Parramatta Eels sign Josh Papalii for 2014

[strider]

cool

 

[The Colonel]

I'm thinking we are after Norman so Kelly and Keating can share the hooking duties ala keating/kingston

Norman isn't a better half than Kelly. He is a running player better suited one through five. Centre in my opinion is where he will be best suited should we sign him.

His utility value is valuable. His passing and organisational skills are nonexistent

 

[Tony Bongo]

Norman isn't a better half than Kelly. He is a running player better suited one through five. Centre in my opinion is where he will be best suited should we sign him.

His utility value is valuable. His passing and organisational skills are nonexistent

As I have said before I would like to see him at fullback for us. I'm bias though since I am one of those who want to see Hayne at 5/8 as well.

 

[Noise]

Norman isn't a better half than Kelly. He is a running player better suited one through five. Centre in my opinion is where he will be best suited should we sign him.

His utility value is valuable. His passing and organisational skills are nonexistent

I don't rate Norman either. It's just that Ricky has hinted he wants to get a 6. I just think Norman wants to play in the halves and if he leaves brisbane it will be because they are moving him around with Prince/Wallace at 6 and 7. He will get the chance to play 6 at Parra (Also we will likely throw shitloads of cash at him)

 

[mickdo]

Norman may not be a serious signing target

 

[MrT]

Unless he changes his mind before round 13. I hope he will but doubt it.

That said, this time last year he'd given NZ a guarantee that he wanted to represent NZ, so who knows?

Asmuch as I am excited by the signing, I feel sorry for Raiders fans. I remember watching Lyon at 19yo and remember thinking we have him for 10+ years, same with T-Rex.

This happens. No sledging from me. Huge signing for Parra and obviously a huge loss for Raiders who also lost a promising backrower to manly in Chee-Kam.

 

[MrT]

Doesn't say much for Parra's oft-celebrated junior system though, does it? No, much easier to swoop in when another team has done the talent identification and early development.

fair go mate, your talking about a club that has many juiors playing at other clubs and Parra has spent on their junior development. I know you guys must hurt at the loss so not going to poke at that but you must surely acknowledge Parra has lost many to the predators of the NRL

 

[Wally21]

What a nice way to end the week! As others have suggested, the sort of signings we should be making, young, quality players who have it all ahead of them.

 

[Jake the snake]

Excellent

 

[Jake the snake]

You need to have more faith. You must be hanging out with Colonel.

True ... But can you blame me? We have missed out on a few players.

 

[bartman]

Now that he's signed sealed and delivered for 2014, he has to do his best to convince his current employer that he wants to keep his spot for this year. So of course, he'd be sending these throwaway mixed messages down around Canberra way...

 

[TheRam]

Norman may not be a serious signing target

I hope that this is the case, cos his halves play is absolute shite.

 

[Jake the snake]

The thing I find strange is that if Paps did sign two weeks ago like how some are saying, why didn't parra announce it then? Why wait till now?

 

[IFR33K]

The thing I find strange is that if Paps did sign two weeks ago like how some are saying, why didn't parra announce it then? Why wait till now?

Maybe they were saving the announcement until rd 1, but weedler announced it first, the eels then decided to make it official.

 

[strider]

The thing I find strange is that if Paps did sign two weeks ago like how some are saying, why didn't parra announce it then? Why wait till now?

exactly .... i know we don't wanna hear it but maybe what skeepe is saying has merit .... maybe we are forcing stuff public quickly to try and make it harder for him to back away as we know he's getting pressured

at least i understand why ricky was telling a gaathering of business men that he was almost signed the other day - cos he had already signed the intention letter


i'm happy - it's good to have a good signing ..... but yeah i have a bad feeling it might go pear shaped - maybe that is just the recent pessimism of being a parra fan

 

[Maroubra Eel]

Maybe they were saving the announcement until rd 1, but weedler announced it first, the eels then decided to make it official.

That's how I saw it. They came out pretty quick after Weidler announced it.
I just wish Massoud and Weidler would stop making the announcements and leave it to the club.

 

[strider]

since when has anyone ever hurried up just cos danny f'n weidler said something?

 

[Jake the snake]

exactly .... i know we don't wanna hear it but maybe what skeepe is saying has merit .... maybe we are forcing stuff public quickly to try and make it harder for him to back away as we know he's getting pressured

at least i understand why ricky was telling a gaathering of business men that he was almost signed the other day - cos he had already signed the intention letter


i'm happy - it's good to have a good signing ..... but yeah i have a bad feeling it might go pear shaped - maybe that is just the recent pessimism of being a parra fan

Exactly my thoughts. From all reports in papers Furner said he will explore every option to get Paps to stay that was knowing that he's signed with us. Do the same as Luke Lewis did to Souths.
Something is not right, I reckon the kid has had a change of heart in the last few days but parra have said sorry you've signed a contract.

The round 13 clause is interesting..... I believe Canberra has to alleast match it for Paps to then stay.

 

[Tommy Coco]

exactly .... i know we don't wanna hear it but maybe what skeepe is saying has merit .... maybe we are forcing stuff public quickly to try and make it harder for him to back away as we know he's getting pressured [\QUOTE]

I disagree, papalii is quoted in the Canberra article saying thanks it's been great, and then looking forward to the next chapter. That story wasn't written last night....

Just a standard run of the mill change of clubs that we are the beneficiary of, for a change.

 

[oldmancraigy]

So if it's official this is really really good news.

This guy is going to be an absolute gun.