What a trip this 2020 season has been.
Will it, won’t it? Pledging the moolah. You can’t go, you can apply to go. The euphoria of so many victories, the downer of a finals exit. It was far from primo, but rarely dull.
With the Eels season now over, I’ve got the mind Kombi packed for my version of an off-season Byron escape.
But to create space in my mental backpack, there’s stuff I need to lay on you.
It’s another opportunity for you to decide whether I’m right on or trippin’.
Not Cool, Brad
I regard BA as a righteous dude. He tells it like it is man.
But when he was rappin with the journos after Saturday’s final there was a word that he used that was definitely not cool.
“Capitulation”
Brad Arthur
That word applies to a surrender. To capitulate means to give up. To stop resisting.
There’s no argument that the last quarter of the game was played without composure, and errors blew the score out. And apart from the awful officiating blunder of not sending Cook to the sin bin, we were masters of our own failure.
I was disappointed, even angered, by our errors and the performances of a couple of individual players.
But given the circumstances of the week, and the body blow delivered on the day, there was plenty of merit in an effort against the odds.
It was not a capitulation Brad.
Power To The People
Though we had to share the stands with Bunnies’ fans, it was a complete gas to have a genuine crowd atmosphere on Saturday night.
In getting the action back on to the field despite the COVID-19 threat, the NRL and the clubs have done spectacularly well. However, with attendances capped at 25% capacity, a trip to the footy hasn’t quite been the same.
Just under 15,000 fans filed into Bankwest Stadium on Friday night, and the vast majority joined me in exercising the lungs. Anyone listening to the most recent Tip Sheet podcast would have heard the battle scars evident in my voice.
And that’s exactly the way it should be!
Hazed But Not Confused
What a groove to see Haze Dunster make his debut in top grade threads!
The Cumberland Throw has been watching this Kiwi lad since his Harold Matt’s days. It’s a buzz to follow a player’s progress through the grades like that.
Though he didn’t leave the field as part of the winning team, he was still a winner.
Played strong, Dunster good!
Jennings Shock A Huge Drag
In their worst nightmares, Eels supporters could not have imagined the game day news about Michael Jennings.
Jenko
After testing positive to banned substances Ligandrol and Ibutamoren, and being immediately stood down, Jenko has since gone public in declaring his innocence.
A long wait is ahead for the results of the B sample to become known – typically two to three months. It’s normally a forlorn hope for that second sample to clear an athlete, which doesn’t auger well for Jennings or an Eels team at risk of being short of a quality centre.
However, without raising too many hopes, B samples have proven to be the saviour for a handful of stars over the years.
In a high profile rugby case, All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu was cleared in early 2017 after testing positive in late 2016.
Should Jenko be innocent, his suspension will have been a high price to pay for both him and the club.
The Numbers Are Doing My Head In
There was some heavy news on the big screens at Bankwest Stadium when a tribute was played to eleven departing Eels players. I’ll be thanking those players in a dedicated post coming soon on TCT.
Most of us weren’t aware of the scale of the roster movements in what can only be described as a clean out. A couple of those announced probably came as a complete surprise.
Taka in his corn row days
Peni Terepo, David Gower, Kane Evans, Jai Field, Stefano Utiokamanu, Andrew Davey, Rhys Davies, Jaeman Salmon, Brad Takairangi, Watson Heleta and Kyle Schneider were all listed. That’s 11 of the 32 players who were part of the “bubble” at different stages of this season.
That leaves 21 players under contract, with strong rumours that the departures have not finished. Throw in the uncertainty surrounding the immediate future of Michael Jennings, and there’s a huge task ahead for the Eels recruitment department. If Jenko is lost, and more players depart, the roster starts to approach 50% of requirement.
There is also the challenge of signing an entire squad of second tier players for the 2021 Eels Canterbury Cup team.
On the plus side, a very large group of young players will be doing the NRL preseason. I’d liken it to the influx of pathways players such as Brown, Kaufusi, Utoikamanu, Dunster, Parry and Schneider who all joined Eels preseason training after the 2018 season.
The Eels need to get the senior recruitment right, and make no mistake, that is absolutely critical. First grade players need to be signed. But if we nail that external recruitment, exciting times await.
Bad Vibes From NRL’s MC
Ain’t no big thing, more of a personal hang up that I have during finals series matches.
Those at Bankwest Stadium know where I’m coming from with this.
