The Cumberland Throw

From The Stands – May 9, 2021: Speaking My Truths

From the stands I always seek to speak the truth as I see it.

There are a number of my truths I want to address after Friday night.

Firstly, I am a passionate Parra supporter and like many supporters around the league I do see the footy through my team’s colours.

Furthermore, I am a huge Dylan Brown fan and love his defensive desire and commitment to stop tries.

But the truth is, I cannot defend him for his awful contact with Hutchison.

I do not think for one minute that he deliberately went into that cover tackle to injure Drew Hutchison. 

Dylan Brown

However, from the stands my view is he got himself into an awkward position and the result was dangerous contact that caused injury. If roles were reversed and Dylan was the one who ended up in hospital I would be filthy. In my view Dylan needs to take his punishment, learn from his mistake and not put himself in that position again.

Most importantly as a fan of the game I hope Drew Hutchison makes a speedy recovery. 

There is a different truth about Marata’s tackle on Tedesco and I am going to be a little controversial in stating that truth.

As long as Tedesco keeps dropping and ducking in tackles to try to avoid being wrapped up, he is going to expose himself to head knocks.

What is a player is supposed to do when Tedesco significantly drops down late in a tackle?

The tackler cannot disappear.

In my opinion, Marata will be suspended because the hit happened on a Friday night game and it was on Tedesco.

Cue the outrage.

Marata Niukore

Just like Dylan Brown has a responsibility to not put himself in a dangerous position, in my view Tedesco does as well, and he plays as much of a role in the outcome of that tackle as Marata does.

Here’s another unavoidable truth – the officiating in this game was not first grade standard.

As mentioned above, how they did not act on Brown’s tackle is beyond me. My initial reaction at the ground before even a replay was shown was ‘oh that’s bad’. How it was missed by all the officials with replay after replay at their disposal is inexcusable.

And let’s be clear about this – both teams were subjected to the questionable decisions in this game.

The Roosters were allowed to lay all over Parra and simply give repeated first or second tackle set restarts. What happened to the edict about referees using penalties or the sin bin to deal with repeated, deliberate infringements?

At times Parra found it hard to get into any rhythm because the Roosters illegally slowed the play the ball and dared the officials to punish them. As any person that has a basic knowledge of our game knows, giving away a set restart on tackle one is not a punishment.

How serious was the NRL public press release stating they were going to take tough action on field against foul play and also punish via sin bin deliberate repeated ruck infringements by giving away early tackle repeat sets?

I rank this as a massive fail!

The NRL and ARLC have taken a simple game, frequently changed the rules and interpretations, confused the average supporter, and done little to assist the standard of officiating.

There needs to be a complete overhaul of the development of referees and the preparation of bunker officials.

Let’s start with basic accountability.

Players who make mistakes on the field and break the rules rightfully get punished and sometimes face suspensions. Clubs then look to their squad and replace them. Good clubs can cover injuries and suspensions. Bad clubs cannot.

So here is the question I have for the NRL.

When will poorly performing match officials face similar consequences to poorly performing players? Will they be stood down or dropped?

The problem is the standard of officiating in our game is akin to the standard of the players at a struggling NRL club. When you look at the squad, there are few selection options. So just like a poorly performing club, poor officials will be retained because the possible replacement is not a better option.

When that happens at club level, NRL administrators and journalists call out those clubs.

Surely it is time we do the same thing with those who have been paid very well to manage the development of officials in our game and have failed.

To be clear, there are no questions of integrity. But referees are struggling with a game that’s become faster, and with so many recent rule changes, more complicated.

This year I stated that I was going to ignore the media bias surrounding my team.

In my mindset of speaking my truths, I cannot ignore the media this week.

I love watching games at the ground because I can avoid having to listen to the so-called broadcast experts.

During and after Friday’s game I had family members messaging me about how they thought that the commentary was unbearable and biased.

Here’s a fact from the 2021 season for such experts. The Eels have scored more points against the Roosters than any other team, including the Storm and Rabbitohs.

So, if Parra’s attack was so terrible, what assessment do such experts have about the attack of every other opponent the Roosters have faced?

Seriously Mr Ennis, Mr Flanagan, if the Eels are terrible what adjective will you use to describe the attack of those clubs?

The tag team criticisms of the Eels from Flanagan and Ennis need to be called out. Is it click bait? Is it even valid?

