BY A.J NASH

Parramatta Eels legend Peter Sterling has taken aim at the club’s roster management including the recruitment of Blake Ferguson and Junior Paulo and what looks like the end of the road for star playmaker Corey Norman.

Writing for the Wide World of Sports, Sterling also believes coach Brad Arthur has enough “credit points” to begin 2019 in charge.

“One area that I do think needs to be closely assessed is the club’s recruitment in recent times,” Sterling writes.

“I’m not convinced that we have necessarily brought the right type of player into the club in some instances. Talent alone is never enough and I hope that an individual’s character is a major consideration when we are looking to import a player to wear the blue and gold jersey.”

On Junior Paulo:

“Junior Paulo left the club a few seasons back in a move made to get away from the Sydney lifestyle and some questionable company that he was apparently keeping. He comes back on bigger money and a 4-year contract but begging the question, is he a better player now than when he left?

“He is certainly the big body I was talking about but can he play the amount of minutes to have the necessary impact that we require? I hope so and that he proves to be the foundation on which team performances are built.”

On Blake Ferguson:

“Blake Ferguson is another who has enjoyed a bumper season and has been as effective as any winger on a weekly basis in the competition. There has never been any doubting what he offers through his size, speed and experience.

“As we know Blake has carried baggage for much of his career but to his credit he seems to have gotten things very much back on track away from the paddock. It is essential that is maintained when moving away from what has been an effective cocoon in the eastern suburbs.”

On Corey Norman:

“The fact that Corey has been told if he can get an opportunity elsewhere then Parra wouldn’t stand in his way, clearly shows that the club don’t see him as part of the plans in going forward. At his best he is a class performer and easy to fall in love with, we just haven’t seen enough of that this year.

“Playing in the halves demands consistency which I felt we saw plenty of in his partnering of Mitchell Moses in their run to the finals last year. I really felt with that under their belt and another full off-season we would see their combination really blossom, it has been particularly disappointing that didn’t eventuate.

“I still think he could be beneficial to the club if he has his priorities in order.”

On Jarryd Hayne:

“Jarryd has been our best player over the last 7 weeks and I would like to think his future will be an easy one to settle. The club would like to keep him, Jarryd seems to be enjoying his football and is highly involved and engaged, it would seem to me that if the price is right then a deal should be done.”

https://wwos.nine.com.au/2018/08/28/10/20/nrl-peter-sterling-dissects-parramatta-eels-wooden-spoon-2018-season

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