Pre-Season Talk!

[Redback71]

since half our posts and threads r gone especially the ones on the sevens thought id start this thread.

come here to talk about your hopes expectations for 2004 did our performance in the 7's look encouraging post away.

 

[The Colonel]

I have to say I am looking keenly at the season ahead. Dykes showed some of the form that he was signed for and Burt seems to have started from where he left off when injury took him oiut of last years equation.

Eric Grothe looked determined to make an impact - he beat the first tackle on numerous occassions on the weekend and caused headaches for the opposition under the highball.

Jamie was all Jamie, Vaealiki displayed glimpses of his form but needs to really shine in weeks to come. Hopkins played with all the heart and determination we have come to expect - surely this bloke was born with blue and gold blood in his veins because he is so proud of the jersey.

The look of disappointment on the faces of the players after their loss only fuels their determination to make up for previous years disasters.

 

[Paranoid]

The Colonel summed things up fairly well.

Grothe is back and looking determined. I think he'll go great guns if he can secure a regular wingers spot. Lyon looking in very fine touch.

Hopefully we will get a full season (or a least a minimum injury related season) from Luke "Speedster" Burt and Nathan "Best forward in world" Hindy – who were really missed last season. :mrgreen:

Dykes, looking fit and in good form for the first time in a blue and gold jersey.

Witt, is only gonna get better after been blooded with half a difficult season last time out.

The Props looking fit and motivated and there is alot of size and depth there. I especially looking forward to Canning coming of the bench and snapping some opponents in half.

Thorman, not sure if he’ll have the same impact in the NRL as he did at home, but he’s a nice problem to have.

Lots of positives and surely not all of them can turn sour.

 

[Eelectrica]

I'm looking forward to a much better season than last year. I think Dykes holds the key to premiership success though. I'd probably nurse him through the season. Do things like take him off the field if the game was unloseable or unwinnable for that matter.
The thing I've noticed over the past few years is that Premiership winning teams have at least one verteran player in either the 6 or 7 jumper. For us it has to be Dykes.

 

[Jake the snake]

Dykes is only 25 he is way off being a Vetran, but I think u have a point when u say we have to rest him when we can just as we did with Taylor.

 

[yy_cheng]

Totally agree with the comment on Dykesy.

Maybe then Thorman will play 6 when Dykes is getting protected

 

[noosa-eel]

I wasn't lucky enough to get to the 7's but i did watch the semi and final on 9 and what i saw i liked. Dykes looked like he picked up from where he left of last season (although i did cringe when he went down injured) burt was in flying form, jamie, lee and eric also went well so i say bring on 2004 the year of the EEL.

 

[Avenger]

Jake the Snake wrote

Dykes is only 25 he is way off being a Vetran, but I think u have a point when u say we have to rest him when we can just as we did with Taylor.

Dykes actually turns 27 next week. He has played over 150 first grade games and made his debut on the 11th of March 1995. Nine years ago!!! Brenda and Dillon were still dating on 90210 for christ sake!!!

Dykes is a VETERAN. Jake please get your facts right and yy cheng don't agree for the sake of agreeing. I'm also getting a little sick of the Thorman talk. Dykes at this point is Wally Lewis compared to the untried Englishman.

 

[Jake the snake]

How is a 27 year old a vetran in the game???? 31,32 is more like a vetran for e.g Corey Pearson now thats a Vetran/Pensioner.

 

[bartman]

But for someone with Dykes' injury history 27 is older than it seems. I hope he goes OK, but I'd be happy if Dykes got the "cotton wool" treatment, as it means he might see the year out with no injuries. No more of the one game on, one game off stuff of the last two years!

And we do have potentially exciting reserve back-up in Thorman, and I'd be quite pleased to see him get time from the bench for Dykes - once Thorman has settled in and has a few 80 min games under his belt.

Main point - the forwards HAVE to lift this year and hold their own, and then we've got the talent from 1 to 7 (and then some) to get the job done.

 

[Pazza]

I am hoping to see Jamie Lyon get much more ball this season. Plenty of sweaping passing plays to Lyon. The kid is the best centre in the world! He has to be getting 12 or more runs a game when he is hitting the ball at speed. I also hope to see Lyon come off that right hand side of the field and maybe follow forwards like Cayless and Hindmarsh, looking for a offload.

 

[eelegant]

I hate to say it, but it is a sad fact.

Someone with the ball skills of Killer, and not getting the ball, can lead to a real disaster.

Many a great player, from many clubs, have left in frustration due to not getting enough ball.

I for one, would cry into my beer if that happened.

I agree with Pazza, float it out, two off the ruck...

Jamie will get there.

 

[Eelectrica]

Apparently Vella won the strongest man award for Parra. If this means he can get back into top form that would be something to look forward too.

 

[PARRA_FAN]

Dykes wont play every game with Parramatta this year, so its not as if he wont get the ball season. Chris Thorman, I mean at least he can pass it, then youve got Burt he can play fullback, he'll spread the ball out like Hodgo did in 2001.

 

[PB]

Assuming burt plays fullback, and i think he will (certainly to start the season), he would have to be a shoe-in for the Country Fullback job ahead of "Piss-weak Patten". Then should something happen to Minichello, Burt should be a lay-down for the NSW team. Gould is a fan of Luke Burt, so watch for it......

 

[The Godfather]

Burt is no chance.
He doesn't play for the Roosters.

 

[Redback71]

all in all it looks to be a great season ahead.

personally i like the fact that the name grothe is back in blue and gold weather he lives up to the reputation of the name is another thing.

i like the posibilty of a great tallant in thorman and then theres cannings and the rest of our new signings.

Hindmarsh, dykes and burty will hopefully have an injury free season and if we do go injury free look out top 4.

 

[Pazza]

Eels with Rep chances:

Luke Burt: Will contend for the country fullback position and might also grab a wing spot for NSW.

Eric Grothe: Is a outside chance of grabing a wing spot for Origin. Due to the lack of quality wingers in NSW Grothe does have a outside chance.

Jamie Lyon: Certain NSW and AUS centre.

Nathan Cayless: Captain of New Zealand

John Morris: Country utility

Aaron Cannings: Chance of getting a bench spot in the New Zealand team

Nathan Hindmarsh: good shot at starting for NSW and AUS but must compete with Kennedy and Fitzgibbon.

Lee Hopkins: good chance of making City vs Country

 

[eelegant]

You forgot Lex for NZ.

 

[Pazza]

lex might play fullback but i wouldnt put him ahead of Toopi and Vangana