Rumours and Stuff

[Gronk]

I was told he got a bit physical with dufty after their loss to dogs and smashed his phone ..... i can see a harsh but fair style player being quite an asset to harden some merkins up

Or coach

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I reckon it’s unlikely Mannah won’t be in the top 17 next year or Peni will be picked in front of him.

Statistically there is nothing really indicating Peni is the better player.

Peni averaged more tackle breaks 3 per game to Mannah’s 1.1, however I suspect Peni’s is from running side ways not straight through the line. Mannah probably has a quicker play the ball/stays on his feet more.

Interestingly peni made 9 errors to Mannah’s 2.

Mannah averaged 109 m / 27 tackles (95% success rate) this year.

Peni averaged 100 m / 29 tackles (95% success rate)

The work rate from both players is very similar however Mannah averaged 39 mins a game and Peni 47 mins (happy to be corrected if these stats are wrong).

So Peni averaged around 20% more game time, yet this isn’t reflected in the work rate - so Mannah is a harder worker.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

“Eels uncover much-needed big man

Parramatta have been searching desperately for big men - and may have uncovered one right on their doorstep.

NSW under-18 prop Stefano Utoikamanu has signed a new two-year deal with the Eels and been elevated to the NRL squad for next season.

Still only 18, Utoikamanu was man of the match for the Blues against Queensland earlier this year and has been playing in the NSW Cup for Wentworthville against grown men - a fair effort for a teenager.

Big and strong, he’s capable of playing NRL football at some stage next season.”

https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/st-geo...the-mole/f7e28ccb-5484-42f1-aa35-1d8c13d15f51

 

[Eelementary]

Does anyone see Mannah as above of the guys I listed?
I also expect 2 more signing and one is a certain top 17. The other will be a bungry type needing a chance.

Are people riding Evans off? I think he will be hammered at training. He will have 4-5kgs put on his frame and be closer to 120kgs. At 27 it will be now or never for Kane after a disaster of 2018.

Kafusi is only going to get better as is Niakuore.

Unsure if any other young guys will be considered. I dont see Stone as big enough but he is tough and a big motor.

I'm a fan of Evans (or, at least, I was, until he signed for us...), but Mannah is a better player.

He's also better than Kaufusi at this stage.

Mannah is under-rated, imo.

 

[84 Baby]

Still only 18, Utoikamanu was man of the match for the Blues against Queensland earlier this year

Shit journalism. Everyone knows that Slater won that as well

 

[Eelementary]

Shit journalism. Everyone knows that Slater won that as well

Suspend Ryles!
Penalty Brisbane!

 

[emjaycee]

“Eels uncover much-needed big man

Parramatta have been searching desperately for big men - and may have uncovered one right on their doorstep.

NSW under-18 prop Stefano Utoikamanu has signed a new two-year deal with the Eels and been elevated to the NRL squad for next season.

Still only 18, Utoikamanu was man of the match for the Blues against Queensland earlier this year and has been playing in the NSW Cup for Wentworthville against grown men - a fair effort for a teenager.

Big and strong, he’s capable of playing NRL football at some stage next season.”

https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/st-geo...the-mole/f7e28ccb-5484-42f1-aa35-1d8c13d15f51

Hopefully this is a sign that the club has recognised a need to be a development focused club and not a recruitment focused club. I think that is something we have all been crying out for.

Of course, we will still need to recruit at various times for various reasons but at least a focus on development would be good.

 

[chiefy1]

What im saying is that mannah is no longer a priority. He should be given a one year cheap deal only, take it or leave it. An extra 200k could make the difference in securing a big name signing.

I wouldn't be rushing to re - sign Timmy .

 

[Obscene Assassin]

“Eels uncover much-needed big man

Parramatta have been searching desperately for big men - and may have uncovered one right on their doorstep.

NSW under-18 prop Stefano Utoikamanu has signed a new two-year deal with the Eels and been elevated to the NRL squad for next season.

Still only 18, Utoikamanu was man of the match for the Blues against Queensland earlier this year and has been playing in the NSW Cup for Wentworthville against grown men - a fair effort for a teenager.

Big and strong, he’s capable of playing NRL football at some stage next season.”

https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/st-geo...the-mole/f7e28ccb-5484-42f1-aa35-1d8c13d15f51

This article makes it sound like we didn't know he was good until he played 18's origin.

 

[Obscene Assassin]

Hopefully this is a sign that the club has recognised a need to be a development focused club and not a recruitment focused club. I think that is something we have all been crying out for.

Of course, we will still need to recruit at various times for various reasons but at least a focus on development would be good.

This has been a long work-in-progress for the club. It's no wonder that we're starting to see better first grade prospects that we're now focusing on producing first grade players and not just players who will win junior comps. Also helps when there's a figure-head at both junior elite level and head coach level that have made it past 2 pre-seasons

 

[hineyrulz]

Hopefully this is a sign that the club has recognised a need to be a development focused club and not a recruitment focused club. I think that is something we have all been crying out for.

Of course, we will still need to recruit at various times for various reasons but at least a focus on development would be good.

So we haven’t been doing that the last 7 years since Kearney and the academy???

 

[Joshuatheeel]

What im saying is that mannah is no longer a priority. He should be given a one year cheap deal only, take it or leave it. An extra 200k could make the difference in securing a big name signing.

I wouldn't be rushing to re - sign Timmy .

Why would we even be offering Mannah a deal now for 2020? I wouId rather wait until mid season to assess what we need.......

 

[Joshuatheeel]

So we haven’t been doing that the last 7 years since Kearney and the academy???

See:

helps when there's a figure-head at both junior elite level and head coach level that have made it past 2 pre-seasons

 

[hineyrulz]

So he’s here until 2020??? Or 21??

 

[hineyrulz]

See:

See what???

We have been focusing on juniors since Kearney got here, bringing Nolan in and setting up the academy. So we stopped doing that for 12 months when Ricky came?? If I remember he was big on giving local juniors a go.

 

[Gronk]

Hopefully this is a sign that the club has recognised a need to be a development focused club and not a recruitment focused club. I think that is something we have all been crying out for.

Of course, we will still need to recruit at various times for various reasons but at least a focus on development would be good.

Whatever happened this old bloke ? Pretty sure has been playing NYC for over a decade. Like that dumb kid that keeps repeating Yr6 because he's not ready for high school.

 

[Delboy]

Tui Afualo needs to train harder, he has been decent overpowering smaller outside backs but unfortunately he hasn't got any taller which is hindering him. Not sure where he ends up, understand he is like a number of players, needs to refine his game and make a decision on training and focus. Had some phyiscal issues re training which have hindered him, needs a big off season to progress as expected

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Didn’t Afualo get 20’s player of the year ?

Also think I read somewhere he trained with the NRL squad during the last off-season and then dropped out (or what ever reasons)

 

[Obscene Assassin]

Whatever happened this old bloke ? Pretty sure has been playing NYC for over a decade. Like that dumb kid that keeps repeating Yr6 because he's not ready for high school.

View attachment 23718

Only 20 next year, so still another year left in Flegg

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Mannah had his best year in a long time, and deserved a top 17 spot. And people think our middle forwards are fine.

He would be top 17 at any NRL club.