Every Eels fan knows the value of a Parra story. Good or bad, the moment that the old Blue and Gold is featured, reads are guaranteed.
Even so, it’s been some time since we’ve seen the level of frenzy currently playing out across all platforms of the media.
The stories have become the gate crashers to this season’s party.
Our host’s recent poor on-field performances opened the door to welcome in the predictable “sack the coach” narratives. They always arrive, uninvited, with their gang of salivating mates, inexplicably thirsty for team failure.
Then, like a viral teenage social media share, news of the open door has seen forgotten friends such as “contract talk leaks” decide that it was appropriate to join the festivities
And the original guests, the supporters, are either watching the melee and trying to avoid the blows, or simply giving up on the party as a lost cause.
There’s an old proverb that tells us that it’s always darkest just before the dawn.
Right now, we’re all staring at the horizon, looking for that glow.
I’m bracing for some hits with this column as I try to make sense of it all.
Bumpers up!
Statement Of Position
This is something that I want to make very clear.
The Cumberland Throw originated from a group of passionate Eels supporters coming together to create something that we believed in. With a focus on content, the intent was to provide a single site that Eels supporters could visit to keep up to date with everything from Junior Representative football to NRL.
We’ve stayed true to our goals. The public and private feedback that we receive constantly reminds us of the importance of remaining on course in what we deliver, and drives us to explore new ways of delivering content.
Our motivations remain that passion for the club. There are things that we do that have never been privileged. Anyone can watch the training sessions that we attend. Anyone can go to the lower grade games or Junior Rep matches alongside us. There are those that do. We are simply the ones to report on it.
Personally, I have supported the Eels for over 50 years. I was a Cumberland Oval season ticket holder as a child, joined the Leagues Club at 18, even worked there as a barman during my Uni years.
My heart swells with every win. It breaks with every loss. Watching footage of 1981 stirs the memories and still fills me with emotion.
As a result of those years of support, I’ve been fortunate to meet many people and make many friends, be they fellow supporters or people associated with the club. The importance that I place on the best interests of the club has occasionally placed me at odds with some people I’ve come to know.
Back in 2016, it wasn’t easy to join Chris Losco in collecting signatures as we sought to get the PLC Board to stand down. The nom de plume of “Sixties” was pushed aside when I spoke at every subsequent constitutional reform meeting. I did these things because of my passion for the club.
Nor was it easy a couple of years back when I was highly critical of the club’s processes around the retention of pathways players. Writing that post challenged me more than any other, but it was one where my support compelled me to publish it.
My support of Brad Arthur as being the right man to coach the Eels comes from that desire for what’s best for our club.
It’s based on the track record of where he’s taken the club, what I’ve witnessed and what I am aware of him doing behind the scenes, and importantly, where I believe he can take the club. Failure to recognise the enormity of his achievements is nothing but ignorant.
Conversely, only blind support would say he is infallible. I haven’t agreed with every team selection or every bench rotation. But there have also been many occasions when I’ve been wrong in my initial reaction.
A quarter of a century ago, when Brian Smith was appointed to the Eels, I regarded him as potentially the next Jack Gibson. His first five years were glorious. His last five had their challenges. When he departed I breathed a sigh of relief.
Wooden spoon season aside, you can track the path that the Eels have taken under Arthur, from bottom of the table regulars to finals residents. That achievement has been one of the critical factors in the financial success of the football operation.
Should the time come when I believe that BA is not the man for the job, I will say so. My support of the club has always been paramount.
However, right now, my faith in Brad Arthur remains as strong as ever.
The Question Of Form
The chicken or the egg? Form or confidence?
Good form creates confidence. Confidence leads to the belief in what you can achieve and therefore strong form.
All players probably wish they were blessed with a similar mental wiring to James Maloney.
Errors, missed tackles – he made plenty but none of that fazed Jimmy. He just got on with the next play. It was his strength and why he enjoyed success.
Regardless, the Eels are currently missing both form and confidence – big time.
Brad Arthur
None of the players are truly backing themselves. BA described it as the team trying not to lose. He could have used the term, “fear of failure.”
Whatever terminology is selected, such a mindset is not the gateway to achieving victories.