Here’s an example of how Saturday night’s MC duties went down:
“At fullback for the Eels, Clinton Gutherrrson.
AT NUMBER ONE FOR THE RABBITOHS, COREEEEEY ALLENNNNNNN!!!!!“
And so it continued.
No big deal, but could an NRL appointed MC have something approaching equal enthusiasm for what was an Eels home final? Maybe?
It’s a matter of good vibrations.
Media Flakes Or A Bigger Bummer?
Recent media commentary from Danny Weidler and Michael Chammas have paraphrased Eels “insiders” raising concerns from within the club about Arthur’s methods. Weidler also suggested that his Eels contact had confided off the record that Gould’s criticisms throughout the season were regarded by the club as correct.
Through the media, and fuelled further via some supporter forums, assistant coaches have been proposed, with Chammas even raising the prospect of the Eels looking to replace Arthur before his latest extension even begins.
There’s two schools of thought.
The preferred thought is that the journalists are looking to make news about the Eels where none exists. The contrasting reports seem to back this thought up. In one report Arthur is apparently too lenient on the players, in the next he’s too old school, forcing the players to sweat out extra laps rather than adopting mindfulness principles.
The alternative thought is of someone in the club talking out of school to the media.
This surely cannot be true, especially as the club looks certain to enter an era of being regular finalists.
Leaking any unsubstantiated or unsanctioned club “thoughts” would be nothing short of treachery. Destabilising talk has no place in the Parramatta Eels. It could take the club back to darker times.
The Parramatta Eels have made great strides as a professional organisation. Very little leaks out of the club, which is the way that it should be.
However, if there’s someone whose actions threaten to take the Eels back to an environment of mistrust, they need to be outed.
Stability and professionalism have been the cornerstones of the club’s climb to a brighter future. Should I find out that there are Eels people destabilising our football department via the media, I will speak to the club to name names.
Digging The Ken Thornett Medal Winners
There were no minds blown by the winners list from the Eels annual Ken Thornett Medal night.
Gutho – a deserved winner
Clint Gutherson took home both the prestigious Ken Thornett Medal and the Blue and Gold Army Player of the Year. Junior Paulo was awarded the Jack Gibson NRL Coaches’s award, Reed Mahoney took home the Ray Price NRL Community Award whilst Andrew Davey clinched the Eric Grothe NRL Rookie of the Year Award.
Hard working staffer, Don Musson was awarded the Michael Cronin Club Person of the year in recognition of his diligence and commitment during this difficult year.
The Ken Thornett Medal is one of my fave nights of the year. The Cumberland Throw is normally represented by multiple contributors and a great night is had by all. Unfortunately, supporters were not able to attend this years event.
So, on behalf of everyone at TCT, I’d like to extend belated congratulations to all of the recipients.
Season done
Time to mellow out.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Evening Sixties, I like it mate; strong thoughts on all accounts.
The media one is interesting, and I totally agree, if anyone inside the club is attempting to destabilise then yes, they need to be named and shames.
In regards to retention, the amount of changes to me seems a lot BUT I am an outsider and hope we have something of quality coming into the squad, and as you mentioned key nrl experience is a must.
Thank you again for the reports, and to the team. It has already been a draining week, mentally, and i only hope we as a club can continue to improve in 2021, and make it to the second last and even last weekend. Sad ending for me.
If the team comes up to the coast I am happy to draft a report…..factual of course.
Always appreciate your support mate. The Eels love the Central Coast so who knows, your reporting prowess may well be called upon
Hopefully its during work time….need some RFF. 🙂
Indeed mate!
Sixties, I generally agree with what you have said in the post, the media are like vultures at the best of times and have excelled themselves with the eels,I suspect most are rubbing their hands together with glee. Like you I was astounded in the number of players let go, yet is it surprising really, out of the 11, going some have contracts elsewhere & Gowie stays in a club role which is good for the club and for him personally.
The word capitulation though is maybe deemed harsh but is it justified and I would say most likely owing to the efforts by the team following a missed goal. While the word as mentioned seems harsh when coupled with and associated with Surrendering, did they surrender? well I tend to believe that there was a degree of arrogance in the team as how many walked back and basically left the team split in two, a few around the kicker but not alert either, the others believing no miss of the kick and back in their half leaving the team pretty much totally segmented leaving huge gaps/open spaces for South to run freely without any fear or concern that they would actually be tackled.
