Ricky leads with his mouth...again.

[Guest]

I am suprised that Ricky is carrying on with this rubbish considering he has not had much success since his stint with us. However I would like to extend my gratitude for such a powerful piece of motivation. If our coaching staff don't jump on this article as a way to rev up SBW they are not as sharp as I hope. In my opinion there is more of a question mark surrounding Izzy. Will need to change his body shape again in order to make the impact that Stuart expects. I dont think the Eels are in a position to be putting this much pressure on themselves considering the disaster of 2012.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1226509765486

[Guest]

"THE question was put to me during the week who I thought would make the biggest splash next season, Israel Folau or Sonny Bill Williams.
That's easy.

Sonny Bill Williams.

He is coming back into the game in unusual circumstances, off the back of a fight. He can be outspoken, he has an outspoken manager in Khoder Nasser, and he doesn't mind getting his name in the newspaper.

Now if you ask me who will be the bigger success, that's easy, too.

Israel will have his mind focused on succeeding in football. He'll have a professional focus, without distractions, without having to split his attention.

He has the talent to be anything he wants in the game - and he is now absolutely clear on what he wants.

That's why the decision to go after Israel was an easy one.

Folau a perfect fit for Eels: Ricky

For months the odd story leaked in the paper, or sometimes came up in conversation, that he was not happy playing AFL and might switch back to league.

On top of this, I knew he was from the western suburbs and his younger brother was at the Eels and he had a lot of close friends at the club.

Who do you think will be a success on their return to the NRL: Folau or SBW? Tell us below.

So it was always sort of there, waiting to be explored.

When I got the job at Parramatta I asked some of those close to him if they knew what he was thinking.

There was no grand plan in place to get him back, no series of covert meetings. Anyone who knows him is aware that he is a simple kid.

We spoke and we saw there was an interest, but he still felt tied to AFL.

It really wasn't until he went on holiday and took himself away from everything - and gave himself a chance to clear his head for the first time - that he figured out his answer.

The indication of how quickly it all happened, once it got rolling, was that it all took place in a day.

He called AFL boss Andrew Demetriou and told him his decision. He told GWS chief executive Dave Matthews, and the way they helped him was first class.

I can see why their game is in the good state it is because they managed it superbly.

Demetriou told him that as long as he was being true to himself he would help him through it. That's exactly what they did.

Folau a risk for Eels: Webster

Rugby league is lucky Israel is coming back. Here at Parramatta, we're fortunate that he wants to play with us.

The game needs to recognise that this is one of those chances that doesn't often come around, much the same way the AFL did by poaching Israel in the first place.

Rugby league needs to capitalise on his return.

The game, as a whole, can benefit by Israel coming back if it is smart.

Recently we saw the ARL Commission announce its strategic plan for the next five years and what was clear was that the Commission is taking an overall approach to the game. One in, all in. Commissioner John Grant spoke about the players being role models, and for the need for the players to accept that and do their part.

This kid fits the bill.

The other great benefit is the maturity Israel possesses.

He left rugby league as a shy young kid, uncomfortable in public, almost awkward before the media.

He understood his role at the AFL was more than just as a player, that he was part of the marketing and image and promotion of the game.

He accepted that and grew with it.

That maturity doesn't disappear now that he has returned to rugby league.

What position he might play if he comes to Parramatta is still to be decided.

Once again, he left the game as a winger or centre.

However, he comes back better equipped as a winger, centre or even fullback because of the skills he learned and running he needed to do in their game.

But so much has to happen before we even start worrying about where he will play.

Also what is certain is that he will be the biggest poster boy in the game. He has taken a pay cut to come back because he loves it, and he'll be around for 10 years.

Winning the west is something all the codes are talking about lately. The AFL went after him for just that reason.

He sold the most GWS jumpers for the AFL, and now we've just taken him from them."

-Ricky Stuart

[Guest]

Has he even signed yet? The level of groveling coming from their club and fans is pathetic.

