There is nothing blurred about the form of the Eels. The 2023 season has been a step backwards for a team that has seemingly forgotten how to win. I loved Parra’s ride to the Grand final last year. The four…
From The Stands – May 10, 2022: A Season Defining Game For The Eels?
Our Parramatta Eels have come out of Magic Round in a precarious position. Another loss has the team on a 40% win record approaching the midway point of the season. A road trip to Canberra and an away game against…
From The Stands – May 2, 2023: Working Towards Success
What does a successful club look like? On a micro level, we should see the NRL team playing to its strengths. Against the Knights on Friday night, we saw the Eels take steps towards doing that. Though understrength, the Eels…
From The Stands – April 24, 2023: Overcoming Obstacles
Much has already been said about the Eels vs Broncos game in Darwin. The game itself was filled with obstacles to winning, and the Eels weren’t good enough to overcome them. First and foremost was the self inflicted obstacle. Our…
From The Stands – April 18, 2023: An Eels Season Re-Boot?
Was the Eels victory over the Bulldogs a season re-boot? There was a “start of the season” feel in the stands last Sunday. Everything about the game reminded me why I love the footy, especially watching it live. The early…
From The Stands – April 12, 2023: Eels vs Dogs = Genuine Football Rivalry
Let’s get past Easter Monday’s match with the Tigers. It was a strange game to take in live, but the Eels got exactly what was needed – two competition points, and no major injuries or suspensions. Call it an ugly…
From The Stands – April 4, 2023: Control What We Can And Just Get It Done
Another match, another loss. I found Thursday night’s clash with the Roosters hard to watch. Though I could praise Parra’s ability to keep getting back into the game, the reality is the Eels have put themselves into a situation which…
From The Stands – March 28, 2023: Congratulations
Victory over the Panthers did not come easy, and that’s exactly what was expected. It even required the Eels to overcome the deflating sight of Junior being sin binned followed by Cleary kicking one of the code’s greatest ever field…
From The Stands – March 20, 2023: Matching The Panthers
It should come as no surprise that I was frustrated by what happened on the field last Thursday night. No doubt there will be many supporters and even the players themselves who feel similarly. At the top of my…
From The Stands – March 13, 2023: Early Season Footy Shouldn’t Be So Complicated
Last Friday felt a little like Groundhog Day. Playing the Sharks in the early rounds and being so close but not close enough. Looking for someone to blame. Feels familiar doesn’t it? Despite Friday’s result we should still excited by…