Penrith star Waqa Blake is set to sign on with the Parramatta Eels, with the Panthers centre on his way out of the Penrith Stadium by the end of the week, according to Fox Sports.
The Eels have been looking to bolster their stocks before the June 30 transfer deadline and have done so through the signing of Blake, with the announcement of the Fijian international imminent.
Blake has signed a four and a half year deal, tying him to the Eels until the end of the 2023 NRL season.
Parramatta fans will have to wait a while until Blake dons the Eels' strip at Bankwest Stadium for the first time, with the 24-year-old sidelined until August after suffering a grade three medial ligament tear to his knee against - ironically - Parramatta.
Blake has played 88 games at the Panthers since making his NRL debut in 2015.
1. Gutho
2. Sivo
3. Jennings
4. Blake
5. Ferguson
6. Brown
7. Moses
Pretty darn good backline now, with lots of firepower and size. The team only really needs a big prop and some good role players.
They wont get near the top 4 while Moses is in the team
Yes 4 new props 2 backrowers, a hooker new halves and a new waterboy and eels are set.
This guy could play for NSW if he put the effort in. Good luck eels. I cant see Brad Arthur being able to get any more out of him than successive Penrith coaches. Lazy footballer.
Reed Mahoney is a solid hooker, Junior Paulo is a solid prop, Nathan Brown was a top 5 lock but has injuries. Shaun lane is going to be a solid second rower. Manu Mau is looking good this last month or so. They donโt need to much just some good role players. The type to but there head down and work not stand around and talk. Mitchell Moses is very hot and cold but with a good half next to him to help him lead the team around he will be great.
But thatโs the problem eels have, paying 650-750 plus more a season for what you said โsolidโ players.
You canโt build a pack around paulo or lane, Moses is never going to be a top half to steer a team around, the only way Nathan brown is a top 5 lock is if 11 others retire.
Eels need to admit like dogs have and just need a complete rebuild and stop paying big money for โsolid โplayers. Like Waqa Blake, he is in 600 a season also and not worth half of it