[Guest]

The way Stuart is talking, Izzy will be at Parra. Sticky has passion and is obviously very excited, but to burn that excitement by having a slight dig at our club is not what I would be doing. I much prefer Robinsons humble approach when asked about Sonny Bill. Rev it up in the gym, not in the papers. I would stick this article inside Sonny's locker room door and ask him to read it before the first few games, and when we play Parra

[Rooster_6]

I hope Sticky plays him at fullback, will be a laugh and a half.

Stuart left the Roosters & Sharks worse off than when he arrived, his recruitment & retention is shocking I'm not sure he should be opening his mouth just yet. Having Hayne, Sandow, Hopoate & Folau taking up nearly half your cap with such an average forward pack has to raise big questions.

There's no doubt the bloke has passion, his intensity and ability to get teams up for games is unmatched imo. His knowledge of the game however... well I think it can be summed up when he let Kevin Kingston & Isaac De Gois go so he could sign Corey Hughes on a one year deal.

[Guest]

"THE question was put to me during the week who I thought would make the biggest splash next season, Israel Folau or Sonny Bill Williams.
That's easy.

Sonny Bill Williams.

He is coming back into the game in unusual circumstances, off the back of a fight. He can be outspoken, he has an outspoken manager in Khoder Nasser, and he doesn't mind getting his name in the newspaper.

Now if you ask me who will be the bigger success, that's easy, too.

Israel will have his mind focused on succeeding in football. He'll have a professional focus, without distractions, without having to split his attention.

He has the talent to be anything he wants in the game - and he is now absolutely clear on what he wants.

That's why the decision to go after Israel was an easy one.

Folau a perfect fit for Eels: Ricky

For months the odd story leaked in the paper, or sometimes came up in conversation, that he was not happy playing AFL and might switch back to league.

On top of this, I knew he was from the western suburbs and his younger brother was at the Eels and he had a lot of close friends at the club.

Who do you think will be a success on their return to the NRL: Folau or SBW? Tell us below.

So it was always sort of there, waiting to be explored.

When I got the job at Parramatta I asked some of those close to him if they knew what he was thinking.

There was no grand plan in place to get him back, no series of covert meetings. Anyone who knows him is aware that he is a simple kid.

We spoke and we saw there was an interest, but he still felt tied to AFL.

It really wasn't until he went on holiday and took himself away from everything - and gave himself a chance to clear his head for the first time - that he figured out his answer.

The indication of how quickly it all happened, once it got rolling, was that it all took place in a day.

He called AFL boss Andrew Demetriou and told him his decision. He told GWS chief executive Dave Matthews, and the way they helped him was first class.

I can see why their game is in the good state it is because they managed it superbly.

Demetriou told him that as long as he was being true to himself he would help him through it. That's exactly what they did.

Folau a risk for Eels: Webster

Rugby league is lucky Israel is coming back. Here at Parramatta, we're fortunate that he wants to play with us.

The game needs to recognise that this is one of those chances that doesn't often come around, much the same way the AFL did by poaching Israel in the first place.

Rugby league needs to capitalise on his return.

The game, as a whole, can benefit by Israel coming back if it is smart.

Recently we saw the ARL Commission announce its strategic plan for the next five years and what was clear was that the Commission is taking an overall approach to the game. One in, all in. Commissioner John Grant spoke about the players being role models, and for the need for the players to accept that and do their part.

This kid fits the bill.

The other great benefit is the maturity Israel possesses.

He left rugby league as a shy young kid, uncomfortable in public, almost awkward before the media.

He understood his role at the AFL was more than just as a player, that he was part of the marketing and image and promotion of the game.

He accepted that and grew with it.

That maturity doesn't disappear now that he has returned to rugby league.

What position he might play if he comes to Parramatta is still to be decided.

Once again, he left the game as a winger or centre.

However, he comes back better equipped as a winger, centre or even fullback because of the skills he learned and running he needed to do in their game.

But so much has to happen before we even start worrying about where he will play.

