Sunday’s slaughter.
We can’t ignore it but neither should we now dwell on it.
Of course I’m disappointed but I want our players to pick themselves up and put their best self forward.
So as a fan up in the stands, I’ll leave last Sunday in the past. But, in looking forward, I’ll take the opportunity to reflect on the times I’ve seen attitude, desire and respect from our boys – times when our backs were against the wall. You see, I believe that those things simply went missing last week. Those qualities haven’t been destroyed.
Let’s take inspiration from our recent past.
Round 2, 2016: Parramatta vs Cowboys
I was so excited before the season started. The great saviour, Foran, had arrived and round 1 saw the team lined up against the Broncos at Parra Stadium. Unfortunately, the clash didn’t go to script and sadly the Eels got beaten up. Foran did not play and Norman was taken to hospital with a neck injury.
It was a disaster with star players injured, and the fans in the packed stadium left deflated.
The next opponent, the Cowboys, were the reigning champions.
Nobody told the players they couldn’t possibly win, because they didn’t just come up trumps on the scoreboard, they also won the battle of desire and attitude.
It was the first time in a long time that I saw the Western grandstand rise as one (as did the Cronin Stand) when we held Jonathan Thurston and his Premiership team out after 6 consecutive drop outs. Yes, we cheered the fact the scoreboard had not changed, but more importantly we witnessed the great attitude and desire now evident in BA’s Eels. It was a quality which would earn my admiration.
Round 19, 2016: Parramatta vs Penrith
The season had imploded with off-field salary cap dramas and on-field injuries.
The injury crisis saw Manu Ma’u at centre.
Our team had lost its points. Players such as Peats, Paulo, Norman, Foran, Takairangi, and Radradra had either left the club or were unavailable through injury. Ma’u had to play in the centres and Gutho was playing five-eighth alongside Jeff Robson. Michael Jennings was then injured in the middle of the match, with Beau Scott and Kenny Edwards taking turns to fill in at centre.
We lost the game on goal kicking, but won so much more.
The resilience and pride in performance was extraordinary. We even hailed a new king. We could all be proud of the team again and I knew that in 2017 I would be proud of the club again.
It was evident that our new club values of integrity, Respect, Excellence were being defined and written in stone long before our new board and CEO named them officially. We could also add some good old fashioned honesty.
Round 17, 2017: Parramatta vs Tigers
Easter Monday at ANZ, our 70th birthday game.
The Eels were coming off four straight losses and I went to the game hopeful rather than confident.
Bevan was injured, Norman could hardly run with his hamstring and Edwards was still suspended. They had not played great the week before against the Warriors, actually they were dreadful, but the fans turned up in big numbers for this important day.
As the Eels fell behind 18-10, Moses was lining up a kick for the Tigers. I was cursing and waned half the team dropped.
Gutho – he and Taka inspired their team mates.
Then I noticed 2 players, Gutho and Taka, blasting the players and looking them in the eye. I vividly remember Taka pointing to different parts of the crowd. I saw desire and attitude. I could see that he demanded that the players respect the occasion, respect the club. I could see that Gutho and Taka really wanted to win and demanded this from the other players.
From the ensuing restart, we started running harder and went from pathetic to brilliant all with the same players on the field. Many of the same players who in the previous 4 weeks and the first 60 minutes of this game had dropped ball after ball, given away absurd penalties, missed tackles – really soft tackles and looked disinterested, had somehow recaptured desire – and the crowd support followed.
In the following weeks we beat Penrith and the Cowboys. Our season started again and the Eels qualified for the finals in 4th place.
The point is that no matter why players lose desire, they are the only ones who can fix it.
BA made no structural changes in that game last year, we had no big props that came on, and Semi had a dreadful game – but the boys were made accountable on that field by Gutho and Taka.
I am not sure who or how or when the boys will make each other accountable, but it is up to them.
I’ll do my job. I’ll support, yell and cheer whatever team BA puts on the field, even if I disagree with it. The coaches will prepare tactics, just like they did last year to get us to the Top 4. Ultimately, it will come down to the attitude and desire of the players.
Our season is on the line, not with regard to points but rather attitude and desire to compete. For me, a win is not necessarily found on the scoreboard, but in that desire and commitment to compete.
This team has demonstrated on a multitude of occasions that they can rise against the odds. I know and believe to my core that it can return. And if it does, the rest of the season will take care of itself, regardless of the result this coming weekend.
