Rumours and Stuff

[Chipmunk]

I reckon Moses will give it this year and next, and if we dont jag a premiership, he'll seek a release and join a team who might have a better chance... ala Chooks..

Or a darkhorse, Cronulla or Raiders. A signing that might put them from final contenders to winners

FMD, where f**k all chance of a Premiership in the next two years.

 

[Johnny88]

HOW MUCH EELS SPENT ON LOMAX SAGA
Parramatta’s legal bill for the months-long Zac Lomax saga topped a mammoth $450,000, meaning the monster last-ditch settlement offer from the Storm wouldn’t have been as lucrative as many people think.
By the time the Eels and Lomax’s legal team agreed to end the NSW Supreme Court action this week before a full hearing, Parramatta had racked up a huge expense, according to multiple sources familiar with the case.

Parramatta’s legal standoff with Zac Lomax set them back a whopping $450,000 in legal fees. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard
Once Ryan Matterson baulked at joining Melbourne to help force the Lomax transfer through, Melbourne proposed a straight $750,000 cash incentive for the Eels to waive their rights to Lomax and allow him to join Craig Bellamy’s side.
It appeared an offer which would surely tempt even the most resolute Eels powerbrokers.
But given Parramatta still had to foot their own legal costs, they would have only netted about $300,000 if they accepted the terms, while also releasing Lomax to an NRL heavyweight rival, and not improving their own squad or salary cap position.
Instead, the Storm agreed to pay $250,000 of the Eels’ costs and the wait for where Lomax ends up – and if another NRL club offers a sweetener or the State of Origin star joins rugby union – will go on.

SHOOSH
Which old-school entertainer and a favourite of Wayne Bennett was booked to be the star turn at the Rabbitohs’ season launch? Fair to say the master coach loved his jokes more than anyone else in the room.
SHOOSH
Daine Laurie’s brush with the law caught his new Raiders club off guard. They weren’t aware of the Mad Monday transgression when signing him during the off-season.
SHOOSH
Which high-profile Aussie sportsman’s battling handler accidentally sent an events schedule intended for his athlete to members of the media? The official document had down to the minute travel, scheduling, drug testing and whereabouts details, as well as contact info for a range of people who probably don’t want to be called by the media. An interesting move given our man never answers texts or calls from the people who can help him and his client the most.
SHOOSH
Who was the high-profile media figure whose alcohol-fuelled Las Vegas antics raised eyebrows with NRL executives and at a high level within their own organisation?
SPOTTED
New PNG Chiefs chief executive Lorna McPherson touring the Parramatta Eels’ centre of excellence.

PNG Chiefs CEO Lorna McPherson. Picture: PNG Chiefs.
SPOTTED
Paul Kent ringing the bell at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse to mark the end of his cancer treatment. The former Fox Sports and Daily Telegraph journalist is already eyeing a return to his popular Kenty Blitz and Kenty Primetime podcasts once his recovery is complete. “To the people who wished me well, thank you,” Kent posted. “To those who went and got suspicious lumps checked out, and the few who have since started treatment after it revealed their own bad news, be healthy and strong and positive and I’m glad I in a small way helped you get checked out.” Good luck, Kenty.

Zac Lomax saga
The Eels held their ground on principle and the Storm shelled out hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees … for no return. One can only imagine what could have come out if it went to a full hearing in the NSW Supreme Court. Lawyers always win.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/revealed-reece-walshs-secret-contract-clause-in-nike-deal-worth-50000-for-the-clive-churchill-medal/news-story/2a40283e09803779d096497429dce34f?amp

 

[T-Boon]

Imagine that Storm side with another elite player in it. The Eels fought for what was right against what was wrong and we won. Trade Lomax to the Titans, the Knights or Auckland for youth talent.

 

[Delboy]

What has become obvious is watching most teams that have plans with the roster,

Canberra went and signed the SOO U19s, paid a little overs and got 5 , they then made plays for speed in the backline , a big tick, and looked at SuperLeague and elsewhere for forwards that fit their system .

It’s easy to see how the others work, Dogs sign elite players first and foremast, Roosters not dissimilar. Dolphins troll QLD , even the Tigers underRichardson made it obvious they would look at Penrith and did well.

