This post requires a preface. It’s an opinion piece driven by the times. As a Parramatta Eels fan in the vintage category, I’ve seen my share of tough times. Yet nothing in the history of my beloved Eels club compares to the extraordinary circumstances that we now face. The events of 2016 and the media circus surrounding them are testing my character as a supporter. I cannot possibly imagine the questions that are being posed to our team on a weekly or a daily basis. Yet I intend to explore what the Eels are facing in order to overcome the almighty hurdle of facing the Cowboys in Townsville today.
Let’s Be Realistic
No other club is participating in this competition under the same pressure as the Eels. Naturally every team faces its own challenges. Can we go back to back with our titles? Will our supporters stick through our rebuilding process? Can our coach survive against an internal push for his head? How will we solve our ownership issues? Such questions abound throughout the NRL and they bring their own brand of pressure. But how many other clubs regularly have their legitimate participation in the 2016 Premiership questioned on a daily basis?
How does a team deal with this pressure? Sure, it’s all speculation driven by a media that thrives on drama to sell their publications or to drive internet clicks. Yet inside all of that speculation lies a certainty that a decision of some impact awaits the club. That we cannot avoid.
How has Brad Arthur, his coaching staff and the team dealt with this?
In the main, the potential loss of competition points has not been discussed within the group. Arthur has been able to keep the focus on the football. However, BA is noted for not tolerating BS. With this in mind, as “D Day” seems to be approaching in terms of an NRL decision, you can bet that our coach will have been up front with his charges. The media has not let up. Our captain has now offered his thoughts. The test of the team is undoubtedly upon us.
Foran believes the Eels can overcome adversities surrounding the Salary Cap dramas.
The Draw Has Not Been Easy
With all of the off-field drama, Parramatta has arguably faced one of the toughest draws. Two matches against the Cowboys, two clashes with the Bulldogs, and an opening round against the Broncos have all been scheduled within the first 9 rounds. Such a calendar would test the mettle of the strongest team.
Yet the football department has welcomed this draw. The best way to focus a team’s resolve is to continue to ask questions on the field. What better way than to begin the season than with almost finals series contests! Are we in any doubt that this current Parramatta team is in this season up to their eyeballs? The results achieved by the Eels thus far would generate pride in any season, let alone this year.
The Cowboys Match
Is there a harder “road trip” than taking on the Cowboys in Townsville? Hot and humid playing conditions sap the strength of even the fittest teams. A true home ground advantage exists for the team that prepares every week in these climes. Little wonder that the Cowboys have notched up some one sided score lines already this year.
As the reigning premiers, the Cowboys seem to have an almost arrogant swagger about them this year. It’s a positive arrogance that comes from the self belief that success delivers. And why wouldn’t they be confident? They have a great spine, led by the number one player in the world, an Origin quality pack and effective finishers in their backline.
This is the challenge awaiting the Eels this week. Sure the Eels already boast a victory over the Cowboys this year. However, the Eels undoubtedly surprised them with their relentless aggression in that match. We can expect the Cowboys to be better prepared this time. And we again return to the backdrop of the Salary Cap dramas now looming larger over the team.
There is a great resolve in this Eels unit.
That Time To Shine
It’s a big call, but I see this match as one of the greatest challenges facing the club in its 70 year history (and that’s not to say that we won’t face greater challenges this year!). As a fan who has witnessed every Parramatta Grand Final, multiple wooden spoon years, and the dramas surrounding the Hartley refereeing controversies, I’ve known my share of good and bad times. Yet, I’ve not known anything like the incessant pressures of this year.
Right now, this week, this match, feels like the ultimate test. If it were a home match it would be the ultimate call to arms for the fans. It would be our time to shine, to turn up in great numbers and in loud voice to get behind the team. We can’t provide that backdrop for the players this week. This only adds to the challenge facing the Eels.
Basing my prediction on what I have observed at training this week, I would suggest that Brad Arthur has the team in a very good place right now – both in their play nd their headspace. The plays were executed sharply and there were plenty of smiles on show. It left me feeling confident.
That said, if our Parramatta team can match or overcome the Cowboys in Townsville today, I will lock this encounter away as one of the defining moments in our club’s rich history. It will define our coach and team as being made of the sternest resolve (though of that I’m already convinced).
Get behind our boys and show them that you are made of the same.
Go you mighty Eels!
Sixties
All images courtesy of the Parramatta Eels
Sixties
A wonderful post indeed. It also not just sums up what is going on, but it really shows how much resolve is in the team & coaching staff. I feel sure that the time BA spent as Melbourne assistant under Bellamy when they were hit with the savage fines & points loss as well as season of no points in 2010, will have helped him in dealing with the eels current off field drama. One thing on that topic is that the eels drama, very much pales into insignificance to the Storm breaches, but at this point of time nothing that is totally concrete & proven has been released by the media, thus innuendo & speculation are the items that are all we really know.
