Squad succession

[Chipmunk]

I’m interested to know what the plan is with Walker/Smith/TDS.

TDS says clearly in his media release he wants to be a starting 80min hooker. We’ve signed him for 4.5 years so we clearly believe he will be.

But Smith is importabt I think for our style of play. He is fast, fit, and never stops he is a machine. So let’s just assume we try him with an off the bench role, what does that look like as we have Walker who has proved to be quite effective off the bench.

I don’t think you can carry both on the bench so where does Walker play? He was a very good centre a long time ago but assume that’s not his position week in week out anymore.

Is he a 13? Could he be an 11 or 12, probably not.

Any thoughts of how this potentially plays out? It’s super interesting to me.

We're not really going to know if Papali'i can play 6 until we play him there, which at the present situation is unlikely to be this season.

We know Walker could definitely play 6, so I'd say he is the fall back plan. He plays virtually a half style role now.

 

[the phantom menace]

You mean like supporting my arguments with statistics?

That's not due diligence, the way you selectively use statistics to support trolling arguments...

 

[the phantom menace]

This assumes Lane is gone, which is highly likely. I suspect negotiations since Lane went on gardening leave have centered around this mutual option, which is the reason he is still on our books.

There was a throwaway line in one media article post 30-June that indicated Lane is retiring. No official announcements that I've seen... but it's our bye weekend, so a few things might be squeezed out aiming for minimum fanfare.

 

[the phantom menace]

Of the rest, you'd expect Matterson is someone the club would rather use his money on someone else. The rest are either wanted or on such small deals it's neither here nor there.

Matterson is a tricky one, you'd think he will likely retire after next season and has set himself up for what he wants to do post-NRL career, so he's unlikely to bother looking for somewhere else to play. Personally, when fit and motivated, I think he still can offer a lot to a very inexperienced squad.

Given Matterson chose the suspension over the $4K fine, agree he'll happily take his current contract money up until end 2026 rather than look around for anything else earlier. It's a mystery why he's not used off the bench in firsts, as his level of effort/contribution has seemed as consistent as it ever was?

He could be counted on for a decent 60min stint off the bench, unless there's a deeper issue with attitude/motivation post-BA or something? His recurring mystery back injury/tenderness might have changed things too I guess...

 

[Pazza]

We’ll have Paulo & Tuivati next season in those roles. That prop you want probably isn’t feasible until 2027 when Paulo comes off books. If @Avenger is to be believed though, that replacement may have already been earmarked.
Whereas our current backrow is Williams (not an ideal edge), Kautoga (improving but we don’t know if this is his peak or not), Samrani (similar to Kautoga) and then Tuilagi (rocks or diamonds, with too many rocks).

You could say the same things about our middles.

 

[Pazza]

Yeah that’s why I thought I’d throw it to the brains trust as the press release and interview since seems to indicate TDS is coming here “to start and play 80”.

Now, perhaps he finishes the year rotating but next year I’d bet on him being built for the 80.

Just unsure how it all works.

Kinda like lomax coming here to play centre

 

[Poupou Escobar]

We announced Samrani last year. Apparently he was only Train and Trial at the time.

Says who?

We also announced Kautoga as a Development Contract for 2025 and Top 30

Agreed but development contracts are part of the full time squad. Train-and-trial merkins need a day job.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Surely the next assignment is to lock in Iongi until 2030.

Lock it in eddie

*iock

 

[Chipmunk]

Says who?

The Club

"Initially joining the Eels on a train-and-trial deal".

Parramatta Eels extend Jordan Samrani

The Parramatta Eels have extended the contract of Jordan Samrani through to the end of the 2027 NRL season.

www.parraeels.com.au

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I’m interested to know what the plan is with Walker/Smith/TDS.

TDS says clearly in his media release he wants to be a starting 80min hooker. We’ve signed him for 4.5 years so we clearly believe he will be.

But Smith is importabt I think for our style of play. He is fast, fit, and never stops he is a machine. So let’s just assume we try him with an off the bench role, what does that look like as we have Walker who has proved to be quite effective off the bench.

I don’t think you can carry both on the bench so where does Walker play? He was a very good centre a long time ago but assume that’s not his position week in week out anymore.

Is he a 13? Could he be an 11 or 12, probably not.

Any thoughts of how this potentially plays out? It’s super interesting to me.

I reckon we can definitely have Walker on the bench with a dummy half, or at least Ryles thinks so. Last week we had Walker and Papalii on the bench. The week before it was Walker and Smith. Against the Dogs it was Walker and Papalii again.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

That's not due diligence,

Yes it is.

the way you selectively use statistics to support trolling arguments...

All evidence is selective. If you want to argue an opposing position you need to present your own evidence.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Kinda like lomax coming here to play centre

Ultimately Lomax and TDS want to get paid and play footy. For a middle defender, they no doubt get paid the most if they are signed to play 80 minutes. If they then play fewer than 80 it doesn't really matter.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

The Club

"Initially joining the Eels on a train-and-trial deal".

Parramatta Eels extend Jordan Samrani

The Parramatta Eels have extended the contract of Jordan Samrani through to the end of the 2027 NRL season.

www.parraeels.com.au

But then made his NRL debut in round two. I suppose it does prove though that he was announced despite not being on a full time contract:

Eels announce three signings

The Parramatta Eels are excited to announce the signing of Joash Papalii and Jordan Samrani, as well as the extension of Matt Doorey.

www.parraeels.com.au

 

[Grigor]

So much knowledge on here for blokes I daresay would never of laced up a boot in anger

 

[Poupou Escobar]

So much knowledge on here for blokes I daresay would never of laced up a boot in anger

I doubt there's anyone here who didn't play rugby league at school or for an amateur club. I played my final season (poorly) at 23. But talking about NRL contracts doesn't require anyone to have played the game.

 

[Chipmunk]

But then made his NRL debut in round two. I suppose it does prove though that he was announced despite not being on a full time contract:

Eels announce three signings

The Parramatta Eels are excited to announce the signing of Joash Papalii and Jordan Samrani, as well as the extension of Matt Doorey.

www.parraeels.com.au

Is this an admission that the great Pou Bear was wrong?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Is this an admission that the great Pou Bear was wrong?

Wrong about what? I asked a question and you answered it. I even gave you a like.

 

[the phantom menace]

Ultimately Lomax and TDS want to get paid and play footy.

*laid

 

[the phantom menace]

I doubt there's anyone here who didn't play rugby league at school or for an amateur club. I played my final season (poorly) at 23.

Were you a winger? If I had to guess based on your post history, I'd say you were a winger... or a bench utility.

 

[the phantom menace]

Yes it is.

All evidence is selective. If you want to argue an opposing position you need to present your own evidence.

...or just continue to pick your use of selective stats apart, proving your positions don't stand.