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Rd 5 Eels vs The Mighty Raiders game day thread

Chipmunk

Coach
Messages
17,377
The Duck of Penrith asked on Twitter if fans would prefer to make the finals every year but never win a premiership or if they would rather miss the finals half the time but be a genuine threat when they do make it.

I get the feeling most Eels fans are just desperate to make the finals. This team is clearly a mid-table side, meaning we are probably about a 50-50 finals chance. I hope we are smart with our spare cap space and can build a genuine title shot.

Youve changed your tune. You reckoned this mob is a Top 4 team with the addition of just a half.
 

Noise

Coach
Messages
18,186
Well I don't think we are going to get too many stars at those positions without wasting a lot of money. We might have to settle for one star and the rest just solid first graders. Don't talk about the squads available to the Storm, Roosters or Cowboys. They are playing by different rules.

Are the Sharks playing by different rules?
 

Chipmunk

Coach
Messages
17,377
Well I don't think we are going to get too many stars at those positions without wasting a lot of money. We might have to settle for one star and the rest just solid first graders. Don't talk about the squads available to the Storm, Roosters or Cowboys. They are playing by different rules.

You mentioned earlier about our issues today with edge forwards. The Storm seem to go allright at the momet with a couple of edge forwards that would struggle to make our Wenty team.

It's amazing how much value Bellyache can get out of essentially pretty ordinary players.
 

T.S Quint

Coach
Messages
14,648
The Duck of Penrith asked on Twitter if fans would prefer to make the finals every year but never win a premiership or if they would rather miss the finals half the time but be a genuine threat when they do make it.

I'll take either of those options over our current situation of never making the Finals at all.
 

yy_cheng

Coach
Messages
18,734
I agree.
With his lack of size, line speed shouldn't be what he focuses on. He is putting himself in these one on one situations because he is rushing up. It would be ok if he would hit and stick to allow his mates to come in and help him out, but he can't.
His forwards need to follow him and need a screaming session from the coach if they don't...but if it's not happening maybe it would be better for Kaysa to hold back a bit and let the defence come to him so he can keep the line straight. We would give up initial metres, but in the end will bring down the big blokes a bit easier.
that's how I saw it too
 

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
91,597
You mentioned earlier about our issues today with edge forwards. The Storm seem to go allright at the momet with a couple of edge forwards that would struggle to make our Wenty team.

It's amazing how much value Bellyache can get out of essentially pretty ordinary players.
Their edge forwards are both NRL quality defenders at least. And because they have good playmakers they can afford to be patient in attack, and take their chances.
 

IFR33K

Coach
Messages
17,043
Of course Eels fans are just desperate to make the finals. Arthur should be too. It's a starting point from which to build. Most teams in recent years who win the premiership have been in the 8 the previous years.


Agree. I just think BA is mindful of not falling into the trap of paying overs. I know we paid choc overs, but I'm sure BA has learnt from that.

Having to rebuild half way thru last year really set us back. Foran walking was also a big blow, cattle wise. If we are well under the cap, I guess BA has a plan and waiting for the right type of player to become available.

One massive tick BA gets from me, was not throwing the cheque book at hayne.
 

Chipmunk

Coach
Messages
17,377
Well I don't think we are going to get too many stars at those positions without wasting a lot of money. We might have to settle for one star and the rest just solid first graders. Don't talk about the squads available to the Storm, Roosters or Cowboys. They are playing by different rules.

I dont think we need stars in 3 of those 4 positions, just someone better than what we have now (although one of them would have to replace Semi, which will be tough to replace)
 

Chipmunk

Coach
Messages
17,377
Their edge forwards are both NRL quality defenders at least. And because they have good playmakers they can afford to be patient in attack, and take their chances.

Kaufusi is woeful in defence.

Mau and Pritchard are both better players combined in attack and defence than Kenny Bromwich and Kaufusi.
 

Eelogical

Referee
Messages
23,343
Like I said earlier, we're in a battle with 10 sides for the last 1 or 2 spots in the 8, but that also relies on 7 teams copping a heap of injuries.

None of those 10 are going to bother the top teams come finals time.

That loss to the Titans isn't going to help our cause though.

Agreed, but in the end I suspect the majority of Eels supporters expect far more than being in competition with 10 other sides just so they can scrape into the 8 to justify a finals experience. As supporters, we should have gone to Canberra today expecting to win if we were considering ourselves to be a title threat, and in the end, that's what it's all about. I honestly think the Titans loss had a far bigger impact on the Eels mentally than people think.
 

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
91,597
Four or five teams would need alot of injuries and at least another six to completely under perform in the one season for this squad to make the Top 4.
This squad isn't next year's squad. We're under the cap plus have a rookie spine FFS.
 

Noise

Coach
Messages
18,186
Their edge forwards are both NRL quality defenders at least. And because they have good playmakers they can afford to be patient in attack, and take their chances.

They have a playmaker in 7 and 9 with a plodder at 6. Gutherson offers more than Jacks. Arthur seems happy with a non-playmaking 9, despite the glaring need for one. It boggles the mind. All recent premiers have had a creative 9 (Souths won with Api in the GF but had Luke all year - and their opponents were missing Ennis)
 

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
91,597
Agree. I just think BA is mindful of not falling into the trap of paying overs. I know we paid choc overs, but I'm sure BA has learnt from that.
We paid Watmough a massive TPA component plus Manly subsidised him in his first year. We would never have signed him if we weren't cheating.
Having to rebuild half way thru last year really set us back. Foran walking was also a big blow, cattle wise. If we are well under the cap, I guess BA has a plan and waiting for the right type of player to become available.

One massive tick BA gets from me, was not throwing the cheque book at hayne.
Agreed 100%. Desperation to just 'spend the full cap' this year would have hampered our rebuilding. We need to focus on value, and if it's not available then we shouldn't waste our money.
 

Chipmunk

Coach
Messages
17,377
This squad isn't next year's squad. We're under the cap plus have a rookie spine FFS.

No. You've said this group of players with the addition of one player (a half) is a potential top 4 team, so essentially next years squad is this squad minus Semi and adding a half.
 

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
91,597
I dont think we need stars in 3 of those 4 positions, just someone better than what we have now (although one of them would have to replace Semi, which will be tough to replace)
We have to accept we will have a worse winger than Semi Radradra next year. But we can probably find a first grader and not have to overpay.
 

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