The original intent of this post was to explore two different perspectives about what unfolded on Sunday in Melbourne.
Let’s be real. The first half was a debacle, and the worst opening forty minutes of a season from the Eels that I can recall – and I’m 64 years old! If there’s been worse that I’ve forgotten about, it because I’ve selectively wiped it from my memory.
The horror opening round was of a magnitude that cannot be brushed aside or taken lightly. However, it has almost been pushed aside by the Dylan Brown news.
Forty and I tackled yesterday’s breaking Brown (sounds like a TV show) story in the quickest way possible, via a live podcast.
However, the loss of Brown deserves the type of input that comes from having time for reflection. So I’ve dedicated some space here.
With the preamble done, on with The Spotlight.
Supporters’ Perspective About The Defeat
Eels supporters are unlike most other club supporters.
Our resilience and loyalty is unmatched across the NRL, because after every passing season without success, we all sign up in record numbers the following year in the belief that our beloved Eels are headed to a better future.
It’s illogical but passionate support isn’t based on logic.
That said, such support should never be taken for granted. I’ve said this many times in the past.
On that note, Sunday’s first half performance from the team was completely unacceptable.
Supporters understand that the unavailability of nine players, including Mitch Moses, in hot conditions, would be problematic under any circumstances. When the opponent is the Melbourne Storm at home, the task of winning would be near impossible. In fact, the final score across 80 minutes might have even been expected.
However, conceding 46 points in the first half was not expected, and it was particularly insulting, especially to any supporter who trekked down south.
Being outclassed happens in footy. And that happened on Sunday.
But what supporters saw from Parramatta in the first half against the Storm was a group of players who, to use a cliche, didn’t turn up.
Literally everything that was worked on during the preseason was not in evidence.
In defence, the players were like strangers who had just met in the sheds before the game. No line speed, no communication, no aggression or purpose. No wrestle. In other words no system in action and minimal technique on display.
As far as attack was concerned, it was difficult to determine any shapes/structure in operation.
But worst of all, there was no energy. Above all else, even in the hot conditions, it was what upset many fans the most. How was a lack of energy possible in the opening half of the opening game of the season.
Supporters wear the jersey. Buy the merchandise. Pay for memberships. Attend the games. Consume the content. We cheer for the players, the current custodians of the jersey. The Blue and Gold is in our blood and it’s for life.
However, even though our game day support is important, we have minimal control over how players perform on match day. Our footy highs and lows are determined by those on the field.
Consequently there’s frustration when the performance is poor. It’s not about getting beaten, but the manner in which it happens. It’s understandable that a lack of energy would be seen as not caring or not turning up.
The faces say it all
During the pre-season there was consistent messaging about the players buying in to the changes. In response, supporters bought in too.
And despite the excitement of a new season, supporters are realistic. We understand that the process of change takes time.
But none of that change should involve waiting for the team to play with energy and commitment. That should be a non-negotiable when the jersey is pulled on.
How do we know that the problem was in the minds of the players?
The second half.
Forget about “winning” the second half. There is no winning anything other than the final scoreboard.
But the effort from the team after returning from the sheds was poles apart from how they started the game.
It might have lacked polish or cohesion at times, and the Storm weren’t firing as they were early on. However, the energy of the Eels in both attack and defence was closer to what we expected from the start of the contest.
Suddenly, the defensive attitude improved. There was pace in the attack. Nowhere near where they need to be but on the right path.
If the players could produce like that in the second stanza, what happened early on?
Fans are scarred by past examples. Losses will happen, that’s understood. What we don’t deserve is a repeat of Sunday’s first half.
The Coaches’ Perspective
I’m using the plural in this instance because all clubs have a team of coaches.
The coaches themselves would have some common concerns with the fans.
Where was the energy?
What happened to everything we worked on in defence?
Where was the communication?
Why was there minimal speed in our footy?
Now add in some other questions.
Who didn’t measure up and can’t get any better?
Are there better, eligible selection options available this week?
What did we miss as coaches in the lead up to this game?
What can we do to extract a better performance from the team this week?
I’m not a coach, and so I can’t really know the extent of their considerations. However, I was a teacher for nearly 25 years, and some of the fundamentals are the same. When students were tested the results would guide me towards the specific assistance required for each student. But the results would also involve self reflection. If particular questions were difficult for a group of students, I’d review those lessons and my own teaching therein.
So, the thinking of the coaches would be equally about the players as well as themselves.
Then there’s the second half.
Whilst “winning” the second half in such a lopsided score means little to supporters, the coaches need to be able to find a platform to build from.
