I hope you are right Dave, the Panthers have really got their act together and I also think that the Eels are not too far behind, somewhere along the line we lost the plot especially in our junior programs, and even if we have some really good ones we either cant seem to keep them or they are mismanaged until they leave. With everything that is going on atm I'm fearful we wont see Sloane or Sullivan around for much longer, also what has happened to our junior up and comers in the forwards, all this talk about Fifita's and Haas etc we dont even now what we have in our own back yard. Our KOE cup side this year was pretty ordinary and that leads to issues in the NRL, i'd like to see who the coach is for next year.
Yes we always appear to be a work in progress and rather than pick up speed and aspire to get ahead, we linger and lag and stagnate because there has been a total lack of aspirations and inspiration and an eagerness to get this bloody club above the mediocre level insofar as league is concerned. Average players and coaches will result in average results.
There just doesn't appear to be any professionalism attached to the running of the club where good vision, high level skills and expertise is required. If our juniors and even some of the senior players can see this then if the opportunity presents itself, any reasonable offer from other clubs could see these young ones go. Of course if these young ones see blatant favouritism then they will feel unwanted which takes away their spirits and desire to succeed at the club.
Except for 2018, when they were the wooden spooners, the Eels have been in the top 6 since 2017. If they win the GF in 2022, they could maintain being top 6 for some years but on the other hand, if they lose, which is what I think will happen, they might suffer some set backs. They will lose several very good players after this year so this could have a bearing on how they go next year.
It isn't likely that we will sign players like Fifita and Haas. We will sign a couple of guys but of average rating in my opinion and this will not do anything to get us in a better position than where we finished this year. The Bulldogs and Tigers finished below us this year and I see both being more improved and above us on the table next year.
The management of club has said they won't release Sloan. However, if Sullivan requests a release, they might agree particularly if Hunt re-signs as our half back and we have a number of guys already to cover the hooker position. I think we do need Sullivan as back up like Sloan. Will he be patient though to wait his turn, we will just have to wait and see.
The club has to work on getting and keeping the best to be a force.