The supporters will get behind the team.
This week is our new Easter Monday moment.
Last year we celebrated our birthday. This year, I predict we will witness the rebirth of the trust/ respect between our fans and players.
So given that I have now called on Eels players to be resilient, and rediscover that attitude and desire, then I will do the same.
My family and I will make the 5 hour round trip up to ANZ and I hope to see the Blue and Gold army with me. These players played a leading role in helping hold our club together in 2016 so let’s return the favour and help them.
Over to you boys, I will do my job and while some will call me crazy, I have faith you will do yours.
Integrity, Respect, Excellence (and Honesty) – find this in your performance, restore the pride – and we’ll be in the stands cheering you on.
Shelley
Here! Here! Rise up eels supporters and all cheers to Shelley – Great blog Shelley. Thanks.
Of course like many I was disappointed. Upon reflection this team has given us far more to be proud about and we need to be there to support them, just like they supported the club in 2016. I think if we support them, then in fact we can turn last Sunday into a positive. If not and we keep reminding them how bad they played, then it could turn ugly very quickly.
Sometimes the puns work better when not intended, when read in the right context.
Its quite interesting when one considers 2016, we were doomed to finish outside the top 8, yet all and sundry were supporting the team, and the coach. We played for pride and didn’t they get that in huge lumps?
2017, we reach the finals and most thought it was a fluke, after the event., Now we are in 2018, yes like you I am disappointed, and like many would have liked to have seen more changes to the run on squad, and said so.
Now we are two nights away from our next match, would love to be there but will be there if not physically, will be listening to the radio, if its broadcast and looking forward to a win. Best tonic for a pick me up.
Well done Shelley. If you gave that speech on the back of a horse, with half your face painted blue (and the other half gold) I’d follow you! I’ll be there. Let’s raise our voices and show our support, so the boys can show their commitment.
I’m.coming from Canberra for the game. In believe in what BA is doing, he will get them firing again and we will be back on track.
Well done! I know some have been very vocal and tashing everything Brad and the boys have achieved, but I think the majority of Parra’s supporters are far more resilient and will stick solid
OF COURSE….I remember the years when having 50 put on us was a regular occurrence….Separates the wheat from the chaff.
Two rounds so far in 2018..”Nothing great is Easy”
Shelley, what an inspiring blog, I can add the support of myself, my best mate/wife to yours and your family. We will be there at ANZ stadium and I believe we will be surrounded by many more faithful Parra fans too.
You hit the nail on the head there when you said this team can rise to the occasion when required. That is now. I believe among all the excuses for the loss against Penrith, complacency may have been one of them, accompanied by it’s bedfellow. A real lack of urgency! These two character flaws were trotted out again on Sunday with the result that you and the rest of us saw.
The good thing about delusion is that it is rarely sustainable when recognized. It’s antidote is to simply accept the truth. Yeah we are potentially a premiership winning team with better depth than we’ve had for a decade or more. Alas, potential does not win footy games, nor does skill, speed, strength and/or experience unless it is accompanied by conviction, determination, commitment and a never say die attitude.
I reckon we may see a bit more of that on Saturday evening. Go Parra!
Thank you. It is what I believe and I think the blue and gold army will be there on Saturday so badly wanting to get behind the boys. They just need to give us a reason in the game to cheer loudly. It is a big game for them and the club.
I don’t why but my last comment was published as anonymous, but I’ll take responsibility for calling our team “Delusional”, “complacent” and “having a real lack of urgency”
I too will be there and hope to see the level of effort and urgency we all know exists in our team.
PS- Not trying to be clever but just pointing out that the values are Integrity, Respect and Excellence. Throwing in some honesty certainly doesn’t hurt though, especially this past week.
Cheers mate, I’m going to do a small edit on Shelleys behalf. Appreciate that.
Thank you for noticing that, your absolutely correct.
That’s the passion that all Eels fans demonstrate! Well written. I think if any players or coaching staff see this, they will see we’re still backing them!
Good piece Shelley, i enjoyed it.
the quote below is interesting,
‘Then I noticed 2 players, Gutho and Taka, blasting the players and looking them in the eye. I vividly remember Taka pointing to different parts of the crowd. I saw desire and attitude. I could see that he demanded that the players respect the occasion, respect the club.’
To me this should not need to occur to if we want to be a top four team, that is what worries me. We seem to have some players who drop their bundle; i admire the work of Taka / Gutho but this is where the players should be instilled with respect for themselves and the team / club.