A loss of that magnitude allows doubt, self doubt or doubt in those around you, to creep in.
The coaches have to be brutally honest about what went wrong, but they also have to build the players up for the next match. The players need to understand that how they performed in the second half did make a massive difference.
Ryley and support crew
There were players on debut who can hold their head high. Ryley Smith and Sam Tuivaiti are at the start of their journey. Isaiah Iongi was playing NRL game 2. In these players the coaches have the brighter future.
The entire team needs to believe that they are capable, even with an injury riddled side, of matching a premiership favourite for at least forty minutes.
Sam and fam
It won’t be an easy task, especially after the news concerning Dylan Brown came as the postscript to the weekend thrashing.
What the coaches need right now is a group of players who believe in themselves and each other, in spite of what unfolded.
Nearly an entire season is waiting to be played.
Dylan Brown
Disappointment. Disbelief.
Those two words ultimately cover my response to Dylan leaving the club at season’s end. I’m probably at the conservative end of some of the emotional reactions I’ve read on social media.
Last night John and I recorded a live podcast to discuss our raw takes about the five-eighth’s decision.
I don’t want to go back over what I’ve already said.
For the most part, I’ve already said what I want to say.
Brown
Without question, Dylan’s financial call was logical. All of us wouldn’t hesitate to change jobs for money like that.
And yet, I’ve always viewed Dylan as being wired a little differently, so a bit of extra coin wouldn’t be the “be all and end all” of his decision. Maybe it still wasn’t.
But it’s done.
I don’t subscribe to dropping Dylan simply because he won’t be at the Eels next year, and I will still cheer him on, even if those cheers are now on a countdown. I wish him well at the Knights but not at the expense of the Eels.
Each week Jason Ryles will select the team that he believes will win. He can’t be thinking about a team that will win next season.
As for Dylan, he must produce better than he did last round. I’m never critical of Dylbags but if that wasn’t his worst ever game for Parra, it would certainly be in the top two. He looked and played like a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Put that effort behind you now Dylan. Supporters deserve your best until the final second of your final game in the Blue and Gold.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Thanks Sixties.
I agree, we need to give ourselves every chance to win, dropping Dylan is not the answer. The better we go the more chance we have of attracting new talent to our club. We don’t want potential signings to think we are a spiteful club, dropping Dylan will send that message.
Exactly Joseph. Messaging is important that we aim to win games, not make spiteful selection calls.
As always awesome content Sixties and crew. Don’t understand the flak you copped in a previous blog some people can be so silly.
Oh how i wish i was a fly on the wall at the training sessions this week. I had a harsh thought straight after the game but ill try and say it a little nicer.. There were some blokes in the team who simply weren’t committed at all to making tackles like they were playing high school soccer.
In Ryles I guess we just to trust this process. I just hope we have the right people around him and support.
Sixties, forget Brown he’s gone. Not a Parra man. Last week’s display worst I’ve copped in all my Parra years and you know how long that is. If Shaun Lane is the answer this week, man , we’re in a real hole. Come on JR give all the young forwards a go. We have to go hard for the future now.
Gotta find some balance in team selection Prometheus.
Your kidding sixties, Lane is a carbon copy of Kelmas defensive efforts. How is that balancing team selection. It served us well last week, we looked really cohesive
Prometheus I’m talking about a mix of youth and experience from a coach’s perspective. As someone who isn’t the coach, I wouldn’t have dropped Guymer.
Hey Chris, cheers. I probably took the criticism too personal. I hadn’t had much sleep. Anyway, I think Team List Tuesday is reflective of some of Ryles disappointment
The team against The Tigers – Jason has stuck with Ron Volkmann despite ,an inadequate Kicking game last week. Toni Mataeli has gone from NFL reserve last week to the bench for Cup this week, hard to understand. I’m not sure Samrani is a singer -I’d have gone with Miller_Steven, though he could switch with Zac when the game starts.
I’m pleased to see that Sam Louizou gets a chance at centre in Cup! He’s worth a look in NRL. The Cup forward pack is stacked with big money former big names, never a good idea.
Samrani had a great preseason and is very good in the air.
I like him too. He seems a very solid footballer.
Mr Sixties, I am beginning to think the team heard the bad news before the game. It would have cone as a shock. Whatever Ryles said at half time worked. The Storm never let up and go for every pount they can get. At half time I was thinking the Cronulla score 76 points. They got some pride back. Just the same the Storm wanted to send a message to every other team. And it was a loud message. No team would have beaten them on Sunday.
