Rd10: 750pm Parra v Dolphins GAME DAY THREAD @ Commbank 8/5/25

[Soto]

Yes that too...

Only the Eels could bomb so many tries tonight had to be about 3-4

It's time to shut the club up for good.
Makes us the 2nd NZ team...I've had a gutful

 

[DaveMc]

Yeah pretty wild. Yep he bombed that try and dropped one bomb. If he was playing behind a gun pack in another team he’d be setting the comp alight. He hasn’t had the chance to yet. I think he’s going to be a very handy player.

And not bombing that try or dropping that bomb is the difference between winning and losing. He’s got mountains of potential - but he’s absolute light years away from being a dependable fullback.

I really hope I’m wrong, but I have a sinking feeling he’s he kind of bloke that in 10 years time, we’ll be saying ‘we might’ve won that title with a good fullback’.

Anyone who’s saying he’s anything other than a young player with lots of potential but significant flaws is deadset kidding themselves at the moment. I’d persist with him, but he’s been really underwhelming so far.

 

[The Predictor]

But anyway my take on the game.

We were too sideways when going wide no one straightened the line so the defense could easily slide.

When we did look dangerous was long passes to counter their compressed defence.

Their line speed was big for them and we didn't offer much and made their night pretty easy.

Our defense was terrible no line speed we took 2 steps forward and waited for them to go past the advantage line.

Riley Smith needs to put the kick away I think the opposition have scored the last few times from it.

One thing out of that he was the only one chasing and you could see he was frustrated that's where you need the second rowers to be putting in..

Moses was fine again he can't do it all on how own though we have a rookie fullback and hooker they will get better but if an experience player for those positions come up I would take it.

Hopgood is useless sorry to all his fans but he hasn't offered anything in the past 2 seasons.

Same as Williams bench player at best.

Walker needs to start at lock.

Doorey great try loved it wish we could do that more.

Don’t think Hopgood has too many fans left, he’s average and has been for a very long time

 

[eels_fan]

That was a tough one to take

I’m usually good at just moving on from losses, no point dwelling on it and letting a football result wreck your weekend blah blah

but sitting in the stands tonight after flying down from the GC, backing up from magic round last week and I was as deflated as I can ever remember being at a game.

2 weeks in a row we have been in positions where we really should have won the game. Last week I think we copped some real horrible calls that swung or stunted momentum. Tonight it was a mix of stupidity, leadership void, execution and a lack of experience that cost us big time.

Moses was pretty absent in attack, and for mine still is hampered by that foot injury. Not a single long kick found grass all night, and that wasn’t due to great positional play by Hammer, they were just kicked straight to him each time with zero variation. I will give him credit for some big tackles that probably saved us a try or two, though the miss on Herbie on costly.

Hopgood needs a spell in cup. He’s a shell of the player he was. That shit ball to Walker that was spilled literally sucked the air out of the stadium. Moses had called for it sweeping behind and he not only ignored him, but caused the error. Moses creates a 3 on 2 if he gets that ball and Samrani walks over.

Penisini just can’t help but make at least one stupid error every game, and they often swing momentum.

Guymer is a reserve grade player. He’s basically a shorter version of Lane. Runs with no aggression, gassed for 5mins after one hit up with hands on hips, and no energy at all.

Dylan brown… Less said about this bloke the better.

People laying into Iongi need their heads read. He’s leaps and bounds out best attacking player - he following the ball, he’s full of energy, and he’s creating opportunities. All fullbacks miss one on ones, but they are not at fault in the end - it’s the people that let the attacker through in the first place. He’ll be a star in 2-3 years.

Smith is a go getter and could be our 9 for the next decade, top bloke too

Doorey and Samrani deserve to keep their spots.

Simo looks busted which is a shame as he sure as hell plays it tough with his carries. We’ll need Lomax back next week to continue that

I think the spoon is ours to lose. It sucks.

 

[JokerEel]

And not bombing that try or dropping that bomb is the difference between winning and losing. He’s got mountains of potential - but he’s absolute light years away from being a dependable fullback.

I really hope I’m wrong, but I have a sinking feeling he’s he kind of bloke that in 10 years time, we’ll be saying ‘we might’ve won that title with a good fullback’.

Anyone who’s saying he’s anything other than a young player with lots of potential but significant flaws is deadset kidding themselves at the moment. I’d persist with him, but he’s been really underwhelming so far.