Effort is what we ask for as fans, and as someone said the other desire.
Milo, don’t totally agree but don’t totally disagree either.
In the games that I watch, and not just those with the eels in it, every team that I see that has a try scored against them usually has the captain rounding the players up and talking to them, sometimes very agitated. Its also common to see the on field trainer and bottle boy in the midst as well relaying messages to them from the coach.
Do these actions help or hinder? As I am not on the paddock to hear the discussions I have no answer for it. OTOH, I do see teams that look like shattered cattle and usually some in the huddle but there are also others spread across the in goal area with no interest in hearing what is said, which group/team show in their attitudes have a desire to right what has happened and those that don’t?
I read elsewhere that some say a coach can only give the team a spray once a year, as any more are done to those who have deaf ears. I personally think that there are possibly too many players in the game that are in it for the money, and for some form of being stars that are lauded by the fans, at times showy and at other times with no lustre at all. Others love the game and the club they play for, these are the players needed, and should be able to blast themselves when they drop off.
Yes Col, i see that. I guess my main point is the players should have the effort / desire inside them to perform. To me we at times seem drop our bundle, and i do not mean the whole team, only some but it does affect the team.
Anyway its a good article by Shelley.
I just worked out what OTOH is!!
Unfortunately Milo, dropsy is contagious. And by that I mean, dropping/switching off, once one does it, it tends to spread.
The article is an excellent one indeed, and has brought good responses to it.
I can see that point Col; i think some strong teams handle it better! No pun intended
Colin in that last sentence I think that you just described the Storm
Well said Shelley, I am with you all the way, you’re either a supporter or not. I have withdrawn from 2 Eels fan sites this week because I am sick of the way they denigrate the players and coach. Yesterday while picking my grandkids up from school 1 of the fathers turned wearing an Eels hoodie and supporters cap, he was greeted with laughter and when asked why he wore it after Sundays game he said “I wear it when we win and I wear it when we loose”. That’s the type of supporter we need.
My sentiments also Skippy.
I wish they could understand what disloyalty and unfaithfulness do to undermine a society.
What would these people do in time of war if they can’t be loyal to a footy team?
Well said
Churchillian speech Shelly. What are you doing 5 minutes before game time on Saturday Night. Maybe BA could use you.
Well said.
Love your loyalty and passion Shelley, and like you, we will will make the 5 hour return trip to the game, determined to show our support. Every Eels supporter would be disappointed with the start of the season, it’s not something we expected, but we need to get behind the team and show our support, it’s not the time for showing emotional immaturity.
You are either a glass half full or a glass half empty type of person, and I love the fact that this site attracts the glass half full type.
Good luck to Brad and the team this weekend.
I was disappointed and certainly let my thoughts be known about Sunday. But it happened and you move forward. This club is as much about the fans as it is the players, as are all NRL clubs. If we stayed fixated on Sunday and wont move forward, how can we expect the players to. It is up to the players on Saturday night how they perform, I really care little about the result, but more about the performance.I trust Brad and and the coaches. He sees what is happening each day. If he feels he should stick with the players then that tells me I should as well. Putting in young kids, to give them a chance will hurt them and the club if they are not ready.
You say thing good Shelley. I agree.
Shelley loving your contribution to TCT. Just one thing though, if we keep using that photo of our own follower, Hamsammich, he may start charging. Although between us, he loves that he has been immortalised in the go to shot of eels fans. Very jealous Ham!
I’m the one guilty of dropping in Ham’s photo on a regular basis. Trying to get to the point where Eels fans stop him in the street.
Great work in your compiling this piece. I was there when Manly clocked us at Parra Stadium many years ago and there again at Brooky on Sunday. We all feel the pain of the Brooky massacre last Sunday and we all vent in different ways and expressions.
The elegance and grace of your written words always demonstrates your passion whilst expressing the reality of what all Parra fans feel. I commend you as being a lady of knowledge and grace and someone I think many on theTCT would like to have drink with and talk footy with
Thank you, much appreciated. I was taught to love and respect the skill of footy, especially my Eels, by my wise and wonderful grandfather.
Great write up Shelley. Warmed the cockles of my heart.
Shelley. Completely off topic, I think that there is something wrong with the photo of the stadium on your header.
The artists impression of the WSS shows the corporate boxes on the Western side. However it shows the setting sun shading the Eastern stand. Of course it could be an early morning game showing the sun rising.