Also what is certain is that he will be the biggest poster boy in the game. He has taken a pay cut to come back because he loves it, and he'll be around for 10 years.

Winning the west is something all the codes are talking about lately. The AFL went after him for just that reason.

He sold the most GWS jumpers for the AFL, and now we've just taken him from them."

-Ricky Stuart

Ricky Stuart is full of shit, I was at GWS headquarters 4 months ago when 2 Parrasplatter officials approached 2 prominant GWS officials enquiring about Falou.

Falou's manager was then in contact with the same officials, hardly covert but this was at least 4 months in the making, way before Dicky Ricky took aver.

[davos]

If ricky stuart persists with a combination of Roberts/sandow in the halves it will be Banasta/ Da finchy all over again, and the outside backs will get no ball.

I think that Folau's impact on the game will be a lot less than sonny bill's. I remember sonny bill destroying sides on his own. I think he did it to us in 07' where at home he tore us a new one slicing through our defence. Folau as an outisde back will not have much of impact especially with the halves pairing mentioned above.

[davos]

I hope Sticky plays him at fullback, will be a laugh and a half.

Stuart left the Roosters & Sharks worse off than when he arrived, his recruitment & retention is shocking I'm not sure he should be opening his mouth just yet. Having Hayne, Sandow, Hopoate & Folau taking up nearly half your cap with such an average forward pack has to raise big questions.

There's no doubt the bloke has passion, his intensity and ability to get teams up for games is unmatched imo. His knowledge of the game however... well I think it can be summed up when he let Kevin Kingston & Isaac De Gois go so he could sign Corey Hughes on a one year deal.

Oh my goodness I finally agree with you.

Yeah before his recent origin endeavor, not many would have rated him as a coach and I still don't rate him tbh.

Apart from the freddy years he hasn't really done anything. He reminds me of those people at work who earn promotions and praise from the boss, while everyone else is left scratching their heads as to why. He has had major screw ups, both at cronulla and at our joint like you mentioned. He is also well known for persisting with combos in the halves which don't work.

[Guest]

Stuart the same man who thinks Hayne is a 5/8, who put too much pressure in Mitchell Pearce, the man that chose Creagh over Sims, who mind****ed the 03 grand final team by experiementing in a gf by putting Moz at second row, swapping Fitzy with Ricko, moving Crocker to hooker(one of the most important positions in the game) just so he could fit in Ned Catic coz he had a good finals series, who said 1 out of 3 was good enough, who wants to put Izzy at fullback and thinks hes better than SBW; the premiership winner, RWC winner, All Black, dual international, boxer. Not only that but thinks hes worth 600k after he comes from AFL and has lost weight.

As soon as SBW comes he will make impact. The sponsors will come knocking and with that cash flow there could be facility upgrades, investment in youth, sports science etc. More coverage(for the right reasons), popularity growth from kids, and if he plays good he will rip oppositions apart, bring in crowds, revenue.

Stuart has no idea what hes walking in to. Parra is a coaches nightmare. Brian Smith is starting to lose support in 04 but still gets them 8th place, then a minor premiership in 05, then in 06, has a losing streak of 5 or so games gets sacked!!!!! After a minor premiership, Anderson sacked year after grand final and yes they underachieved in 2010 but I remember they had s good streak of 5 games, sacked Kearney, Taylor after 06 and getting them into the grand final, Hagan less than a season.

Its a deathtrap and he thinks that they have great talent everyone does!!!!! They act like Morgan is the next Jamie Lyon good but not great id prefer Moga. he actually had a better season IMO but its just morgan gets more noticed coz of Parras chatterbox fanbase, their NYC is crap. One Parra fan on Rleague claimed Ryan is better than Cordner.

Stuart look at your roster you have no one to fill the void of Hindy or Burt. Your halves are shit. Your fullback is probably the most talented of all players but is erratic disinterested and one of the BIGGEST AND MOST OVERATED PLAYERS IN THE GAME BUT IN HISTORY ALONG WITH MARSHALL TAYLOR AND TREX.

