In case you somehow didn’t already know, the NRL today finalised the punishment handed down to the Parramatta Eels football club, after the latter were given a chance to respond to the original breach notice.
Yes, it is incredibly disappointing for us fans.
Yes, it is no doubt even more disappointing for the players.
I can’t imagine how tough it is on BA and the coaching staff.
Yet, even today, even the very day such a decision become (effectively) final – it’s already time to move on.
All in all the decision was effectively the same punishment as before – the maximum $1 million fine, deduction of 12 competition points, de-registration of 5 Parramatta officials and the stripping of the Auckland Nines trophy. There was also one additional punishment – the removal of our +/- accumulated from the first nine rounds (which I actually think is pretty reasonable, and if we win all our remaining games, won’t really make a difference).
Yet despite the penalty – BA isn’t dwelling on it, and according to their performance on the field this season – nor are the players. I listened to another classy interview from BA on Triple M today, and I couldn’t imagine a more considered and intelligent response to what’s been the most ridiculous season (or even few weeks) for a rugby league club in living memory. He said he and the boys have dealt with it, and are ready for the games to come, one week at a time. If they can look to the future, surely too should we, the fans.
Because there’s a coach that needs to be encouraged.
There’s players that need to know we’re still behind them.
There’s a team of people that need our support.
They’ve dealt with the disappointment, they’ve come to terms with it – the least we could do is stand with them.
Surely there’s been enough sprouting Greenburg conspiracies, and assassinations of smug journalistic characters. Enough pretending we don’t deserve to be punished, or that the NRL are out to get us. Enough claiming that what we did was fine because “every club does it”.
None of these are valid excuses, and we certainly don’t support a team who find such excuses. We support a team who gets up and keeps going – no matter the obstacle. Regardless of the marquee signing bungles, Leagues Club election farces. Regardless of the player arrests, or stubborn board arrogance. No matter the social media madness, props and hookers mid season departures, flings with French Rugby, accusations of domestic violence and gambling addictions. Our once touted saviour leaving (only for a prodigal son to soon return). Not even endless salary cap scandals will bring this club to its knees.
We have more heart than that.
We have more ticker than that.
This isn’t the team of old, we no longer look for the easy way out.
The fans’ response needs reflect the team’s on field response – man up and get on with it.
We’ll do the time and come out better for it. If we move on, so we the rest of the civilised world, and then eventually the Daily Telegraph will follow.
This could very well be the likely catalyst to ensuring Parramatta is the club it should be. The merit proposal (eelsegm.com) could be the best thing to happen to this club since 1986 (although Brad Arthur would still give that title a shake).
Even after listing all that’s gone wrong in recent times, I still will disagree with anyone who says this is the worst season we’ve ever had. I don’t know about you, but I’d prefer to win a game for no competition points than lose a game worth competition points. I’ve had endless frustrations this seasons regarding my team, but I’ve also had 10 victories to cheer for, and great hope for 2017 onwards.
Someone once said “Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.”
As such, like this team has shown, I prefer instead to wait in hope for the coming tastes of victory.
-M
I will proudly echo your sentiments here mate. Wise words that I hope the fans and the board can follow. Excellent post.
Thanks mate. Much appreciated.
One thing I probably disagree with you is the position of TPAs in 2017 & 2018. I believe (perhaps wrongly) that the NRL has simply said that ALL TPAs are guaranteed by the club. I cannot believe that every TPA was a sham and some were sourced correctly. If so I would hope that the board members undertake court action to get a neutral referee to pass judgement on the validity on all or some of these TPAs. Otherwise these will have a detrimental effect on our roster for the next 2 years.
I could be wrong but I was under the impression that such a rule only applied to the TPAs that were specifically guaranteed by the club, not every TPA any players at our club had.
Otherwise agree with everything you have written, if you do the crime you do the time! We cheated and were caught, simple.