The fact that he is still putting in more effort than players that have years more experience says enough about him to me.

Gutho/Edwards were no where near his standard when they first came into the NRL.

He was giving some absolute dog shit passes tonight that didn't help him out the back
Either..

 

[JokerEel]

Don’t think Hopgood has too many fans left, he’s average and has been for a very long time

I have never been a fan not sure how he made the QLD side.

 

[JokerEel]

Shout-out to Russell played well tonight got some good passes off to JAC and defended well..

Will probably keep his spot with Simmonson injured and Lomax back.

 

[DaveMc]

The fact that he is still putting in more effort than players that have years more experience says enough about him to me.

Gutho/Edwards were no where near his standard when they first came into the NRL.

He was giving some absolute dog shit passes tonight that didn't help him out the back
Either..

Effort is great, but it doesn’t equate to results. If it did, a bloke like Nathan Ross would be remembered as the best winger of the last 20 years - but he’s no more than a footnote in rugby league history, because he was ultimately a very ordinary footballer with limited skill.

But I’m truly shocked at people excusing that absolute dogshit drop of the bomb, or the butchering of the last play. The loss can be straight pinned on him.

 

[Matty Bhoy]

And not bombing that try or dropping that bomb is the difference between winning and losing. He’s got mountains of potential - but he’s absolute light years away from being a dependable fullback.

I really hope I’m wrong, but I have a sinking feeling he’s he kind of bloke that in 10 years time, we’ll be saying ‘we might’ve won that title with a good fullback’.

Anyone who’s saying he’s anything other than a young player with lots of potential but significant flaws is deadset kidding themselves at the moment. I’d persist with him, but he’s been really underwhelming so far.

I honestly don’t know how you think he’s been underwhelming. He’s playing behind a pack that doesn’t get on the front foot to give him space to operate, chiming in. He’s been one of the bright sparks we’ve had so far this season for mine.

He’s on a three year deal and I’m guessing probably not costing us the earth.

Simply put, he’s the least of our problems.

 

[DaveMc]

Shout-out to Russell played well tonight got some good passes off to JAC and defended well..

Will probably keep his spot with Simmonson injured and Lomax back.

The loss of Simonsson is the worse thing from this game. He’s been our best pretty much every game since returning.

 

[DaveMc]

I honestly don’t know how you think he’s been underwhelming. He’s playing behind a pack that doesn’t get on the front foot to give him space to operate, chiming in. He’s been one of the bright sparks we’ve had so far this season for mine.

He’s on a three year deal and I’m guessing probably not costing us the earth.

Simply put, he’s the least of our problems.

Mate, we lost tonight on the back of a drop of a bomb that all first grade fullbacks (Iongi included) catch 98 percent of the time, and by butchering a simple two on one overlap to win the game. He’s not the least of our problems - he’s straight up a problem. He’s been really, really ordinary so far.

I’ve said many times that I don’t mind persisting with him for the moment, in what is obviously another failure of a season that in retrospect will be billed as a total rebuild year (but jeez it’d be nice to hear the club tell us up front to expect nothing for the season when they’re fleecing us of our bucks for memberships and merchandise). But you are absolutely kidding yourself if you think Iongi has been anything other than exceptionally ordinary so far. Put it this way - which fullback in the comp would you currently put below him in rankings? I can’t think of one.

 

[Soto]

Shout-out to Russell played well tonight got some good passes off to JAC and defended well..

Will probably keep his spot with Simmonson injured and Lomax back.

That I'm afraid is part of a huge problem
...mediocrity...he shouldn't be anywhere near 1st grade.
Keep picking that level of players and we will keep getting the same results.
I'd be picking up the phone to Dom Youngs manager and getting him across to Parra asap. I reckon poor Simonsson may have done his knee again. He's been our best
Lomax comes straight back in but Russell and Penisini are lucky to be in 1st grade..
We need better and need to do better

 

[JokerEel]

Effort is great, but it doesn’t equate to results. If it did, a bloke like Nathan Ross would be remembered as the best winger of the last 20 years - but he’s no more than a footnote in rugby league history, because he was ultimately a very ordinary footballer with limited skill.

But I’m truly shocked at people excusing that absolute dogshit drop of the bomb, or the butchering of the last play. The loss can be straight pinned on him.

Difference is Iongi has skill...


