“He deserves to…he is better than this…I can’t believe…”
Enough of the excuses!
I know a review into our season is being conducted and I accept far greater footy minds will understand what went wrong in terms of the football organisation, but I work in and around people, lots of people, everyday, and from the stands my view is simple – we need to rid ourselves of this talk and the people who continually use it.
In my experience this is language used by people who are weak and don’t want to be held accountable. It is excuse making and counterproductive to moving forward.
All year, including this past week when the players should have been focusing on winning an important game, I have heard our players, coaches and even fans say these things. Player X is too good for reserve grade. Player X deserves to be in the team, we must find a place for him in the 17. And finally the most annoying of all, I can’t believe we are sitting last on the table.
We need a reset. More importantly we need players, especially our senior players and or leaders to stop saying this and making the excuses available for people to hide behind.
No player has a right to be in first grade. Once they earn the spot, they then must keep it by playing well and contributing; by doing their job. Some of our first grade players are in reserve grade because they have repeatedly played poorly. I dare say if it was not for injury and players who left mid season they would be joined by more.
We deserved this!
The simple fact is we are coming last because we have had far too many games in which too many players have simply not performed, not contributed to a win by doing their job and or being disciplined.
Last Friday we had no chance of winning unless we could stop the go forward from Scott, McLean and Taumalolo. We all knew it, the players certainly knew it and after the first set of six I can comfortably say we all knew the game was over. Yes we had injuries and some of our best forwards out, but no team will be consistent winners if they can’t absorb and change momentum.
We all knew the Cowboys would get the calls and would be given assistance from the opening whistle. So prepare for it and deal with it. But last Friday, just like most games this year, some of our players simply threw their hands up, complained, lost discipline and rolled over. The harsh reality from the game, just like many this year, is that some of our forwards meekly buckled and our playmakers went missing.
When it is a one off you can rightfully say a person deserves a chance to rectify it. So yes in my eyes BA deserves a chance. From my perspective BA got the Top 30 squad balance terribly wrong this year and he must accept responsibility for that. However, the NRL Top 30 rules mean a coach cannot rectify this mistake until the next year.
BA must farewell some of our favourites.
I will reserve judgement on BA until I see the final Top 30 squad for next year. Change must occur. His loyalty to some players must end as they have had multiple chances to fix the errors, to become more disciplined both on and off the field, to improve their contribution towards us winning – and they simply have not done so.
It is time to move forward.
That means my family and I will be at ANZ stadium next game and will be cheering for this team. We are thankful that this is our last game for the year and last home game at the soulless ANZ.
We also recognise that we should be watching some players pull on the Parra jersey for the last time. I can accept that some of the players who should not be in our squad next year are talented and are favourites of mine, but they are not what we need moving forward and I dare say a change may be as good for them as it will be for us.
So I will thank them, wish them the best and cheer for them one last time.
It’s said that the greatest sign of insanity is to do the same thing again and expect a different result. If the Top 30 squad for 2019 is not significantly different to this year’s, if the tough choices are not made, if some of our young players are not elevated and replace older guys in the squad, then BA will be signing his own death warrant.
For my family and I that would be so the most upsetting outcome from this cataclysmic year.
No more excuses!
Shelley
Yes the refs helped the result BUT our refusal to lock the ball up and stop their offloading meant we were never going to win. Countless times 2 or 3 players tackled their player yet the ball still came out.
And during the offseason, someone please, work on our edge defence, its deplorable.
And someone work on our attack, again deplorable. We need to offload more and play ad lib football, but do we have the forwards for it?
And finally someone get into their minds and build a resilient, tough and uncompromising team that’ll try to the end. Really we are a soft and mentally weak team and have been for as long as I can remember!
I am not a person who sees any good in blaming, but surely you have to first admit the problem. To hear BA take blame entirely himself made me mad. I get it on some level as he is protecting his players from the media frenzy, but I would hope that at some stage more honest conversations are being held behind closed doors. Example I really like Bevan French but he was dropped because he was not playing well and was being targeted. He is still good and I would hate for him to go but to simply say he is too good for reserve grade is not healthy. At his best he is in fact too good for reserve grade but he was not playing at his best. Too many games have been lost because some of our senior players have lost composure. To simply say ‘we know we are better’ etc.. will not fix it. Hope is not a method. We need to find the solution not offer up excuses. I have faith BA is the man that can do this as he never looks for excuses.
Shelley totally agree with you especially re the senior players, I said over on the other site that some of the players should hand their salary back as to non performance and one player in particular a seasoned international and rep player who was shone over by his basically unknown younger brother. BA cops the blame but did the coach drop the balls, did he miss the tackles and go missing in the games? If so its all his fault but, I don’t see it that way and I don’t see the coach giving a game plan that means they will lose, also he had given the play makers to make their calls.