I honestly have never seen anything like it, and at that moment the task of getting a win was gone. I have mentioned how Ray Price would never have allowed that to happen as he whenever a kick was to be taken would stand and face the goal posts at a close distance with hands in the air with a determination that if the kick went astray,missed he was ready to take it & attack with it, the rest of the team were ready but not as much as Price. Would love to hear his comments on the episode on Saturday night.
The reality is that at that point of time the team in essence dropped their marbles, they were confronted with the fact they had failed to retain their composure when required to defend against the enemy. In the end they could not motivate themselves let alone their team mates and the supporters also the club who were there, to get over what had happened and lift their own games, that should have been behind the goal posts when Souths scored, they should have as a first grade side with plenty of experience in the team made a commitment to get the failure fixed by their own ownership of the result.
BA has been their crutch over the years and been there for them and tried to build a team that has a deep desire to be fair dinkum contenders for the GF and winning, rather than being pretenders,
I wont stop in my support of the eels as a whole likewise the coach and other staff and club, but for the first time BA made some harsh comments finally about the players, that should have been done earlier and likely not played out in the media.
Colin, I say don’t confuse poor attention to detail with arrogance. The Eels are not alone in that attitude around kicks. It’s been a topic of discussion between myself and a number of fellow supporters. There are two points.
Firstly, players from all teams encroach the ten metres when penalty kicks are taken. It’s mostly from “gimme” penalty kicks. It’s all teams, including Parra, who are guilty of it. It should result in a re-kick but virtually all kicks are successful so it doesn’t need to be applied. Referees never say anything, although one spoke to a player (was it Brandon Smith) who infringed like a union player when Kyle Flanagan was kicking a penalty. From memory the ref suggested a miss would have resulted in another kick.
The second point is that it’s common practise for teams to assume close range kicks will be successful. We’ve spoken about a team being caught out one day. Of course it turned out to be Parra.
You can never assume anything. It’s poor attention to detail. There’s no excuse for it. But it’s not arrogance and it’s not capitulation.
sixties, apologies for no earlier responding as seemed I had not subscribed to the discussion.
What you say in reply is spot on, especially regarding the off side issue by the penalised side when a penalty goal is being attempted, the on field ref should ensure that that team stays on side at all points of the process, in fact for me & while this is a repeat of my feelings I have said before, is that I am jack of the game as it is now, and its only my support of the eels that keeps me in the frame.
For me the big issue in that goal attempt and the resulting run away try, certainly is a lack of attention to detail, especially from the players who walked back and did not stay on duty, in effect they were meant to be guards on that line with the hope and likely expectation that MM would kick the very easy goal, how many of the troops retreated instead of staying in line?
They were pretty much defeated at that point of time and lost their motive and retreated, yes on reflection capitulation talk from the coach was not far off being so, but like in any lost battle many of those who have survived in warfare (isn’t RL a type of tribal warfare game?) you do not want troops turning their backs on the enemy and leaving their trenches for just a few as they take up safety behind the lines.
Colin, as I left the ground I was furious about that lack of attention to detail, so don’t worry, it is burnt into my mind.
I did not think they capitulated, I thought they panicked. Possibly the head noise from all the constant media exposure got to much. BA and the other staff need to work out who panicked and who gave up. If people gave up they need to be worked out of the team. I think BA’s bench was really strange and it hurt us, I do hope he reflects on that.
On the possible leaking. If any and I do mean even the tiniest bit of what has been reported has come from inside the club the person responsible must be shown the door. Look at the Broncos and how they have imploded over the past three years, starting with Bennett’s last year. Once nothing came out of the Broncos, however for the last three years they leaked like a sieve and have imploded. It will destroy us if there has been a leak and this person is not held responsible. Trust will erode and while I will never know the players will. There must be trust and respect at all cost. The Roosters let a great player like Latrell go a year early to their arch rivals because him and his manager leaked info. They get it, I hope we do.
Finally, you know I support BA but this comment has nothing really to do with him or his job. However if the man who has been talked up by his mates, yes his mates at nine, to come in and toughen up our club comes anywhere near the Kellyville fields my family and I walk. It will kill us but we will.
Out of our review in 2018 we said we were going to be a club that was built on integrity, relationships, respect. If we let a man come in who is currently suspended from head coaching because he was sneaky and broke rules while he was meant to be suspended for breaking NRL rules and have nothing to do with anyone at his former club we are kidding ourselves. Reminder- he got suspended for breaking rules while he was suspended. Respect- Integrity I think not.