Most fans are well aware of Mr Flanagan’s history. They are also aware that Mr Ennis holds a role with the coaching staff of the Raiders.

I have no problem with people having an opinion about my team, but if you give one you open yourself up to criticism.

Finally, I’ll quickly offer my takes from Friday’s game.

The Eels attack was blunted at different times as the Roosters did a good job of stifling it via pushing the boundaries of the six again rule.

The attack looked further disjointed because they could not adequately replace Mahoney and that is a criticism we need to rightfully accept.

In the recent past Parra would have lost that game. They would have panicked. Our Eels are far from perfect. They are not currently the best team in the competition, but they are continuing to improve.

And my final message to the media types ready to rip into the Eels – to ignore the growth in the Eels team is to demonstrate little knowledge of the football being played. Moreover, to suggest that it is a fait accompli that Parra will fail in finals footy has no basis in the football currently on display.

I love watching games commentary free at Bankwest.

I’ll see you there at our next home game.

Shelley

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24 thoughts on “From The Stands – May 9, 2021: Speaking My Truths

  1. Trouser Eel

    I agree with all you’ve stated there Shelley. Particularly relevant is Teddy’s offensive tactics of falling into tackles. Perhaps
    the voluntary tackles of fullbacks trying to not get caught in their own goal line are just a subset of these rules that aren’t being enforced.

    1. Shelley

      I really love Teddy and he is very brave with how he takes the ball to the line. But he has a flaw and that is he drops significantly when he passes it or fends a player. We are not playing touch.

  2. Parra Pete

    Totally agree with you Shelley about the commentary team on FOX. Flanagan and Ennis…fair dinkum!!!..and Dan Ginnane calling the action is the WORST of them all.

    1. Shelley

      I better not see or hear a word from Fox or the daily telegraph talk about players mental health or well being- online bullying.

      They create the storm by overreacting and using words like dog shots. What Dylan is being exposed to on social media is appalling. He made a mistake anyone would think Ennis, Fitler, Flanagan and Slater etc never made a mistake on or off the field. They are hypocrites all of them.

      Flanagan- I will not say what I really think about him but I will say this. He ever comes near my club my family walks. My grandfather has followed this club forever, he attended the first ever game, every grand final, the opening of stadiums but we will all walk away if he ever comes near this club. In saying that I trust our board will not let him or his friends anywhere near our club.

    2. Graz

      Most Fox commentators don’t call the game in front of them. They are just talking heads on peripherals.
      I posted on ch 9 (after some there went ballistic about their out-of-form media darling) that Tedesco needs to be coached to have a better technique when confronted by a tackler. Or there will be more of the same many times over from all other opponents.

  3. Big Derek

    The frustration that the media concentrates on 3 media darling teams, Storm,Souffs and Rooters and with their connections to Nein and Fox it’s no surprise. Grudgingly acknowledging Penrith and completely ignoring the Eels is symptomatic of a major issue on commentary and media.

    That is highlighted by not one comment on the constant 6 agains and slow the play the balls initiated by the Roosters and basically unpunished. Then the very pointed remarks from their love child who is coach of the Roosters, imagine if BA or similar did that, fine incoming.

    Anyway as they say winners are grinners, but Annesley continues to bend over to certain teams and that won’t stop given the influence of the Roosters and their board etc in the media. Sorry, but the frustration since the completion of the game is ongoing and have tried to keep away from radio since then, it’s so friggin biased and annoying.

    1. Shelley

      I did not see Annesley on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Rd 2 come out and continue the commentary on Kaufusi and criticise the officials. But we all get it, you cannot touch the untouchable few.

      Imagine the outcry if Kaufusi had done to Tedesco what he did to Matto. When Sivo scored his first try in Darwin a Broncos player came across with knees- no comment play on.
      Dylan did wrong, made a mistake, the way Fox and Nine have reacted has done more damage. I so want us to win in the finals for us, the players and the club but I must admit watching these media personalities squirm and try to play up to us will be delightful.

      Like many fans, I will never forget the rubbish and knifes in the back dished out to BA, our players and club by these media types. They are nothing but parasites in my eyes.

      1. Sav

        They missed the elbow to the face with the Kaufusi tackle. He re adjusted his elbow to do it ffs. Same with Mahoney. Didn’t see the forearm. Referee bosses, not so much referees, need some accountability and transparency.

