Sunday night football is never going to sell well to people. We were one of just 8000 people to make the journey to CommBank last Sunday and we are so glad we did.

Let me also point out that whilst there was only a small crowd in attendance we all made lots of noise.

And why wouldn’t we?

As the year has progressed, from what was a really rough start, we are now seeing great effort and there is a unique and wonderfully entertaining style of footy starting to emerge. Is it part of a new Parra football identity?

The Eels are throwing the ball around but not without purpose. Last Sunday we saw the repeated short passes from our forwards to backs who either made a break or they quickly shifted the ball back across the field.

The veteran and the rookie – Junior and Joash

Parra moved the ball around to successfully create fatigue, and to catch the lazy defender.

Then there was a Storm trait that was apparent on Sunday. On almost every set, even from a kick off, the team is shifting on the first or second tackle to the centre off the field. This shift provides more options.

Little things like that enthuse me about our future. While nothing is guaranteed and we must get squad composition right as we move towards next year, I can see a willingness to create a unique Parra style. A style that requires equal amounts of skill, flair, fitness and composure.

When I watched the game on replay it was surprising that my selected stand out moment was criticised by commentators. But what they didn’t understand was that a quick tap cannot happen from a ref’s challenge.

So what was this moment and why did it stand out? 

In the second half the Titans got close on the scoreboard and the Eels kept making cheap turnovers.

When a Titans penalty was challenged by the Eels, The Foxx called the team into a huddle. Parra had started to look flustered and from my position in the stands it looked as if they were tracking towards losing the game through poor discipline.

As a senior player, and with Junior off at that moment, Addo-Carr gathered the team and calmed them.

Addo-Carr

Eels supporters would naturally expect young, inexperienced players to make mistakes. Hence this team needs its senior players like Josh to lead the way, to guide them and re-focus them when necessary on the field. Senior players leading the way also has to be part of the new Parra football identity.

In this way, such a young team will not just become a good team, they will become a consistently good team. The moment that Addo-Carr stepped up to the plate on Sunday was exactly when he needed to.

Our away game this week is a blessing for my family being not too far from home. We will be there, in our blue and gold, cheering our boys on as they encounter an equally desperate Dragons team.

This game is big for both teams season and I look forward to seeing the Blue and Gold surrounding my family on the hill as we all cheer loudly for our mighty Eels!

Shelley

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