Our club and its fans were torn apart, embarrassed, shamed and almost destroyed in 2016 because we had officials who would do anything to win. Bringing someone like Flanagan, who has repeatedly done the same thing, that is break rules because he wants to win, to our club is wrong and would show me we have learnt nothing. Therefore I will call time. My grandfather went to the first game at Cumberland Oval and I don’t remember a time when I have not supported the Eels but that would be a bridge to far for us.
The club must be proactive and get some clear, official and explicit information out, otherwise the NRL trash media will have a field day over the off season.
Shelley, I was going to add a part of this column on Flanagan as I felt the same. I gathered all of the facts, then decided it was worthy of its own post – should the noise get any louder. I Would be stunned if the club took that path, given what we’ve been through combined with his track record of suspensions etc.
Great post Sixties, but I’m with you Shelley , surely we wouldn’t employ a coach who has flaunted the rules so much. It’s bad enough being devastated by the Jennings positive test.
I’ve made sure it was included in my Spotlight post June.
Yet you haven’t shown the same level of outrage when the club hired Trent Elkin.
Just sayin …
Difference is that Elkin was cleared of all charges by the NRL and the doping commission, this is his first appointment in the NRL in any role since the original stand down. A worthwhile read is herehttps://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/trent-elkin-this-is-my-story-you-be-the-judge.
As for Flannagan, I have mixed feelings about and with him, there does come a time when someone who is convicted of of a crime as such, & in this case illegalities with drugs and against the NRL code of conduct should be able to start a new life and job.
In the case of Flannagan and the eels, any decision on it would have to be totally ratified by the board, and with our head coach as to his views on it. He was permitted to be an assistant coach at the dragons, and that was it and in certain roles, that permission was given by the NRL, former bosses, we have a new NRL leadership now and with Flannagan now out of a job, and the suspension still in existence, it will also be up to them if they agree to him taking on an assistant role at any club, and there will be conditions in it as well.
Whether I like the idea or not is irrelevant, but if he does come to the eels, he could add some experience to the team, he is a former eels player and a pretty good hooker at that, he also coached our SG Ball team to a comp win also coached other Eels teams.
I’m not at this point, ready to open the porthole and toss the baby out with the bath tub.
Colin, he served a suspension. He wasn’t cleared of anything. He was involved up to his eyeballs same as Flanno.
Wrong Brett. He was cleared and I have spoken with him about it.
I stand corrected, but nevertheless it was a risky PR decision to hire him given his involvement with the Sharks.
The point I was making is that everyone deserves another chance, and I don’t see why Flanno is any different.
If the club did hire him there would be near universal approval for the club to do so.
The bottom line is he’s a proven winner, something we are in short supply of at the Eels.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/eels/nrl-2020-cronulla-sharks-parramatta-eels-asada-trent-elkin-trainer-supplements-scandal/news-story/fa18482baf0cfac176e04d285c5162e4
Thanks for adding the link for Brett, Colin.
Why would she. Elkin was cleared.
Why would she Brett? He was cleared.
The Roosters leaked they were unhappy with Kyle Flanagan before they officially released the fact that they weren’t going to extend him beyond 2021.
Clubs always leak things to either gauge fan reaction or as an unofficial & deniable if necessary form of PR.
I have no doubt that this has been leaked by the club as a way to acknowledge to the fans & members that we are aware of BA’s coaching shortcomings, and that we are working to correct them, but also to grease the skids ahead of time should they decide to sack BA.
PR 101.
Some interesting thought bubbles after a difficult week Sixties.
IMO opinion, if BA is calling it a capitulation, then it is. BA is on the inside, he knows what has been said, what motivators have been tried and what tactics were in for the 2nd half. And BA is renown for being a players manager so the comment carries more weight. The off-season focus after the 2019 exit was to reduce the gap between the good and bad performances. 2020 has been hugely successful in that regard. It would seem the off-season focus for 2020 will be mind games. I would add that the Eels won many tight games determined by less than 6 points this year but not when it matters – this gets to the issue I think BA may be making. And to a lessor extent I think losing the big game experience of Fergo & Jennings leading into this game didn’t help the team composure.
Great to see Dunster debut and he showed the promise TCT have been reporting. Gives more options into 2020.
