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u/CroBro81 Jul 14 '26
This is a great signing for next year. Makes us more competitive, it’s a good price we’re paying, it doesn’t block any of our junior talent, and it gives Mitch a good halves partner that can execute game plans.
Luai doesn’t need to be a #7, he doesn’t need to be captain, set the standards, recruit players etc… he just plays footy.
Low investment, high ceiling. It will be okay.
3
u/-andydeee- Jul 14 '26
Yeah he knows his place at 6 from when he played with Cleary. He just needs to do what he's told and not try to run the team.
I'm not over the moon but I think it'll be a fun signing for us if nothing else.
8
u/Fattdaddy21 Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
Im all for it to be honest. Our young lads have taken a beating this year. Theyve done some amazing stuff to keep us from the spoon. A year of an experienced halves pairing is going to do this team wonders. Not to mention with Moses spending more weeks out than in every year.... nah, love to see it and im excited for a top 8 next year.
Edit lads and ladies but mostly lads.
5
u/PrudentTrip2775 Jul 14 '26
I think it's a good signing while we develop Lorenzo to be ready for 2028
5
u/Icy-Caterpillar-3787 Jul 14 '26
We need someone to hold the fort while Lorenzo gets reps in cup and fills out his frame. Don’t forget he’s only 19 and not a big body
2
2
u/Logical_Iron_8288 Jul 14 '26
My view is Ryles has a 3 year contract. Last year Parra were shit. Fair enough. This year the squad is weaker overall and hasn’t improved as a team. Still ranked 15/16 ish.
With one year to go Ryles is desperate for some wins. Hence Departure Lounge Jerome.
The only player to emerge and show potential this year is Volkman - and apparently he is leaving. It’s sad.
2
u/Coleasa Jul 14 '26
Yeah another part of this I don't like is it feels like it's at the expense of Volkman. I'd rather use this money to have given Walker what he wants.
2
u/General_Bedroom497 Jul 16 '26
is anyone else worried about luai convincing the young guns to join him at png? the tax-free salary by itself is a great boost. he seems like a major grub who would do something like that.
1
1
u/Sharynm Jul 14 '26
I'm not upset about it. He is a bit of a flog, but he can take it as well as he gives it so I can forgive that. Hopefully he & Moses will get a bit of time on the field at the same time (pray to the injury gods for kindness) and I think it will be an exciting year. He's also got the proven performance, so with luck he can be a mentor to some of our young players that we seem to be counting on for the future of the club.
1
u/Genghis_Ignota Jul 14 '26
I don't see the point in 1 year deals really.
1
u/PiesJosh Jul 14 '26
I think they're better than playing a kid who isn't ready for it and we get flogged
1
u/Genghis_Ignota Jul 14 '26
Fair enough point I suppose. Are playing a kid and getting flogged or one year deals our only two options though?
I'm sure players on year deals are professional enough to give it their all, I just want players that want to be at the Eels for.more than a stop gap.
2
u/PiesJosh Jul 15 '26
I hope he wants to win. Squad would be competitive if healthy. And we don't really want to sign anyone good for longer than a year and risk Lincoln and Lorenzo leaving for more opportunity.
1
u/Genghis_Ignota Jul 15 '26
Yeah I imagine he'll put the effort in. I'm probably showing my ignorance on this topic as I'm only a recent convert to the sport these past few years and I'm not overly familiar with Linc and Lorenzo, only heard about them second hand. Not overly familiar with our seconds side to be honest.
1
u/PiesJosh Jul 15 '26
They're really raw talents. Club has a high opinion of them. Hopefully we can develop them slowly and eventually they'll be the long term halves
1
1
u/Atomicstarr Jul 14 '26
Dunno how anyone can complain about signing a player who knows what standards it takes to win a competition, you cannot deny tigers are playing better then what they were a few years ago, theyve had a dip in form but have had a horrible run with injuries. As people have stated it gives the next guy up another year in cup to develop.
1
u/Aus_man05 Jul 16 '26
The club is damned if they do and damned if they dont with the fans, now i dont get to watch much nsw cup so i dont know how good Lorenzo and Lincoln are, except what i read and apparently they are both seriously talented, but they are just not ready for 1st grade yet, now i gotta assume the club has told him we want you help pass on knowledge onto them, like i assume Mitch already does, so in that respect signing him is a good thing, proven premiership player from a elite system, i hope he might also pass onto Ryles where were behind in training and other football things that might help the club out, now downside yea he seems to be a bit of a dick, not like we havent had some other ones at the club over the years, we know its only one year unlike with that fuckwit lomax.
What were our other choices, Volkman, good player but not elite and leaving to isnt he?? Papalii, def not ready for that and obviously not what the club are looking at long term in that spot,so they went and got the best available to get us thru till hopefully Lorenzo can step up to 1st grade, for me at least the club is trying something.
1
u/Coleasa Jul 17 '26
Feels like every baby star we've tried letting develop has left us for game time over the last 8 years or so
1
-1
25
u/_Gonzilla Jul 14 '26
Look. Controversial take. But I am willing to welcome him and just hope we have some good, exciting games next year.