I’m going to begin this post with a statement that may not be well received. It might even be considered bizarre. But hear me out.
The game against the Broncos was equally parts frustrating and brilliant. To clarify that, a potentially a brilliant insight as to what the Eels should be doing as we move ahead.
As our team rebuilds, many considerations and discussions about squad composition and recruitment and retention will be had.
At the top of the list, I’d be placing discipline and “footy smarts”.
Throughout the season there have been a multitude of instances where players have been incapable of sticking to their role – that is, they haven’t been disciplined enough to stay in the defensive structures, they haven’t been disciplined enough to complete some basics, and they haven’t been able to read the play as it’s unfolding.
The charge down attempt highlighted this last Friday. It was all about effort. It was all about desire. But from a football logic perspective, a charge down in that field position had two very real outcomes – a rebound over the sideline or a rebound over the dead ball line.
Joy early in the game
Sadly, the play did not surprise me. That’s because I couldn’t point the finger at just one player as we’ve seen too many key moments this season where the decision in the heat of the moment has made no sense and has also been costly.
We can all recall pushed passes with receivers under pressure, “Hail Mary” balls that fall to opponents, early kicks that nobody knew was coming, rushing defenders taking matters into their own hands who either miss or hit without sticking in the tackle, and even short drop outs when we needed to kick long.
The result, missed opportunities for Parra, and long range tries, short range tries, actually lots of tries, unnecessary repeat sets, and massive momentum swings for opponents.
I know I’m preaching to a supporter base that is so familiar with the above that you don’t need me listing the games that have been thrown away under those circumstances.
When I witness those moments, talent plays second fiddle to football smarts. As stated earlier. discipline and football smarts should be placed at the top of the matrix when evaluating who the Eels need to recruit, develop or extend. And if there are players that aren’t capable of adding those core traits to their kitbag, then you never recruit them or you part ways if they are already here.
This is not a matter of throwing the baby out with the bath water. I’m not suggesting that any player who has made mistakes this season isn’t good enough. After all, I’m commenting From The Stands and the new coaching staff will be best placed to assess who they place their faith in moving forward.
Joe has had a very consistent season
Nonetheless, I suspect that based on the systems he’s used to, Jason Ryles will actually make calls based on discipline and smarts. And he’ll bear responsibility for driving his expectations in the players performances. My non-negotiable is that the club will back his calls. I will trust that his faith in the club to do so was part of his decision to accept the job.
Moving forward, every decision must be about placing the club in the best position to win every game. It starts in the preseason, and then in the weekly preparation by the coaches and players. It starts in the planning by the club for the season ahead, the cycles of future seasons, and the events that take place every week and every match day. Every body on the same page answering one major question – will this decision place the team in the best position to win games?
So we move to our last home match of the season.
It’s ridiculously sad that we stopped dreaming of finals months ago. No excuses now. Just fix what needs to be fixed so that we have a brighter future.
How appropriate that in this season from hell, the last home game will be the annual acknowledgement of members. If ever those in the stadium deserve acknowledgement, it’s 2024.
It’s a Saturday afternoon fixture, and a good crowd should be in attendance for three grades of Eels footy – NSW Cup, NRLW and NRL. Doesn’t that bring back memories of a full arvo of rugby league!
With a finals berth at stake, the travelling Dragons fans will be out in force. They always show up but especially when their season is on the line.
An unfortunate truth is that we may be seeing some of our favourites for the last time in a home game. I don’t pretend to know what is happening but my gut feeling is that we will see some significant changes over the offseason to our squad.
I’ll be in the stands supporting our players and look forward to seeing plenty of familiar faces around me. I may lament much about this season, but these players are wearing my club’s jersey, and make no mistake, they have my wholehearted support.
See you all there.
Shelley
Footy IQ has never been high on our clubs priority, even back to the Brian Smith days. IQ & toughness, two things this club has never been known for in its entire history.
Brett, I reckon Ray Higgs tried to provoke a culture of toughness but got turfed out when he wanted to ditch our ‘turn the other cheek’ policy of the day. Peter Sterling had high IQ, and probably that Gibson era was as close as we got to genuinely having both qualities…but you need both in your make-up on an ongoing basis, not every now and then.
Agreed, maybe I’m being overly dramatic, but you’re right, they’ve been rare commodities at our club
I think the point Shelley makes about football smarts is so true. Take Blaine Talagi in the last game. High profile player and clearly talented but his defence was atrocious. Clearly a case of talent but no football smarts!
All rookies, especially outside backs struggle defensively. Even a guy like Izack Tago still struggles from time to time. I recall Waqa giving a young Stephen Crichton a bath at CommBank a few years ago, now he’s considered the best defensive centre in the league. That’s not a smarts issue, that’s a physical & mental strength issue.
Brett, Crichton missed ONE tackle on Waqa that won us the game. Other than that he was solid.
He didn’t give Crichton a ‘bath’
He definitely didn’t miss the kind of tackles Talagi does EVERY game and nor did Tago in any time of their careers.
To be fair, I’ve never heard the kid give excuses and that is every much in his favour.
He will either sink or swim at the Panthers.
He missed about four, even Crichton himself has admitted Waqa abused him. In fact he said it was that game that he realised how much he needed to improve.
Look I get it, you despise Talagi, you’ve been bashing the kid for most of the season. Just give it a rest.
Well you know that’s just not true.
Yes, I hate his lack of loyalty – with an absolute passion but I judge him on his performances.
The fact he continues to be named is a sad indictment on the standards we try and hold.
I remember the old days when the Skull and the St George supporters used to invade Cumberland Oval.
A rowdy lot.
Let’s hope we can send their grandchildren home miserable on Saturday.