The Cumberland Throw

Bumpers Up – The Fake, The Fields, The Force, The Footy

Welcome to the first edition of Bumpers Up for 2021.

For those unacquainted with this column, expect my take on the latest Eels news, be it from mainstream media or exclusive to TCT. In turn, you can return fire on what should be a range of topics.

This week there’s plenty of positives to be found, though I can’t avoid having my crack at the media resorting to the old click bait tactic.

Therein lies the joy of Eels fandom – it’s rarely quiet.

 

No News Is Parramatta News 

You have to laugh when the media get back on the Parra click bait roundabout. A story about a baseless rumour generates more headlines and even website responses such as mine.

The latest concerns Shane Flanagan who has supposedly been approached to replace Eels coach Brad Arthur. According to the Daily Telegraph, it’s the “hottest rumour in the game”.

You have to admire the semantics of an NRL scribe.

The journo concerned loves using the word “secretly”, applying the clandestine adverb to the sounding out and lining up that has apparently taken place. Imagine the hushed tones, the meetings in dark corners of suburban cafes that must have taken place.

Eels CEO, Jim Sarantinos is quoted as responding,

“I’ve spoken to no other coach. Our chairman has spoken to no other coach. There has been no consideration or discussion about anyone else… We’re fully invested in Brad. We’d like him to be here well beyond the next two years. If there’s progress, you back your people.”

Could there be a more definitive statement?

Brad Arthur

Still, the highly paid correspondent’s job has been done. He’s filled major space based on an unfounded rumour, along with creating the narrative that can be revisited at any time throughout the season.

I won’t even go into Shane Flanagan’s track record, because the baggage associated with it would not be lost on most educated fans.

For what it’s worth, I haven’t heard the slightest whisper from around the Parramatta club relating to Flanagan. I’m not suggesting that I would know if something was afoot, but I can confirm that current Eels executives have been nothing less than supportive about the coach in every conversation I’ve had with them about future directions.

Eels supporters should be taking Jim Sarantinos’ word as gospel.

 

Eels HQ Development Continues

Towards the end of 2020, it was announced that Hills Shire Council funding had been secured for the additionof two football fields at the Eels Kellyville complex.

I’m happy to report that this planned work has now commenced.

Work is underway at Kellyville

The construction will remove an older field and its associated car park. Both new fields will sit closest to the permanent Centre of Excellence building when it is constructed.

After the current work is complete, the next stage will see a grandstand added alongside the existing fields. This will allow for non-NRL matches to be staged at the facility.

I can’t believe that only seven years ago the team were undertaking their field work at Richie Benaud Oval. But that’s all in the past.

Bring on the future!

 

Junior Rep Season Starts

With an encouraging preseason now behind them, the Parramatta Junior Representative teams commence their 2021 campaigns this Saturday.

Action from the trials

The Matts and Ball teams take on Manly at New Era Stadium at Cabramatta, with matches starting at 10am and 12pm respectively, whilst over at Leichhardt Oval the Tarsha Gale under 19 girls take on the Wests Tigers kicking off at 11am.

All three sides recorded trial wins in their final hit outs with hopes high for successful seasons. You can read our reports about the trial matches here and here.

There will be strong interest in the performances of the Tarsha Gale team. They go into this season after a record number of girls participated in the selection process late last year. We wish them, and the boys teams, all the best for this year.

As always, The Cumberland Throw will provide coverage of all New Era matches. Make sure you stick with us.

 

Parramatta Leagues Police Rugby League Football Club

If you haven’t done so already, please check out our feature article on the Parramatta and Cumberland police officers who are kicking goals on and off the football field.

Sweet, sweet victory for our Parra Leagues Police Team

Led by Captain/Coach Anton Sahyoun, the players have won titles and given back to the community via their connection to our great game. It’s a tremendous story of commitment which also emphasises the value of sport in supporting the mental health of frontline workers such as the Police.

Parramatta Leagues Club members can also feel pleased that their club is so supportive of Anton and the team.

I really enjoyed speaking with Anton, and finding out about the history and achievements of his club. You can check out his extended chat with Forty and I which will be included in this week’s episode of The Tip Sheet.

 

Preseason Heating Up

Regular readers of my preseason training reports will be aware of the recent lift in intensity in the opposed work. Senior players are setting terrific standards and it’s been an incredible learning curve for the pathways players undertaking their first preseason.

It should come as no surprise.

Fergo’s crane kick stance needs work

The first trial against the Dragons is only a fortnight away. Though it will only involve players who clocked up no more than 12 top grade games in 2020, the match is an important component of the Parramatta squad’s 2021 preparation.

At this stage the clash will not be open to the public due to COVID restrictions. Opening up facilities that meet the required standards is quite cost prohibitive, especially for a trial match not involving many of the regular NRL stars. I’d anticipate live streaming will be an option.

It’s been an interesting, abbreviated preseason. Eels players returned to Kellyville only just before Christmas, with Origin Reps not fronting until January. That said, they were in tremendous shape and right now, it’s hard to imagine them being any fitter outside of becoming match-fit.

Training in February always starts to shift the balance away from conditioning and more towards the footy component, and teams have had to reach this point faster than other years.

I’m keen to see which teams hit the ground running in Round 1.

Eels forever!

Sixties

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16 thoughts on “Bumpers Up – The Fake, The Fields, The Force, The Footy

  1. Colin Hussey

    Well we wont go stale in regards to news sixties.

    Good stuff indeed.

    Hope the trial against the dragons is streamed as I would be a definite watcher of it.

  2. Milo

    Great read again Sixties, old Buzz is a joke to be honest. We should keep all of his so called shhhhhh stories and refer to them at Christmas time for a laugh.
    I doubt whether he has been to a parra training session / game.
    Anyway, the first trial will show some of the work done by the fringe players as no doubt some will be in the squad throughout the season and be pushing for the top 17 spots.
    Junior reps is always a favorite for me and I hope we have some good talent in the 14-16’s coming up

    1. sixties

      Cheers Milo.I’ve been impressed with the Junior squads in the trials I’ve seen and at training. Looking forward to this week.

    2. John Eel

      I think there is a relationship between the Journo and Flanno harking back to Flanno’s time at the Sharks

      Old Buzz might be doing his bidding for him. It would be the dream job for Flanno

      1. Milo

        This could be spot on John. Imagine if the NRL had some consistency in its approach over the years, how many players, coaches and managers we would be without? The game would still be ok. Current issue with St George is a case in point (will not go into here). Inconsistency is the NRL middle name IMO.

        1. sixties

          When we have such inconsistency, I think it is compounded by the message that comes with it. If there are valid reasons for differences, we simply need clear, concise, and intelligent explanations

  3. Anonymous

    Hey just a question will you be filming the games this year in the Junior reps ? Or will nswrl be showing games live ?

    1. Forty20

      NSWRL have indicated they will stream up to 100 games this year. I do not believe they have announced which games will be streamed as of yet but we will let everyone know about relevant Parramatta games as soon as we find out.

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