What’s your image of a pre-season? Players running to the point of being physically ill? The tale of Dylan Brown requiring medical attention during his first preseason is evidence that this time of the year is unquestionably gruelling. NRL strength…
The 2021 Draw – A Breakdown
The 2021 draw was revealed late last week and it made for grim viewing for fans of the mighty Blue & Gold at first glance. Fox Sports dubbed Parramatta’s schedule the 3rd most difficult in 2021 (trailing only the Canterbury Bulldogs [2nd]…
Eels Pre-Season Training – December 1, 2020: New Faces Edition
Finally, the Eels have come back to Kellyville Park! Unfortunately, I’m the poorest of substitutes for Dwayne Johnson. But, the start of the pre-season deserves a big announcement – after all, it’s where the countdown to the next season…
Bumpers Up – New Apparel And Corporate Partners Launch Eels Into Preseason
It’s been another big week on the Blue and Gold front. Really, it’s just Eels Fan 101 – you cannot expect a week to go by without some news, good or bad. There’s plenty to discuss – memberships, corporate…
Bumpers Up – Origin Done, Season Done, Pre-Season Arriving
Welcome to the first edition of “Bumpers Up”. Towards the end of the NRL season, I introduced the “Sixties Mind-Trip” column. The goal was to cover a range of topics from the previous week of footy. It was proving a…
The Spotlight – Painting A Roster Change Picture
Over the past month and a half we’ve been inundated by Eels roster news. Departing players were announced, and newly contracted players have been added in relatively quick time. As Eels fans we collectively thank those leaving the club…
Haze Dunster To Debut
The shock suspension of centre Michael Jennings has stunned the NRL world. The longer term ramifications for him and the Eels will play out and be covered by the media in the coming days and weeks. More immediately, the…
Sixties Mind-Trip: Hooper, Klein, Gould & My Finals Freak Out
This long weekend has not been so cool for an old Eels dude. The weather’s been far too hot, and too much of the finals scene left me hot under the collar when what I really needed was time to…
From The Stands – Parra & The NRL Must Step Up In Big Moments
Is it possible to be both happy and disappointed? I can’t fault the effort or attitude of our Eels. With this team I have come to trust and expect such effort, but I now want more than that. So what…
The Spotlight – Time To Re-Define The Dominant Tackle
Is there a bigger blight on rugby league than the succession of wrestling inspired manoeuvres designed to slow up an opposition’s ruck speed? Winning the tackle and slowing the play the ball speed has become close to the biggest goal…