Still,not sure we here we are headed, losing so many players and continually replacing them retreads and failing to sign anyone elite. In 2026, 2 rep players lost and replaced by ageing fill ins. We have some every good junior prospects, but good clubs place rep players around them to ensure they mature and grow into successful teams

Draw your own conclusions, but more of the same condemns us to exactly ehat the past 4 years or so have given. Think overall there is still support for the Eels, but little expectation and when looking at crowds, ground, COE, financial position etc etc, still not sure why we can’t get elite signings. No excuses re TPas etc as I believe it’s more than that, just not expecting much again this season.

 

[emjaycee]

I never expect us to sign anyone good and I'm never disappointed.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

What has become obvious is watching most teams that have plans with the roster,

Canberra went and signed the SOO U19s, paid a little overs and got 5 , they then made plays for speed in the backline , a big tick, and looked at SuperLeague and elsewhere for forwards that fit their system .

It’s easy to see how the others work, Dogs sign elite players first and foremast, Roosters not dissimilar. Dolphins troll QLD , even the Tigers underRichardson made it obvious they would look at Penrith and did well.

Still,not sure we here we are headed, losing so many players and continually replacing them retreads and failing to sign anyone elite. In 2026, 2 rep players lost and replaced by ageing fill ins. We have some every good junior prospects, but good clubs place rep players around them to ensure they mature and grow into successful teams

Draw your own conclusions, but more of the same condemns us to exactly ehat the past 4 years or so have given. Think overall there is still support for the Eels, but little expectation and when looking at crowds, ground, COE, financial position etc etc, still not sure why we can’t get elite signings. No excuses re TPas etc as I believe it’s more than that, just not expecting much again this season.

When have we ever been big dick players in the market? 2016 before we got done rorting the cap? Even when Smith was doing the jobs of head coach and GM, the only big name we ever signed was Tahu. Our best signings are generally guys like RCG, Iongi, JAC and 2017 Moses. We signed the best winger in the game recently and the merkin demanded to leave in less than 12 months.

I don’t think players care that much about crowd figures. Show me the money.

 

[Timana]

What has become obvious is watching most teams that have plans with the roster,

Canberra went and signed the SOO U19s, paid a little overs and got 5 , they then made plays for speed in the backline , a big tick, and looked at SuperLeague and elsewhere for forwards that fit their system .

It’s easy to see how the others work, Dogs sign elite players first and foremast, Roosters not dissimilar. Dolphins troll QLD , even the Tigers underRichardson made it obvious they would look at Penrith and did well.

Still,not sure we here we are headed, losing so many players and continually replacing them retreads and failing to sign anyone elite. In 2026, 2 rep players lost and replaced by ageing fill ins. We have some every good junior prospects, but good clubs place rep players around them to ensure they mature and grow into successful teams

Draw your own conclusions, but more of the same condemns us to exactly ehat the past 4 years or so have given. Think overall there is still support for the Eels, but little expectation and when looking at crowds, ground, COE, financial position etc etc, still not sure why we can’t get elite signings. No excuses re TPas etc as I believe it’s more than that, just not expecting much again this season.

I guess our plan is to depend on our youth but until they are ready get some old veteran to fill the void JDB, Kelly even JNR.
Go for the big fish but dont go overs.

So we have to just wait for the next batch of Kenny/sterlo/grothe/ella or hayne/inu/mateo

 

[The Predictor]

What has become obvious is watching most teams that have plans with the roster,

Canberra went and signed the SOO U19s, paid a little overs and got 5 , they then made plays for speed in the backline , a big tick, and looked at SuperLeague and elsewhere for forwards that fit their system .

It’s easy to see how the others work, Dogs sign elite players first and foremast, Roosters not dissimilar. Dolphins troll QLD , even the Tigers underRichardson made it obvious they would look at Penrith and did well.

Still,not sure we here we are headed, losing so many players and continually replacing them retreads and failing to sign anyone elite. In 2026, 2 rep players lost and replaced by ageing fill ins. We have some every good junior prospects, but good clubs place rep players around them to ensure they mature and grow into successful teams

Draw your own conclusions, but more of the same condemns us to exactly ehat the past 4 years or so have given. Think overall there is still support for the Eels, but little expectation and when looking at crowds, ground, COE, financial position etc etc, still not sure why we can’t get elite signings. No excuses re TPas etc as I believe it’s more than that, just not expecting much again this season.