I also agree with you re Bev, he simply has lost his confidence and is it injury related as well. He’s a small player but one with big abilities to which he has shown out previously, so he’s no Crusoe in that arena.
You should take up coaching glenn
My impression is that we will have a revamped squad next season but maybe sixtys could outline that better than me with signings and juniors exected in our top 30 next season ,might add looking at end of 2019 is even more interesting with a fortune off finished players coming of contract ,norman, jennings , taka , manu ,hoffman ,french ,moses but again sixtys could outline this better than me . BA might finally have a squad for our future .
Shelley, thanks for that post, and to me it would resinate with every eels supporter.
I often, and maybe too often go to the eels home page and look at the gallery pages, & up until recently the ISP team gallery has only had around 6 or so photo’s of the players and some info on them, the rest are named, but just big black empty spaces for their photo’s. and this year there has not even been an Flegg team profile page, both disappoint me with the lack of promotion/profiling. I guess the black and empty photo’s is truly an indication of where the eels have been this year.
It doesn’t seem that long ago that BA announced that every player was on notice and said there were to be, or likely to be 10 players not signed for next year, also he indicated some who were still on contract beyond this year, at that time, it seemed along with a new trainer that the team improved a bit in some areas, trouble is that even though we managed a few extra wins, we still lost too many games by small points, and a few by big margins. That showed the general inconsistencies in the team, and few were exempt from that dep’t either.
At that time one of our senior players who has an option in his favour decided he was going to take that option up, well I wonder if he deserved it as a few interviews with him sounded great but seemed hollow on the field though, will he show his worth next year?
It doesn’t help either that our round 25 injured list has three vital players on it, yet they have been part of our defeats as well at least they are under contract for next year though.
The old malady of the eels regarding next year comes to the fore, of the reported and known signings I am happy about, although a couple of them I’m not so much happy about, and my hope is that the club does not simply go for big boppers for the sake of it, reminiscent of a move years back by Brian Smith who had a smaller pack and were steamrolled and then targeted big players in the forwards which really did not help much.
My hope then is for next year and the players that are to be signed, preferably I would have new signings put on hold until the review is completed along with who will be the Football manager, also our coaching staff as well. No doubt BA will have the names of players he wants retained and signed from outside, but unless they are real value players as far as abilities are concerned, then I would like to see a holding back.
To me, our team this year in the main really had not a lot of resolve, although several players gave of their best every week, there are enough of those players still on the books next year and will be the conerstones of where we will build. Any player who signs a contract needs to be 100% committed to the club, teammates, coach and supporters, in every area of their being, if not, please leave or do not come.
The last thing I want to see is a team with players that do not have a resolve to train and play at their best every week, not be daunted by the opposition, but always believe and know they can be beaten and we are the team that can do it.
I agree with so much of what you said. To me there are two areas we simply must fix as nothing else will work without it.
1) We have to work out our halves situation. I will be honest, on the field I am a Norman fan but he has been so inconsistent this year ( although the constant media speculation would not be easy to deal with) but if he is a bad influence off the field, being unprofessional, with so many young kids coming up he would be a risk to keep.
Moses in my eyes is super talented but plays like a kid who has had 10 teaspoons of sugar before the game. We need a controlling halve and he has not proved to me yet that he can be that.
I will trust BA to make the choice, but unfortunately I think a choice must be made between them.
2) We need 2-3 bigger forwards, who can offload. I really like Junior combing back and I don’t know enough about our young kids coming up to know if they are ready. Lane looks promising. Hopefully Brown, Mau can stay fit next year. Tepai and Peni have impressed me in the later part of the year. So I am actually happy with the potential in our forwards next year.
Shelley I am with you in regard to Norman and Moses, thing is that they both worked together ok last season, this year they are not working together, with the combo misfiring, Norms went well in the 1 spot for I game then? ambling around and really let in one try in the last game without really trying to get to the bouncing ball in the in goal area. Moses has become very one dimensional in kicks and little variety in his general play,
One thing to me is that one of them needs to go before next year, but who will take them and how much will we have to pay towards their contracts.
Thing is that Salmon is not ready for first grade yet, hopefully a good off season will help him. Moses insists he is a 7 but needs to show it but maybe the answer could be in the Juniors in Dylan Brown.
I am not too worried with the forwards for next year, with those injured ATM should come back fit for next year, the talk of Taupau coming is a mixed one for me, he adds some aggression but seems to be playing less minutes this year at Manly, he would be a handy pick up though and would add respect to the pack. I would like to see Trex given a years contract and if injury free and based on his early form can add to the pack.
The main signings though should be in the support staff to lend assistance to BA, in particular with good tactical skills, the eels attack needs to be sharpened I like Jiminez and his signing but would like to see another defensive coach rather than Kidwell, while he seems to have helped it is not enough really owing to the amount of holes that still develop.