Good luck to you top 8 is a pipe dream

[Guest]

Lol cheyse blair

[Guest]

Stuart the same man who thinks Hayne is a 5/8, who put too much pressure in Mitchell Pearce, the man that chose Creagh over Sims, who mind****ed the 03 grand final team by experiementing in a gf by putting Moz at second row, swapping Fitzy with Ricko, moving Crocker to hooker(one of the most important positions in the game) just so he could fit in Ned Catic coz he had a good finals series, who said 1 out of 3 was good enough, who wants to put Izzy at fullback and thinks hes better than SBW; the premiership winner, RWC winner, All Black, dual international, boxer. Not only that but thinks hes worth 600k after he comes from AFL and has lost weight.

As soon as SBW comes he will make impact. The sponsors will come knocking and with that cash flow there could be facility upgrades, investment in youth, sports science etc. More coverage(for the right reasons), popularity growth from kids, and if he plays good he will rip oppositions apart, bring in crowds, revenue.

Stuart has no idea what hes walking in to. Parra is a coaches nightmare. Brian Smith is starting to lose support in 04 but still gets them 8th place, then a minor premiership in 05, then in 06, has a losing streak of 5 or so games gets sacked!!!!! After a minor premiership, Anderson sacked year after grand final and yes they underachieved in 2010 but I remember they had s good streak of 5 games, sacked Kearney, Taylor after 06 and getting them into the grand final, Hagan less than a season.

Its a deathtrap and he thinks that they have great talent everyone does!!!!! They act like Morgan is the next Jamie Lyon good but not great id prefer Moga. he actually had a better season IMO but its just morgan gets more noticed coz of Parras chatterbox fanbase, their NYC is crap. One Parra fan on Rleague claimed Ryan is better than Cordner.

Stuart look at your roster you have no one to fill the void of Hindy or Burt. Your halves are shit. Your fullback is probably the most talented of all players but is erratic disinterested and one of the BIGGEST AND MOST OVERATED PLAYERS IN THE GAME BUT IN HISTORY ALONG WITH MARSHALL TAYLOR AND TREX.

Good luck to you top 8 is a pipe dream

I'm not a big Stuart fan but I do agree with 1 thing he has said and that is Hayne at 6.
He may look dis-interested but he has more talent in his big toe then most players have all together.
I think Ricky will play him at 6 and Izzy at 1 for sure. The trick with Hayne is to get him focused on footy but not going over the top.
When he had that purple patch of form, the one that no one had seen from any player before, it was from Anderson taking a step back and letting them play the wdy they want. I have heard people say Anderson was too serious and he just clashed with Hayne personality wise. That is the trick for Ricky, can he ease off the intensity enough, my opinion no, as a football fan I hope so because I want to see that Hayne again from a few years back

[Guest]

Ricky Stuart is full of shit, I was at GWS headquarters 4 months ago when 2 Parrasplatter officials approached 2 prominant GWS officials enquiring about Falou.

Falou's manager was then in contact with the same officials, hardly covert but this was at least 4 months in the making, way before Dicky Ricky took aver.

What, could you here what they were talking about? Or where you part of the meeting?

It's you who's full of shit mate

[Burnt Rooster]

Ask Stuart, is he the same Stuart, that knocked back signing Johnathon Thurston, because we were well served with halfbacks, god help us, let Parramatta have him, The Roosters and Sharkies will shed no tears for him.

[roosterproud]

yet again time has shown us the truth

[Guest]

What, could you here what they were talking about? Or where you part of the meeting?

It's you who's full of shit mate

Yes i could hear what was going on, as could have a dozen other parents whose kids are in the Giants Development Squad.

When Gareth Holmes and Eric Grothe snr attend a Giants training session, it isn't for a cup of tea.

Do you really think this approach was made out of the blue????

After that meeting the Giants were resigned to the fact he was intending to leave.

When Tippett''s deal with the Swans fell through, they knew it was time to act.

Can i fill you in on anything else.

Unlike many others on here i post fact not fiction ( well a little fiction)