I’m guessing if we finish bottom of the ladder there will be a clean out in coaching staff and management, nothing less is a crime

 

[Avenger]

I’m guessing if we finish bottom of the ladder there will be a clean out in coaching staff and management, nothing less is a crime

Well they extended BA after getting the spoon so a precedent has been set that we won’t do that.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I guess our plan is to depend on our youth but until they are ready get some old veteran to fill the void JDB, Kelly even JNR.
Go for the big fish but dont go overs.

So we have to just wait for the next batch of Kenny/sterlo/grothe/ella or hayne/inu/mateo

If it’s any consolation, ten years ago, while their golden generation were still coming through the pathways, Penrith were signing guys like Zak Hardaker, Chris Grevsmuhl and Suaia Matagi. They were looking forward to getting Jamie Soward off their books. Moylan was their captain ffs

PenrithDelboy would’ve been livid.

 

[Pazza]

Go for the big fish but dont go overs.

You're going to have to pay overs at some point, better make sure its a nice fish

 

[Legal Eel]

So the merkins from the 2023 side are no older than 22 this year and these are all on top 30 contracts already:

Penisini
Talagi
Sanders
Arthur
Tuivaiti
Guymer

Six top 30 players by the age of 22 is a decent haul. It'll be a few more years before we know how good they really are.

We know the ceiling of at least one, as he is an out and out reserve grader at the knights on an historical nepo contract….seriously, you must be family

 

[Poupou Escobar]

We know the ceiling of at least one, as he is an out and out reserve grader at the knights on an historical nepo contract….seriously, you must be family

If Ryley Smith can make it, you can’t write anyone off. He’s 23 now, still not at his peak. If you won’t write off a 23 year old playing poorly in reserve grade, why would you write off a 21 year old playing well in reserve grade? Because you don’t like his surname?

 

[Eelementary]

When have we ever been big dick players in the market? 2016 before we got done rorting the cap? Even when Smith was doing the jobs of head coach and GM, the only big name we ever signed was Tahu. Our best signings are generally guys like RCG, Iongi, JAC and 2017 Moses. We signed the best winger in the game recently and the merkin demanded to leave in less than 12 months.

I sent think players care that much about crowd figures. Show me the money.

2005 was the last time I can recall when we spent big in a single season - Tahu, Morrison, Marsh, Russell, Stringer...

All rep, or near-rep level, players.

 

[Eelementary]

I’m guessing if we finish bottom of the ladder there will be a clean out in coaching staff and management, nothing less is a crime

I'd say the football staff should lose their positions before the coaching staff, if it comes to that.

 

[eels_fan]

Broncos have put a formal offer in for Barnett - 2 year deal for $1.5m.

Eels and Manly have also tabled formal offers in.

No Cookies | CODE Sports

No Cookies | CODE Sports

www.codesports.com.au

 

[eels_fan]

Personally if we’ve offered ballpark the same figure I’d be disappointed.

i don’t think we need to drop that much coin on a senior forward - and doing so probably guarantees we let go of at least 2 of Paulo, Walker and JDB

 

[Delboy]

Personally if we’ve offered ballpark the same figure I’d be disappointed.

i don’t think we need to drop that much coin on a senior forward - and doing so probably guarantees we let go of at least 2 of Paulo, Walker and JDB

The issue is, if we keep signing retreads and reserve graders, that’s where we end. A side that’s barely competitive with the teams that recruit so much better. If we can’t work the salary cap, whose at fault, if we don’t have a plan , whose at fault.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Isn’t it the fault of the teams that are so much better at ‘managing the cap’? We tried to compete with them in 2016, got caught, and now we know our place. Along with the other dozen teams who struggle to match the big clubs.

 

[JokerEel]

Isn’t it the fault of the teams that are so much better at ‘managing the cap’? We tried to compete with them in 2016, got caught, and now we know our place. Along with the other dozen teams who struggle to match the big clubs.

Yes but that being said we have a lot of money free for next year we should be able to sign at least 1 player of note (if any are available)...

Just like the riff in the mid 2010s they couldn't sign any big name players didn't Thurston back out of a deal with them? They had to do with players not wanted by any other team... They probably had the same stigma as well do now?