Rumours and Stuff

[Pazza]

Is he bigger than Joash?

Not from what ive seen

Some legend has started uploading cup and flegg games to YT

 

[Avenger]

Injury-plagued winger among four players retained by Parramatta Eels

Which player is likely to play in the NRL in 2026?

www.zerotackle.com

 

[emjaycee]

The ridiculous part is that MON in the interview with TCT praised the contribution of Ben Rogers as the list manager. The list is so out of balance it will probably fall over.

Seems to be an internal love fest without seeing the real world. Pou will,sugar coat any thing, but chasing so called elite players and failing is just not what they get paid for. Embarrassing and how much better was most of the time under Brian Smith compared to the last 6/8 years by this admin. Should be an opportunity for an internal review of performance of the so called front office in football terms against our peers.

I think Brian Smith was our second best ever coach (just couldnt get us up for the big games) but under his watch I reckon there were less than 20 players recruited (in 10 years) that were anywhere near the quality we are currently lacking and the number that were elite, when we signed them, is probably only 1 (Tahu).

 

[Poupou Escobar]

If there is a camera

Yes the paparazzi are always stalking the disabled children

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Should be an opportunity for an internal review of performance of the so called front office in football terms against our peers.

If by 'our peers' you mean the rest of the NRL, it's a solid roster. Definitely a pass mark.

 

[Avenger]

I think Brian Smith was our second best ever coach (just couldnt get us up for the big games) but under his watch I reckon there were less than 20 players recruited (in 10 years) that were anywhere near the quality we are currently lacking and the number that were elite, when we signed them, is probably only 1 (Tahu).

• PJ Marsh back from Warriors

 

[Avenger]

I thought he signed the Canterbury 4 but they were signed when Hilditch was the coach.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Didn’t stop you getting excited over those 3 games in 2022, you are flicking your bean over the in the defence of your bald fraud of a hero.

You know very well I wasn't celebrating after the preliminary final. You even had a go at me for not being in here flicking beans with you merkins. We were paying over $3 for that grand final. Massive underdogs

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I think Brian Smith was our second best ever coach (just couldnt get us up for the big games) but under his watch I reckon there were less than 20 players recruited (in 10 years) that were anywhere near the quality we are currently lacking and the number that were elite, when we signed them, is probably only 1 (Tahu).

Yep, we were a development club under Smith, just like under the blokes who built Gibson's squad.

 

[Avenger]

Yep, we were a development club under Smith, just like under the blokes who built Gibson's squad.

I get what you are saying but we still need to snare a player or 2 that are not back up standard or off cuts from a shit team. Another addition like Jack Williams who is a fringe rep player is what’s required. Maybe that’s why we’ve been linked to Talakai.

 

[Tiger5150]

Yes the paparazzi are always stalking the disabled children

Luckily Matto brings his own

 

[Delboy]

I get what you are saying but we still need to snare a player or 2 that are not back up standard or off cuts from a shit team. Another addition like Jack Williams who is a fringe rep player is what’s required. Maybe that’s why we’ve been linked to Talakai.

The difference is that we were interested big time in the player, and didn’t get him across the line , whether the argument is about length of contract etc it was in essence an opportunity to convince someone of the benefit of signing for the Eels. An elite half and good coach etc etc

Do we see Roosters and Dogs for instance fail often in their quest to improve their roster by signing that sort of player. Sure it’s great to rely on home grown, but in reality you need a few elite players to be really competitive. Trying and failing is what we are seeing, and it’s not encouraging.

 

[Eelementary]

I think Ryles is doing a great job - but he's still a rookie.

Flanagan, for all his faults, is a seasoned coach.

Is it not possible that Koloamatagi simply felt that his career would be more stable playing for a coach with the runs on board, rather than taking the gamble on working with a rookie?

To be completely blunt, I can't fault Keon for choosing Flanagan over Ryles - Flanagan is a known quantity, whereas we still don't know if Ryles is a fluke, or not.

I don't think he is - I think he has put systems in place to help re-build the club -, but until he has the evidence on the board, he's a wild card.

 

[Avenger]

I think Ryles is doing a great job - but he's still a rookie.

Flanagan, for all his faults, is a seasoned coach.

Is it not possible that Koloamatagi simply felt that his career would be more stable playing for a coach with the runs on board, rather than taking the gamble on working with a rookie?

It’s far more about location than anything else. Kellyville simply can’t compete with Southern Sydney or Wollongong beaches from a lifestyle perspective.

There is a reason why they used a helicopter.

 

[lucablight]

I think Ryles is doing a great job - but he's still a rookie.

Flanagan, for all his faults, is a seasoned coach.

Is it not possible that Koloamatagi simply felt that his career would be more stable playing for a coach with the runs on board, rather than taking the gamble on working with a rookie?

To be completely blunt, I can't fault Keon for choosing Flanagan over Ryles - Flanagan is a known quantity, whereas we still don't know if Ryles is a fluke, or not.

I don't think he is - I think he has put systems in place to help re-build the club -, but until he has the evidence on the board, he's a wild card.

I doubt it’s that deep. I think bro just wanted to get paid.

 

[lingard]

We’ve lost the NZ five-eighth and an Australian/NSW Origin winger and the recruitment team’s response is… nothing. Zero replacements, zero plan—just the embarrassing idea of Brian Kelly. Let that sink in.

There’s no depth out wide whatsoever, and these geniuses expect a midget to eventually partner Moses in his prime and somehow end a 40-year drought. This isn’t roster management, it’s professional negligence.

We replaced Dylan Brown with a very talented young five-eight for next year.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

It’s far more about location than anything else. Kellyville simply can’t compete with the Southern Sydney or Wollongong beaches from a lifestyle perspective.

There is a reason why they used a helicopter.

The only problem with places like Wollongong and Newcastle is that there’s no jobs there. If you’re an NRL player it’s a great place to live.

 

[Oscarman]

Extra year was the difference

 

[Poupou Escobar]

We replaced Dylan Brown with a very talented young five-eight for next year.

I think Drown at his best is objectively better than Pezet, but in the context of replacing 2025 Dylan Brown with 2026 Jonah Pezet, it might actually be a net gain because Drown was so far off his best this year.

Lomax is the real loss. We won’t be replacing him next year but hopefully his cap space can be put to good use with contract extensions. I’d say half of it went to Iongi’s upgrade, which isn’t any sort of gain for 2026 but it at least keeps us out of a bidding war next November. He will be a star.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Extra year was the difference

Yep, if he was off contract in four years, aged 32, it’s unlikely anyone would be paying him over a million for 2031. This way it’s guaranteed.

For the Dragons they are paying a long term price for a short term benefit. It’s a reasonable move for a desperate club. Were we that desperate? We are if you ask some of the fans.