Tough game, tough loss.
I’m more convinced each year that nothing good ever happens in Canberra. Nothing. It’s like our Bermuda Triangle. Strange things happen when we enter it.
From The Stands this week should state the obvious. We dropped too much ball, our forwards wanted to ball play prior to earning the right by going forward, our backs played as complete strangers, and we lacked clear on field leadership.
Of course we welcomed back Mr Perenara into first grade. I cannot say he has been missed but we happened to be the fortunate ones invited to his welcome back party. Next time we receive an invite can we return to sender?
At half time I wanted the boys to get on the bus and come home. It was going to be one of those nights. The bounce and whistle was not going to go our way and you could argue all we could achieve from that game was injuries.
Alas the injuries came, the bounce alluded us and Mr Perenara kept up his usual Parra performance. He can never be accused of being inconsistent when he officiates us. We all know what to expect and he certainly delivered.
You don’t measure Henry in the penalties he gives, but in the penalties he doesn’t.
Canberra don’t need a leg up with decisions. They are a balanced, quality footy team. Unlike previous incarnations, they are prepared to get into the grind to win games.
Their game plan on Sunday was just that. Keep mounting the pressure. The points will come. Part of the tactics was obviously the niggle and pushing rules to the limits.
The officiating didn’t let them down. Their “rushing” defence line was in the Eels faces extremely quickly, there were facials delivered throughout the match – even on a badly broken nose, and the commentators made mention of the “work” of Bateman. In short, the Raiders set out to bully the Eels, and were allowed to do so.
Junior hits it up in Canberra.
However, we have to move away from worrying about an official. The Eels need to come out of this game only focussing on the factors they can control.
They say defence is all about attitude. Our defence was really strong, we scrambled and turned them away wonderfully, so does that mean we had a good attitude?
If you look at the attack, the collective and individual accountability was atrocious, so does that mean we had a bad attitude?
From the stands I was and am still unsure what to take from the game. Therefore I’ve decided to leave that game and all it’s craziness in that nothingness that is Canberra and come home. The team can worry about reviews and finding the answers, because in truth I’m too excited about returning home to worry about last week. I also have faith that the boys know the importance of this week and will turn up in both attack and defence.
I was critical of club management last week but the entire return home has been very well handled, going all the way back to last year and the ticketing process. The club events planned for this week are very good.
Wednesday night lights should be special.
My family cannot make the trip up on Wednesday night, as it’s just a bit too long with the drive to watch training, but it is a wonderful idea and opportunity for Sydney fans and the players to connect.
So on Easter Monday my family, including my over excited son Jack and my 97 year old grandfather, like thousands of Parra families, will once again return to the Eels spiritual home. We’ll join the throngs who make old familiar tracks from restaurants in Church St, or across Parra Park from Westmead train station or from those hidden gems of parking spots we keep quiet so others cannot take it.
This will be one sweet view.
Who knows, we might even take in a few drinks and a meal at the club before we take up our seats in the magnificent BankWest Stadium.
Yes acting Wests Tigers CEO Mr Simon Cook we are coming home. You and your fans are most welcome to frequent it and our club facilities, but it is our home as opposed to one of your multiple venues. You can call it your jungle, a place that is hidden, dangerous, complex and untamed but there will be nothing hidden or mysterious about the support our team will get from the fans and the way the team will respond to that support.
In fact, it will be like putting on an old glove; comforting and reassuring. We are coming back to the soil that has witnessed so many great memories for our club and I know our boys, this team and coaches will do everything possible to make it a great return.
We might be wounded and down on troops but we are coming home!!!
See you all on Monday.
From the BankWest Stadium Stands
Shelley
I hear you Shelley, and what is past is passed off well. I tipped a win last week but in hindsight only due my eels heritage and heart not wanting to tip against them. The end result was the old school teaching of the 3 x R’s Rabid – Rotten – Result.
I wont be there on Monday but I believe there will be a very hard/tough match for the two teams, I believe the eels will win, moreso, they have to win in their first hit out and homecoming, if they don’t???????
As such they will be primed and so they should be. Old guns that had to be primed by the shooter with powder often put more in than necessary but it was more affective when the trigger was pulled, and that’s what our team needs on Monday.
I think last week was a result that showed both how far the team has come and how far we still need to go. Last year we get beat by 50 with all the tackling we did. However we did not play smart, we tried trick shots to get out of trouble. Compare that to the bulldogs game, in which we got behind but stuck to our system.
I am so looking forward to this week. Even the very annoying messages dominating the news from Gutherson’s manager can not dampen my enthusiasm.
An interesting reply Shelley and thanks. The element of not playing smart I think I read where BA made the same comment, also it tells me that they did not follow the general plan that is given to them, like they did against the dogs.
Although putting the dog acts in against targeted players is typical of the pom breed and likely instructed who to target with a free reign to do so.
Hope so Colin.
Well said Shelley, and you’ve given me my final therapy session on the officiating.Moving on. The strong foundation in defence is indeed a positive.