The Raiders clash may have been the catalyst for this negativity but it shouldn’t have been. It was an average performance against a fired up and physical opponent, but victory would still have been achieved had the team iced the opportunities that they created.
The following week, against the Roosters, we saw the self doubt created by the loss and the accompanying headlines. Despite a poor start to the match by the Roosters, the Eels responded with hesitancy and a lack of commitment in both attack and defence.
Against Souths, it just got worse. Even in the tight opening quarter of the game, the body language never looked positive.
Is there a magic elixir to finding self belief? If it can’t be achieved in match preparation, maybe it’s something as simple as getting early points in a game. Maybe it rolls into jagging a win, even an ugly one.
Whatever the answer is, victory will be difficult if fear of losing continues to cast its shadow.
That Same Page
Without question, the Eels have been performing like a group of strangers. Rather than using the term “the same page” I’ve commented that they haven’t been in the same library.
Whilst we all feel the pain of the players not executing as a team, the greatest damage would be caused were the club, as a whole, not on the same page.
The Eels have come a long way from the days when internal politics and personal positioning would result in leaks to the media. We’ve now had a prolonged, settled period where the job of running the club gets done with a minimum of fuss.
The media points and counterpoints around Gutho’s contract have reached the stage where negotiations have been put on hold.
The King
In their Tele article, Ritchie, Campton and Crawley reported that “Gutherson even suggested there was an agenda being driven to destabilise his team”.
I cannot believe that any senior person within the club would be drip feeding contract talks to the media. There are too many wise people steering the Eels organisation who understand the damage that can result within a club divided.
So where should we point the finger?
I have my suspicions and all I’ll say is that he didn’t read the landscape too well at all.
Roster Strength
Would there be anyone who’d argue with the narrative that the Eels don’t possess the superstar freak player that a number of other top clubs can boast? Nobody on the Eels payroll earns a million a season, so the evidence need go no further than that.
I recently addressed the Eels roster for 2022 in a dedicated post.
Joseph Manu
Given the understandable emphasis on retention, I suggested that as few as 3 top 30 spots might be available for next season, with limited recruitment options available in the current list of NRL players off contract for 2022.
My proposition was that the club should go all in for a marquee 2023 signing such as the Roosters’ Joey Manu.
From a profile perspective, this bloke has been overshadowed by the likes of Tedesco, Keary and even Sam Walker. However, Trent Robinson and Nick Politis would undoubtedly value him in the elite class, as he’s arguably been the equal of James Tedesco during the Roosters backs to the wall victories this season.
Let’s make them work to keep him.
The tri-colours should have to hit close to that million dollar mark to retain him. It might be near impossible to lure a highly valued player away from Bondi and Uncle Nick, but the Eels cannot afford to let that deter them.
Over recent seasons, the Eels have refreshed their roster with pathways players and value signings. This year, given the number of players on short term deals, there’s been a logical emphasis on retention.
However, come November, there needs to be a small elite hit list with Manu at the top – in bold lettering.
Hopefully the Eels are prepared to open the purse strings.
Let’s Talk Balance
The focus on Eels players off contract at the end of next year seems arse about. The narrative has been nothing but negative, with the suggestion that the distraction of contract status and/or talks has been a contributing factor to poor form.
Firstly, two and a half months remain before other clubs can begin to talk to these players about 2023. It’s hardly time for panic stations, especially when considering that many players sign one year deals, meaning that other clubs can immediately negotiate with players who hit high value form.
Ryan Matterson is off contract at the end of 2022
Secondly a potential new contract is a positive for both parties. It gives the player the chance to assess their market value, which for many would be an exciting and rewarding prospect. If a player finds it difficult to get their job done when their contract runs out in 15 months time, I’d be stunned.
A positive for the club is the opportunity to evaluate a player’s worth in the market and against the entire roster. It might mean negotiating a lower salary or parting ways, both of which can free money for other spending.
And a final thought – every NRL player has multiple contract negotiations during their career. Clubs will have multiple players off contract every year.
Imagine the chaos. Imagine the headlines. Yeah right.
If I Could Do One Thing
Wouldn’t we all love to have that power!
Let me set this up. If you had the power to do one thing with team selections, or the match preparation for this week, what would you do?
Some of this!
Mine would be simple.