Miatch has written a post that I wholeheartedly endorse. Right here, right now, as fans we can help to right this ship. Get behind the team – they deserve it. Get behind the merit-based selection plan for a new board. We all deserve that. If you can’t vote, spread the word to those that can. Be a part of moving forward.
Besides the product on the field and the leadership of BA, the EGM might yet be the best part of an otherwise frustrating year.
Totally agree with everything you have said. The NRL can take the points but they can’t take our 10 wins. They can’t take the fact that our team are united and playing their hearts out for the blue and gold. I think Brad Arthur is the best thing to happen to this club in a long time, he has had to deal with more than any coach in the history of the club but he has handled it like to true professional that he is.
June, the sooner the club acknowledges the work of BA and his staff the better!
60’s I have only just made a reply, as I started on one earlier which ended up in cyber space, I guess, in a sense similar to the points. No one can deny the team, coach & all those involved who take the field each game day that this club is a winner, that is something they cannot remove or deny.
June, what you have said shows the simplicity of being positive for the future, what has been taken away does in no way compare with what we & the staff take with them on the training & playing field week in & out, that will be forever etched into the entity & identity of the eels forever. The ten wins will be very much built on for the remainder of this year & onwards.
All hail King Arthur.
Thank you for writing this. You are 100% correct. In order for the club to move on it has to accept responsibility for its actions, and as such we as fans must also acknowledge the faults. Its would be immature to suggest anything less. Not doing so would, in my mind, be a slap in the face and only promote more of the same moving forward. The players, coaching staff and supporters deserve better. It’s about time that those responsible accept their punnishment, whilst those others who have been undermining us step aside in the name of unity, and for others who feel we have been unjustly treated to accept the decision so we can focus our energy and effort on turning this great club around.
To those who have abandoned a sinking ship, let me tell you that the ship is still floating and if anything has proven its resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity and insult.
What’s done is done. For all our sake lets instead instill a culture of honesty, strength, support and unity. The players, the coaching staff and the fans should expect nothing less.
Superb response Adam. Well said!
Thank you sixties, I am a cunning linguist!
In all seriousness though things must change. Einstein rightly said that the definition of insanity is doing the same things again and again hoping for a different result. Unfortunately we have been guilty of this for far too long. Its time for a new culture at the club.
It was strange how all of madness happening at Parra became less and less surprising as the year went on.
A new opportunity – a new leaf.
Very well said Miatch.
It’s time we as a collective stopped crying foul and it’s certainly time we all stopped playing the victim.
I’ll admit there’s some things about the investigation that have rubbed me the wrong way, but only from a congruency perspective that ensured and maintained the integrity of the investigation, both from the NRL’s and the club’s perspective.
For too long the line spoken has been “If only…” with this club. If only we had these players. If only we had this coach. This CEO. This etc, etc.
Followed by sentiments of “They’re out to get us”. The NRL. The refs. The media.
Our coaching staff and playing squad have drawn a line in the sand – they did this back in November 2013 when Brad Arthur was first appointed. They are all accountable for their own actions and what they can control, as supporters, it’s our duty to reciprocate in kind.
There are no excuses in our playing group or coaching staff and this is a quality that needs to extend across the club holistically .
We have the means to be as great as we want to be – 550,000 supporters Australia wide; a strong junior nursery that continues to produce high quality rugby league players; a thriving leagues club that’s expanding; a strong coaching system from first grade down, a squad of players who believe in themselves and the club; and now the merits-based selection plan which will ensure that the best quality administrators and board members are there to uphold corporate governance and strong business practices.
Many people may view this as a dark day and unfortunately for some individuals, it is. However, it has never been a better time to be a Parramatta supporter – we are building ladies and gentlemen, and those things that have been limiting us in the past are now out in the open and can be laid to rest. There are ready made solutions to these ‘problems’, it just relies on the members to take some accountability of their own and to enact it – the merits-based selection plan is that final cog. We do this and we become the powerhouse we should have always been.
