Sly Eels stalk JT

[CrazyEel]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/sly-eels-stalk-jt/story-e6frexnr-1225850646514

THEY'VE halted negotiations with their own off-contract stars, but that hasn't stopped Parramatta from making some very sly enquiries about signing the game's best and highest-paid player. The Eels are again eyeing Johnathan Thurston - just six months after ceasing talks with the Cowboys maestro to secure young gun Daniel Mortimer.

But the idea of recruiting Thurston has come right back into the frame thanks to the team's dire early-season form.
Sources inside the club have been talking about making a play for the Kangaroos No. 7 for the past two weeks, with the likelihood of Kris Keating, Feleti Mateo and Krisnan Inu going elsewhere to free up some serious salary cap space to compete with North Queensland's $1.8 million, three-year offer.
Chatter around the club crystallised into a phone call to Thurston's manager, Sam Ayoub, recently. But Eels CEO Paul Osborne did not return calls last night, while Ayoub refused to confirm or deny Parra's interest.


"As I've done all along, I won't be commenting about which clubs are or are not interested in Johnathan," Ayoub said.

Newcastle are also weighing up whether to make Thurston an offer.

So, how much goss does josh actually know?

 

[caylo]

If it were to happen the team would end up with Hayne and Thurston in the wenty team. I would have no problem with Thurston as halfback but i doubt we would be able to do it with the current line up, We would have to loss Inu, Mateo, Grothe and Cayless and replace them all with no bodies to even consider the move.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

It would create an imbalance in the team. Id like to invest in KK and Morts more. Id like to develop Mannah some more and I hope that we could get another junior to take his place once Mannah takes Cayless' place.

In about 2 years I think we need to look outside the club for a prop and pending on Morts and KK a half. Maybe some fringe second rowers for depth.

 

[Schiltzenberger]

We wouldn't have to find too many players. Hopefully Shack can comeback and stay healthy.

1 - Hayne
2 - Burt
3 - Reddy
4 - Tahu
5 - Uaisele
6 - Mortimer
7 - Thurston
8 - Poore
9 - M.Keating
10 - Moimoi
11 - Hindmarsh
12 - Smith
13 - Shackleton

14 - Mannah
15 - Oake
16 - Horo
17 - Robson

Wright, Humble, Pele......

I reckon that team would flog our current lineup.

That's leaving out Inu, Mateo, Grothe, K.Keating and Cayless. Even with upgrades to others we'd have to go close to having enough for JT.

 

[natheel]

if we went after Thurston i don't see why one of grothe or inu could stay

Mateo - Warriors
KK - Dogs
Cayless -Real Estate
Grothe - England
Inu - Re-sign (pay cut) i think he would be the one they try hard to keep if we sign thurston - thats a big if though

Inu looks like he's enjoying playing outside Tahu it's unlucky he is back to the bench this week (on paper) i honestly think burt won't be ready

1. Hayne
2. Burt
3. Reddy
4. Tahu
5. Inu
6. Mortimer
7. Thurston

 

[Gronk]

I revealed this exclusive scoop yesterday in the Ozzie cancels talks thread.

I'm behind Ando & Ozzie. If Mateo, KK, Inu & Guru want to sign elsewhere then f**k em. We can sign JT with that combined coin.

PM me if you need any other inside goss. ;-)

 

[Twizzle]

he's not worth loosing those 3 players imo

we are already struggling with depth in the forwards, loosing 3 backs would make us a pretty ordinary team especially if JT was a long term injury

we'd never even make the 8 imo

he plays well for Australia and Qld but his club form can be hot and cold

 

[strider]

I revealed this exclusive scoop yesterday in the Ozzie cancels talks thread.



PM me if you need any other inside goss. ;-)

* waits for gronk to get PM from joshy *

 

[ElectricEelMan]

Place me firmly in the JT corner
He is exactly the type of player we need ... an elite organizing half back. I have no doubt he would elevate the performance of Hayne, as it would take so much pressure off him. He probably would elevate the performance of many of our backs. He also seems to be a fairly good motivator and captain who would not be afraid to lay into his teammates if they are underperforming aka Civoniceva's half time blast on Monday
I don't care who we lose to get him ... just as long we don't completely decimate the side.

In saying all this, we still need our forwards and our ball security/fundamentals to vastly improve cause even JT wouldn't be able to perform at a high level without these.

 

[ElectricEelMan]

he's not worth losing those 3 players imo

we are already struggling with depth in the forwards, losing 3 backs would make us a pretty ordinary team especially if JT was a long term injury

we'd never even make the 8 imo

he plays well for Australia and Qld but his club form can be hot and cold

I disagree.
Mostly ...
I believe the club has to improve its depths within the whole club, from 1st grade to juniors. And we don't have to break the balance to improve depth. There are many players out there of 1st grade standard screaming for a chance, just like Kingston last year.

 

[Twizzle]

so how does losing 3 players improve our depth ?

 

[Gronk]

JT comes with a full armory of weapons. He takes the line on, has an unmatched kicking game and has a big bag of money balls.

JT is like Rambo compared to Mateo & KK who are little kids dressed as cowboys. Sign him FFS.

 

[ElectricEelMan]

so how does losing 3 players improve our depth ?

You can add by subtraction.
Lose these three overpaid players and signing JT and a few underpaid players could actually improve depth. It would have to be done astutely and wisely. The Storm do this every year, they lose players and we all think is this the year their bubble will burst ... but their depth remains strong because they buy wisely (throughout the club - just look at Luke MacDougall - and there are players like that every year) It also helps the nucleus of their side remains strong.

 

[fish eel]

so how does losing 3 players improve our depth ?

we lose Inu in a position we're strong in. Don't forget we have Jono Wright who can step up. No massive loss in depth IMO

we lose Keating, we gain Thurston. No loss in depthin the halves, lose one, pick up another

we lose mateo, we'll have Shack back on board next year.

We sign Thurston, we are immediatley a genuine title threat.

I dont think it will happen though. Long, long odds.

 

[_mUSASHI_]

Cayless is already gone, we only need to lose one of KK, Inu or Mateo to afford JT. Others will sign for less, and we will be able to offer more in the 2nd,3rd year of contract.

 

[84 Baby]

I revealed this exclusive scoop yesterday in the Ozzie cancels talks thread.

I think Josh got his JTs mixed up because I revealed the exclusive scoop in the same thread that Parra may try to bring Jason Taylor out of retirement

 

[offside ref]

Jt would be great we need a proper half who can us gamea jt can do this and with hayne morts tahu he won't be alone like he is with the cowboys.

 

[ParraAds]

If this is true, then I suspect the Club will be regretting the decision to sign Mortimer on such big dollars. Biggest waste of money that I can recall in recent times.

With Hayne and Thurston in the same side you pretty much have all the attacking weapons needed and would be better off with a soild more defensive type of 5/8.

 

[junior009]

Cayless is already gone, we only need to lose one of KK, Inu or Mateo to afford JT. Others will sign for less, and we will be able to offer more in the 2nd,3rd year of contract.

I think this is pretty close to the mark. Although I doubt very much that anything will come of any of this

 

[Snoochies]

If this is true, then I suspect the Club will be regretting the decision to sign Mortimer on such big dollars. Biggest waste of money that I can recall in recent times.

With Hayne and Thurston in the same side you pretty much have all the attacking weapons needed and would be better off with a soild more defensive type of 5/8.

Mortimer would be JT's apprentice, would be a great halfback once JT leaves and a definite long term solution.