The memories – car parking – always had a favourite street spot but after having our car stolen ran an old bomb with battery/starter problems so had to find another spot for a few weeks on a downhill for the possible clutch start, whatever, couldn’t miss Sunday at Cumberland.
We are coming up on Sunday and staying overnight in Parra, as the trip for my grandfather is too much for one day, but yes we all have our secret spots to park, they are like treasures in Parramatta. It should be a wonderful day.
Good read Shelley and a good take on the Canberra game i have only just watched it.
As for this week the boys need to be on their game and over the hype from the new ground and as exciting as it is, it won’t be enough to ensure a win. It’s a must win.
We have to be better all round the park, and i hate to mention again but contract talks for me are a distraction and not what the club, players and fans need.
Get this done Parra retention committee…….yes i am v frustrated about the contract talks being played out in the media and yes I know some journos have agendas and the ears of some influential managers etc. it doesn’t sound great to me.
Mate, I believe this contract stuff is being pushed by a certain newspaper group through Gutho’s agent and no doubt from the journo’s side of the issue to put max pressure on the eels, as its paper selling crap.
Yes that is possibly spot on; but we have lots of players off contract this season and i do not want the team distracted by such. Gutho could have been sorted by now and i get it that things take time and that he’s back from an injury. I also read with interested about Moses being offered 3 yrs this wk too…..seems the club is on the move but i just think we need the key spine sorted. And some additions of course…..
I think everyone knows my view on all this contract talk and I think Gutho’s leadership should be a factor in any payment. I am talikng as a parent, my boy will be devastated if he leaves. The argument against Gutho’s leadership worth that could be made this week is a reality check for him. I love Gutho but his manager works for him not the other way around, he directs Ayoub and can tell
him what he wants. Crawley gets that story from Ayoub- I would think that being club captain Gutho could have said leave it, I don’t want this in the paper until next week. It has left me a little more on the fence then last week as I think both sides are playing games.
I think it has the potential to end up like Hayne to the Gold Coast, no winners so many untruths and the fans are the ones left disappointed. It is almost at the point that I want the club to say, this is our best deal ( a genuine one that reflects Gutho’s work on and off field) and if you want more that is fine go get it. His manager has been full of ultimatums and Gutho has sat back saying nothing but I don’t know what is going on. That is rubbish, love him but no one can seriously believe that. They are all taking the fans as being stupid. We are not, we have seen this before and this club like all clubs is built on fan loyalty not one single player. We need to be looking at our back ups if Gutho leaves. I love him as a player and personality and want him to stay but my club cannot be held to ransom by a player manager, well not any more. Gutho needs to be careful his worth off the field could be seriously damaged.
Shelley, agree with you on the whole aspect, I like everyone am sick of it. Gutho’s only comments of late have been he’s leaving it with his agent, but he has also said previously he will give Parra the last say.
They also all know nothing is going to happen with him and likely others until the club makes the call with BA as to being the coach ongoing or not. That was supposed to be after round 12, but it could come earlier especially if we keep winning.
I hope both stay as it will mean the work BA has put in at the club with the pathways program finally showing fruit that’s ripening with the young players coming through, Gutho is a young leader whether or not he has the C against his name, and he can lead well the young players also.
Hear , Hear Shelley, you have captured not only mine but I believe the sentiments of most of our supporters. Common sense and pride in all things. I believe he will stay on
I for one can’t wait for Monday. I’ve watched Parra play on Cumberland Oval, I was there for the opening of Parramatta Stadium and now the 1st game at Bankwest . All this contact talk about Gutho has left a sour taste in my mouth, surely he could tell his manager to pull his head in. Let’s play a few more games Gutho before you start demanding more money. I love Gutho and he’s my grandkids favourite player but now is not the right time for this to be made public it detracts from the excitement of coming home. I don’t want any player that’s only at Parra for the money. No 1 player is worth sacrificing the club for and I don’t care who it is.
June, that is why my grandfather told us he was going. He went to the first game at Cumberland and Parra stadium and was not going to miss this, in fact when we questioned if it would be too much for him he very politely told us that if we didn’t take him he would get the train. He is exceptionally healthy and strong willed for 97.
Love Gutho but he needs to be careful. His greatest opportunity post football is his genuine likability. I have non Parra fans who are starting to comment on him and they are not saying good things. I am not at that point but he needs to be careful. Respect any players right to look after themselves but there is a correct way to go about it, especially when you are club captain and at present it is being handled terribly. He needs to control his manager.
There was a snippet on 9 today, that has it that there is another offer and Gutho sounded more positive in staying with the eels. Also on Zero Tackle is the following report/link re MM
https://www.zerotackle.com/parramatta-table-three-year-extension-to-moses-43140/
Gee it’s good to be home. Yes tiger’s fans n tiger’s board it’s our home home of the Parramatta eels not silly tiger’s. Dam you you n every club want in on our stadium. Go back to Campbelltown or liegchhart
They can come, especially if they spend money at the club and we end up with more ‘home games’. The way it is looking we may play 15+ games a year Parra. How great is that.
Shelley, can you please email me ASAP
Any one got any news about kaysa Pritchard is he coming back or doing a G.I ?