The wooden spooners of the 2012 season will not go back-to-back.
In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they surged up the ladder this year.
Ricky Stuart may not be my most favoured coach but there's no denying what he can bring to a team, provided he has the playing roster he wants. His first few years at the Roosters were fantastic, and even had a few good results with the Sharks when he moved there, but it's tended to be a downward slide after the first season.
The Eels have to capitalise on fresh blood in the coaches box and have to produce on the field.
They have lost two club stalwarts in Luke Burt and Nathan Hindmarsh, who are two of the more irreplaceable players in the comp, especially Hindmarsh.
The form of fullback Jarryd Hayne may be a determining factor in the Eels chances. His golden run of form in the back end of 2009 led the Eels to a grand final appearance, but he has been plagued by inconsistent form, and whispers of an attitude problem have followed him like a lost puppy. Whether he delivers on the field or not is yet to be seen.
He and Willie Tonga lead a rookie backline consisting of Ken Sio, Ryan Morgan and Cheyse Blair. Blair has already had an under-20 NSW Origin cap to his name, but they will all need to improve on last year's performances. The solid Ben Smith provides some backup in the centres, while Jacob Loko, Eni Folau and Taulima Tautai round out the depth.
The forward pack seems to have been assembled around a group of hard working players. While they have plenty of size in Fui Fui Moi Moi, the rest of the forwards are more mobile. Players like Mitch Allgood, Matthew Ryan, Joseph Paulo, Darcy Lussick and hookers Nathan Smith and Matt Keating. Lock Reni Maitua has bounced back from essentially being booted out of the game to develop into one of the club's elder statesmen.
The halves group of Chris Sandow, Ben Roberts and Luke Kelly are under mountains of pressure to perform. Sandow especially will be after a massive year on the field after being labelled a $550k flop in 2012. Roberts had a quiet season with the Parramatta club while mid-season signing Kelly will be looking to press his case for a permanent spot.
Eels: 1. Jarryd Hayne 2. Ken Sio 3. Willie Tonga 4. Ryan Morgan 5. Cheyse Blair 6. Luke Kelly 7. Chris Sandow 8. Tim Mannah 9. Matt Keating 10. Fui Fui Moi Moi 11. Matthew Ryan 12. Ben Smith 13. Reni Maitua Interchange 14. Darcy Lussick 15. Nathan Smith 16. Mitch Allgood 17. Ben Roberts
On the fringe: Joseph Paulo, Eni Folau, Rory Brien, Taulima Tautai, Jake Mullaney, Lorenzo Ma'afu, Jacob Loko, Taniela Lasalo
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