I’d compile a five to ten minute package of highlights from earlier this season – big moments in both attack and defence and players celebrating the achievements of their team mates.
It would be played in the team meetings and in the bus to the game.
I reckon my reasoning needs no explanation.
Women In League Round
Is there any rugby league follower who doesn’t value the contributions of women in our game?
This round is set as a celebration of the role women play, but I can’t imagine the code without them.
From getting kids to training and games, to volunteer roles in junior footy, through to being on staff, in executive roles or on boards at NRL clubs, women are part of the core of rugby league organisations.
Female participation is the strongest growth area of the code, and the NRLW will eventually be the most exciting women’s professional football league in the world. Female match officials are making their mark in senior competitions.
We have prominent and respected female journalists and presenters in the rugby league media and I trust that we have reached the point where gender is no longer a barrier.
And finally, the support that mothers, wives and partners play in the lives of NRL players and coaches should never be underestimated. Their work is often unheralded, but if a rugby league club is a family, you know that the women are at the heart.
Let me not forget all of the female fans and members out there who fill the stands to cheer on their teams. A special mention to those who don’t passionately follow the game but get involved to support their partners or family.
This is your week. Every week is your week.
Enjoy your Women In League Round everyone.
Eels forever!
Sixties
I can’t say that I regarded Joey Manu that highly – he seems to be the quiet achiever. When you have dominant players sometimes players like Manu get overlooked.
Is he really worth a million?
As much as I don’t like Latrell Mitchell’s attitude, he reminds of Anthony Mundine in that regard but, as a footballer he has all the skills to be the best in the NRL.
Speed
Step
Passing
Hands
Deception
Kicking
Power
Vision.
Would it not he better to chase Mitchell because he can really turn a game. In many ways he reminds me of Hayne who was a real gamebreaker.
Parra has a workman like team and anyone of them can slot into another team. But, they lack a gamebreaker and it’s the difference between Parra and the teams ahead of them.
If I was in charge, which I am not, Mitchell would be in my sights.
Zero, I am fairly sure that Latrell isn’t available until 2024, but I wouldn’t limit my targets to Manu. He’s simply top of my list for who is available for 2023. However, there would undoubtedly be a short list and it needs to be acted on as soon as it’s allowed because the result impacts retention decisions.
Dosent matter whos available , price is the only criteria at parra now .
Good analysis Sixties, and some old passion shown. So you must have been the bloke who served me $1 drinks one night back when they had Kick on at Kicks…?
Thanks for taking the time to do this one with all of your other work going on…..hope you are well mate, as I head to Ken’s tomorrow!
I respect BA as well, and the work that has been done, and again state that we need to evaluate this when the season is done. If we drop out again early, questions have to be asked and across the board.
Gutho- as leader he needs to lead the team and I feel his spray the other week was not a good look. Hope he has learnt as I feel at times his leadership becomes too emotional when calm heads are needed. Maybe he needs to sort his manager as well….with a shocking haircut like his.
Retention – its always controversial but one of the bigger $$$ players may need to go to make way for new blood (younger players) and also if we make a play for Manu, this would also make sense. For example IMO we cannot pay props $700+ just my view.
I also believe we need to make a play for Manu, as Easts may go all out and keep him, which then could open up another option. The issue is guys like Manu need the ball, and I mean Early Ball.
Ferguson we can assume will also be gone, but wingers backing up have not been as strong as I had hoped.
Saturday night may be closer than i originally thought, we need to be in the game for the entire match. Simple but true.
Cheers Milo. You’re a bit younger than me so unless you sneaked in vastly under age, I wouldn’t have served you. Also, the drinks were all less than a dollar when I worked there – even spirits!
i reckon the loss of a well paid player would be guaranteed. But for any big recruitment, that must be the cost.
As for Gutho’s outburst, it was more than a little disappointing. It feels like he’s been playing with the weight of the world on his shoulders, and that hasn’t helped his temperament.
Milo like your balanced views here. I particularly watched Manu last night. Not his best but still menacing.
While this suggestion is not going to get you the recognised game breaker that we are all looking for but still may turn up some quality recruits.
The Panthers are struggling to keep all their current NRL signings. Given that their Reserve grade is leading that competition there may well be some quality to pick up there.
Some of these players may well be looking around for an NRL start.
