Rumours and Stuff

[Eelementary]

I will be really feeling deflated if we sign Tyson Frizell, as good as he is.

 

[Eelementary]

I will be really feeling deflated if we sign Tyson Frizell, as good as he is.

Having said that, he's averaging 25 tackles per game (at 97.4%), and 100m per game. Not bad.

 

[Glenneel]

Facebook Parramatta Eels pages are full of "Eels fans" losing their minds over the Eels signing David Fifita...

Just when I thought the world couldn't get any stupider, social media says, "Hold my beer!"

There are a couple of Sharks players that could become available, Siosifa Talakai and Braden Hamlin-Uele, for next year. Talakai plays both centre and edge/middle and would be better than De Bellin imo and Braden covers middle also, both positions we're skinny in. Thoughts?

 

[Eelementary]

There are a couple of Sharks players that could become available, Siosifa Talakai and Braden Hamlin-Uele, for next year. Talakai plays both centre and edge/middle and would be better than De Bellin imo and Braden covers middle also, both positions we're skinny in. Thoughts?

I think both would be worth a shot, tbh.

 

[Eelementary]

Although I do reckon De Bellin walks into the 13 jumper - his work ethic cannot be understated.

 

[Jez]

Hopgood isn’t dropping the ball because he’s unfit. It’s because he’s being forced into a role he’s not suited for. Hes not a ball player. The decision about when to run / pass is too much for him

100% agree. He started last night and Moretti did too so he probably thought he was back to the lock role for us, rather than prop which seems to suit him better in Ryles ball

 

[Twizzle]

Although I do reckon De Bellin walks into the 13 jumper - his work ethic cannot be understated.

yeah, I think he is exactly what we need as Ryles seems to be keen on our pathways and juniors, so some one like him on a short terrm contract is a good move in my opinion

 

[Glenneel]

Hopefully, Hopgood's decline is due to him not being 100% fit, and can be reversed over the next few months.

Made about 3 errors last nite all in attacking zone however not alone in that department. If Ryles can get that fixed reckon we'll be competitive next year.

 

[Avenger]

Made about 3 errors last nite all in attacking zone however not alone in that department. If Ryles can get that fixed reckon we'll be competitive next year.

JDB will expose Hopgood more than a virtue signalling environmentalist driving a diesel powered SUV.

 

[Timana]

Hopgood isnt a ball player, he is an offloader. He is thinking about too much and hence drops the ball as his focus is on what he is going to do with the ball.

As an offloader it's different, he hits the line first and tries to get the ball free

Because JR sort of banned offloads, he isnt as useful to us

 

[Timana]

There are a couple of Sharks players that could become available, Siosifa Talakai and Braden Hamlin-Uele, for next year. Talakai plays both centre and edge/middle and would be better than De Bellin imo and Braden covers middle also, both positions we're skinny in. Thoughts?

I dont think so, I think JR wants lighter players with leg speed.

And maybe this is what Cronulla are going for too hence shedding these two

 

[Timana]

Made about 3 errors last nite all in attacking zone however not alone in that department. If Ryles can get that fixed reckon we'll be competitive next year.

Jnr dropped one and someone else. I think Charlie.

We couldnt mount any pressure and alot of the game we were just watching the storm attack

 

[Eelementary]

Really missed Gideon on our left edge, imo.

He made 22 tackle busts in 18 games - that's pretty good.

Just think how much better he will be with more experience!

 

[chiefy1]

Jnr dropped one and someone else. I think Charlie.

We couldnt mount any pressure and alot of the game we were just watching the storm attack

Hopgood 3 errors in good ball position. And only 50m. Just tackle and run hard. Can he just do these 2 things???

 

[King-Gutho94]

on another note we are in talks with Xavier Coates brother who finishes school on the gc this year , ryles is very close to Matt Geyer who sent him jack hudson

Watching Xavier last night.

If his brother we are keen on is anything like him it would be a massive coup.

I thought you were referring to the one at the Broncos atm.

But is it the 3rd brother Basil.

 

[RustedonEel]

Hopgood 3 errors in good ball position. And only 50m. Just tackle and run hard. Can he just do these 2 things???

Maybe that's not what Ryles wants him to do.

 

[85 Baby]

Player managers know they won’t sign anyone unless the coach believes they are better than what is coming through.
Boring and predictable given the last few years, but the coach doesn’t want to limit pathways etc

It’s this bit here that I like Ryles. We haven’t been going out to sign an RCG clone because we’ll work Tuivati/Moretti into that role or a Brown stop gap because they’re not going to be appreciably better than Hawkins or even Papalii.
External signings are going to be higher level walk ups like JAC & Walker or younger players to give them opportunity like Iongi, Kautoga or TDS.
Your good mate Pou will say every team needs backups but I’ve always been a believer of getting your 17 set and developing your own backups (who may also transition into that 17). Short term it’ll be shit while we watch Iongi throw a wild speculator over sideline in our own half, or Kautoga spill his lollies consistently, or TDS knock on then boot the ball away to give away 7 tackles. But gradually we’ll either weed out those mistakes or weed out those players. And while that’s happening we’re looking more at the Niukore, Papalii, Samrani stage backups I.e. young, and not the Morgan Harpers and Frank Pritchards.

 

[85 Baby]

Maybe that's not what Ryles wants him to do.

This is a bit Captain Obvious but I also think Ryles has more of an eye on development than winning this year, especially when it became obvious we weren’t going to be a threat this year, but in that I mean down to an individual skill set level. Ideally I think Ryles wants Walker coming on as fatigue starts, but Walker’s main role is still a middle half. So the starter in that position is ideally someone to maybe force a bit of fatigue (generally a larger body) but also can still play that middle half role. Hopgood isn’t at that level. I’ve always seen Hopgood as more a Reuben Cotter type prop.

With this and my post above in my mind, if Hopgood proves he can’t deliver that style, then I wonder if he’ll be offered an extension.

 

[chiefy1]

 

[King-Gutho94]

View attachment 104775

What that list actually tells me is how many shit coaches we have in the game.

Your got Shane Flanagan at 9th and the Dragons have won 6 games with a roster he decided needed to win now.

I still have Wayne Bennett ahead of Flanagan the Dragons have won the same amount of games with a injury toll that wasn't as bad as Souths.

Madge has a rockstar roster and yet there battling to make the top 8.

When they truly should be top 4.