    2. Sav

      Nail on the head. Annesley is one of the common denominators. He can blame those under him but I believe that their job is harder than his. Buck stops. As for the commentators, what a bunch of angels. I watch a game on nine or kayo and they miss so, so much of what is happening in front of them. Are they having a social day out with beers and shots or they are watching what’s happening on the field. Jobs for the boys is what I see with a clear directive to support certain sides.

  4. AndrewJCollier

    Shelley, as always great article.
    On your thoughts about the media. Is it at all surprising that at the end of the season last year after our exit from the finals that the call to add Mr Flanagan to our coaching staff was made in order to fix our “ finals problem”. The media also fabricated stories on the board being out of sorts with BA and looked the other way with what would have been a conflict if the Eels had added Flanagan to the coaching staff with Steve Elkin already here.

    In my opinion the media are still agitating to have their mate Flanagan join the Eels. And, he is part of the problem.

    Riding us down even though we are producing well on the field, have a good roster and are kicking goals off the field through sponsorship and better governance. This is the media’s favourite blood sport and we should not be surprised. It is designed to get clicks and the most distressing part of it is even Eels fans believe it. A simple glance through social media comments shows how much of our fellow fans eat up the dribble served up by the media. Flat track bully anyone? I for one hate the way the media portrays our team, but, maybe it should be used as a us vs them. That has worked well for other teams in the past.

    1. Sav

      Spot on AndrewJCollier. So much sweeter when we win. I don’t want Parra ever to be dirty but some of the commentators against us have changed the rules from their terrible plays.

      1. AndrewJCollier

        Sav absolutely, I find it egregious to say the least that a certain ex hooker that was the grubbiest of the grubs call out Dylan Brown’s knee shot on Drew Hutchison as a dog shot. I am not for a moment condoning what Dylan did but, the reaction from said commentator can only be described as hypocritical. I can not ever recall him being gracious enough to apologise personally to any of his victims.

  5. Milo

    Shelley, some very poignant comments relating to the game and Parra.
    For what its worth i felt sorry for Brown as when played in real time I think it was soley and accident and yet he has copped more weeks than Kaufusi (Melb) and I know it was different all-round. But was it the same intent as Kaufusi? No way….so go figure.
    The refs and commentary for that matter has been poor since early mid 2010’s era in my view.
    The referees never outed the Melb wrestle etc. and it is still here in some way now across the game, and you have the teams who do some form of ruck slowing and those who don’t, and there are not many who reisist the wrestle by the way.
    As for the pee in the pocket commentators, I have not listened to them for a while and my TV is muted. I watch the game and form my own views, and its less frustrating tbh.
    Is the game better for all of the rule changes each year? not in my view, as they allowed the ruck to be dominated years ago….and now have the quick fix which at times has gone too fast.

  6. BDon

    Well said Shelley. Unfortunately, our political DNA does not yet match our potential. Even our western Sydney cousins, the Panthers, see their 2 favourite sons on a 3 decade love affair with the political and media centre. Just a reality, not a sledge.
    We must continue with our off and on field development.

  7. Colin Hussey

    I have all but had a gut full of the way the NRL itself has turned the game into a NUFFING game. From the outset, I have no issues with the referering on Friday night as I believe Chechinn is the best ref running around at the moment. My big gripe with the officiating is what are the linesmen doing in the game, is there role just to run along the sidelines with a flag hanging down and to then go behind the goal posts to rule on goal or not? Seems to me that they have nothing and pretty much do nothing and need to have a decent eye check somewhere. Surelly they can pick out and raise the flag to draw attention to the ref as to incidents in play, especially if they see something wrong taking place, that was what they were put there for in the first place.

    The way RL is these days its all but a win at all and any cost, I now mostly watch a game on the box with the sound turned off, owin to the nuffers who are so called experts. How can a former Coach who is still under suspension as a coach have the in put into a game and commentate, conflict not of of interest but one that brings the game into disrepute.

    The touchies would have to have seen the number of neck and head shots on that night, just like the ones I saw on the box and in the Saints Dogs match today, and nothing noted.

    RL is heading towards the sewers unless there is a real enquiry takes place.

    1. Milo

      Agreed Col, Ceccin in my view is also one of the best, and I also liked the Badger (male) as he was also good. I assume the refs are more political than we think!!

