We got two players replacing eight players one of them not commented to us because he going to the Broncos next year and wont be trying to hard and trying not to get hurt and other one looking for full up hes retirement fun
So bring on 2026 season
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Eels trial games announced...Sunday 15th February at 6pm at Henson Park (briliant old league ground) VS Sharks
Saturday 21st Febraury at 6pm at Gosford VS Roosters
All Parra grades playing that day
Henson Park was home of the Newtown Jets
You will relate to this CE.
I was about 12 years old and Parra was playing Newtown at Henson Park
Parramatta in those days was the bush and Newtown, well we had another name for that.
Travelling that far (those days) we naturally got there early and got a seat in the tiny grandstand, that would have held about 200 people. Dad Mum and me.
Getting in the grand stand was a rarity at the least..Probably about 6000 at the game but our enclave was that tiny grandstand and the people in it. 90% Newtown supporters at a guess.
We always watched the 3 grades and by the time first grade started the crowd was getting warmed up.
My Mother when ever we went to the games was always quiet and as far as I could tell was oblivious to the game and the crowd and just did her knitting.
Anyway some "wag" piped up with "why don't you Parra people go back to the bush where you belong".......Mum lifted her head from her knitting, enough to get attention and replied (well sort of) "rather live in the bush than the Slums" she then went straight back to her kntting and didn't say another word.
Being 12 and never hearing a word from my mum at a game......I was so proud to be living in the bush at our beloved Ermington 3 miles from Parramatta. Lol.
Henson Park I understand is stlll the home ground of 2nd Division Newtown Jets (Blue Bags in my day if my memory serves me correctly?)
Pops, great story. It’s easy to forget our roots, especially when many are convinced this is one of the worst eras we’ve ever lived in.
Your mum stole the show in some ways. Who won, by the way?
I’m gathering that period was when we had just started to make the finals for the first time, or not too long after that.
It only took 16 years and 8 spoons to make the finals for the first time.
Worse than Fitzy’s ten-year hiatus, until Super League and Brian Smith turned the ship’s course.
Kind of ironic.
We think we’re in the Dark Era of Hopelessness and Low Standards now, or is it just the loudest one, thanks to social media, where you don’t even need face-to-face contact to use a megaphone?
I also wonder what happened to all the Newtown “wags” chest beating after their extinction post 1983.
It goes to show how overconfidence in one’s immediate perspective, and too many assumptions, can come back to haunt you many years down the track.
That’s why the tenets of this Ryles rebuild, slow improvement towards boring competence, need to continue, even if new actors take over the roles to quiet the restless natives. Hopefully, the club who hold the purse strings and ultimate power hold their nerve and aren't undermined by some of Spags-like jounta mobs.
If not, we’ll only sabotage ourselves once more through self-cannibalisation, slipping back into a very nasty cycle that we unwittingly contributed to, but may never fully see.
PS: I can see a Poppa’s Corner there, or at the very least a quality National Geographic documentary.
LOL. I am not that old, that event was very early sixties.....I cannot remember the score and who won.....Newtown were an easy beat in those days, we had just started to emerge, but we were no good thing in anything.
I wrote that story because of CE talking about Henson Park....I think he is in his eighties, Parra Pride is as well and don't forget Hector. you would be surprised how many "old bastards" are on here. Mind you I think we are well and truly outnumbered by the "dumb bastards" Lol
Using the trend you are talking about Hoey some of the people on here that whinge and whine would not know the meaning of pain when you introduce that first 16 year ratio and 8 spoons.
You see "me" who left Sydney 45 years ago (1980) and still a supporter with daylight second is just a definition of my "tribalism" in support. That first premiership was 81 and as Big Jack said "Ding Dong" thats what most of us said, just one before we die! LOL
This whinging mob now are obsessed with another premiership. Personally I am obsessed with respect to our greatest potential being unearthed and us being treated as a heavyweight competitor on a regular basis and not as a minnow that turns into a decent size fish in a pretty small pool every now and again.
Let us all just cencentrate on unleashing that potential and enjoy the memories on the way.
That's what I do and I think its a mistake to take ourselves too seriously, humour is a definate part of that enjoyment. Taking the piss and enjoying the ride is much more important than winning premierships.....build it and they will just come with the journey!!
Wise words, Pops.
When high standards get defined as premiership or bust, you are choosing a life of mostly frustrated failure.
Not because high standards are bad. They are non negotiable. But because the metric becomes too narrow.
Titles come from lucky runs or from boring, disciplined systems done right. If we get a billionaire benefactor along the way obviously it helps immensely.
That means excellence in cap discipline, prioritisation where you go big, and no panic buys for optics.
Just keep going, keep improving, and stay united.
2 for 8, well you do know that you don't replace every player you let go with outside options right?
Especially when your pathways are looking so promising. These under 21s all played reserve grade last year:
Nanva (22 games)
Twidle (18)
Pryke (17)
Lokeni (14)
Penisini (12)
Papalii (9) and also played 13 NRL games
Talataina (8)
Funa-Iuta (7)
Guymer (7) and also played 16 NRL games
Talagi (5)
Tuivaiti (2) and also played 11 NRL games
Alameddine (1)
Brown (1)
Plus Tallyn Da Silva is under 21 and he played 4 games in NSW Cup for the Tigers plus 20 NRL games for both clubs. We have plenty of young talent in our club.
Twidle is a very smart footballer, Lokeni has upside and runs great lines and big motor, Talataina is NRL bound but I fear his lack of communication will hamper his early progress. Funa Luta is another with scope to rise quickly. Gallen shape and very strong in contact. He is doping NRL pre season and will benefit imensely from the big boy games. Ryda TALAGI is another. I ave watched him since 16's and every year he improves. He was always a lazy defender but that p[art of his game improved considerably in SG Ball. Loves the contest, the niggle, the sledge and competes hard. HIs big engine and leg speed is RCG like IMO. Moey Alamaddine is a another with upside. Built very strong reminds me of a Mansour in that he finds the tryline in traffic, good under the high ball and reliable. Smokey for me is Max POPO. Was the best forward in SG Ball last season, got injured early in GF and it hurt us so much. Plays 80 minutes, middle or edge, good footy IQ and follows game plans to the letter. Not the biggest middle but neither is Hopgood, Williams etc. He also has quick late feet and fast play the ball.
WE have some talent coming through. Another one is Chris PETRUS, Australian Schoolboy, gun edge forward. This kid is dynamite. Plays a little like NANAI from Nth Qld in that he puts himself into the hole first and the halvbes usually combine it. ONly 18 now, and another who I believe plays NRL just when .
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