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The Wagon Factor

Eels Fanatic

Juniors
Messages
102
Just thought I would put in a few cents about this guy.

It has been my observation, that whenever someone names a side, Wagon's name is almost always omitted. Why? Because he is one of the most underrated footballers ever to play professional footy.

This champion of a man has in the past been the glue that has bonded the efforts of the Eels week in week out. He has played the positons of Lock, Centre, Second Row, 5/8 without any sort of fanfare, and has noticably been overlooked throughout his career from the Eels supporters. Why? Because he doesn't appear to be doing much.

For those in the know, Inu was playing outside Wagon on the weekend, and has also helped the likes of John Morris, Tim Smith, Jarryd Hayne and others, organising them in defence and attack (regardless of what number he has had on his back). He has a very small error rate, plays for most of the game week in week out, never complains and has a high work rate. He carries the ball up when the Props are tired, and almost always has a impact on the opposition when he plays. He bleeds blue and gold!

So the next time we all report our opinions on who should be in the Mighty Eels side, I hope you have a little thought for this true champion of a player. He will always be in my side!
 

strider

Post Whore
Messages
78,910
I won't be as gushing in praise - but I have noticed if there is a loose ball dropped on the ground, Waggy is VERY OFTEN the guy to dive on it .... does alot of unnoticed things i reckon
 

Twizzle

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
152,747
he's always been a good back rower, but he should never ever play 5/8 again

I got no problems with him in the 17, he is a good honest player

like all the silent achievers he doesn't have the X factor, but not everyone can have it
 

Stagger eel

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
65,769
he's definitely much maligned and his efforts do go unnoticed but I think he's the best lock we've had since Price, no where near the mould of the great man but he had some steller seasons with us between 2001-03 but had a very injury riddled time since then..he was getting back to that form in 2005 before he suffered a leg injury against the sharks and virtually ended his season despite the fact that he came back for the semis where he was definitely under done and noty 100% fit.

he's in his 9th season at the club and it wouldn't surprise me if we re-signed him again for another season for 10th and final year.
 

oldmancraigy

Coach
Messages
11,883
Big call on 'best lock since Price' considering we had Jason Smith and Jim Dymock play the position!

In fact, to be honest, it would be hard to say that Wagon is a far better player than Mark Laurie.

I don't want to mock Wagon overly much though --> his error rate is too high for the sort of player he is - but he's been VERY solid on the 'no errors' front since he got dropped to reserve grade for a few weeks last year (for Taia?)

Now let me say, I rarely pick Wagon in my 'strongest team', but it's more a matter of balance. We have a bunch of players who do similar things, and I just think that Robinson is almost the same player, just a bit more size to him, more meters in him, and more impact in his tackling.
Ian Hindmarsh matches Wagons defensive work and hustle, and again, offers more in ball running.

Having said that, if one of those 2 was not available for selection, then most likely Wagon would be the guy we'd need to look to --> someone to get in there and roll up the sleeves to open up the fringes for the 'flashier' types of player (who are also needed!)
 

ParraDude_Jay

First Grade
Messages
6,160
For most people it's easier to remember what he's done wrong than what he's done right. Another reason people leave him out of their side is because he is another "good, honest toiler" and we have too many of them as it is, and since he is the oldest he's the logical choice to omit. Plus the bloke is not a workhorse in attack, and his tackle counts are not as high as Hindmarsh so I have to question why all this praise is deserved. We had our best run in 2005 when he was injured, so I don't know that he is that crucial to the team either.

Good clubman, but if we lose Mateo to keep Wags around for another year it would only be further proof that our clubs retention policy is a joke.
 

stuke

Bench
Messages
3,727
i think that England might be calling for Wagon at the end of this season. i was surprised that he was resigned for 2 years last contract time.
 

Utey

Coach
Messages
19,328
Yeah his last resigning really surprised me, I think he has to be in the side though. Very underrated player.
 

Stagger eel

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
65,769
oldmancraigy said:
Big call on 'best lock since Price' considering we had Jason Smith and Jim Dymock play the position!

In fact, to be honest, it would be hard to say that Wagon is a far better player than Mark Laurie.
(who are also needed!)

Smithy was an excellent backrower for the club and is up there with Hindy as one of the best I've ever seen, better than Muggo, Sharpy, Pebbles and Crackers but he does sit behind Hindy.

I was a little dissapointed with the service we recieved from Jimmy Dymock, sure there wre some really nice moments but he was a never a guy that would move the ball like he alwys promised he would continuelly or guarentee the 30 tackles a match like Wags would continuelly do so.

I was a big fan of Jimmy but he didn't do as much as his contract money suggested he should of. I actually think his best football was late 2000 while he was playing his last half a dozen games at the club.
 

Stagger eel

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
65,769
ParraDude_Jay said:
Good clubman, but if we lose Mateo to keep Wags around for another year it would only be further proof that our clubs retention policy is a joke.

that wouldn't happen...no way in the world, I'm certain that Mateo would be a higher priority than Wags and tbh I wouldn't be surprised if Wags's name is not mention on the retention meeting without the knowledge that Mateo's future being secured.
 

strider

Post Whore
Messages
78,910
threw the BEST long ball for a try I have ever seen ..... he's like a bashful magician who only does one trick every 5 years
 

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