Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Ermo]

Who’s a better option at right centre?

Wayne Bennett

 

[Tom Shines]

Of course we need improvement in this area, but have a look at the list of off contract players for 2026 and 2027 and who is going to help make us a much more formidable force in the forwards?
The cupboard is virtually bare.

Did a couple of forward options become available like 48 hours after you posted this? Funny how that works hey…

 

[craigtob]

Watch the Eels do a very quick and solid rebuild like the Dogs did, unlike our 15 year rebuilds that are still awaiting planning permission! Hate to say it but Parra will be a good side next year with a good mix of youth and experience

Totally agree, it always looks like we are always 2-3 steps behind every club year in year out.

 

[Betterdays22]

Watch the Eels do a very quick and solid rebuild like the Dogs did, unlike our 15 year rebuilds that are still awaiting planning permission! Hate to say it but Parra will be a good side next year with a good mix of youth and experience

They are looking impressive. They have some great young players. Picking up Iongi and Papali'i from cup was a great move, as was Fox and Lomax. Great mix of recruiting the best young players and some experience. The forward pack has a little way to go but they have some good young forwards. Ryles has them playing some great footy at times.

Of course they have the 2nd best halfback in the comp which helps. There is daylight between Cleary, Moses and then the rest IMO.

 

[jirskyr]

Pezet’s manager is Braith Anasta he will not send any of his players to the tigers. We could offer 1 million dollars Braith hates the tigers !!

Braith likes Benji however

 

[Tcat]

Watch the Eels do a very quick and solid rebuild like the Dogs did, unlike our 15 year rebuilds that are still awaiting planning permission! Hate to say it but Parra will be a good side next year with a good mix of youth and experience

Yep. Everyone knows the club is ran by complete dickheads, hence our current position. I'm convinced the management/owners actually dont give a shit about the results. They are happy to be a mediocre organisation that make mediocre profits. Those on the payroll, still get paid so who cares.

 

[TheEnz]

People commenting about why players don't come to our club...my view is that it is not necessarily related to their contract $$ or the fact we are coming of wooden spoons. I see it as a lack of support capabilities around the club and team, and yes this is related to a lack of investment from HBG and $$ from sponsors and corporates...all things that Richo seems to be prioritising. Look at the Melb model, players there keep raving about how they, and their families are "supported" well I wonder what this support actually is...maybe these could be regular catered family days, special memberships and club negotiated pricing at various businesses, free childcare at the club, help getting the kids into certain schools etc... it could also be the number of physio's, dieticians, health and wellbeing programs etc... Broncos do it as well, and im sure Penrith and the roosters do the same. Bottom line is you need $$ to get this stuff in place, otherwise you are only getting players you pay massive overs for, or young kids looking to get into 1st grade and use the club as a stepping stone, or players that have fallen from grace for whatever reason, looking to resurrect their careers.

 

[jirskyr]

Watch the Eels do a very quick and solid rebuild like the Dogs did, unlike our 15 year rebuilds that are still awaiting planning permission! Hate to say it but Parra will be a good side next year with a good mix of youth and experience

I don't really believe this take on the Eels.

Since Tigers were last any good (2010), Parra have made the finals 5 times in 16 attempts (2017, 2019-2022). Their Finals record in that time is 4W 8L, including 2x straight-set loss knock outs in 2017-2020.

It's clearly much better than Tigers have managed but it's still very ordinary compared to most clubs. Eels probably won't make the Finals this year and certainly won't trouble the best sides.

I believe Eels usually rely too heavily on individual talent. For a good while it was Jarryd Hayne playing elite-level club football, now it's Mitch Moses who they can barely win without.

For example 2025 Eels are 6W 12L total (33%) which increases to 43% when Moses plays (7 appearances). 2024 they were 7W 17L (29%) increasing to 37.5% when Moses plays (8 appearances). They are basically a 10% better team when Moses plays.

My other main concern on Eels is I think they made a mistake letting Gutho go and I think he still gives very good, very reliable and clever value to Dragons. Next year Eels will be without Dylan Brown who they have not replaced, instead they have Hawkins and Volkman who are career reserve graders.

Apart from speculation on Brett Fermor who have Eels recruited for 2026? Jack De Belin is the only one. They rushed over Dylan Walker because their forwards are so spare. They have moved Hopgood to prop because Junior Paulo lacks support. The bulk of their forward pack is uninspiring workers like Jack Williams, Guymer, Doorey, Moretti... not overly impressed.