Don't think anyone is excusing the drop catch from a bomb but that happens to everyone you need to forget about it and don't let it effect you and it didn't.

He was taking bombs all night and had the Fins all over him.

The loss can be pinned on him f**k me....

 

[Soto]

Mate, we lost tonight on the back of a drop of a bomb that all first grade fullbacks (Iongi included) catch 98 percent of the time, and by butchering a simple two on one overlap to win the game. He’s not the least of our problems - he’s straight up a problem. He’s been really, really ordinary so far.

I’ve said many times that I don’t mind persisting with him for the moment, in what is obviously another failure of a season that in retrospect will be billed as a total rebuild year (but jeez it’d be nice to hear the club tell us up front to expect nothing for the season when they’re fleecing us of our bucks for memberships and merchandise). But you are absolutely kidding yourself if you think Iongi has been anything other than exceptionally ordinary so far. Put it this way - which fullback in the comp would you currently put below him in rankings? I can’t think of one.

Hang on the 2 on 1 was JAC and Dylan Brown....
But I agree with the rest of what ur saying

 

[JokerEel]

That I'm afraid is part of a huge problem
...mediocrity...he shouldn't be anywhere near 1st grade.
Keep picking that level of players and we will keep getting the same results.
I'd be picking up the phone to Dom Youngs manager and getting him across to Parra asap. I reckon poor Simonsson may have done his knee again. He's been our best
Lomax comes straight back in but Russell and Penisini are lucky to be in 1st grade..
We need better and need to do better

Don't get me wrong if we had someone better than Russell I'd be calling for them int he side.

But right now we don't and having JAC next to him all he needs to do is give him early ball which he did well tonight.

 

[JokerEel]

Mate, we lost tonight on the back of a drop of a bomb that all first grade fullbacks (Iongi included) catch 98 percent of the time, and by butchering a simple two on one overlap to win the game. He’s not the least of our problems - he’s straight up a problem. He’s been really, really ordinary so far.

I’ve said many times that I don’t mind persisting with him for the moment, in what is obviously another failure of a season that in retrospect will be billed as a total rebuild year (but jeez it’d be nice to hear the club tell us up front to expect nothing for the season when they’re fleecing us of our bucks for memberships and merchandise). But you are absolutely kidding yourself if you think Iongi has been anything other than exceptionally ordinary so far. Put it this way - which fullback in the comp would you currently put below him in rankings? I can’t think of one.

What exceptionally ordinary so far f**k off

 

[JokerEel]

Mate, we lost tonight on the back of a drop of a bomb that all first grade fullbacks (Iongi included) catch 98 percent of the time, and by butchering a simple two on one overlap to win the game. He’s not the least of our problems - he’s straight up a problem. He’s been really, really ordinary so far.

I’ve said many times that I don’t mind persisting with him for the moment, in what is obviously another failure of a season that in retrospect will be billed as a total rebuild year (but jeez it’d be nice to hear the club tell us up front to expect nothing for the season when they’re fleecing us of our bucks for memberships and merchandise). But you are absolutely kidding yourself if you think Iongi has been anything other than exceptionally ordinary so far. Put it this way - which fullback in the comp would you currently put below him in rankings? I can’t think of one.

Wait I don't think 1 f**k off was enough.

f**k off

 

[Soto]

Lol and wow

 

[the phantom menace]

Put it this way - which fullback in the comp would you currently put below him in rankings? I can’t think of one.

Blaize Talagi... who may have been our choice in that role post-Gutho, had he not already defected. But even Penrith have realised he's not a fullback!

I would have loved Iongi to have played firsts on the wing for a year alongside an experienced fullback (Edwards at Penrith, Gutho with us), to learn the trade like Jarryd did from Luke Burt - before being thrust into a week-to-week first choice fullback role.

But alas it wasn't to be.

 

[DaveMc]

Wait I don't think 1 f**k off was enough.

f**k off

Righto mate. Let off your steam, but in the cold light of day, you’ll realise that Iongi has been underwhelming as a fullback thus far. I’m shocked that this could be considered controversial. We win at least tonight, and probably another game or two so far this season, with a better fullback. His defence sucks, and he’s been very hit and miss in offence.

I’m happy to cop your “f**k offs”, but you know it’s true. Feel free to cope all you like, but I’m right, and you know it. Let’s just hope the current failures are worth some long-term gain. I truly hope it is, but I remain to be convinced.