Disappointing, frustrating, confusing. We can all probably add far more colourful adjectives to our thoughts about what we witnessed from the Eels on Sunday.
Most of us are realists. We understand that having a linchpin like Mitch Moses missing from the team will have an impact on some of the execution in Parra’s matches, but it should not impact the collective effort.
I use that phrase ‘ collective’ because it was evident that there was a level of effort. However, at times that effort was misplaced as players took matters into their own hands in either defensive decisions or attacking plays.
Were the players hurting?
I watched the end of the game closely and I could see a disappointment on their faces. I firmly believe our players care, but I also believe the real battle at the moment exists in their heads. They have been making errors that should not, in any way, be caused by the absence of Moses.
Therefore, with the benefit of time and hindsight since the game, I have considered what I can do to help.
Let me be clear. There are problems that are obvious to everyone. The Eels top 30 list, and the extended roster through to the lower grades, has been allowed to deteriorate. This isn’t just a 2024 problem. It has been an issue for the past few years which has not been addressed and those responsible must be held to account.
As strange as it may seem, the success of the 2023 SG Ball team has actually highlighted the problem. With that squad now split between SG Ball, Flegg, NSW Cup and NRL, there are two teams that remain winless. There are literally not enough players to support this talented young group in their development journey.
When it comes to the NRL, Brad Arthur is entitled to have more selection options. We as fans deserve to see that there are more options.
As fans, there is little that we can do to remedy the roster, but every Eels supporter is still entitled to expect the problems to be rectified without excuse.
Unfortunately, though we have those expectations of an immediate fix, the reality is that it won’t help our team this week. As disappointed or as angry as fans might be, our team needs our support. To not support our Eels would only make their job harder.
We all want our team to win, but empty stands removes any home ground advantage. I respect the belief that recent performances do not deserve full stands. There will be those who would argue that not turning up, or booing, sends the strongest message to those responsible for our failings, especially the roster management fails. I fully expect and appreciate that there will be readers who believe passionately in taking that approach.
Though I understand that those supporters love the club just as much as I do, that’s not my way and it’s not my belief in what we can do to help right now.
So therefore my message is simple and direct.
We need our players to turn up, and likewise, this is the time that we need to get out and support them.
If the team performs at its best, if they are all on the same page, they still have the capacity to match it with the Cowboys. They can still win the middle, pull off the big hits, create second phase play, chase hard on kicks and play with aggression and intent. They don’t need Moses to execute those basics.
We are demanding that they lift and do those things. We are demanding that they rise to a challenging situation.
My call to fellow supporters is for us to also rise. It’s a challenge after the last two rounds, but there’s already been enough venting and finger pointing at players and coaches on social media. The players aren’t deaf to how supporters feel. That message is crystal clear.
CommBank Stadium
Just as the players need to produce their best, so do we. Even if you feel that there are those that don’t deserve it, remember that it is the club and the jersey that you are passionate about. We need to fill the stands with that passion and support and help the players get the negativity out of their heads and just enjoy playing.
To that end we aren’t helpless. We are entitled to feel frustrated about the issues that are out of our control, but bringing our support is completely within our control.
My family will be in the CommBank stands on Saturday, wearing our colours, cheering and supporting the team. I hope to see you all there too.
Shelley
And when can we expect those responsible for the deterioration of the roster to he held accountable, and by whom ?
I’m not holding my breath.
I understand the frustration and at some point fans will draw a line in the sand and say no more. I am not sure I have any faith left for those whose primary job it is to put the rosters, including lower grades, together and if I am honest they have had a couple of years to fix our issues in the backs and not only have they done nothing they have actually made it worse.
Whoever is responsible for creating lists that needs two 2nd rowers to have to play in the centres in jersey flegg should be told thanks but your services are no longer required. How can we pretend to be a development club when we don’t have centres to play in an age based team.
And if those at the top of overseeing the program and therefore in charge cannot see and do what needs to be done then things amongst the fans will turn very nasty very quickly.
I still support BA but if they sack him and leave the football office people in charge my family and our membership will walk. They are the ones causing this mess, BA’s primary job is not recruitment, it is to coach and develop the players our manager of football and recruitment team sign to play at the club.
Wait, we need to not boycott games and stand strong and faithful as you are.
But if they fire BA you’re walking?
Not a fan of your contradiction.
There’s no contradiction. You can and should choose to support your team in the current circumstances. You might want to reevaluate that if circumstances change dramatically (eg if BA gets moved on but the same incompetent head of football and admin people remain at the club).
Just so we’re clear, you’re saying if circumstances change dramatically such as (insert whatever you’ve deemed dramatic).
This dramatic change, whatever it is and something you disagree with, might just be what was needed afterall.
But it’s okay. You get to walk on your terms and urge others to not walk away on theirs.
Okay then. Logic.
I am fine with you going or not going, that is your choice.
Never once did I say that I cannot understand why people would stay away. I can and respect that choice. Those people still care for our club.
