Like some others here I have been critical of our signings too, but have been thinking more about where we need to go as a Club and why our recruitment may in fact suit the direction we are taking.
Sometimes it is too easy as a fan to say that your team should put itself in a premiership winning position each and every year - even though that is ultimately what we hope for.
In reality, it can take many seasons to build to a grand final title. Living in the US for the last few years, I have observed the way teams build for the future with recruitment, trades, changes in coaching staff, training methods, playing style, structure and attitude. Fans recognize this and get behind their Club in these efforts - e.g. for an NFL club that has been performing poorly, having a winning record and making the play-offs is seen as good progress towards future goals.
The reality is that Parramatta is in the early phases of rebuilding. We started with a new coach, looking to instill a new playing style, structure and attitude.
As I felt throughout last season, attitude and heart can go a long way. A team that plays for each other is ultimately capable of going further than a team of big names playing as individuals without structure or cohesion. If SK can instill an 80 minute culture into the team, then I think we will be competitive and will make the 8 (once we are there, anything can happen). Will be following eagerly to see if he can deliver on this promise.
Our recruitment has been geared towards this playing style. It is also ok to have room left in our cap to spend on players in future seasons - you don't have to burn all of your capital up now when the names you want are not on the market. Next year, with contracts coming up for renewal and post Rugby WC, there may be others available.
I want the Eels to win this year at least as much as anyone else and will be backing them all the way. However, I think we are building a new culture in the Club and this could take more than 1 year. Given where we ended up last year - with turmoil in management, player dissent and missing the top 8, the Club needs to be stablised and the building blocks put in place for a bright future.
I draw an analogy to where we were in around '97. We had been a poor Club in the 90s without much structure and certainly no direction in recruitment or player retention. With the arrival of a new coach (Smith), a new playing style and new attitude we made the finals every year from '97 to '02, and again in '05, and were often in the final four. Yes we choked and ultimately did not walk away with a GF, but during those times we were generally a powerful club and had created a good platform. Whether you love him or hate him, Smith definitely brought us out from the cellar. Unfortunately Smith became stale, and then under Hagan a lot of the base that he built was wiped away with poor training and poor attitude. It was also time for Fitzgerald to go.
SK is starting with a clean sheet and with what is still a fresh management group behind him. Let's hope he brings us back to being a competitive, solid side that plays with heart and is up there come finals time!
Replies
Great analysis RV.
Like others I too am wondering about the Management team.
Last year they showed all the leadership and understanding of the team and the NRL that you would expect from a bunch of 3 year old pre schoolers.
2010 was the year of Board and CEO interference which DA ultimately paid for. (Other political issues aside)
SK has been schooled by Bennett and Bellyache who DO NOT accept management interference with their team.
Let's hope SK has the same attitude.
By all reports the pre season training is going extremely well and the indicators are for a differnet cultured Eels taking the field in 2011.
I have a gut feeling we will be there come the end of Septemebr much to the surprise of many NRL teams and supporters.
GF ? probably not but if we are in the top 4 to 6 who knows.
Live in hope and support our team till the last whistle blows
Great blog RV - I loved your NFL analogy, like you, I have also lived in the USA (2 years) and have been an NFL junkie ever since. I understand (maybe better than most) what you mean by re-building (American style) which I'd just like to expand upon briefly for a minute.
Anybody that opposes the salary cap just needs to take look at the NFL for reasons why it should never be abandoned. The NFL is competitive and thrilling each week and each year. Compare NFL with ANY soccer comp (no salary caps) in the world and you'll get my drift. Most soccer countries like Spain, Italy, Germany UK that offer a capless competition end up with 3-4 dominant teams and the rest just make up the numbers...It's a FIFA issue (i know), and in the long term, capping is a must for Soccer, or it will just end up being a glorified Champions League. Without going off topic too much here - I am more than happy to argue Salary Cap and also why the NFL does it way better than we do here with League.......and one of the main reasons (like Aussie Rules) is the DRAFT...but that discussion is for another blog.
