Rumours and Stuff

[eel01s]

Merry Christmas everyone. Looking forward to the Eels having a great season 2026.

 

[emjaycee]

Not cool that we haven't kept them, but kinda cool that 2 of our local juniors have been snapped up by other clubs for 5 year contracts. Must have developed them ok.

 

[Avenger]

Not cool that we haven't kept them, but kinda cool that 2 of our local juniors have been snapped up by other clubs for 5 year contracts. Must have developed them ok.

Russell won lotto, let’s not kid ourselves. However I’m happy for him because he has limited talent but has worked hard to get to this position. I admire that. Who is the other player? Brown?

 

[Pazza]

Not cool that we haven't kept them, but kinda cool that 2 of our local juniors have been snapped up by other clubs for 5 year contracts. Must have developed them ok.

So cool, i cant wait to see the next one

 

[Poupou Escobar]

5 year deal for Russel, he and his manager have done very well.

It depends how much he’s getting paid. He might’ve sold himself short in exchange for job security. Unlikely, but also unlikely they’ve paid too much over a contract that long.

Screams a little desperation from the Bears though

I like Russel, very solid footballer who does the little things right. He is coming off his best season and he truly looked like a first grader this year.

5 year deals though are something you would usually reserve for rep players, maybe he will prove me wrong but I don’t think Russel will ever get to that level.

Why would you reserve them for rep players? Russell is NRL standard at 23. It’s not a gamble to assume he’ll still be NRL standard at 28.

 

[Matty Bhoy]

It depends how much he’s getting paid. He might’ve sold himself short in exchange for job security. Unlikely, but also unlikely they’ve paid too much over a contract that long.

I don’t agree there. He’s what, 23 years old, scores nearly a try every second game and has 60 odd NRL games under his belt. Furthermore he’s improved on each season he’s played which is the kind of player you’re chasing while they’re young. His manager has negotiated a 5 year deal on good coin and good luck to him.

 

[Soto]

Keaon off to the Dragons.
5year deal over $1m per season

 

[Avenger]

Keaon off to the Dragons.
5year deal over $1m per season

He’s not worth over $1m. Not a f**king chance I’d pay that.

 

[Suitman]

Russell deserves it - never shirks the hard work.

I'm happy for him.

I agree, and easy to forget how young he is.

I agree.
I'm never really happy when we lose players that I'd like to keep.
In this instance however, I'm happy for Russell because he has worked hard for a decent pay day, and the Bears are probably over-paying, so good luck to him. I wish him well.

 

[Matty Bhoy]

Keaon off to the Dragons.
5year deal over $1m per season

This being reported or rumours?

 

[Soto]

This being reported or rumours?

A mate who is in the know at soufs

 

[eels_fan]

I can live with Keon staying at the rabbits - it’s expected.

if he chooses the dragons over us however, it is a massive failure by O’Neill (and Ryles) to be unable to persuade a elite player of the benefits of our club and its direction over an absolute rabble like the dragons who don’t even have a halfback to steer a team around, nor a fullback with legs left in him. If a rep player see’s chance of better success at the dragons over us, then we have absolute f**kwitts in charge of recruitment who should be on their ass by Boxing Day.

 

[Soto]

I can live with Keon staying at the rabbits - it’s expected.

if he chooses the dragons over us however, it is a massive failure by O’Neill (and Ryles) to be unable to persuade a elite player of the benefits of our club and its direction over an absolute rabble like the dragons who don’t even have a halfback to steer a team around, nor a fullback with legs left in him. If a rep player see’s chance of better success at the dragons over us, then we have absolute f**kwitts in charge of recruitment who should be on their ass by Boxing Day.

I would not be paying over $1m per season for him.
Apparently best mate is also Jaydn Sua...
Im glad we aren't getting him in any case.
We need backs not forwards.
I actually think we have plenty of good forwards and more coming through but the backs stocks at this stage is a bit concerning

 

[Jake the snake]

I can live with Keon staying at the rabbits - it’s expected.

if he chooses the dragons over us however, it is a massive failure by O’Neill (and Ryles) to be unable to persuade a elite player of the benefits of our club and its direction over an absolute rabble like the dragons who don’t even have a halfback to steer a team around, nor a fullback with legs left in him. If a rep player see’s chance of better success at the dragons over us, then we have absolute f**kwitts in charge of recruitment who should be on their ass by Boxing Day.

But Jim the mower man said the phones are ringing off the hook?!

 

[Suitman]

But Jim the mower man said the phones are ringing off the hook?!

Honestly champ, give it a f**king rest.
You seriously must almost fall asleep typing the same thing three times daily.

 

[eels_fan]

I would not be paying over $1m per season for him.
Apparently best mate is also Jaydn Sua...
Im glad we aren't getting him in any case.
We need backs not forwards.
I actually think we have plenty of good forwards and more coming through but the backs stocks at this stage is a bit concerning

$1m a season for the best front rower on the market (or will go to market because the likes of Haas and Tino are not options for us) and a current Aussie rep is not overspending. Paulo is on $900k and whilst he may re-sign for 27 it would be on a fraction of that. Most of our forwards are too young to lead the line, Keon on a 5 year 5 million deal is smart business

 

[hineyrulz]

Overlooked for the Dragons lol.

Another miss for MON, this club is an utter embarrassment and isn't a serious club with absolute nobodies like MON and Midget Jimmy running the show.

 

[hineyrulz]

$1m a season for the best front rower on the market (or will go to market because the likes of Haas and Tino are not options for us) and a current Aussie rep is not overspending. Paulo is on $900k and whilst he may re-sign for 27 it would be on a fraction of that. Most of our forwards are too young to lead the line, Keon on a 5 year 5 million deal is smart business

Agreed, especially heaps of cap to spend. We will waste it on shit like normal.

When Baldie was fired MON and his team plus the bald dribbler CEO had to go as well.

JR could be the second coming of Jack Gibson it won't matter until we get real people running this club.

 

[Delboy]

At the end of the day, no one knows what the decision will be

Probability is that KK remains at Souths , his junior club although they seem to have cap struggles , but it’s for 2027 so that could see things move for the current team.

if, however, an elite rep player chooses Saints over the Eels, then it raises some big questions relating to the front office and recruitment, How many players have moved on since 2022, the roster is not stronger but better coached. Interesting to see what the board decide to do on those leading the club.

 

[hindy111]

Not cool that we haven't kept them, but kinda cool that 2 of our local juniors have been snapped up by other clubs for 5 year contracts. Must have developed them ok.

It's a real joy to watch Stefano and Blaize play finals whilst we prepare for the next season.
Good work Parra