How apt to have a column named “From The Stands” when it comes to writing about last Sunday.

What was a glorious, fun filled day!

I had a ball waving the flags, cheering on our team and welcoming the Dragons to our stadium. The five hour round trip hurt the back pocket a little more this year at the petrol pump, but nothing could dampen my spirits as I stopped to fill the car up for our trip home on Sunday evening.

Watching our team play is our entertainment, and it can be a necessary distraction from the overwhelming doom and gloom that permeates current news. That would probably be a common theme for many in the stands.

Speaking of the full stands, I could not help but marvel at the crowd interaction at our game. What a vibe to be back at home at CommBank Stadium! The club did a fantastic job with the match day presentation, as did Parra Leagues. And what about a thousand people joining the march.

People from all different cultures, faiths, social standings and age groups all together, united in our mission to help that little bit by cheering our boys home, applauding in unison as our team displayed the defensive will and grit to fight fatigue in the second half despite the penalties and being a player down when Charlie Guymer was sent to the bin.

The march to the stadium

Given the hundreds of thousands of Eels fans that also watch from home, we could guarantee that the ecstatic cheers in the stadium would have been matched by jubilation in lounge rooms around the country and overseas. Sport has that magical ability to unite people who otherwise are strangers.

I will avoid politics but there are lessons that world leaders could learn from sporting leaders and sporting fan bases, if they simply cared to look.

There were a few moments or players who stood out for me when I reflect on the game.

The roar as Addo-Carr sprinted towards the try line was awesome, but I want to focus on what happened before that.

A sea of Blue and Gold that created a wall of sound

This time last year many supporters lamented the seeming inability for our centres to get the pass right to give the Fox the time and space he needs to use his skills. Sean Russell’s split second pick up and pass off his toes to give Addo Carr the space to do his job was brilliant. It is indicative of what we are seeing under Coach Ryles and his staff.

I have no doubt countless hours have been spent developing those skills because I am not sure that Russell executes that pass this time last year.

Similarly I am not sure that Charlie Guymer slots seemlessly into our backline defensively last year, with the on-field adjustment of Moses defending outside him made by the players.

Then there’s Sam Tuivaiti, our young and exciting front rower who not only holds his own but dominates much older more seasoned players in what is arguably the hardest or physically toughest position for a young player to combat. Remember, he is only 13 games into his career!

I could keep going, but as a supporter I am seeing skills improved and most notably young players develop at a rapid rate. It gives me great hope especially if this crop coming through is as good as expected. I’m confident that the training and coaching they will get will in fact set them and our team up for sustained success.

However, as exciting as our young players are, our older, more seasoned players are also stepping up.

Bailey Simmonson was awesome, with his run metres and defensive decisions being critical. And let’s not forget Dylan Walker. His work in the middle and also as an extra playmaker has been a revelation.

Then there is the factor that stood out bin both the eye test and the stats. The Eels lost most of the stats from the game, but there was one that provided a handsome advantage – the kick metres.

Mitch Moses in the pre-season

The game finished with the kick stat showing whopping extra 344 metres to our Eels. It reminds us that we should never forget that we have an asset that every club covets – a brilliant halfback in Mitch Moses who professionally manages games via his brilliant kicking.

Those kicks in the second half kept the Dragons far enough away from our line, often saving what was a tough set in yardage, especially with the mounting fatigue. The reality is that Mitch Moses was the difference between winning and losing. Imagine if the teams swapped halfbacks before the game!

I really hope that our young players can be developed quick enough, and some nuanced recruitment can be undertaken, so that the club can take advantage of the talents of Mitch Moses in his prime. A premiership with Moses leading us would be a deserved reward for him (and Eels supporters) because he is a generational talent.

Many of you will be back in the stands this week cheering on our boys as they face the Panthers. I begrudgingly say this – the Panthers must be respected for what they have achieved and it will be a tough game. But a win is not impossible for our Eels.

This week the Eels flag was flying outside the home of TCT’s Chris Ricketts – in Chicago!

Unfortunately my family can’t make the game this week but we will be cheering loudly from our lounge room. So if I can ask one thing from those Parra fans in attendance it is this; cheer that little bit louder to make sure those of us watching from home can hear the Parra chant coming through the screen and importantly deliver the message to the Panthers that this is our home.

Well done to everyone for the experience had last Sunday. The players, coaches, fans and staff all did their job. I am loving the united Eels club that we are witnessing at the moment.

Long may it continue.

Parra Proud

Shelley

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