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Predicted Rnd 1 team 2025

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11,812
The junior SOO half who didn’t want to leave but waited and waited for an offer from a much too busy recruitment team who believed he wouldn’t leave and would get around to it ( he won junior player of the year in the Parra district) , then were amazed when Roosters pounced as nothing came from the Eels. Surprise factor ?
Was that because Jake was coming through in that position...?
 

Obscene Assassin

First Grade
Messages
6,356
I don't understand the need to play secret squirrel as its not hard to work out the player.... Lachlan Metcalfe. He is under contract at the Roosters for 2025 though.

I was just having a bit of fun. Contracted for 2025 would go with what the original rumour was posing. It would be massive if the club could pick the young fella back up, was very good in Matts this year despite being a year young.
 

Delboy

First Grade
Messages
7,550
How has he gone over at the Chooks ?
Basically close to their best player in Matt’s, heard he wants to come home, but will probably get offered a Channel 9 gig 🤔 to remain. Who knows, should have been prioritised at the get go, terrible miss by the Eels hierarchy.
 

Joshuatheeel

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
20,182
Could it be that the eels decided not to match the roosters offer for Metcalfe and go with Fletcher (year older)
who made the Australian school boys this year.......

While the kid is only 16, if he really wanted to stay, nothing stopping him from staying (playing Matt's for us). Majority of Matt players aren't contracted.....

We also have Risati playing up a year in Matt's as Fletcher's halves partner.....

Finally we can't be that poor in retaining juniors, Polley who was last years 15's Australian schoolboys player of the tournament, is still here and playing Matt's...

Yeah we can improve but we are hardly a basket case....
 

The Colonel

Immortal
Messages
41,992
Basically close to their best player in Matt’s, heard he wants to come home, but will probably get offered a Channel 9 gig 🤔 to remain. Who knows, should have been prioritised at the get go, terrible miss by the Eels hierarchy.
Given there isn't a salary cap on lower grade players it's quite hard to match the Roosters "junior development" program..... throwing big dollars to them at that age tends to help them keep them when they get to the Top 30 squad after all.
 

Joshuatheeel

Moderator
Staff member
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20,182
Given there isn't a salary cap on lower grade players it's quite hard to match the Roosters "junior development" program..... throwing big dollars to them at that age tends to help them keep them when they get to the Top 30 squad after all.
Don't think they offer a lot, money wise (for the younger 15-17 year olds) in the hand.....but what is 3 years of private schooling worth........then times that by several players over a 3 year period.......it's a lot of money.....especially when 95% are unlikely to even get to top 30 status in a few years....
 

The Colonel

Immortal
Messages
41,992
Don't think they offer a lot, money wise (for the younger 15-17 year olds) in the hand.....but what is 3 years of private schooling worth........then times that by several players over a 3 year period.......it's a lot of money.....

Given how well they attract top tier talent in those age groups there is certainly an incentive that other clubs don't appear to be able to match... the results are definitely not a big part.
 

Twizzle

Administrator
Staff member
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153,337
Gutherson will probably start the season in the centres or 6 (pending browns recovery). I reckon he then moves to 14 covering the backs, spine and lock. Kind of like a Connor Watson, Dylan Walker role.

if we start Gutho at 14 then it weakens our starting line up, personally, I would start him, most likely in the centres assuming no additions to our line up
 

Twizzle

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
153,337
Given how well they attract top tier talent in those age groups there is certainly an incentive that other clubs don't appear to be able to match... the results are definitely not a big part.

do we not put them through private schools anymore ?

I remember when all the country kids used to stay in those unis across the road from Parra Stadium, we put them through Parra Marist and some other schools, and Luke Burt used to look after them after hours
 

The Colonel

Immortal
Messages
41,992
do we not put them through private schools anymore ?

I remember when all the country kids used to stay in those unis across the road from Parra Stadium, we put them through Parra Marist and some other schools, and Luke Burt used to look after them after hours

We do - Hills Sports, Newington and Patrician Brothers Blacktown field a number of Eels contracted players.
 
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