Rd5: 3pm Parra v Dragons GAME DAY THREAD @ Commbank 5/4/25

[King-Gutho94]

I'm sure he's still a better forward than at least a couple of merkins in our 17 this week. It looks like he is being pushed out of the club rather than kept in reserve grade by better players. Which is fine if he's on overs.

His no longer a 650k a year forward.

His too injury prone who averages 18 games a season before even this year

If your missing on average 6 games per year that's a quarter of the season then your value as a player considerably drops.

 

[84 Baby]

Absolutely.

While he's on the nose with fans (rightfully so), he's a better player than at least half our other forwards.

I think under his usual style, the only like for like he replaces are Hopgood or Walker. He’s not better than them.
He probably is better than Kautoga, Ofahengaue, Moretti, Tuivati and Lane but they all play different roles than Matterson normally plays and I don’t think his style suits the role, not so I think he can adapt to play them.
People think Walker meant the end of Brown but I think it’s had bigger effect on Matterson.

 

[Eelementary]

I think under his usual style, the only like for like he replaces are Hopgood or Walker. He’s not better than them.
He probably is better than Kautoga, Ofahengaue, Moretti, Tuivati and Lane but they all play different roles than Matterson normally plays and I don’t think his style suits the role, not so I think he can adapt to play them.
People think Walker meant the end of Brown but I think it’s had bigger effect on Matterson.

I disagree entirely.

He's a much better player than Hopgood.

Walker...the jury is still out.

 

[emjaycee]

His no longer a 650k a year forward.

His too injury prone who averages 18 games a season before even this year

If your missing on average 6 games per year that's a quarter of the season then your value as a player considerably drops.

So how much should Moses be getting? Maybe $700k?

 

[Matty Bhoy]

I disagree entirely.

He's a much better player than Hopgood.

Walker...the jury is still out.

I’m not sure I agree. Statistically they’re very very similar in terms of their Eels careers despite Hoppy being in worse sides.

Both around 95% tackle efficiency and Matto has slightly more average run metres at Parra with 129m compared to 117m. Hopgood is five years younger and I assume on a cheaper deal. I also get the feeling he’s prepared to play busted. Just my 2c.

 

[84 Baby]

I disagree entirely.

He's a much better player than Hopgood.

Walker...the jury is still out.

Hopgood is fitter and more mobile. He may have missed some shit tackles past couple of weeks but the fact is he gets to more tackles than Matterson does.
Matterson is a better ball player than Hopgood but Walker is 5000 times better than both so reduces the need.
Matterson is probably physically more imposing but he tends to ball play instead and with head knocks may be less willing.

 

[hindy111]

Absolutely.

While he's on the nose with fans (rightfully so), he's a better player than at least half our other forwards.

He would be our best defender I'd say. I'd rather him in the side then not.

 

[hindy111]

I think under his usual style, the only like for like he replaces are Hopgood or Walker. He’s not better than them.
He probably is better than Kautoga, Ofahengaue, Moretti, Tuivati and Lane but they all play different roles than Matterson normally plays and I don’t think his style suits the role, not so I think he can adapt to play them.
People think Walker meant the end of Brown but I think it’s had bigger effect on Matterson.

I'd rather him at 2nd row over both our starters

 

[the phantom menace]

I'd rather Blaize Talagi at 2nd row over either of our starters...

 

[84 Baby]

I'd rather him at 2nd row over both our starters

He less mobile than Hopgood, he’s far less mobile than Kautoga and Lane’s defence has been surprisingly decent. Given how this season is panning out, we also may as well throw Kautoga in deep end