People have every right to be frustrated, as I am and if they decide to stay away I can understand why.
I have made my decision about what I will and won’t take as a fan and I have decided that as it currently stands I will support them. If however they look for a scapegoat and decide BA alone is the scapegoat then yes my family will stop going because in my view there will be no hope at turning around what is happening.In my view a new coach working under the same conditions will do no better. Our list management is sub par.
We are still supporting and turning up because we believe there is still hope to turn things around, not just this year but going forward as well.
Take that hope away and yes I will not make a 2 1/2 drive to and from games. We went to every single home game, at Homebush, in 2018 because we had hope that Bernie Gurr knew what had to change and went about doing it, we therefore kept supporting despite getting flogged each game.
Your point regarding the dilution of the successful SG Ball side confirm the failure of recruitment. Those players and their futures are being help back by incompetence at R&R level and above.
Player managers do not find the HOF easy to deal with and quite demanding which from a position of supply and demand not in his favour , it’s therefore not surprising how difficult it is to actually sign decent players. Since the current HOF and his support have been in the chair, can’t think of one player of regular NRL appearances we have signed. Just look at the KOE cup which is a reflection of their competence, how they seem to have escaped criticism from other than the occasional fan site is amazing,
Until that changes expect more of the same which is frightening.
When is the Football Department going to be called out???
Mark Oneil and his team have not been doing their job BA can only do as much as he can with the cattle he is given.
The SG Ball kids have been rushed up into CUP which is going to be a determent to their development.
Sanders Saga is ridiculous now.
The problem is that we have no mechanism to hold them accountable.
We have limited capacity to hold the board accountable these days, and McElduff & Sarantinos are at the least complicit, if not outright to blame, for the state of the clubs roster.
Short of boycotting games, assuming you could organise it, we have no way to get the message through.
Seriously, try contacting the club and see where that gets you ?
It’s like the Great Wall of China between the club and members.
Yep agree..
Only time you hear from the club is when they want your money…
or when the CEO send out his yearly report on how we beat the Panthers…
Then we have articles telling us as fans to turn up and cheer..
The method within our grasp that will get the board’s attention is memberships. The club has been driving this hard over the past few seasons, and if this drops significantly next season, the club will surely get the message. Sure, people will still go to games and Parra will likely have many sellout crowds, but memberships provide the club with surety that the fans are still out there. If the board is treating the club as a business, then it it imperative that they consider the wants and needs of their customers – ie fans.
I take it you are referring to elections of board members, and as it stands it’s more difficult for anybody off the street to be elected unless they have particular requisite skills. For this to be an avenue to vent frustrations, we would still need to wait until the next election, and even then hope that whoever gets elected will instigate the changes you are referring to.
BA is failing, but it’s beyond BA. A fish rots from the head down
Sarantinos putting finances and marketing fluff ahead of results
Mark O’Neill not knowing what the role of Head of Football entails, not being a parra man, being a paid up member of a rival club, and stonewalling and overreaching on recruitment and retention.
Its now time for a full sweep and to rebuild
I love BA and what he’s done for the club, but there is always a time when change is needed, and it’s now.
Hi Brad, I dont disagree. I too like BA. Although he does frustrate me often.
Suppose If BA walked out today.. we wouldn’t win another game this year. Not only that who could replace him?
The club has been self sabotaged so badly.
Inability to attract players
Constant lowballing and rigid negotiating
Lack of depth across the top grades
promising juniors released or pushed out
Players not NRL or Cup ready
Lack of transparency
Majority of players off contract this year or next. On the background of inability to attract players. Means we end up bidding up for retention and cycle continues.
No strategic planning
One injury spells disaster for two grades
Lack of integrity in the football department is the rumour that requires attention. The Front office is derelict in its duty.
CEO sits in an ivory tower far removed from what the fans/members see and experience. Lack of accountability and only cares for money.
I don’t mind a loss. But a thrashing is not acceptable.
If you do go to Commbank this weekend, do a little survey. Ask fans the name of the CEO. I bet less than 25% would know the answer and the guy has been in charge for 4 years!
Throw in MON who should never have ben given a job in the first place, and you have the reason why the longest drought in the NRL isn’t about to end.
I don’t agree with every call BA makes, any more than i did when Brian Smith or other coaches were around. But he has clearly turned some playing careers around and players in general seem to vibe to him. I don’t think BA has ever had a good NSW Cup side to dip into when the club has injuries, so i can cut him some slack.
The other two should be on the chopping block, or in the bin already.
I remember what an old Collingwood supporter once said: “if you stop following us, you never really followed us at all.”
If as head coach BA is unable to influence recruitment then it really is time for him to go and get someone in who can. Because as a whole our window is closing and the roster is aging and no one seems to be coming here. We need someone who can positively influence recruitment.
Wayne Bennett would be great for this club for those reasons plus he seems to know how to to coach defence.
I love your passionate words.
Let’s stand up Eels fans at the ground, in the pub or interstate fans.