 

[Garrry]

At concord training, Samuela is running great

 

[tigahhh]

At concord training, Samuela is running great

how’s to’a ?

 

[Garrry]

Can't tell he has any injuries he's doing everything running, tackling, squad are all gang tackling and dragging ball carrier back or towards sideline

 

[philgood]

At concord training, Samuela is running great

So the team actually trains? Would not have thought judging by the way they play

 

[Garrry]

So the team actually trains? Would not have thought judging by the way they play

You don't PHILGOOD today, bwahahahaaaaaaaa hahahaaaaaaaaaaa

 

[Camel2281]

Or dolphins

Dolphins have Katoa, they don't need another 7

 

[weststigers]

Totally agree, it always looks like we are always 2-3 steps behind every club year in year out.

It's really weird to me. We signed Luai, May (prop), Skelton, Turuva and May (centre) plus a bunch of others.

Next year we have signed KPP and have spots open with cash to spend and we are supposedly 2-3 steps behind?

We are about 3 players off a total roster overhaul. Go back and look at our team list in 2024 and compare to now. It's a big change.

Not sure what more you expect.

 

[Bus 2 Terrigal]

I don't really believe this take on the Eels.

Since Tigers were last any good (2010), Parra have made the finals 5 times in 16 attempts (2017, 2019-2022). Their Finals record in that time is 4W 8L, including 2x straight-set loss knock outs in 2017-2020.

It's clearly much better than Tigers have managed but it's still very ordinary compared to most clubs. Eels probably won't make the Finals this year and certainly won't trouble the best sides.

I believe Eels usually rely too heavily on individual talent. For a good while it was Jarryd Hayne playing elite-level club football, now it's Mitch Moses who they can barely win without.

For example 2025 Eels are 6W 12L total (33%) which increases to 43% when Moses plays (7 appearances). 2024 they were 7W 17L (29%) increasing to 37.5% when Moses plays (8 appearances). They are basically a 10% better team when Moses plays.

My other main concern on Eels is I think they made a mistake letting Gutho go and I think he still gives very good, very reliable and clever value to Dragons. Next year Eels will be without Dylan Brown who they have not replaced, instead they have Hawkins and Volkman who are career reserve graders.

Apart from speculation on Brett Fermor who have Eels recruited for 2026? Jack De Belin is the only one. They rushed over Dylan Walker because their forwards are so spare. They have moved Hopgood to prop because Junior Paulo lacks support. The bulk of their forward pack is uninspiring workers like Jack Williams, Guymer, Doorey, Moretti... not overly impressed.

I reckon Ryles is almost coach of the year given how well he’s got them playing. Remember their opening half of the opening round in Melbourne - they were terrible, played like a Sydney Shield team.

I take your point about certain positions they still need to strengthen but given a fair crack with injuries, I see the Eels pushing strongly for a finals berth in 26.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

The same Beau Fermor that made SOO this season, PMXIII, averages over 120 running metres in the backrow this season, has a 93% tackle efficiency, averages 4 tackle busts a game???

With stats. like that, not likely to come here.
He would have do better than that to oust Sukkar and Seyfarth. Stuck in Reggies for sure.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Can't tell he has any injuries he's doing everything running, tackling, squad are all gang tackling and dragging ball carrier back or towards sideline

Well at least the coaches have identified winning the tackle as something we need to work on.

Thanks for intel @Garrry .... curly question do you recall what side of the field Mapapalangi & Luke Laulilii were lining up in the opposed team? Might be a pointer for things to come.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

With stats. like that, not likely to come here.
He would have do better than that to oust Sukkar and Seyfarth. Stuck in Reggies for sure.

IMO Fermor would be a huuuuge signing for us IF the plan is to move Samuela to the middle.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Benji has name value, no doubt about that. But that will only get him so far if he’s clueless when it comes to the 80 mins week in week out. And like another question I have regularly posed. What’s the point of attracting all these players if the coach can’t do anything with them? Also, the appeal will soon wear off for players to want to continue to come here and sign for him if we aren’t getting results. He needs more to his arsenal than his reputation as a player.

Spot on.
He needs better assistants--------------OR he needs to listen to the ones he has.
This is where Benji must decide on how it's to be? If you need better help................get it!
Or perish by your own sword. Over to you Benji.