A few thoughts which no doubt will get shot down
CTW and AL are possibly two generational talents and so far have proved the value of our academy system- the last time this happened was Harris and Shorpe and for financial reasons we did not get the benefit. Both need careful handling for the immediate short term with a view to the undoubted benefits which will be gained further down the track. What we do know is that both are capable SL performers and will put pressure on the current first choices - when was the last time this happened?

There is a lot of talk about the need for a strong performing second row forward and considerable comment about size. There is a most effective person in that position in the NRL is Liam Martin and everyone would be delighted for him to sign for us. Have we not got our own version in Adam Holroyd who if you compare size is similar and is equally as hard working he just needs a few kilos more and could develop into what we all agree we need.

Velcro boots: Kevin Turvey: https://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2025/07/22/parramatta-eels-release-ryan-matterson/ I do not trust the process anymore, feeling very deflated about how the club operates.   His signing is to cover James Harrison who's having shoulder surgery.

Velcro boots: Kevin Turvey: https://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2025/07/22/parramatta-eels-release-ryan-matterson/ I do not trust the process anymore, feeling very deflated about how the club operates.   His signing is to cover James Harrison who's having shoulder surgery.

Good player from what Ive seen so should be another improvement on the squad for the rest of the season ( and hopefully he performs well enough that we try to negotiate a release from the remainder of his contract with Paramatta )


So assume we are running now with a front row/rotation of Vaughan/Yates/Philbin + 1 other ( if we havent got Harrison and Sam isnt going to use an inexperienced player such as Max Wood ) then Id be playing Fitzgibbon off the bench as a repl front row forward ( or even both Wood and Fitz on the bench )


Back row of Matterson, Stone/Fitzgibbon and Currie 


Now, could we start playing the flowing rugby that we saw last year ... PLEASE 

Abe Froman: Velcro boots: Kevin Turvey: https://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2025/07/22/parramatta-eels-release-ryan-matterson/ I do not trust the process anymore, feeling very deflated about how the club operates.   His signing is to cover James Harrison who's having shoulder surgery.  Good luck to him i like Harrison solid honest player. Thanks for the insight it makes more sense now

Abe Froman: Velcro boots: Kevin Turvey: https://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2025/07/22/parramatta-eels-release-ryan-matterson/ I do not trust the process anymore, feeling very deflated about how the club operates.   His signing is to cover James Harrison who's having shoulder surgery.  Good luck to him i like Harrison solid honest player. Thanks for the insight it makes more sense now

Sam Burgess: "Max Wood has been a brilliant find for the front row and really brings strength to our pack. Luke Thomas is great and is only going to get better."


Interviewer: "Great, are they playing then?"


Burgess: "Lol no. Stef can fill in if needed."

Abe Froman: Velcro boots: Kevin Turvey: https://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2025/07/22/parramatta-eels-release-ryan-matterson/ I do not trust the process anymore, feeling very deflated about how the club operates.   His signing is to cover James Harrison who's having shoulder surgery.  Doesn't Harrison play in the front row?  Or are we moving another back rower to prop?

Abe Froman: Velcro boots: Kevin Turvey: https://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2025/07/22/parramatta-eels-release-ryan-matterson/ I do not trust the process anymore, feeling very deflated about how the club operates.   His signing is to cover James Harrison who's having shoulder surgery.  Doesn't Harrison play in the front row?  Or are we moving another back rower to prop?