In relation to the club leaking to journos I call crap. Reporters are making stuff up because Eels fans are numerous, passionate and looking for answers, simply click bait. The club have released 11 players, no leaks about that. And no “inside” on who the replacements candidates may be. There’s no leaker.
And on the release of 11 players it’s tough for those guys but I’m buoyed by the fact that the club clearly has a recruitment plan and is going about the business of preparing for 2021. Good to hear there is a large group of younger players ready for the train-on squad to fill some of these gaps. The reduction of the salary cap from $9.5m to 8.5 – if approved – will create more player movement than usual.
The Jennings thing stinks. But hats off to the Eels, no-one used this as an excuse. I was talking to someone close to the Wendell Sailor drugs exposure drama, he said they had the best part of a week to prepare the external PR and internally prepare the team for the news. ASDA are just maximising the media at a huge cost to the NRL and the Eels. I really hope Jennings is innocent – so out of character for him but odds are against it.
I want to thank you and the TCT team for the wonderful fountain of knowledge you have been for all things Eels. It has been my go to source for my regular Eels fix.
Very good post.
Indeed
Yep, great post BD.
Thanks also for your regular contributions to our posts mate. It adds more for others to digest.
i think that the Eels made great strides in the mental component of the game in 2020, but there is still some way to travel.
I still disagree with BA on his choice of words, but if he wants to call them to account in that regard it probably won’t hurt.
It’s an interesting scenario where 1/3 of the roster is replaced. Not sure where the replacements will be coming from, and if they will really be an upgrade. I’d like to see many of the spots taken by rookies, and I think over the past few seasons the club has shown that rookies can be called up to fill in for a few games and do well. What’s more important however is that we have the players outside the top 17 who can put pressure on underperforming stars. That’s what we were missing this year and could go some way to explain the rut we ended up in.
If you note though that almost all of them aren’t best 17, with the exception of Kane Evans and maybe Andrew Davey, they’re depth players and will be replaced like for like. Your depth players are invariably on 1-2 yr deals and get turned over fairly regularly to freshen up the roster.
Nothing to really see here.
Agreed they are depth players, but when you look at the market, there is not a lot out there. Sure the club has plans, but it will be interesting to see what they do. Do they sign replacement older players, or is this a chance to inject a bit more youth in the team?
Definitely a time for some youth Longfin, but we need players who are immediately ready to step up if needed.
It will be a combination of youth & experience. The Broncos are a lesson in overloading on youth. You need youth to develop for the long term, but you also need reliable veteran backups who can come in and do a short term job in the event of a short term injury or suspension.
There’s plenty to see here Brett. With the latest release of George Jennings who might not be the last, it is almost a complete removal of players below the top 15/16. That’s not a typical freshen up, it’s a massive freshen up – and when you add in 4 development contract players to take it to a squad of 34, it means that around half of the full time squad will be new to the group. It can therefore be sold to recruits as a genuine opportunity to play NRL.
I disagree, the fact that we didn’t even get a look in at Jack Hetherington, despite the fact it was well known that Kane Evans was leaving, is evidence that our best 17 is more or less settled for the forseeable future. Are you really expecting to see any recruits this summer that are coming here and expecting to walk straight into our 17 ?
John Asiata, if the rumours are true. We’ve announced Tom Opacic, but only on a one year deal. I haven’t heard us connected to any other significant free agents, unless you know something I don’t know, which is surprising in itself since we historically are connected to EVERY free agent of note.
Obviously we’ll need to fill out our roster, but I don’t expect any mind blowing additions.
Longfin, it is definitely an opportunity to find players who can add more pressure, even though it was tough for any players to do so without a reggies comp.
Breezy read sixties, tks. With 11 going and 4 in Origin, the pre-season ranks are thin, but I’m thinking over the next month or so we”ll see half a doz or so signings with the MJennings situation being critical now. There will probably have to be a couple of high end recruitments in there, plus a few Storm-style finds, recruit for strong basics. My guess also is that the club will have a clear strategy for 2021 improvement, it just doesn’t make sense not to. I don’t think this Board/Management will take a path of hope and pray, they have been installed to professionally oversee a successful football club, the lessons of the past are still staring at us.We won’t be going there.
It’s an enormous job ahead BDon. Those positions can be an exciting mix of experience and youth. I’m really keen to see the impact of the young players who will be joining the preseason as part of their development.