Rumours and Stuff

[Legal Eel]

I don't think we have won a f**king thing since you started supporting us. I think you're the problem.

Post of the year - 360 days to go and this will take some beating.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

People seem to be confused. Most of us never minded BA. He did ok but never great.
Should of parted ways end of 2018 becuase that season wasn't acceptable.

I'd rather not hear about how the next 4yrs where his best becuase I feel liek it was also put best squad since 2005

I think you overrate our recent squad, just like you overrate the 2005 squad. They were minor premiers because Brian Smith is a genius not because the squad was the best. They overachieved all year and shat themselves in the preliminary final against a team featuring half a dozen players hardened by Origin. Just like they did in the grand final four years earlier.

and any coach gets them to the last 6. A good one gets us to the last 4.

An average one got us to the last two. If we got an easier opponent on the day we could've won.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

That’s exactly what will happen

I support him now though. A troll would be death riding him, like you did with the last coach. Maybe you're the troll? You seem to throw the accusation around a lot.

 

[84 Baby]

Maybe you’re all trolls!

 

[Twizzle]

Maybe you’re all trolls!

or in some cases, stalkers

 

[Gazzamatta]

Matto knows where the grass is greener..........

Ryan Matterson on Instagram: "Getting ready for a big season #running #runclub #exercise #athlete #rehab #trainingday #traininghard #rugbyleague #nrl #workout #fitness #trainingpartner #dogsofinstagram"

1,652 likes, 37 comments - ryan_matto on January 4, 2025: "Getting ready for a big season #running #runclub #exercise #athlete #rehab #trainingday #traininghard #rugbyleague #nrl #workout #fitness #trainingpartner #dogsofinstagram".

www.instagram.com

I'm hopeful of an improved Matto thus season. He could be the prototype middle. Contract ending soon as well.

 

[Twizzle]

 

[Eelementary]

I thought Matterson was routinely one of our better-performing forwards, tbh.

His 2024 was average, but whose wasn't?

 

[Eelementary]

It's so refreshing to have players with personality, such as Lomax, and The Fox.

 

[Zoso]

Are you talking about the 2001 grand final or the 2005 preliminary final against the Cowboys?

All up we lost four preliminaries and a grand final under Brian Smith. Yes Smith was a better coach, but at least Brad Arthur never lost a prelim.

Smith was an exceptional coach. If you want an idea of how good he was as a coach, check out the St George teams that lost to the Broncos in 92 and 93, then look at the Broncos squad, which was basically a QLD team with a NSW prop (Lazarus).

 

[Zoso]

I'm hopeful of an improved Matto thus season. He could be the prototype middle. Contract ending soon as well.

I’m hoping he doesn’t get any more head knocks, for both him and the team.

 

[Glenneel]

I assume this guy was on a small deal and the cap hit was predominantly the transfer fee they paid? If so it doesn’t seem like they would save much. Maybe they’ve signed too many players again and need to make room. Or maybe they just know now he’s not going to make it. The rugby league scrap heap of super hyped halves grows and grows.

Eels backups '24 vs '25:

Position	2024	2025
Fullback	Talagi	Papalii
Wing	Dunster	Dunster
Centre	Harper	Russell
Centre	Cini	Samrani
Wing	Renisini	Renisini
Five-eighth	Asi	Volkman
Four-eighth	Sanders	Hawkins
Middle	Greig	Moretti
Hooker	Arthur	Smith
Middle	Ogden	Greig/Mataele/Tuivati?
Edge	Doorey	Doorey
Edge	Guymer	Kautoga
Middle	Moretti	Guymer

We've always had backups at every position. There are dozens of players contracted to the club every year. But Russell going from a starter to a backup is a sign of increased class. Plus the backup pack is a lot more mobile, in line with the starting pack. It's very exciting.

Basically a rehash of what l've already covered previously. Unfortunately last year, and year before, we didn't have backups for a lot of positions, mainly backs, where we had to get dispensation from NRL to play certain players there. Now all positions are covered by players in top 30.

 

[Glenneel]

Won a spoon at Parra and made the finals at the Warriors. He was the one who made me suspect we weren't the massive club I thought we were. Stuart confirmed it.

With the shit roster we had I doubt Bennett or Bellamy could have got us to top 8 but we may have avoided spoon.

 

[hineyrulz]

Basically a rehash of what l've already covered previously. Unfortunately last year, and year before, we didn't have backups for a lot of positions, mainly backs, where we had to get dispensation from NRL to play certain players there. Now all positions are covered by players in top 30.

Mon even admitted on the TCT podcast we were left short in some area’s mainly the outside backs. But Pou still refuses to admit that the club or especially Bea Arthur could get anything wrong ever.

 

[King-Gutho94]

I’m hoping he doesn’t get any more head knocks, for both him and the team.

You would think he is one concussion away from looking at medical retirement.

The one he got last year wouldn't have knocked over feather is was a faint touch against Blaize in the Broncos game and it wasn't picked up by the independent doctor in the bunker or the medical staff.

He only started complaining about headaches a week later and then missed a month.

 

[Eelementary]

You would think he is one concussion away from looking at medical retirement.

The one he got last year wouldn't have knocked over feather is was a faint touch against Blaize in the Broncos game and it wasn't picked up by the independent doctor in the bunker or the medical staff.

He only started complaining about headaches a week later and then missed a month.

We can thank that human pile of dog shit, Felicia Kaufusi, for a lot of Matterson's head issues.

That piece of human filth should have been banned for half a season. He's a dog.

 

[hindy111]

I'm hopeful of an improved Matto thus season. He could be the prototype middle. Contract ending soon as well.

I think he is out best forward if he is on.

 

[hindy111]

We can thank that human pile of dog shit, Felicia Kaufusi, for a lot of Matterson's head issues.

That piece of human filth should have been banned for half a season. He's a dog.

Same goes for JWH and Nelson.
Nelson got what he deserved missing the grand final. He has been a grub of a player his while career.

 

[King-Gutho94]

We can thank that human pile of dog shit, Felicia Kaufusi, for a lot of Matterson's head issues.

That piece of human filth should have been banned for half a season. He's a dog.

What did he get 1 week and not even a sinbin.

He also broke Moses back in Origin that same season that he missed 4 games with and our season imploded in that following month.

Sounds like deja vu from last season.

 

[hindy111]

I think you overrate our recent squad, just like you overrate the 2005 squad. They were minor premiers because Brian Smith is a genius not because the squad was the best. They overachieved all year and shat themselves in the preliminary final against a team featuring half a dozen players hardened by Origin. Just like they did in the grand final four years earlier.

An average one got us to the last two. If we got an easier opponent on the day we could've won.

Here are some stats for you to play with. I'm certainly learning from you and I agree that point differential tells more about a side then ladder position.
Let's break it down. Here it is. Where we finished on ladder based of differential.

2014 - 11th
2015 - 13th
2016 - 9th
2017 - 9th
2018 - 15th
2019 - 5th
2020 - 6th
2021 - 6th
2022 - 8th
2023 - 8th
2024 - 15th

BA finished with an average of 9.5 across his career.
So Average position is between 8th-9th. That puts him below average.
It also shows that 2022 was a lot of luck. We where the 8th best side all year and injuries crippled the better side. Same goes for 2017. I'm glad is used your stats and formulas cause I hadn't realised how LUCKY we got under Bushy.

His TOTAL points differential was -14.

Would you like one for Brian Smith?