Exciting times..

[Guest]

Barry Ward

[Geohood]

What year did he retire?

[Headless Chook]

Not a vermin player

The chooks have a better chance of winning the comp this year than anybody here guessing who he is.

That sounds like a challenge!

[Guest]

So when does next year Grand Final tickets go on sale??

[007]

I'll be excited if we appoint a coach for 2 years. That alleviates the Bellamy (2014) factor, not that I'm against Bellamy because I rate him, but because I don't think an interim coach for 1 year would have any benefits; the so-called rebuilding phase which we've been through for the past two years, and we should be passed that by now. And if anyone is appointed for 1 year, would they really have their heart and soul in it (probably) knowing Bellamy (or whoever) will be coming regardless?

With regards to the rebuilding, yes we do have some kids but they have a ton of potential (RTS, Moga, Tupou, Tagive, Bosden, Kennedy, Oldfield, Cordner, Cherrington - please be so), there is enough experience (Maloney, Aubs, SBW, Pearce, yes - Mini) and enough players who have played enough games together (JWH, Tasi, FPN, Masoe, Friend, SKD, Arona, Guerra). If I've left out anyone please correct me.

My choice of coach? I honestly don't know, but I would be happy to give Taylor a go as long as it was for 2/3 years (but no more).

[ROC181]

Look at the fullbacks of the top teams.

Barba, Slater, Inglis, Stewart, Bowan, Dugan. Without any of them those teams would not be where they are. Even Hayne being out has a dramatic affect on how the Eels play.

Take Mini out of our team and we are a completely different team. With him there then we can't finish top 8 next year.

But I am excited about 2014

oh yeah? and how many of these are we able to get? It's easy to mention who others have but that doesn't mean we can have them. Didn't we try to get Dugan and it didn't happen? Wasn't there talk that Stewart might be coming here and decided to stay? I doubt that The others you mentioned would even consider coming to Bondi which leaves the others not mentioned. Lets be realistic, Mini was the best we had this year and sometime next year, RTS will take over.

[kakaruk]

Hopefully he takes over for our season opener

oh yeah? and how many of these are we able to get? It's easy to mention who others have but that doesn't mean we can have them. Didn't we try to get Dugan and it didn't happen? Wasn't there talk that Stewart might be coming here and decided to stay? I doubt that The others you mentioned would even consider coming to Bondi which leaves the others not mentioned. Lets be realistic, Mini was the best we had this year and sometime next year, RTS will take over.

[Ray Stehr]

Not a vermin player

The chooks have a better chance of winning the comp this year than anybody here guessing who he is.

Steve Mortimer?

[BUDDY]

oh yeah? and how many of these are we able to get? It's easy to mention who others have but that doesn't mean we can have them. Didn't we try to get Dugan and it didn't happen? Wasn't there talk that Stewart might be coming here and decided to stay? I doubt that The others you mentioned would even consider coming to Bondi which leaves the others not mentioned. Lets be realistic, Mini was the best we had this year and sometime next year, RTS will take over.

The point obviously went way over your head. I wasn't saying we need to buy one of these guys but pointing out how important the fullback position is and with Mini there I can't see how we can make the top 8. So are you happy we extended his contract for 12 months? Do you feel he should have first crack at fullback next year or put RTS straight in? Do you think we will make the top 8 with Mini playing fullback all year?

[ROC181]

The point obviously went way over your head. I wasn't saying we need to buy one of these guys but pointing out how important the fullback position is and with Mini there I can't see how we can make the top 8. So are you happy we extended his contract for 12 months? Do you feel he should have first crack at fullback next year or put RTS straight in? Do you think we will make the top 8 with Mini playing fullback all year?

I think that a new coach would have different tactics for many players. It's obvious that Smith was happy with Mini's positional play all year. I, like I suppose you and many others, hated how often Mini would just inject himself in the backline. Are we going to make the 8? well had Smith still been here, I would say no for many reason including that one but a Bellamy style of coach would have different instructions for Mini, I suppose. Regardless, Mini wont last the whole season at FB because my prediction is that RTS would take over before SOO time. As for being signed for another year...well there wasn't much of a choice I feel. Let RTS get more experience before throwing him in the deep end. FB is a tough gig for anyone, let alone a 19yo. All good Buddy!

[Geohood]

Excitement just increased again with Robinson returning.

You just have to take a look at the players' tweets to know they're all excited to have him back.

Here's one of them:

Tinirau Arona @t_arona
Congrats to our new Head Coach Robbo. Looking forward to working with him again and I know the other boys are too.

[Guest]

The only thing standing in the way of being major contenders is Minichiello.

[Guest]

I would pee in my pants laughing if you guys signed Tim Sheens after that coach you just signed this is hpw your side would look:

1. Tim Moltzen
2. Tuivasa-Sheck
3. Bj Leilua
4. Kenny-Dowall
5. SBW
6. Pearce
7. Maloney
8. Kennedy
9. Friend
10. Hargreaves
11. Guerra
12. Aubusson
13. Cordner

14. Leilua (or Seluini)
15. Takairangi
16. Nuuausala / Masoe / Arona / Evans
17. Matt Groat

[Guest]

The only thing standing in the way of being major contenders is Minichiello.

I suggest we play the King.