Rumours and Stuff

[strider]

I might be the only person that thinks this, but I genuinely believe that we will be better next year and maybe even win the premiership. Next year's top 4 contest will be alot tighter than this year, with the Panthers, Roosters, Eels, Storm and Cowboys all contenders for the minor premiership (allthough Penriths depth means that they should still finish first), with teams like the Broncos, Sharks, Raiders and a healthy Manly team all battling for the other top 8 spots. If the eels can manage to finish comfortbaly in the top 4 (which I believe we are very capable of), a week off before the finals will do us a world of good, and potentially setting us up for a Grand Final Apperance.

Out of all our losses, I think Niukore will be the hardest to replace, due to his versitility, and being a very strong starter/bench player. Ipap will be missed as well, with his attacking presence contributing to alot of line breaks (although some of his defence efforts particulary later in the season were very disappointing). But the signings of Hopgood and Hodgeson (if he stays fit and plays like he did in 18-20) excite me alot, with Mahoneys deffiencies in ball running and engaging the markers being fixed by Hodgesons addition (again if he stays fit). Hopgood appears to be a very exciting prospect and is certainly NRL ready, with his post contact running and defence efforts filling in the hole left by Ipap, although he may not see as much game time this year as I would like.

Though it will be interesting to see who else we sign over the off-season, with another outside back needed to replace Opacic, and more explosive fowards to fill out the bench and reserves.

That being said my biggest worry is that we will suffer to make metres in the big games, as we did in the GF this year, as we have a tendancy to be rolled by other packs when we aren't at our best, leaving us reliant on a good Moses kick. That being said, heres hoping for a successful 2023!

Nice post.

Im cautiously hopeful about next season. ... but at the same time it worries me that in recent times we havent backed up well after a good season

I think Barrett as assistant is something good. He always struck me as someone who isnt quite up to the big job but is a good assistant.

Hodgson will hopefully provide good leadership ... we all know we lack it .... i reckon older guys are an each way bet. Some can really add to a team - others are just after their final pay cheque. Hopefully Hodgson will be keen after missing some footy.

Hopgood should be very good.

And im hopeful Murchie can be the new versatile forward to replace Niukore.

As previously discussed, our backline is a biggest problem.

 

[Incorrect]

Nice post.

Im cautiously hopeful about next season. ... but at the same time it worries me that in recent times we havent backed up well after a good season

I think Barrett as assistant is something good. He always struck me as someone who isnt quite up to the big job but is a good assistant.

Hodgson will hopefully provide good leadership ... we all know we lack it .... i reckon older guys are an each way bet. Some can really add to a team - others are just after their final pay cheque. Hopefully Hodgson will be keen after missing some footy.

Hopgood should be very good.

And im hopeful Murchie can be the new versatile forward to replace Niukore.

As previously discussed, our backline is a biggest problem.

I'll be interested to see the dynamic between our halves (particularly Moses) and Hodgson. I don't think Mitch will appreciate Hodgson overpaying his hand if he falls in to those habits he did in his last full season at the Raiders.... It's going to be important that hodgson sticks to the role he is given and only seldom deviates from it when opportunities present themselves, if at all....

 

[Noise]

better chance of winning powerball two weeks in a row with the same numbers.

tom has a clause in his contract that he doesn’t play more than 15 games a season…

Shouldn’t laugh, we have signed a guy that is much older, has a worse injury history and is expected to touch the ball and make more tackles each game than Tom.

 

[Obscene Assassin]

Nice post.

Im cautiously hopeful about next season. ... but at the same time it worries me that in recent times we havent backed up well after a good season

We've been the 3rd best team over the past 3 years (after the panthers and storm). 4th in 4 years as the roosters jump us. Recently we've backed up very well after good seasons.

 

[yy_cheng]

This year we had a plethora of edges who plays middle all at a good standard.

Any injuries, suspensions were covered.

Next year, we dont have that luxury and that is where it could hurt us.

 

[gaffer]

Shouldn’t laugh, we have signed a guy that is much older, has a worse injury history and is expected to touch the ball and make more tackles each game than Tom.

he'll be one injury away from medical retirement and then who do we rely on

 

[hineyrulz]

he'll be one injury away from medical retirement and then who do we rely on

 

[hindy111]

This year we had a plethora of edges who plays middle all at a good standard.

Any injuries, suspensions were covered.

Next year, we dont have that luxury and that is where it could hurt us.