...So, RV, I hope I have demonstrated that I GET your point about rebuilding.....so here is my counterpoint -...HOW did Parra go from a Grand Final to needing SERIOUS and possibly long term rebuilding in 12 months ??? -
I think you kinda nailed it when you compared Smith's change of culture and fresh new attitude to Kearney, but what Smith inherited was far worse than what Kearney is getting. And Smith is probably under appreciated (like you suggest) by Parra fans for the brilliant job he did rebuilding a joke (parra pre smith) into a Premiership contender
My point - Kearney has arrived and the the Ferrari is ALREADY in the garage...all we needed was a new gearbox (halfback or 5/8) With a grand final roster (that is pretty much intact) - - Oh how I wish Kearney had a chance to work with Mateo, Inu and KKeating (our biggest off season loss) and also Tahu - but Tahu left, he wasn't kicked out like the other 3.
So, incredibly, I thought our roster got DOWNGRADED (for no reason) during the off season - however - the roster was not, or is not in need of SERIOUS REBUILDING like your post suggests......in fact, Parra are only a few KEY pieces away. So I don't agree that this process could take years....the window of opportunity is here NOW and for the next few seasons ONLY.......then serious rebuilding will be required as the older players like Hindy Fui Burt and the other 30 somethings retire.
I believe that Kearney WILL create a new culture and winning attitude through DISCIPLINE at Parra - and I think that will happen fairly quickly.......but I must point out that the opportunity for a GF is NOW and for the next few years and this is why it is URGENT that Parra find and FILL those missing roster spots sooner rather than later
I believe Parra is alot closer than we think but will be unable to take it to the top level until our RECRUITMENT gets sorted out properly....I, like you believe 2011 will be a season where the number 1 achievement will be a cultural change that Kearney will bring about - not so much where we end up finishing on the table
But.....it is absolutely vital that whoever is in-charge of recruitment finds and fills our needs no later than by season start in 2012....otherwise, Parra will have missed the boat, and then the SERIOUS rebuilding (you talk about) will have to take place.....and that will require patience
Parramatta are building up for a premiership winning team within the next 1-3 years, with 1-2 year contracts to several experienced players, it signifies that we are giving talented juniors time to develop their skills, and when the older players contracts expire, we will have money to sign up talented players in that time.
Having SK join will be the best signing of all.
I can't wait to see this culture change before our very eyes.
Living in NY, getting up early to watch NRL games all last season on the net. Yes, 1 eyed eel is global!
Some very interesting thoughts here. I agree that the rebuilding effort needs to gain momentum within 1 to 3 years. I think 2012 is the best shot, but if we are there or thereabouts in September 2011, we can do damage with Hayne and Fui in the side.
I agree 100% on the Salary Cap. The Competition needs it - although to ensure a competition with the competitiveness of the NFL, am interested in whether people think if or how the draft could work in tandem with the Cap. Yes, it was struck down by the courts years ago, but it could be the Great Equalizer and would make for an even more tight Competition. It would need to be combined with some incentives for home grown talent. And getting players to buy into the idea would be hard.
While we do have a pretty even comp, I think there are some danger signs in the NRL after the Storm scandal and current developments at Souths. The Salary Cap is likely to be eroded either by legitimate means or by clubs finding new loopholes to characterize "fringe benefits" as acceptable forms of payment.
Could we be returning to days of a more uneven competition as we had in the 90s, with some clubs struggling to stay afloat and unable to compete on the field either? I don't know the answer, but thought I would pose the question.
IF - and that is a very big IF the new independent commisiion is going to be fair dingkum about bringing the game into the 21st century I would sugges they look at all the options being utilised in world wide proffessional sports and perhaps manufacture a cap/draft system that seems to be working in other sports.
Even the cap/draft system in AFL (faulty as it may appear at times) is superior to the current NRL cap - which you have shown is open to clandestine abuse