A Reflection - The Pain We Had To Have? - Eels Blogs

When Roy Spagnolo was successful in removing Dennis Fitgerald from his "emperors throne" at Parramatta Leagues Club there was much rejoicing, for many of us were fearing that Dennis Fitzgerald viewed amalgamation as the future of our football.team. What followed under his regime was not what we wanted, but in its wake Steven Sharp rose against the problems that he could see, with the mantra of putting the club first. It's interesting how things work out. I wonder whether Steven Sharp would be in his current position without the pain of the Spagnolo years?In 2011 Stephen Kearney began his tenure at the Eels. With him came his assistant coach, Brad Arthur. When Kearney departed from his position, the club gained a brief look at Brad Arthur in a head coach position. The players certainly seemed to enjoy his time in charge. In their wisdom, the Spagnolo regime appointed Ricky Stuart and Brad Arthur moved on to Manly. It was at Manly that Arthur's reputation amongst a significant part of their playing group grew. This would prove significant. In the meantime, Parra sunk to rare depths under Ricky Stuart, only to be saved by Canberra's strange desire to recruit him.The door was now open for the appointment of a new coach.Enter Brad Arthur. With a year at a premiership winning club under his belt and the reputation as a respected and talented coach, the Parramatta junior was ready to step up as a fully fledged NRL coach. Now as it turns out, this would only be possible through the insistence of Steve Sharp who stood strong against other board members to get his man.Now, as a result of Brad Arthur's time at Manly, the recruitment of Watmough and now Foran has delighted the Eel's faithful.So without Spagnolo, Fitzgerald might still be in charge. Without Spagnolo's mess, Sharp may never have achieved his important position. Without the failed management, we would not have had Kearney who brought Arthur. Without the poor decision to appoint Stuart, Arthur may never have gone to Manly. Without Stuart's escape from his contract we may never have been on the lookout for a new coach. Without Arthur at Manly, some prized recruitment may never have recruited Watmough and Foran.Strange how it all works out. If all this delivers a premiership, does this make those "bad years" the pain we had to have?

Replies

David March 11, 2015 at 11:55pm

Yes
- sixtiesboy > David March 12, 2015 at 12:13am
  
  Succinct (unlike me at times!)
Dan March 12, 2015 at 12:08am

An interesting perspective Sixties. I'm sure I'm not alone in wishing 'the bad years' never were, but if it all concludes with a Premiership i'd find it hard to argue.
- sixtiesboy > Dan March 12, 2015 at 12:13am
  
  Indeed.
the Eggman March 12, 2015 at 12:11am

Like sand through the hourglass and so....
- sixtiesboy > the Eggman March 12, 2015 at 12:14am
  
  Maybe a bit like that movie Sliding Doors?
1Eyed Eel March 12, 2015 at 12:13am

I wouldn't wish the last few years on any supporter of any club, but you've certainly made a very nice argument Sixties. You know what, it's almost unfathomable to think that almost everybody thought the last election was going to be a 3P cakewalk and I shudder to think where we'd be at now. I just couldn't even think of two points that could possibly be further apart.
- sixtiesboy > 1Eyed Eel March 12, 2015 at 5:53am
  
  The problem for many was not just the football side of things, but we were just completely unaware of what was going on behind the scenes in the Leagues club. The presence of certain people has been, and continues to provide, a setback. Yet without things happening as they have, I wonder whether we would have our current coach and some of our roster. Not giving credit, just talking fate.
- aveel > 1Eyed Eel March 12, 2015 at 8:01am
  
  I wish that pain on Manly supporters.
ParramAddict March 12, 2015 at 12:47am

Was thinking this a couple of weeks ago, just couldnt be bothered writing it lol

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