Coaches and Their Favourite Players

Something that we have always had to suffer at the Eels has been our recent coaches having favourite players that made no sense to us as supporters.

Some that come to mind were Brian Smith and his affection for Daniel Irvine and Ben Kusto. Daniel Anderson, Stephen Kearney and their love for Matt Keating. Ricky Stuart's affection for players out of form and out of position. No doubt there are countless others that will come to mind for readers of this blog.

None of us are immune to this as we all have our favourite players that other supporters think are useless!

However, we do have an expectation that professional coaches can see past this and select their teams based on putting the best possible team on the field, regardless of reputations or whether they are good blokes or not.

Earlier this year, as BA made the tough calls and dropped fan favourites like Fui, I believed that he was going to be different to other coaches that we have suffered. Now, I'm not so sure. Even as a layman, I am puzzled and disappointed in his selections for Round 20.

One thing that I will say - I have no intention of publicly bagging a player who wears the Blue and Gold. The player doesn't select himself in first grade. The players put in performances that either demand selection or demotion. So if we have certain players that are not playing up to standard, it is up to the coach to make decisions. These decisions send out very important messages to the playing group. What message is BA sending right now? I'm just not sure. Perhaps the players aren't either. Come on BA, step up to the mark!!!!! Make the selection decisions that should be made. No more favourites.

"So saints release him, Parra sign him for less, Saints convince him to stay and up his contract & promise him a centre spot which is all he wanted in the first place anyway ? Makes sense lol"

"I think Canberra could tell Simonsson wasn't going to cut it long term. That is why they let him go effective immediately even though he was still contracted for another couple of years with them. Similar with Waqa Blake, he had three years left…"

Replies

coco July 22, 2014 at 5:07pm

all coaches have favorites from under 6 to test teams
willing to give BA benefit if doubt with only 21 available to
use this year and with a
number of injuries.
next year with a full 25 to pick from no excuses if toutai/sef paulo/ keep getting picked
- coco > coco July 22, 2014 at 6:49pm
  
  what was wrong with the great chook?
  immortal in waiting
Muttman July 22, 2014 at 5:22pm

I think you'll find that BA's selections are now heavily influenced by salary cap issues particularly second tier
- sixtiesboy > Muttman July 22, 2014 at 5:29pm
  
  Yes there are players being selected because of injuries and the salary cap. But, are you happy with his selections this week Muttman? Are there alternatives? Is there a worry about playing favourites?
- Frank The Tank > Muttman July 22, 2014 at 7:59pm
  
  So its the NRL`s fault. Pricks!
Robert Lloyd July 22, 2014 at 5:25pm

Who, Chook! come on!
shane July 22, 2014 at 5:26pm

May be Sefa is the same to BA as Boyd is to Bennett.
Michael Picklum July 22, 2014 at 5:29pm

Its called brown nosing mate. Been around since before the game was conceived. Part of human nature I guess.
Alan Hunt July 22, 2014 at 5:39pm

Seffa is the only player who has played every game for BA in parra colours.
BJ July 22, 2014 at 5:44pm

Brian Smith and Daniel Wagon, what a hack he was. Pissed me off to know end when he kept starting him at 6.