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Rumours and Stuff

Johnny88

Juniors
Messages
1,314

Want to avoid a Panthers four-peat? Here’s your team’s to-do list over summer
ByMichael Chammas and Adrian Proszenko
OCTOBER 20, 2023



Parramatta Eels
1. Find a hooker
The departure of Reed Mahoney last year, compounded by the early retirement of Josh Hodgson, has left the Eels short on quality No.9s.
2. Keep or find a general manager
The Wests Tigers are expected to come in for general manager Mark O’Neill. The Eels may have to put their hands in their pockets and look for a replacement.
3. Find an X-factor
Despite the club’s public denials, the coaching staff tinkered with the idea of moving Clint Gutherson to the centres to find an X-factor fullback. They wanted Jayden Campbell. That ship has now sailed, but they’re still on the lookout.
CAPTAIN - FULLBACK
Clinton Gutherson's 2023 Season
Appearances:
23
Tries:
19
Tackles:
120
Receipts:
918
Average runs:
162m
Line breaks:
15
4. Minimise the inevitable noise around the coach
Brad Arthur is the longest-serving coach in Eels history. The team’s inability to back up a 2022 grand final berth with a finals appearance in 2023 is a concern. You can be assured the drums will start beating in the event of some early losses.
5. Find a back-up half
Jake Arthur’s mid-season transfer to Manly, and the expected departure of young gun Ethan Sanders to Canberra in 2025, will leave the Eels short on depth in the halves.
 

JokerEel

Coach
Messages
13,201

Want to avoid a Panthers four-peat? Here’s your team’s to-do list over summer
ByMichael Chammas and Adrian Proszenko
OCTOBER 20, 2023



Parramatta Eels
1. Find a hooker
The departure of Reed Mahoney last year, compounded by the early retirement of Josh Hodgson, has left the Eels short on quality No.9s.
2. Keep or find a general manager
The Wests Tigers are expected to come in for general manager Mark O’Neill. The Eels may have to put their hands in their pockets and look for a replacement.
3. Find an X-factor
Despite the club’s public denials, the coaching staff tinkered with the idea of moving Clint Gutherson to the centres to find an X-factor fullback. They wanted Jayden Campbell. That ship has now sailed, but they’re still on the lookout.
CAPTAIN - FULLBACK
Clinton Gutherson's 2023 Season
Appearances:
23
Tries:
19
Tackles:
120
Receipts:
918
Average runs:
162m
Line breaks:
15
4. Minimise the inevitable noise around the coach
Brad Arthur is the longest-serving coach in Eels history. The team’s inability to back up a 2022 grand final berth with a finals appearance in 2023 is a concern. You can be assured the drums will start beating in the event of some early losses.
5. Find a back-up half
Jake Arthur’s mid-season transfer to Manly, and the expected departure of young gun Ethan Sanders to Canberra in 2025, will leave the Eels short on depth in the halves.


Didn't Gronk already post this?
 

King-Gutho94

Coach
Messages
15,085
Don't really need to find a hooker.

We already have Joey Lussick and Brendan Hands who are both serviceable.

I suppose what happens if both go down like what happened in 2021 when we lost Mahoney and Lussick to injury.

Deal with it then
 

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
90,928
I have always liked Junior but I think he's not as dangerous as he used to be. I really think he needs some time away from sport in general for starters.
That’ll be great for his fitness. Just feet up on the couch with a daily bucket of dirty bird for 12 months. He’ll come back well rested ffs
 

Obscene Assassin

First Grade
Messages
6,294

Want to avoid a Panthers four-peat? Here’s your team’s to-do list over summer
ByMichael Chammas and Adrian Proszenko
OCTOBER 20, 2023



Parramatta Eels
1. Find a hooker
The departure of Reed Mahoney last year, compounded by the early retirement of Josh Hodgson, has left the Eels short on quality No.9s.
2. Keep or find a general manager
The Wests Tigers are expected to come in for general manager Mark O’Neill. The Eels may have to put their hands in their pockets and look for a replacement.
3. Find an X-factor
Despite the club’s public denials, the coaching staff tinkered with the idea of moving Clint Gutherson to the centres to find an X-factor fullback. They wanted Jayden Campbell. That ship has now sailed, but they’re still on the lookout.
CAPTAIN - FULLBACK
Clinton Gutherson's 2023 Season
Appearances:
23
Tries:
19
Tackles:
120
Receipts:
918
Average runs:
162m
Line breaks:
15
4. Minimise the inevitable noise around the coach
Brad Arthur is the longest-serving coach in Eels history. The team’s inability to back up a 2022 grand final berth with a finals appearance in 2023 is a concern. You can be assured the drums will start beating in the event of some early losses.
5. Find a back-up half
Jake Arthur’s mid-season transfer to Manly, and the expected departure of young gun Ethan Sanders to Canberra in 2025, will leave the Eels short on depth in the halves.

None of those things will help us win in 2024. Any decisions we make now will not help us win in 2024.
 

Stagger eel

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
65,781
Steve Mortimer.

Mortimer was one of my favourite non eel players of all time but he never played in a dud team, always had a forward pack any half would dream off.

Sterlo however had to deal with a dud team in the second half of his career and was still on top of his game particularly the 87-88 seasons.

I think Sterlo shades him but both wonderful players in their own right.
 

TheRam

Coach
Messages
13,878
None of those things will help us win in 2024. Any decisions we make now will not help us win in 2024.

Also what has Sanders leaving in 2025 got to do with preventing a Penrith 4peat in 2024?

The whole article was a desperate attempt to write something and the miss our most pressing weaknesses.

Centre and wing.

Also everyone says sign quality but all the quality players are signed and have been for a while. Unless you can get a player and club to agree in cutting their contract short and jumping ship then it isn't possible.
 

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