The rubbish in the media about Gutho’s has been so annoying, in fact infuriating. Whoever is giving the information to the journos needs to be called out and stopped. If it is someone at the club they need to be shown the door, I don’t care who they are or if it is Gutho’s manager he needs to tell him to stop, especially when you consider he is our captain. If it is his manager and if Gutho does not tell him to pull his head in I cannot support him any more. This is coming from someone who loves everything he has and continues to bring to our club and team. The carry on via the media is embarrassing for all involved.
I don’t believe it’s an internal leak Shelley.
That’s because Gutho as a captain should have got rid of Ayub after he dragged the eels through the mud last time.
But no gutho stuck by Ayub, hence the dragging starts again.
That proves that Gutho isn’t captain material and most club captains would have sacked the manager who repeatedly dragged down the club
That’s exactly how it goes Sixties
me either. Same old, same old goes on ever contract negotiation…Trust the Process..the blokes running the joint are not mugs.
I find it hard to believe it’s a co-incidence that all Parra’s contract negotiations have been well-handled internally with little in the media beyond speculation (eg Moses), except for Gutho’s last contract and next one.
Re roster, i think recruitment and retrenchment give a clear picture of where the club now stands under the current board and administration , No1. Business model and financial stability . No2. Corporate image and marketability No3 , by a substantial distance , the football team and fans , under the present regime its no longer a football club , its simply a business with little soul regarding the football team , They haven’t even recognized that the football team governs the top 2 , no team ,no support , = no business . previous boards always respected the product first but unfortunately their malpractices caught up with them , currently we are a well run business no doubt but football and the fans aren’t the priority anymore , unless our recruitment and retention improves drastically the department should be renamed rejected or reduced committee , we are starting to look like the club with the top stadium ,top training facility’s and the average football team , the clubs become cheapskate !!!
Does look a bit that way ot , ceo said weve never made arthur take a player he didnt want , no mention the ones theyve cost us, heard welch, kotoni staggs, hiawerenera just for starters
in recent years we’ve made excellent use of targeted, subsidised and “value” recruits, complemented by specific pathways players. Without question we must be prepared to take a step beyond that.
it actually makes good business sense to add an elite player. Besides the on-field benefits, a high profile player or two can attract positive media, corporate partners, and bums on seats. And of course, a winning team does all of that too.
Though such players may not be available for next year (unless we become aware of the potential for early releases of a target), then the work will need to begin this coming November for the 2023 season.
I totally agree with this sentiment.
As I have posted before, we have a low participation in SOO, this indicates that we do not have the game breakers that they have at the Storm or Panthers.
Your suggestion here would help overcome that issue and give them a go to player.
Great work as always Sixties. The last week has been embarrassing from Fox journalists. The rumour started via Brent Read saying that Gutho’s manager felt he took significant unders last time (750kish) and wasn’t prepared to do it again. This was then spun on their website the next day as him looking for around 1 million. Somehow it then became fact this week among the same people that sit on that 360 desk……….I usually defend the media but fox sports now just rehash quotes from their own tv shows and add some Mayo on top via the headline.
I’m expecting a big performance tomorrow night. It will be interesting to see how Manly back up after the Melbourne game which most sides struggle to do.
speaking of recruitment, I really think that Brandon Smith would add so much to our team. Our pack is rock solid but his effort and drive would definitely take us up a level.
Fox’s NRL business model is to have people on tv saying controversial things that they then write news articles about the next day, and vice versa. Anyone who isn’t seeing through that is not very clever. Which apparently is most people on Twitter!
Cheers Anon. The Hectic Cheese would be an interesting addition. Where would you play him? At dummy half or lock?
Left my name off my original post. Not suggesting we get rid of Reed Sixties. I just think Cheese’s best work is as a running forward. I’m glad we are careful with our cap these days and don’t pay crazy money but I would be happy to pay a little overs to dig him out of Melbourne.
I have absolutely no inside information but I suspect that the “leaks” are coming from people peripheral to the club. The story has been egged on by the usual idiots who only know conflict journalism who, with no evidence, have implicated the club as the source including the recruitment panel themselves. Onto the team, BA is spot on that they are a team “trying not to lose.” This can really kill confidence. Hopefully they can find their lost mojo and no better team than the Sea Beagles to be at the receiving end.
