As much as I tried to get excited about last Thursday’s game, it was a tough ask.
Sitting in the stands, watching a cold, wet night game in the middle of the winter is hard in any season, but it was especially hard considering our miserable year both on and off the field.
Despite that, there were some intriguing observations to be made from watching the game live.
Our young players like Charlie Guymer, Blaize Talagi and Jake Tago appeared to play with a positive mindset, unburdened by the stress that others seem to be experiencing. They could have been playing footy at the park with their mates such was their positivity and enjoyment.
Charlie Guymer
Watching Guymer run hard and get quick play the balls was awesome. I can’t help but think our forwards could be reminded that we need a “run first, ball play second” mentality. Second phase play is more productive against a retreating defence.
The performance of the rookies was in stark contrast to what we witnessed from some of their team mates. I reckon many of those experienced players are much like us – treading water as they await the club’s decision on the new coach.
It’s easy to criticise the players as ‘professionals’ who should block out everything that’s gone on behind the scenes this year. But if I was waiting for a new boss to be named, and I didn’t know if I was going to be tapped on the shoulder or deemed surplus to needs, it would impact me, my attitude and my energy.
The players aren’t robots, they’d have their worries about what the future has in store for themselves and their families. For professional athletes a change of clubs can sometimes mean having to either move away from loved ones, or shifting partners and kids away from their support networks.
Coming out of the weekend, the naming of our new coach was the positive that we needed.
You all know my personal views on BA and when and how he was sacked, but I am just happy we have finally named a new coach. Jason Ryles will have my full support, and the support of my family. At the end of the day, all I want is for my club, the Parramatta Eels, to succeed.
Jason Ryles
As I sit in the stands and watch the rest of our season unfold, it will be interesting to see what other changes happen off the field. There will be tough calls to make, and for our new coach and the team to be successful, the evolution has to start immediately.
I’m being realistic about what will happen on the field. This week in particular will be a tall order.
The Eels will be fielding an incredibly inexperienced backline against the Titans. The Gold Coast have had their own hurdles this year, but their performances have improved throughout the season – something that we can’t boast. Furthermore, they have pace to burn in their outside backs.
Who knows what will happen, but I will be watching eagerly and supporting our players. This mess seems like a big hole to climb out of, but the only way we will do it is by supporting each other and moving in the one united direction.
Shelley
I’m happy that we are getting some NRL experience for some of our younger players. We have not really seen this sort of initiative for some time. I know that injuries and the fact that our season is already done plays a part here. This is certainly a positive step though, and will enable these young players to hit the ball running next season. I truly believe that as a club we need to rethink how we do everything and start the rebuilding phase. I’m confident that Ryles will buy into that, and is likely one of the reasons the board selected him as Head Coach for the next 4 seasons. Good times await, but there will need to be some tough times in the imminent future. We may not see many more wins this season, but let’s not dwell on that.
It’s two years (2018 and 2024) that we have not kept up with trends in game and been badly exposed. 2018 ended in spoon and 2024 is headed that way. Obviously sacking coach + not having top 30 + having heaps of injuries contributes to 2024 mess but, even accounting for that, the “leaders” in the nrl squad have been badly exposed. They should be able to get the group going better than last and it’s time we moved some of them on. For too many years it’s been inconsistent even at best of times and now down right horrible. Hopefully ryles finds the balance between cutting players and keeping a sufficient number on side and not doing too much damage too early.
Question for anyone who knows:
Why didn’t we sign Blaize up properly before handing him a NRL debut?
A new club is reportedly after him every day, dolphins now also interested.
Surely they club could have gotten his long term signature for cheaper BEFORE the rest of the world seen him play NRL games every week?
Trying to understand why he wasn’t locked down before hand.
True Muz,
I wonder the same. We know Blaize had a player option for next year which has not been taken up. Personally, and as others have said on other posts, I really think we should avoid options as much as possible. If we’d done that with Dylan’s contract we wouldn’t have the nightly speculation on NRL360!
That said, Blaize has a player agent who is advising him. That also affects how negotiations can work as we all know. I could go on about that but would likely leave myself bitter.
Might be an interesting question for Sixties and Forty to delve into: player agent negotiating tactics and how to counter the worst of them when trying to conduct good faith negotiations.
Why we are trying to win an nrl match without a recognised half-back is beyond me I don’t care if sanders is leaving next year if it means the difference between winning or losing I’d have him there.
Shelly.
Good post, & for me I agree with what you said about the now, but also watching into the future. In that arena, I wonder how the new head coach will work with the current eels teams team?
I don’t see a lot of changes though, but once the next game that works out as an eels team with Mitch’s running, things could well have stronger control in the team going forward.
A somewhat preview heading to the future.