I love my Eels but the truth was ten weeks ago I was looking forward to the season ending. I could see our team was trying, but it felt like a long path full of speed humps and stop signs.
While I know the road still has turn and twists it seems more exciting and less difficult to navigate than it did half way through the season. The journey ahead will still be tough but it feels like an enticing one that we all want to ride along with.
The last two weeks have been exciting for two vastly different reasons.
There was a great buzz during the match against the Roosters. The crowd was energised, and the team played some exciting but well executed footy. Days like that are what brings the joy to being a fan.
In contrast, the victory over the Warriors was less pleasing to the eye yet in many ways so much more exciting.
The joy of victory over the Warriors
For years I have watched teams like the Storm and Panthers find ways to win ugly. We don’t often win those types of games. For many parts of that game we did not look like the best team on the field but we had the speed and decision makers who could do enough to keep us just enough in front.
Learning to win that way is what good teams do. With our team having a player like Mitch Moses we will always have those brilliant, excitement filled games. Those games make the end of year highlight reels but learning to win games ugly gets you entrenched into the end of season games. And that is what I hope, no it’s what I expect, for us next year.
So I will sit in the stands this week with a mixture of pride, regret and jealously. I wish we had the finals to look forward to but I have a belief that all things being equal we will be there next year.
This Sunday we will also say farewell to members of our Blue and Gold family. There’s always a tinge of sadness about saying goodbye to players that have become favourites, or those that you know have given their all when wearing the jersey. There are even some that you could never have imagined pulling on anything but Eels gear.
We will bid farewell to players who have come through our junior ranks. Players who have brought us fans hope as we saw them progress through junior ranks and into the first grade team.
Farewell Dylbags
Some will move onto other NRL sides, some will retire, some will face an uncertain future as is most often forgotten by fans as untimely injuries can cruel a players football journey.
My perspective from the stands has never changed. These players deserve our thanks and well wishes. They have worn our jersey and done their best. Many have spent copious hours at children’s hospitals, Ronald McDonald House and numerous other outreach programs giving back to our community, all while wearing our badge, representing us, the Blue and Gold family.
This Sunday gives the Eels faithful the chance to finish the season in style, with a packed CommBank Stadium cheering on the Eels to their tenth NRL win of the season. We can applaud some departing players one last time. And hopefully many of you stick around to get behind the NRLW team.
Make your voices heard as we finish this season the right way.
See you there!
Shelley
Thank you Shelley. Your contributions are something I always look forward to reading.
I just want to say that too many times in recent seasons, I went to games just hoping to win. Too many times we were blown away. Now I go knowing we can win, no matter who we are playing. Onwards and upwards.
Shelley, as you wrote, let’s finish the season in style. And yes, indeed, see you there!
Thank you. If we can keep the right junior talent and be smart with recruitment, we could move up the table quickly. Of course a draw like the one the 2025 Bulldogs received would help.
And Graz, thank you for your ongoing support.
I am 81 coming up from Kangaroo Valley down near Nowra I’ve booked a box that holds 12 the last time I was there was 2019 when the new stadium was opened, I am a perpetual member and followed the Eels since late sixties , my health is fading so this why I’ve booked a box for the family, hopefully we go out as winners, CHEERS
Hopefully a win for you mate go parra
Have a great day. Who knows we might pass each other on the highway. Love driving through the valley on our way to Sydney.
Here’s to a great day for you and your family Colin.
Forgetting the points differential, our team is only 3 wins out of being equal with the Rorters 30 competition points.
That’s not too bad considering we had our best player out for over half the season.
Our team has been completely different since Mitch came back and has been driving the on field performances. He brings much more than an excellent kicking game, he brings a high standard of expectation that the rest of the team aspires to.
Could not have said it better. I am glad he is starting to get the recognition his talent deserves from the greater league community.
He can be our JT and we just need to put the depth around him and hope the footy gods keep him on the field.
Well noted Darryl. We can probably look back at games that either got away from us, or that we can be of the belief we would have won had Moses not been injured. But regardless, it’s been a season of both promise and learning.
Well expressed Shelley. Some things just stay with you..like Blake Ferguson screaming at players inside him ( about 10 mtrs from my seat)to spread wider as Manly formed up to outflank him by 2. Tom Turbo duly ran 50 mtrs and set up a try next to the sticks. We spent around 3 years getting embarrassed in our red zone, then the next 3 years from all over the park. Cody Walker thought an Eels game was a training run. I can now get some sleep knowing we just don’t defend like that any more.
I agree BDon. I watch us defend and feel more confident we can hold out in our red zone. Let’s look for it to improve even more in 2026.
What’s good abt the top squad is that many have not got the scars of previous seasons etc.
I’m sure in 12 months we will have seen some more change and additions – and maybe we will be playing for a top 6 spot.
Thanks Shelley
I’ll be there on Sunday with the kids – and sincerely hope we don’t take Newcastle easily as they’ll have a point to prove. Coach gone and Dylan moving up.