      1. Poppa

        Col, you need to understand in the world of equal opportunity the NRL is very conscious of what it is seen to be doing.
        In the case of lines people I think it is wonderful they have employed blind and death people to officiate in the game, its called being inclusive. When we have look at the commentary panel and the relevant “grey” matter (not hair) I think we should also take note of their expertise.
        Brad Fitler tells us that Teddy needs as a star player to be protected, likewise to show he has no bias he calls Shaun lane an origin chance, is he taking the Mickey? then I remember, can we forget when he took Junior off in the last Origin after 10 minutes, when he was the best forward on the paddock.
        It is about time someone in the “mainstream” media start asking some questions, Annesley’s antics on Friday night in comparison to Storm’s Kafusi on Matto is an obvious one.
        I suspect these commentators are coming of scripts and the people writing the scripts have never seen a game, only the headlines.

        We have Peter Sterling there who surely is secure enough now to start telling them some truths.
        Maybe we should be pointing out through this site the respective supporters each club has, there effect on ratings and start throwing it back at them……someone has these numbers, lets use them.

        I love the comment someone made about Michael Innis, readifining hipocrisy when he of “all people” accused Dyllan of a “dog act”. He should be made to apologise over that as by implication he say’s it was a deliberate act….. maybe everyone doesn’t think like him.

        1. Colin Hussey

          Pops, I understand that without any position of doubt as I have been seeing it now for yonks & years.But!!!

          What I have seen, read and heard since Fridays game by all the commentators & I think Sterlo tried to be non bias as well, but given the comments, repeat screenings etc, one would take the thought that the Eels did not participate in the game except for the incidents, and the feather dusters were the only team on the field.

          How does comprehend that the dusters coach is able to make the post games remarks, be fined $10,000.00 for what he said but then to have the fine suspended (for good behaviour?) with a warning to not repeat.

          The aspect that both eels players now under suspension, owing to half time inteference is another joke. DB should have gone off, but Marata’s charge is a dead set joke, I have watched it several times & there was no shoulder in the tackle from Marata, at worst it it was a chest charge, his left arm is clearly to Tedesco’s left side and visible, while his shoulder is marginally behind Jnr’s shoulder at around the same level. Tedesco is below Marata’s shoulder.

          From where I sit I see none of those commentators with the possible exception of Sterlo should be allowed to call the game let alone be deemed as experts that can be so biased in their calls, that they are jokers in a overused deck of cards needing to be replaced, other words they should be sent off.

          I am dreading the thought of Sunday’s game with the ref that has been assigned to it. Lastly as for linesmen, well they used to be called Touch Judges that could and were supposed to make calls when an on field illigality took place, & even to rule on off side and forward passes. Today they are flat our running the outside lines, put some lap dogs there or robots. that are programed to perform the role that the linesmen are meant to do.

  8. John Eel

    Shelley great read again. I was thinking of things to add as I read everything from you and the other posters and in my mind it was all said.

    Just one small thing however in my mind Flanagan missed out before in the Eels coaching job prior to landing the Sharks job. Probably would have been a good fit with the old board.

    His minders worked diligently at the end of last season to white ant BA without success thanks to our outstanding board.

    Thanks again

    1. John Eel

      Shelley you make the great point here that no team has scored more points against the Roosters than the Eels.

      Furthermore according to Nrl.com the only team to score more points this season than the Eels is the Storm. We are equal second with the Panthers on 260.

    2. Colin Hussey

      John, I remember Flanagan as a very good hooker for the eels, & when he finished his playing career, I remember him applying at least twice for the eels coaching position, at that time it was just deemed first grade coach, he failed on both occassions to be offered the job.

      He did however get the position as coach in 1997 to coach the eels SG Ball team. He also was assistant to Bellamy at the storm for some time 2007-2010 before taking up at at Cronulla in 2010.

    3. Sav

      Good comment John. These little power plays are holding the game back in my opinion. Flannigan is dubious to say the least and don’t understand how people, fans or media especially, want to run with him.
      You are so right about the board changes. Huge difference. Cheers.

  9. Longfin Eel

    I think the media will find eventually that people will just stop listening to them. As we know with this and other fan sites, we can get much better, more balanced views on the game than those opinions of so called journalists and commentators. To upset one of the largest fan bases in the NRL is truly a very disingenuous move. Parra fans learnt during 2016 to do just that, and now the media is doing eveything they can to bring them back via click bait. I hope Parra fans don’t fall for it!

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