Once whatever decision the NRL make & there has been meetings with the NRL by our board or at least Chairman & CEO, the truth can come out & then we head into the new world with a clear sheet into the future.
I have no doubt that BA is hurting, as are the players & support staff but at the same time the resolve is there right across the board that they will come out of it with heads held high, I see both a physical toughness in the club, but more than that there is a mental & inner spiritual toughness as well, that makes what I believe is a steely resolve to play for each other, coach & supporters, they will play with pride & heads held high. Winning in Townsville is doable, & the way they perform will be a testament to them & all who support them.
I have said on the 1eeyed site, & may have also said here, so forgive the repeat here. I am not going to say what a worst case scenario may be, but no matter what, the reaction to whatever takes place by the supporters will be very much paramount in any recovery for the players, any mass fall away from matches will show the fans as being defeated, & not just angrily venting themselves against the NRL & whoever else they want to, including board members, past & present, but the worst of it will be all of the eels teams, players, coaches & support staff will see that they have been abandoned by the supporters.
Running onto any paddock with a half empty stadium will hurt the players more, especially when the seats are likely to be filled with the opposition teams supporters. I sat many years back with a ground crowd or 1500 when the eels played Easts we got walloped 50 something to 8, it was disheartening, but I am sure the players who looked around the ground as they ran on would have felt worse, & would have lifted the Easts players, as there were more banners (old days of home made signs only seen) for them than for the eels.
If I get the chance to travel down I will make sure I get there & try to stand up & cheer them on to the field, at every move. More especially if we get a harsh & unfair punishment. Eels supporters show what that word really means when diversity comes, & then you will be well rewarded but those on the field moreso.
I’ve tried to touch on the problems around the cap dramas without focussing on them. They are the elephant in the room. However, my intent is still to give praise to the team for what they are achieving at this time and to draw everyone’s attention to what an amazing effort it will be to defeat the Cowboys.
I have been following your comments on 1ee with great interest Colin. They are very important, especially your opinions about retaining and upgrading BA’s contract. Keep the push going mate.
Thanx 60’s. Half thinking that BA may actually have said to Sharp that he wants the drama out of the way before any new contract stuff is spoken about, likely same with the main players as well. While Corey has had offers from the club & at least Penrith, that is likely more being done by his agent. Once its settled likewise the Choc insurance it may well be then when we see some moves.
We as supporters must give our all in what we say to show those that matters, that they matter to us, & we want them on top even when things conspire against them & us. I will push it at the appropriate times, & would love others to do the same.
You’ve done it again….Hairs on the back of my neck standing on end…Reading that – I want to pull the boots on again and run through a brick wall….although tissue paper would be more appropriate at my age..
Thanks Pete. Felt compelled to write it.
The draw definitely hasn’t been easy. If you assign each team a number based on where they are currently placed i.e Broncos 16, Cowboys 15, Sharks 14, Eels 13 etc. It shows that we’ve had the 3rd hardest draw, all of our opponents added up gives us 67 points which is the highest of any team currently in the top 8. The two teams that have had harder draws are Penrith who have 70 points and the Dragons who have a whopping 81 points. The Rabbitohs have had the easiest draw so far with their number only at 39 (not including last night’s game) which was lowered a lot due to the fact that they’ve played the Roosters twice.
Interesting perspective Ham and why I still rate Penrith. Great insight mate.
Agreed. What an interesting way of analysing the draw Ham. Kudos!
Rocky beat Drago in The USSR. Give us your best Cowboys. We are Parramatta and we wont be deigned.
Go you Mighty Eels.
Ham that is a very interesting analysis. I think I may add it to my other off the wall forms of analysis. I use a method of “power Rating” by combining where the teams rate defensively and the level of experience in each team. It currently has the current top four teams in the same order that they are currently in on the points table coming into Rnd 8.
We are definitely on the same wave-length today Sixties, I hadn’t even seen your article before posting mine!
We have forever struggled in Townsville, with our last victory coming there 16 years ago! Although there have been plenty of years where we haven’t played up there, it is still a telling statistic and it makes today’s game even more challenging (not withstanding current circumstances).
To call it a defining moment in the Club’s history is not the slightest bit out of place – this game is huge in the context of things – regardless of tonight’s result, we will learn everything we need to know about our side.
I’m Big Kev excited!
Is Townsville the toughest road trip in the NRL at the moment. Cowboys a great side, oppressive climate, long flight and a large vocal crowd.
I’d suggest that it is John. No doubt that it’s as tough as winning at Suncorp, but with the weather conditions thrown in.