I believe success in the NRL comes in 2 ways. Unfortunately, the Eels currently are failing at both.
The first way you can be successful is through junior development and pathways. Parramatta have no reason to fail in this area. The Eels have regularly been successful in junior development, however they have often failed in identifying and retaining the best kids. I haven't been following the junior competitions as closely as I did in the past, but from what I've seen 3 players look promising to me. Firstly, the young play maker the Eels have already lost to the Raiders. This makes zero sense to me at all. Play makers are hard to find. Why would you spend the time developing a young half-back and then let them walk. The second player is the kid that played fullback last night. The Eels must find a position for this kid and keep him at the club. From what I've seen fullback looks his spot at this stage, but with a bit more size five eighth could best. The third kid is the dummy-half. I believe the coaches son. This can often be a problem. Hopefully when BA moves on the Eels already have his son on a decent contract. Other than these 3 I haven't seen much to get excited about.
The 2nd way to succeed is being the club players want to be at. Unfortunately, geographically, several other clubs have more to offer than the Eels. Great leadership from the head office through to the coaching staff is another attraction for players. Quality and stability are key in this department, the Eels fail in both these areas.
I believe the Eels must decide what direction they want to go in. Both are years away before we see any success. Both require mass changes all the way from the head office , hrough the coaching staff and junior development and pathways.
The Eels have gone as far as they can with the band-aid method. It has failed for many years and it will continue to fail.
Replies
Whilst I agree with much of what you have posted, there is much more to be considered. Before anything else, whilst I agree Blaize shows potential, you must also admit that not only in last nights game, but in the weeks proceeding, he also shows many floors and weaknesses. He still has a lot of work to step up to NRL level. Rushing him into first grade will do the team no favours and in fact do him no favours. Remember the last guy that this happened with, Jake Arthur. Sure as shit, if you take your approach and rush him in, the masses will turn on him like the usual rabid dogs when his current very obvious floors are exposed. You with all due respect are looking for a miracle solution with Blaize at present, which is not there.
Agree with the overall sentiments of your two points. This third point not covered is the Clubs poor choice not to utilise TPA,s. Unless they wake up, we will never compete with the Clubs that come up with the so called miraculous deals that get the best of the best and yet allegedly remain under the cap. Let's face it, Parramatta can't quite compete with locations like Bondi, Gold Coast, Redcliffe, North Qld or Cronulla. The Club needs to wake up and make many changes in the interest of winning a competition, not just exisiting.
Regarding young Blaize, I agree he has his weaknesses that need work. In saying this, it's extremely rare, if at all, does a kid come into 1st grade without parts of his game that needs work. The difference is the natural ability Blaize has shown. Some things can be taught and improved, natural talent can't be. You either have it or you don't. In my opinion it's natural talent that provides x-factor. Hard working/ effort type players are extremely valuable also, but x-factor players are harder to find. Obviously both types of players are needed for success. X-factor has been missing from the Eels for some time. Moses runs the side so x-factor is not his job. Brown provides x-factor when Moses is running the show....... Sometimes. Gutho is a great effort player, he doesn't provide x-factor. The last real x-factor type player at the Eels was probably J Hayne.
To me, Blaize could provide something we have missed for years. Surely the rewards possible outweigh the risks in retaining Blaize....... At the right price.