Apr 16th, 2018

Apr 16th, 2018

Struggling Eels facing cleanout

The under-performing Eels are preparing for a cleanout at the end of the season after paying massive ‘overs’ to sign Raiders prop Junior Paulo for 2019.

Paulo, a Kiwi who began his career at the Eels, is all but done on a four-year deal worth over $600,000 a season - money his current club Canberra simply couldn’t match.

Already dead and buried as a finals contender, the Eels are planning for 2019 and have several other big-name targets.

Round 6: Canberra Raiders v Parramatta Eels

But that means players will have to go, and the club is set to cut up to 10 members of its current roster to complete a makeover for next year.

A host of big names, including Kirisome Auva'a, David Gower, Jarryd Hayne, George Jennings, Cameron King, Suaia Matagi, Kaysa Pritchard, Beau Scott, Peni Terepo, Siosaia Vave and Tony Williams are off contract and many will be told they are free to leave.

The Eels are also likely to offer other players who are under contract for 2019 to rival clubs to free up more space in the salary cap.

Clubs wise up to penalty blitz

Clubs are at a loss as to how to handle the penalty blitz that has plagued the early rounds of the 2018 season.

Coaches have learned through bitter experience that if the referees cane you early on, you are going to struggle to get back into the match.

Newcastle were a prime example last weekend - they conceded the first six penalties before the count swung back in their favour.

Joey says refs destroyed the game

One coach has told me he is instructing his players to ‘cheat’ in the 10 metres and play-the-ball early on in games, hoping the referees give them some leeway.

Then if the refs hammer them, they hope the penalties will come their way in the second half, as the count squares up, and they have the chance to come home with a wet sail.

We’ve seen several examples of teams flying home after conceding big leads because of this tactic - and will doubtless see plenty more as the refs continue to blow the pea out of the whistle.

Griffin has last laugh over Brennan

The battle in the coaches box was every bit as intense as that on the field in last Sunday’s Panthers v Titans clash.

Titans coach Garth Brennan was demoted by Panthers mentor Anthony Griffin when they were both at Penrith in 2016 and the pair barely spoke after that.

Round 6: Penrith Panthers v Gold Coast Titans

Griffin, who is enjoying a fine season after the problems of last year, had the last laugh though, with his team finishing easy winners.

It just wasn’t the Titans’ day - they lost a player in the warm-up and it was all downhill from there.

Souths benefit from Eels’ assistant coach

One reason behind Parramatta’s forward problems - and the new-found aggro Souths have up front - is the move of highly respected assistant coach Pete Gentle to the Bunnies this year.

Gentle was the Eels’ forwards coach in recent seasons and had the big boppers firing on all cylinders last year as Parra stormed into the finals.

NRL Highlights: Sydney Roosters v South Sydney Rabbitohs - Round 6

But he chose to move to Souths this year alongside new coach Anthony Seibold and is really getting the best out of the likes of the Burgess twins and Damien Cook, who all tore the Roosters’ defence to pieces last Thursday night.

Clubs line up to buy Coote

Sydney clubs are lining up to sign talented utility Lachlan Coote for 2019.

Coote is off contract at the Cowboys and I’m hearing he wants to return to Sydney after five mixed seasons up north.

Round 6: North Queensland Cowboys v Canterbury Bulldogs

Coote has looked the goods when fit and firing, but has had his career in Townsville interrupted by a series of injuries.

But at 28, he still have plenty of footy left in him and shapes as a good buy with his ability to play several spots in the backline.