mean everything but most of Turvey's success came in the 80s when he was established and was/is one of the best halfbacks ever.

It might take 3-4 years before Daniel really finds his feet. Until then he might underwhelm a few people. Remember Robson by comparison is what? 28? Already at his peak and sure he is better but in a few years he will move on and be forgotten quick.

 

[stormbati]

Well Dragons fans have been let down too many times so I'd be surprised to see any cocky fans.

 

[hellteam]

I see a good player in Mortimer, I think he can develop into a solid first grader too. But even now I dont think he is ready for first grade. If it weren't for injuries last year he wouldn't have been elevated. I still think he is 12months off at least. But now he is here, we need to persist with him. He will come good.

I like his short passing game, I think if he chose a certain area of the defence line to work on for a couple of tackles for a few sets in a row, he could really learn how to break a teams defence apart. I do like the way he takes on the line too, but he should learn to do it with support runners, he lets the defence make the decision for him too much, he gets slow service.

Parra are building, last year was a kick up the arse and thank god we had it. Our club got a wonderful amount of support in the build up. You can hate bandwagon fans all you like, I love them and if I were the club I would sell them everything I could.

Look at Penrith, they have had a great year, but they still cant get the Penrith people excited for them. I rekon they would kill to have the amount of interest Parra had and still has.

I just don't see enough creativity and ball playing abilities in Mortimer at the moment. He was good at the end of last year, but that was primarily as a ball runner - he was catching teams out by running the ball when the defence had eyes for Hayne/Moi Moi etc.

He's obviously a good player - and will get better with age. He's not a classic five eight, at the moment anyway, and should try to watch players like Lockyer as close as he can. When Lockyer started playing five eight in 2004 (I think), he looked a bit similar. But look at Lockyer now - he'll make the right passing decision 95 percent of the time. This should come for Mortimer. Having a good hooker or halfback (or both) next to him might make all the difference.

 

[sooperdooper]

i have only read the first 4 pages of this dribble so please correct me if i am wrong...

I am an eels fan and beleive what i am about to post is fairly fair on my team, i feel i am in a position to post it as an eels fan who has watched all of our games this season... fans of other teams wouldnt have seen all our games.

Why the hate for hayne? Yes he is a star... selfish? hell no... definately a team player.
hate him for celebrating a try? why? It is okay for every other player to celebrate but him?

Are we a one man team? Yes i think we are.... why? As our coach has put all of his eggs into one basket. Everything is about hayne... As great of a player he is you just cant do that in any team sport. Weather it be footy, soccer or any code!

Eelementry stated something about caylo and sending him off in great fashion...
i think as a fan i would love to see that, however caylo is getting only the respect he is showing to others. He is meant to be a leader on and off the field for the club yet i have failed to see that this season.... he should be the one fronting the press. Not someone out of form and lucky to be playing NRL in Daniel mortimer etc..

I can see the hate from other fans about bandwagon fans, however any team with success and wins will get that... so i look forward to that when it happens to you.

 

[simostorm]

i have only read the first 4 pages of this dribble so please correct me if i am wrong...

I am an eels fan and beleive what i am about to post is fairly fair on my team, i feel i am in a position to post it as an eels fan who has watched all of our games this season... fans of other teams wouldnt have seen all our games.

Why the hate for hayne? Yes he is a star... selfish? hell no... definately a team player.
hate him for celebrating a try? why? It is okay for every other player to celebrate but him?

Are we a one man team? Yes i think we are.... why? As our coach has put all of his eggs into one basket. Everything is about hayne... As great of a player he is you just cant do that in any team sport. Weather it be footy, soccer or any code!

Eelementry stated something about caylo and sending him off in great fashion...
i think as a fan i would love to see that, however caylo is getting only the respect he is showing to others. He is meant to be a leader on and off the field for the club yet i have failed to see that this season.... he should be the one fronting the press. Not someone out of form and lucky to be playing NRL in Daniel mortimer etc..

I can see the hate from other fans about bandwagon fans, however any team with success and wins will get that... so i look forward to that when it happens to you.

Hate is good.. shows ppl are passionate..