The roster isn't full yet. Let's wait and see

 

[Glenneel]

Hopefully I don't think we will drop off massively as what is predicted in the media.

How we deal with the GF loss will be key. Teams go 1 or 2 ways when losing a GF. We failed miserably in 02 & 10.

But it's still a big effort to make the GF again.

Personally think we are in the 4th-8th range again. Depending on luck and draw we could get higher.

This year we just timed it right by finishing 4th in the last round despite not occupying a spot in the top 4 from round 7 to the final round.

Ideally though we should be aiming for top 2.

Getting into a GF this year should at least reinforce the belief in the senior players we can get there if make the finals.

I thought we had the toughest draw this year and surely we couldn't get another draw like that again. Good recruitment, a easier draw, new coaching staff and maintaining the rage to atone our loss should have us primed for a good season ahead and not drop off as we've done in previous occasions after making gf.

 

[Glenneel]

Penrith, Roosters, Cowboys, Souths and Storm. Teams around us include Sharks, Raiders & Manly (if Tommy stays fit)

Storm to make 8, only because of their spine, but towards bottom and Moanly to miss out as imo they're broken internally.

 

[eel01s]

I think we need to see finalised squads before making any predictions.

 

[Noise]

Storm to make 8, only because of their spine, but towards bottom and Moanly to miss out as imo they're broken internally.

Their spine is outstanding, one of the best in the comp (Hughes, Munster, Papa and Grant). Their front row is still very good (NAS, Welch and Kamikamika). Outside backs are probably similar to ours (Coates, Olam, Smith and some nuffies). Only weakness at the moment is their back row (Josh King & Eisenhuth are ok without being world beaters, the rest are unknowns). They will push for top 4 again.

 

[Avenger]

If one of our halves leaves I’d go all out for the Trbojević brothers and move Gutherson to 6.

Besides we are ‘Serbless’ for season 2023 and I could only handle that for one season. Having 2 in 2024 would be more than enough compensation.

 

[Chipmunk]

Storm to make 8, only because of their spine, but towards bottom and Moanly to miss out as imo they're broken internally.

Their spine is outstanding, one of the best in the comp (Hughes, Munster, Papa and Grant). Their front row is still very good (NAS, Welch and Kamikamika). Outside backs are probably similar to ours (Coates, Olam, Smith and some nuffies). Only weakness at the moment is their back row (Josh King & Eisenhuth are ok without being world beaters, the rest are unknowns). They will push for top 4 again.

They have also signed Tariq Sims and an edge forward from the Warriors (Katoa). I suspect both will go pretty good in the Storm system.

The Storm's issue is going to be depth. They have a very strong starting 13, with a couple of quality middle interchanges, but it falls away pretty quickly after that. Too many injuries and they'll easily miss the Top 8.

 

[Stevie]

I am proud to have you post here. Now stop telling me about stuff you read here, as I have probably already read it!

First father son combo on LU in the Eels forum?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I dont think Manly will be doing anything unless they sort out the split fractures inside the squad.

Foran will be a big loss for them. He complemented DCE perfectly with his soft hands and short kicking game near the tryline. It also allowed Tom to pop up whenever he saw a weakness.

It’s Manly’s top eight year next year. They always make the finals every other year and this pattern will never ever change.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I'll be interested to see the dynamic between our halves (particularly Moses) and Hodgson. I don't think Mitch will appreciate Hodgson overpaying his hand if he falls in to those habits he did in his last full season at the Raiders.... It's going to be important that hodgson sticks to the role he is given and only seldom deviates from it when opportunities present themselves, if at all....

I hope we play to our strengths, which includes Hodgson’s playmaking ability.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Shouldn’t laugh, we have signed a guy that is much older, has a worse injury history and is expected to touch the ball and make more tackles each game than Tom.

Touching the ball doesn’t increase your risk of injury, and tackling usually doesn’t cause lower body injuries.

 

[Chipmunk]

It’s Manly’s top eight year next year. They always make the finals every other year and this pattern will never ever change.

It will if Tommy Trbo does an ACL in Round 1 next year.

 

[hindy111]

Manly spine can be up there with the best if Tom stays fit. If does they have the best fullback in the comp and top 3 halfback.
The forward packs solid and the backline is exciting. Plus Parra fans will have no idea what good juniors other clubs have. Manly unearthed a few kids recently and they'll all be better for the run next year. Turbo brother, Koula and a few forwards I forget the names of.