Thanks Shelley, great read. A season of massive disappointment, it sure was. But if
I could sum up the season with one word, the word would be Failure. We came 4th in 2017 instead of reviewing and preparing what we needed to win the comp, we did nothing! Failing to prepare is preparing to fail! Failed to appreciate the loss of Semi! Failed to see 20 tries per season is worth more than $1million, Failure to see that Semi got people to the game! Failed preseason. Fail only 1 trial game, Failure to respond to changes within the game. Failure to adapt or change from last years game plan, Failure to hold players accountable for mistakes and errors. Failure to respond to the changes in officiating this year, A culture of failure has pervaded the team all year and you could argue this for the decades before.
You can’t succeed by standing still! We must stop accepting mediocrity as the norm!
I fail to get your point
Things are never a failure long term if you are honest, learn what went wrong and fix it. Ultimately we could look back and say this season was beneficial. But we need everyone, players, coaches, admin and even us fans to take responsibility for our role and improve. The gossip spread by fans at the start of this year certainly did not help. It fed the media frenzy and created a negative vibe before a ball was kick. We all need to be better, but ultimately the players must want to. That should be the ultimate criteria for keeping or recruiting players. They can have all the talent in the world but are they willing to be honest and work hard to ensure this season is not repeated. If not, no matter how talented they are, we can not keep them.
Absolutely, and that last sentence should be made very clear to all the players.
Without giving things away im sure sixtys could give a clear insight of BA s thoughts regarding the pathways forward 2019 and the accent on youth that seems to be happening and why its taken this long ..
Superb article Shelley; as Tony Abbott once said, ‘ we need lifters not leaners’. I will refrfrom adding more; loved th article and its 100% spot on. Your article highlights some of the issues.
I just get concerned about who we purchase for 2019; and tbh 5-6 forwards are out who would be in NRL. Our halves have not performed consistently and we need good strong leaders on the field and BA has to move on some favs
I think it was the chief leaner himself who said that. Joe Hockey.
Think Rudd was a fair leaner…..
Thanks. I don’t really know the answers, I just think that having clear and simple goals is important and players developing a trust/belief in those around them is crucial for any good team but it takes time. From the first game this year there has been so much switching in key positions and as result in games our team has looked like a group of strangers playing together for the first time. Different fullbacks- even switching in games, different centre- wing combinations, different left/ right second rowers. I know some came about as a result of injuries and eventually players being dropped because of form but I think a mentality about certain players needing to be in the team at all cost has hurt us. I want us to pick the two best wingers, the 4 best middle forwards etc and if a favourite or well known player is not the best then they are left out. If they don’t want to play the position they are required to then let them go. Someone else will come along, they always do.
“It’s said that the greatest sign of insanity is to do the same thing again and expect a different result.” We had pretty much the same squad this year as last year and got a very different result. Unfortunately these players all played worse (age in brackets):
Auva’a (26)
Brown (25)
Edwards (29)
French (22)
Gutherson (24)
Mennings (30)
King (27)
Matagi (30)
Moses (24)
Norman (27)
Scott (34)
Smith (26)
Takairangi (29)
Vave (29)
Of all those, only Scott is old enough to have declined due to natural causes. The next oldest (Jennings and Matagi) are only 30. They should still be at their peak (though not for long).
Anyway, I agree there needs to be a cleanout. Some of these blokes seem to be the type that can’t perform when they’re comfortable, and there are a few who appear to be far too comfortable at Parramatta. It suggests a worrying lack of leadership.
Really thoughtful and constructive Shelly. I agree with you. This doesn’t have to be a long term situation if decisions are made quickly, and they can be. As much we know Norman and Moses have struggled this year, the best halves in the world (Thurston for instance with the Cowboys) can’t perform behind beaten packs. And you have addressed this. Just a few more forwards with impact would make the world of difference. Anyway, I guess, we shall watch this space, but we do need strong older players to help guide the young guys coming through. Great work though Shelly, and thanks for all your insight. You, Mitch, Forties, and Sixties have maintained a dignified high ground with measured constructive criticisms as disappointed as we all are as fans. Some of the comments that are made on other supporter sights and on social media are a disgrace. Surely as fans we are better than just responding with cheap, vulgar shots at players and coaches?
Very well expressed – “dignified high ground with measured constructive criticisms” – all Parra supporters would be feeling shell-shocked from the way the season unfolded, but lets face it, there is a big difference between disappointment and the hate some have expressed. I have found this hate by some a bigger disappointment this season, it is a game after all. When I read that Brad Arthur hadn’t been out with his family because of how he felt about the way things were going I couldn’t help but think we have all lost the plot!! He didn’t say it but he’s probably worried about running into a Parra ?? (certainly not a true fan).
Well said Anon.
Thanks for the reply and kind words Salty.
Mentoring of the young talent will be paramount. This can be done by any senior player, not just a captain. The youth can’t turn our club around on their own.
None of us are happy with this season. Criticism is warranted. Personal attacks are not.