As for the fans – those who bleed blue and gold get literally caught up with their favorite players and Dylan was a fan favorite. We wanted him to succeed. Sadly, some fans become to emotionally involved and a parting favorite is like a hurtful divorce. It’s too hard to handle so to compensate they turn on the player – Brown. I like Brown – his cover defence was the best and he is a great footballer but now he is leaving and for most fans he will be long forgotten as a Parra boy.
Newcastle just bought themselves a high price problem because as good as Brown is – not at that money. We find another one, that’s the beauty of the game – there will be another one to come through. Some people have already identified future prospects.
Mr Sixties – let’s not worry too much about the first half – something wasn’t right with the team and it could have been that unfortunate news.
Now that Brown has made his decision the weight has been lifted and he will be better for it.
It’s when he gets to Newcastle – that burden will dramatically increase because hard paying fans will have high expectations.
I agree with plenty that you say there Zero, and I too wondered if the news was broken ore-game, but I won’t look for excuses. I can’t brush aside such a first half in the first game of the season. It was a horrid effort and a poor message to the fans. But Ryles has to have a different approach. He has to build them up.
Great post Sixties.
On the topic of replacements, it might be silly to speculate, but someone has commented on Galvin’s last post about coming back to his home, Parra, and be the first 6 to break our premiership drought. Anyway, Galvin has liked the comment haha
Do what you will with that information, but thought it would be good to share.
Adrian, very interesting, he’d be the ideal replacement in my opinion.
Galvin at the right price would be exceptional. Unfortunately, there are a lot of ageing halves playing at the moment and anyone who has to be bought from another team will probably come at a significant price tag. Galvin may end up going to someone more desperate than us for more money, just as Dylan did.
Be great if we got him though. Him in his younger years with Mitch in his wise-head years would be fantastic for the club.
Thanks Sixties for the take! As per usual, I am largely in synch with it/you.
The effort on Sunday was appalling. In my 57 years of being a supporter I cannot remember a worse effort. And I ‘ve sat through whole seasons of us being toweled up along the way. It’s the closest I have ever been over that time to going looking for a new club to follow. Thank goodness for the lower sides doing pretty well (and lifting my spirits).
I do have a slightly different take on Dylan. I don’t think he is worth the current money he is on. Dylan has not, without a lot of support around him been able to produce many match winning efforts.
With his payments gone from our salary cap next year, I think we are in the market to pay some reasonable money for 2, maybe 3 players into positions where we are shorter on personnel.
It looks to me that we have a number of good halves to partner Mitch. Ronald, Dean. Josh …. And with more possibly emerging. …. I quite liked the way Apa played five eigth in that trial match.
Bring it on I reckon. Newcastle must be desperate to pay that sort of money.
I reckon, bring it on. Dylan will need to get his head into better space than last Sunday in order to maintain his NRL spot. Mind you, he is not alone.
I think most one eyed fans didn’t expect a win on Sunday but the lack of energy and intent in the first half was heart breaking. They lacked leadership and a voice to steer em around that would usually come from Gutho. I am not sure what to think of Jnr these days he hasn’t been at his best now for a few seasons which also saw him dropped from Origin side. I think we need to use Dyl baggs money to find a top 5 prop along with a solid 6 [if Galvin comes across that would boost the confidence at the joint and in the media]. I think the young kids coming through in Guymer and Tuivati could be future starters but are still very raw. I agree if Dylan is the best option at 6 he should be picked but also on the flip side if he doesn’t perform again then Ryles would need to do what we all think he will and hook him and bring in Hawkins, Joash or whoever else he thinks can. We desperately need Moses back to provide some leadership and direction otherwise 2025 season will be dead before origin period.
I agree that we shouldn’t drop Dylan out of spite. But I don’t agree we should play him simply because he increases our win percentage week on week.
We are not a premiership threat this year, we know this. That’s absolutely okay. You build into a premiership, you don’t luck one. So if (and it’s a big “if”) Ryles wants to figure out the way post-Dylan and that requires getting some experience under the belt of someone else who will benefit us in our build up years, I would be 100% on board to do it and think it’s a smart move.
Winning 2 points each week this year isn’t really the main focus of the year, it should be to build a cohesive team and systems that set us up for future success. People will forgive one bad year as a “rebuild” – they won’t be so forgiving next year, and even less so the one after.
If this is a rebuild year for Ryles he shouldn’t be afraid to rebuild, even if that means taking us backwards so we can go forwards. Investing in Dylan at this point has no upside for the Eels other than a slightly increased chance of winning on any particular week.
As soon as Mitch is back, I’d drop him.