The only media about Parra I read is directly from the club and The Cumberland Throw. The media dribble that’s been pumping out over the past few weeks has made me sick. The constant contradictions from commentators, the manipulation of players words during interviews, the annoying rumours and worse the Parra fans requesting sackings of our core people. They say opinions are like arse holes everyone’s got one, but I’ll add to that, some dribble more shit than others. Thanks for the effort you all put into these articles, they keep me sane and that’s handy during a pandemic.
Go the women in league! NRLW I can’t wait till that comp kicks off. Some more Parra people to cheer for, I’m loving it. ⚡️💙💛💪🏻
Cheers Emily. Appreciate the support and loving the passion and the attitude too mate.
Oh my god – who is the petty idiot who is down-voting every single post Sixties makes? Are you 12? (Taking bets on the same thing happening to me now)
Excellent read! Are we still in the top 4, guaranteed a spot in the 8? I know we’re not traveling well at the moment, (in fact we are playing pretty ordinarily) but geez judging by the media circus you’d be mistaken for us running last. I’m as pissed off as anyone, but even I can see the media attention is ridiculous – and I live in Perth and haven’t been on Twitter for weeks. C’mon Parra turn it around this weekend, not only to shut up certain media types, but for my mental health. Go Parra!
Cheers West Coast. It’s amazing how some fans will actually turn on those who try to keep the faith after a couple of losses. But as you say, it will be a lift for the spirits if the boys can bring a win.
Go you Eels!
Great read Sixties.
I think we can learn from our lack of success with recruitment. We can’t seem to get a sniff if a good player is off contact. Why? Why have we missed out; Nicho Hynes, Finucane, Staggs, Gagai, Addo- Carr… Why?…
I think Gutho is good but is no way worth $1M…Think Turbo, Lattrell and Teddy..He is not a match winner $700-$800k max. He tries 100% of the time and he competes… but he’s been out of sorts and under too much pressure. He wasn’t selected for Origin…so he’s not in the best 17 in NSW. He’s probably 4th or 5th Fullback in NSW. I like Gutho so don’t get me wrong…he just needs to find a higher level..It was really dumb of his manager to even entertain contact talks given his current form and the teams results.
I think Manu wants to play Fullback and if we signed him Gutho would play centre for mine.
We need to sign Takiheho and Welch as well.
Go Eels!!
Since the revamp of recruitment committee theres not been one big name player bought by the club , every purchase has been from the bargain bin or subsidised by their current club , the board has let the coaching staff down badly but the coaches cop the flack , might add both the junior officer anthony field and nrl recruitment officer peter sharp have both resigned , why ?? Frustration ?? Sharp seems to be doing his job at bulldogs ok , signing top players every day while we buy has beens , the one big boast by the board was they were going to fix the recruitment situation , ha ha ha , its worse than ever !!!!
Interesting about peter sharp , didnt land other than sardines here , goes to dogs and hes reeling in marlins consistently and there running last , smells fishy to me , mediocrity again 2022 with same cheapys and recycled roster .
I don’t get it. You don’t think getting players like Sivo and Papa from the bargain bin was smart recruitment? Or having RCG subsidised? I’m not sure that you can call RCG and Paulo not big name players either.
Dont be silly , of course theyre good buys , check out whole roster , mediocrity assured ! Buy an average player fix him , what do you have , an average player , its obvious we just dont have the cattle and the board is visionless !! Parra,s my team but rose coloured glasses dont work . Hope this is not next years roster or were done again , dogs , broncs etc building to go up ladder , for everyone that rises someone sinks , we are vulnerable !!!!!!!
Pete, we were very close to Welch and then he got that recurring injury. In retrospect, he would have been a great pick up.
And I’ve singled out Manu for his strike power. I reckon that has to be a key recruitment goal.
Agree. We must sign
$900K Manu FB
Welch Middle Forward
Takihaho Middle Forward/Lock
I noticed instead we re signed Stone and Cartwright…
So how long does Arthur have ??
Brad is signed until the end of 2022.
Remember making a contributions to this fund in early seventies…lol
Wow. What year was that? Signed by Fitzy so it has to be later than early 70s Pete. I reckon it’s early 80s.