Salary cap drama engulfed the NRL once more in 2016, re-appearing in western Sydney yet again, as a 12-point deduction after Round 9 put a halt to a promising 6-3 start for the Eels.
How could 2016 have been any worse? Kieran Foran’s leave of absence, Corey Norman’s off-field drugs saga, and Semi Radradra’s domestic violence and rugby union deflection – that’s how.
The off-season
Pirtek Stadium is no more. The demolition crew have torn through the Mick Cronin and Peter Sterling stands just as those champions did to oppositions many years ago.
The Eels will play 2017 out of ANZ Stadium, a significant disadvantage, as Pirtek is their spiritual base and a hostile ground for oppositions to ply their trade.
Frank Pritchard, Siosia Vave and Suaia Matagi are all big signings, in every sense of the word. The Eels have opted to go large, with those three joining the likes of Tim Mannah and Manu Ma’u to create a formidable forward pack.
One of their more curious signings was the recruitment of Kirisome Auva’a, who may be talented, but has had a career littered with off-field misdemeanours. Obviously I’m missing something.
What to look for in 2017
Radradra is a contracted player, but I’ve got an inkling the Eels will lose patience with him at some stage during 2017. His domestic violence allegations are not yet resolved in the courts and just how much Semi will put in for the Eels in 2017 remains to be seen – I forecast him leaving considerable petrol in the tank for his run around in Toulon at season’s end.
The Eels’ spine is one of the weakest in the league. I don’t see Isaac De Gois or Clinton Gutherson troubling the opposition too often, and Corey Norman looks to be playing out of position in the 7 rather than 6 jersey.
Look for some bully-ball close to the line, with Pritchard, Matagi and Vave to steamroll over – limited options in the backline make this a more-often-than-not proposition.
2017 prediction
The Eels won’t suffer the sort of season I have predicted for Newcastle or St George, but a top-heavy side, a home ground void of atmosphere where they struggle to win, and their best player being forced to play out of his position could spell disaster for Parra.
I hope their fans get around ANZ Stadium, and for their sake I hope Corey Norman stays fit, healthy and out of the tabloids, for he really is their only flicker of a chance of proving me wrong at this stage of the season.
2017 prediction: 14th.
NRL 2016 record: 13-0-11 (18 points – 14th; 12 points deducted)
Ins: Siosia Vave (Manly), Nathan Brown (South Sydney), George Jennings (Penrith), Josh Hoffman (Gold Coast), Suaia Matagi (Penrith), Frank Pritchard (Hull), Kirisome Auva’a (unattached)
Outs: Michael Gordon (Sydney), Anthony Watmough (retirement), Kieran Foran (New Zealand), Luke Kelly (South Sydney), Danny Wicks (retirement), Vai Toutai (released), Mitch Cornish (Canberra)
Westauseel
Guest
I'm sure the stadiums at parra were Cronin and thornett stands , correct me if I'm wrong . 14th please.........
GC Dave
Guest
Very optimistic and must be an Eele supporter. To be a top four they need to beat the top three perennial top four teams, Brisbane, Cowboys and Melbourne...ohh, they are full of Qld players. The other spot will be a dogfight (term only as the Dogs are no chance of making it). We have the premiers from last year, Canberra the unlucky side from 2016, Penrith gradually and surely climbing the ladder each year, and the Titans who have recruited so well. That's leaving our the Roosters who I believe will have a big year., the Warriors who have the team to beat anyone but the attitude and backbone like a jellyfish when things get tough. My prediction is fighting for 8th spot with the likes of the Tigers. If the race is between Tigers and Parra for the eighth spot, back Parra.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Top eight for sure. They've bought well and have a great coach to hold it all together.
andrew
Guest
limited options in the backline? Radradara is pretty good right? Bevan French could be a superstar right? 19 tries in 13 matches... Michael Jennings, while past his best, played for Australia as recently as 2015 right? All being fed by a player in Corey Norman who has tonnes of potential.. I would say their backline is pretty reasonable.
The Barry
Roar Guru
They'll be good to watch but I think about 9th-10th. Could slip into the bottom half of the eight. In Norman, French, Radradra, Jennings and Takairangi they've got some of the most exciting ad lib footballers in the NRL. Manu Ma'u is one of my favourite players in the comp. I love the intensity in everything he does. Even his pre game facial expressions are incredible.