Rumours and Stuff

[Obscene Assassin]

Is that the way the game is atm??

We could have walked into the 2025 season with reg Paulo lane kelma matto as the starting pack. All a bunch of monsters, all over 110kg.

I really feel we have the right balance between size and mobility atm, but of course there is always room for improvement.

But instead we could have Ofahengaue, Paulo, Lane, Kelma and Matto as the starting forward pack. Who are all over 110kgs?


I agree we need a smaller pack overall but let's not kid ourselves we're there yet.

 

[AnonymousLurker]

Ryles told us about his involvement in recruitment a few weeks ago (from 1m 45s):


"...and especially for our list management group, they've been very busy. So they do most of the work and I just give them a hand."

So there you go. There is still a committee of people that is responsible for management of the roster, and the coach has some input into that. Just like under the previous coach. If you've seen the Dawn of the Dolphins doco on Stan you will know that it even works this way when Wayne Bennett is the head coach, though you'd assume he has earnt the right to have more input than the majority of other coaches in the NRL.

But I think you will find they would be identifying for Ryles the type of player he is after , it appears obvious that he is after younger aged players with speed , whereas previously it appeared we were after older discards with nrl experience. Which would make sense to me as Ryles is going with a different playing style and philosophy

 

[Pazza]

But instead we could have Ofahengaue, Paulo, Lane, Kelma and Matto as the starting forward pack. Who are all over 110kgs?


I agree we need a smaller pack overall but let's not kid ourselves we're there yet.

We very well could, but I feel moving on reg and bringing in Williams give you an idea where Ryles wants to go. You got guys like Williams, hopgood, morretti, guymer who could all be in the top 17.

 

[Delboy]

Junior reps trialled yesterday,anyone have any idea what the scores were.?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Some of us are happy with Ryles start, others need to protect the old coach’s comparative legacy…

you do you Pou, the rest of us will support the eels

I’ll support whoever the coach is, and I don’t need to shitcan the blokes who have left.

When Ryles gets is into a grand final he’ll be up there with Smith, Anderson and Arthur. Great memories. Iconic moments even

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Maybe it is just funds etc and maybe Brad didn’t have the advantages Ryles has, but your argument seems baseless considering their tenures directly followed each other!

Not only that, to accept your premise we would have to accept that it’s just a giant coincidence that all these changes happened as soon as BA was replaced…

and to think you are the person who continually wants to see hard evidence and rules out coincidences as being intellectually lazy!

keep defending Pou, the cavalry of pouciples will come soon…

We had massive changes after 2018 as well and it had nothing to do with replacing the coach. The commonality between then and now is coming off a poor season. What were you saying about coincidences?

 

[Gherkin]

I wouldn't rule out the Emu either. Looking fit and having a big preseason. Its really his make or break year.

Wiremu might get a run if junior is out. Doubt we’d carry both in the 17. And that’s only if Wiremu improves a lot over the off-season in all aspects of his game

 

[Poupou Escobar]

But instead we could have Ofahengaue, Paulo, Lane, Kelma and Matto as the starting forward pack. Who are all over 110kgs?


I agree we need a smaller pack overall but let's not kid ourselves we're there yet.

I think bringing in Williams, and getting Hopgood and Guymer back from injury will be a big improvement in our mobility.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

But I think you will find they would be identifying for Ryles the type of player he is after , it appears obvious that he is after younger aged players with speed , whereas previously it appeared we were after older discards with nrl experience. Which would make sense to me as Ryles is going with a different playing style and philosophy

We were looking to replace Gutherson at the back earlier this year, and we had a bunch of backups in reserve grade who had come straight from SG Ball. We only signed Iongi because we couldn’t convince Talagi to switch to fullback. We also signed Lomax before Ryles was even on the radar.

Addo-Carr is literally an older discard with NRL experience, but at least he is quick.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Wiremu might get a run if junior is out. Doubt we’d carry both in the 17. And that’s only if Wiremu improves a lot over the off-season in all aspects of his game

Yeah they play the same role. Greig is a poor man’s Paulo.

 

[Eelogical]

I’ll support whoever the coach is, and I don’t need to shitcan the blokes who have left.

When Ryles gets is into a grand final he’ll be up there with Smith, Anderson and Arthur. Great memories. Iconic moments even

He's only got four years, mate. Ya reckon he'll do it?

 

[Suitman]

He's only got four years, mate. Ya reckon he'll do it?

He needs at least 12 years to prove himself, like the last coach.

 

[Gronk]

Junior reps trialled yesterday,anyone have any idea what the scores were.?

No results. This is all I found.

 

[Eelogical]

He needs at least 12 years to prove himself, like the last coach.

Well, that will just about see me out. I wonder if we will throw some dollars at Bennett after JR's tenure.

 

[TheCrowe]

I think bringing in Williams, and getting Hopgood and Guymer back from injury will be a big improvement in our mobility.

Hopgood needs clean up surgery on his knee.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

He's only got four years, mate. Ya reckon he'll do it?

If he’s doing a good job he’ll get extended, unless a bigger club poaches him.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

He needs at least 12 years to prove himself, like the last coach.

Actually it took the last coach that long to fail. Most Eels coaches fail much quicker than that.

 

[Eelogical]

If he’s doing a good job he’ll get extended, unless a bigger club poaches him.

Good isn't good enough. Isn't that right @hineyrulz?

 

[Eelogical]

Actually it took the last coach that long to fail. Most Eels coaches fail much quicker than that.

So, the stats suggest that JR is going to fail.

 

[JokerEel]

Hopgood needs clean up surgery on his knee.

Thought Mills said he had it this week back in 6