Willie Tonga signs with Pirtek Parramatta Eels

[Eels Dude]

Maybe the Kiwis should have selected you as coach instead of Kearney.

Suity

I think so too. I'm more than qualified. How I didn't make the shortlist I'll never know.

 

[Eels Dude]

I thought Mannering would have been a better option too but he really is an excellent edge forward. He would have been wasted out wide.

Hindsight is wonderful. I think that could have worked though.

 

[Suitman]

I think so too. I'm more than qualified. How I didn't make the shortlist I'll never know.

That's what I was thinking.

Suity

 

[broncos2010]

I must say tonga sure will have something to offer next year from what I saw yesterday. Strong ball runner getting back to his best before he got that injury this year.

 

[Utey]

Whose excited by his arrival? I liken this signing to Tahu in 05 and the strike power we'll get out wide. Woop!

 

[Pazza]

Extremely excited!! Does anyone know how Loko's recovery is coming? A Loko (Left) and Tonga (Right) combination does looks very good to me

 

[Stagger eel]

Extremely excited!! Does anyone know how Loko's recovery is coming? A Loko (Left) and Tonga (Right) combination does look vey good to me

I heard a whisper that he's actually started running, not sure how true that is but he is training as he's been posting it on his facebook.

 

[Pazza]

I heard a whisper that he's actually started running, not sure how true that is but he is training as he's been posting it on his facebook.

well lets hope so!

I would love to start the year with Loko in the centres.

 

[Suitman]

well lets hope so!

I would love to start the year with Loko in the centres.

....................and Sio on the wing.

Suity

 

[Maroubra Eel]

well lets hope so!

I would love to start the year with Loko in the centres.

and finish it with Smith and Horo.

 

[Pazza]

....................and Sio on the wing.

Suity

1.Hayne
2.Sio
3.Tonga
4.Loko
5.Burt

Dig it??

 

[Gronk]

well lets hope so!

I would love to start the year with Loko in the centres.

I thought I read somewhere that Loko won't start training after his knee recon until Jan/Feb. They'll ease him back like they did with Poore IMO.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

What's the obsession with Loko in the centres? Have none of you noticed the kid's a poor defender?

He's got the goods to become a decent defender one day but as he stands he needs a lot of work to defend at first grade standard.

His strength is running the ball and he can do that from a couple of positions other than centre.

 

[Twizzle]

I would think the obsession comes form the fact that he is a centre

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Not in defence he's not. He's not a centre's arsehole.

 

[Eels Dude]

I thought I read somewhere that Loko won't start training after his knee recon until Jan/Feb. They'll ease him back like they did with Poore IMO.

Didn't Poore have to have a second round of surgery just a few weeks before the season started as he didn't respond to initial treatment?

 

[Pazza]

Didn't Poore have to have a second round of surgery just a few weeks before the season started as he didn't respond to initial treatment?

Yep!

There was a point there where they thought he might have to retire.

 

[Maroubra Eel]

I thought he had retired.

 

[Pazza]

What's the obsession with Loko in the centres? Have none of you noticed the kid's a poor defender?

He's got the goods to become a decent defender one day but as he stands he needs a lot of work to defend at first grade standard.

His strength is running the ball and he can do that from a couple of positions other than centre.

He did get shown up in defense when he first started in FG but as he got more experienced his defense did improve.

Fact is that his ability to run the ball is FG standard, not every young kid walks into FG perfect. Loko is only 19 years of age and he will improve under the guidance of Tonga. Also Loko will be surrounded on the left hand side by Burt, Roberts and Maitua which are all experienced solid first grade quality defenders who can help Loko.

Looking forward to Tonga and Loko bringing back some size (with speed) to our backline. We have missed it big time without Tahu and Grothe Jnr, our dummy half running should improve big time!

 

[Eels Dude]

He did get shown up in defense when he first started in FG but as he got more experienced his defense did improve.

Fact is that his ability to run the ball is FG standard, not every young kid walks into FG perfect. Loko is only 19 years of age and he will improve under the guidance of Tonga. Also Loko will be surrounded on the left hand side by Burt, Roberts and Maitua which are all experienced solid first grade quality defenders who can help Loko.

Looking forward to Tonga and Loko bringing back some size (with speed) to our backline. We have missed it big time without Tahu and Grothe Jnr, our dummy half running should improve big time!

One thing comes down to the age old question... do you weaken one position to strengthen another?

Willie Tonga plays his best footy on the left side. He can play on the right side but he's more dangerous on the left. On the other hand Loko would struggle on the right side. I don't rate Ryan Morgan much but he'd probably go better on the right than Loko would.