That and signing Brad Arthur up long-term yesterday will go a long way to helping us.
P.S. – as a side note, I honestly don’t care if we ever play for points or for a trophy ever again. It’s just damn great to see the spirit and tenacity of a side that never gives in, that believes in themselves and doesn’t die wondering. It’s only a few years ago that we all would have killed for that and now we have it. let’s do our part as supporters and get what needs to be done done – support the merits-based selection plan and attend the games wearing your merchandise, singing click go the eels loud and proud!
Too true Clint. As fans we have two things that we can do. Firstly, we need to do everything in our power to ensure the type of change that can take us forward. That is merit-based selection of a board of directors. Secondly, this team deserves our full support. Get to the game! Get behind your team!
I also forgot to say that Chris was on triple M today and spoke well and with clarity and common sense. Surely the directors have to go and not even think of appealing today’s decisions.
Completely agree on both points
Good accurate and honest account Miatch.
Make sense. I also heard BA on triple m, and he was and is a breath of fresh air.
Should be coach of the year, but no doubt it won’t happen cause of our situation.
I would argue Mitchy that it should happen because of our situation. However, one would think Flanagan will get the vote after turning it around from 2014 or Bellamy with his continued work with the Storm.
He 100% won’t get it, but honestly should.
He’s been unbelievable.
I’ll have to get a link. Or just call the bloke.
Actually forget that, I’ll get a link.
In all seriousness, it actually saddens me that there are multiple EGMs – why combat something that could only work out in favour of the club? Seems bonkers to me. Nonetheless, hopefully reform eliminates the factions of yesteryear and the worst is behind us in any case.
well written blog mitch, whole heartedly agree.
Thanks mate. Hope you’re well
Miatch, well put & I totally agree.
The decision has been made, the points have already been removed, 5 of the clubs board members/football club head have also been deregistered, & now that is all in the past. I do not believe that any good will be had should they try to challenge the decision, for any of them, nor for the club. In the same way the supporters, & I mean the real supporters rather then those who call themselves fans, & have become bitter, need to lay that bitterness, disappointment aside & look forward as well as plan towards the future.
At the current time the eels sit as follows in 12th spot that is on the ladder, we have 8 games left to play should we win all of those games we can end up with 28points, with a rough chance of slipping into the finals. Do I believe they can do it? My answer is based on what I saw last night against the chickens. A big YES. I believe the decision as hard as it, more than anything else has released the safety valve on the whole of the playing staff, coaches & all associated with the work side of the eels football club. They have been playing incredibly with the threat over their heads, now the threat is removed & they can breath a collective sigh of relief, & know its not going to get any worse than this.
Off the paddock what now has to happen is that the EGM is called & set in place, I am all for the set up that Phil & Chris has been pushing for, that has to happen very very soon, whats left of the board also has to realize they have no choice but to call the EGM & set a date, in the meantime the team will be doing their best on the field. The hope I have is that this all will happen well before our last home game this year, at which game in my honest opinion & feeling will see the last segment of the past finish.
In round 25, on Monday 29th August the eels play the dragons, the last game at Pirtek stadium, following that game the gates close & will only open to allow the bulldozers in to demolish the stadium, to me what a fitting end to this mongrel year off the paddock, & the last nail in our old coffin will be hammered in. Next year will be away from this old situation in more ways then one, the old has & will be gone, 2 years or whatever, we start afresh, & then wait until the eels return to play at the new stadium, the ensuring years of playing will hold us high. & only the new to be treasured in every way,
Nice sentiment re the bulldozer – leaving the ghosts of this year behind us. Well said mate.
I’m ready to move on I have been for weeks. I see this like a bushfire burning everything away so new growth can come through.
However, I can’t see it happening.
The famous five have their reputation to protect/reinforce. Either way they have to appeal it. Hopefully the EGM will sort that crap out.