Sterlo: Eels will play Finals in 2015

[Gronk]

EELS legend Peter Sterling says the first month of the season has convinced him his old club is going to return to finals football for the first time since they made the grand final in 2009.
Sterling tells RLW some of the biggest positives he sees from Parramatta, which has two wins and two losses from the first four rounds, revolve around the form of fullback Will Hopoate and five-eighth Corey Norman, the emergence of John Folau, the toughness of the forward pack and the direction under coach Brad Arthur.

“I tipped them to make the finals before the season started. I always thought that after coming close last year they should step up and make it this year,” Sterling says.
“Plenty of mention was made about Jarryd Hayne leaving and that was obviously a blow, but on the positive side I thought it would be the making of Will Hopoate, going back to fullback. He’s playing very well.
“I thought Corey Norman would probably take on more responsibility as well, and that is happening. I didn’t think we’d see John Folau emerge until midway through the season, but he’s here now and he’s making an impact.

“They’re a tough football team and that starts up front, in the forwards. They’ve recruited well and they’ve got the right man at the helm, in Brad Arthur.
“There will be some hiccups along the way, with young players, but apart from the first half against the Warriors I like what I see so far.
“Parra should have played finals football last year and based on the natural improvement it is reasonable to expect from the team and their early-season form, they should play finals footy this year.”

http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/parra-play-finals-2015/

 

[Craig Johnston]

kiss of death, thanks snorky

 

[Incorrect]

April Fools article....

 

[Forty20]

It has been pretty awesome seeing Sterlo's cautious optimism over Brad Arthur's stewardship of the Eels grow into outright confidence. It has also seemingly translated into him having a heavier involvement with the club which is a big plus for mine.

With Keiran Foran joining the Eels next and thus playing with Nathan Peats he will have his two biggest man-crushes in the NRL draped in blue and gold. While he will play it cool on radio and in front of the camera like he always does I'd like to think that off-air he is fist pumping, high fiving anyone he sees and generally acting like a giddy schoolboy.

 

[Incorrect]

It has been pretty awesome seeing Sterlo's cautious optimism over Brad Arthur's stewardship of the Eels grow into outright confidence. It has also seemingly translated into him having a heavier involvement with the club which is a big plus for mine.

With Keiran Foran joining the Eels next and thus playing with Nathan Peats he will have his two biggest man-crushes in the NRL draped in blue and gold. While he will play it cool on radio and in front of the camera like he always does I'd like to think that off-air he is fist pumping, high fiving anyone he sees and generally acting like a giddy schoolboy.

Seems that way since Fitzy and Spags have been pushed out of power too... And long may all of that continue.

I will temper his prediction though by sayin that he has been tipping the Storm to miss the Finals for the last 3 years... :lol:

Hopefully he is right on his Eels and Storm predictions in 2015

 

[eel01s]

What's interesting is that he likes the form of Hoppa. Contrast that against many opinions here. I think Hoppa has been very good - certainly we were never going to get another Hayne - but Hoppa is bringing his own strengths to the role.

 

[oldmancraigy]

The one thing NOT to like about Hoppa is that he's slow. He's hardly going to scythe a team apart with his sheer speed.
But that is the one thing. I'm with Snork, Hoppa has been great so far. Very solid under the high ball, outstanding in early set meterage, and has been jonny on the spot defensively on plenty of occasions. Looks like there is still room for him to grow in terms of chiming in and using his (brilliant) hands.

But, to get back on topic, thanks a lot Sterlo.
When has any bold prediction he made about the Eels ever come to pass? He's been the kiss of death on many a young halfback ('this bloke looks good' says Sterlo. Player turns to total crap).
No finals footy this year. Oh well, there is always 2016.

 

[T.S Quint]

Sterlo's off his head!

 

[hineyrulz]

Sterlo isn't the best with his predictions, it's great to see he is back involved with the club again. A few years back you wouldn't know it he played for Parra.

 

[T.S Quint]

What's interesting is that he likes the form of Hoppa. Contrast that against many opinions here. I think Hoppa has been very good - certainly we were never going to get another Hayne - but Hoppa is bringing his own strengths to the role.

Hoppa has been good.
Apart from a couple of mishaps under the high ball last Friday, I can't remember him dropping a bomb. And I mean ever - his time at Manly included.

This bombs that Reynolds put up the other night were as close to uncatchable as you can get. Watching it live at the ground, I knew Hoppa was going to have trouble with them as soon as they came off the boot. Too much emphasis was out on Hoppa's mistakes here and not enough on those fantastic kicks from Reynolds.

What it actually says to me was that we were giving Reynolds too much time to kick the ball. Need to get up in the kicker's face a lot quicker in the future.

 

[hindy111]

Pretty sure Sterlo tipped humble and KElly to be the future halves.

Hoppa has dropped 2 bombs that lead straight to tries .And been pinned in goals a couple of times where he should of made it out. Probably his only mistakes thus far. Its more his attack that has been ordinary.Im yet too see him create anything from the back.Most fullbacks in the game are the main attacking weapon in a team.

 

[Gronk]

Pretty sure Sterlo tipped humble and KElly to be the future halves.

Hoppa has dropped 2 bombs that lead straight to tries .And been pinned in goals a couple of times where he should of made it out. Probably his only mistakes thus far. Its more his attack that has been ordinary.Im yet too see him create anything from the back.Most fullbacks in the game are the main attacking weapon in a team.

Pretty sure even Batman would have dropped those bombs.

 

[Rhyno]

We will finish in the top 6

 

[TheParraboy]

the future is in safe hands...

 

[Twizzle]

I remember he did rate Kelly

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

I remember he did rate Kelly

He rates f**ken everyone. Except Sandow. I think the studio lights have melted his brain.

 

[Eelementary]

Pretty sure even Batman would have dropped those bombs.

Lies and slander!

 

[Twizzle]

that'll happen with no hair

 

[TheParraboy]

Cameron smith on Sterlo

"I would have given NQ a point cause they played well, I would have given us a point too cause we played well too"

Not a fan of golden point lol

 

[emjaycee]

Cameron smith on Sterlo

"I would have given NQ a point cause they played well, I would have given us a point too cause we played well too"

Not a fan of golden point lol

Is that the same guy that said "we deserved those premierships cause we really trained hard all year" or something like that? Did he also say Parra and Manly deserved them to cause they trained really hard all year too?

Sore loser!