THE laidback master tactician who has returned Australia to the summit of world cricket, Darren Lehmann, is headed for the Parramatta Eels this week.
In a sign of how far the Eels have improved this season after collecting successive wooden spoons, the Australian cricket coach will visit the club’s Parramatta headquarters on Thursday. The brief for Lehmann and Eels coach Brad Arthur is simple, with the duo planning to exchange ideas and examine the infrastructure within a rival professional sporting organisation.
Since taking control of the Australian cricket team 12 months ago, Lehmann has revolutionised the Baggy Green inner-sanctum, in the process returning Australia to the number one ranked country in the world.
“We’ve got a contact through our club who knows Darren reasonably well so that how it was able to come about,” Eels coach Arthur said.
“Luckily he’s chosen our club to have a look at, it’s a great chance for us to throw some ideas off him and for all of us to try and improve our skill set. The thing I’ve really noticed and liked since Darren took over coaching the Australian team is how positive they play their cricket.
“They’re always looking to back themselves, play on the front foot, trust each other and trust the fact that everyone in the side understands their role. That’s something I’ve tried to get through at our club this season is that we always back ourselves, no matter the situation. Always look to play positive, it’s a great asset and a great style. Darren coming and having a look at the way we do things can only be a positive for our club.
“We’re always looking for that extra competitive edge be it amongst our playing staff, our coaching staff or our front office staff.”
At the Eels this season, there were minimal expectations of new head coach Arthur after the club had collected successive wooden spoon for the first time in 51 seasons.
But serving an apprenticeship under Craig Bellamy at Melbourne and Geoff Toovey at Manly last year has clearly had a major influence, with Arthur emerging as one of the most astute new wave tacticians.
The Eels have won seven matches from 12 this season, with one of the club’s biggest tests of the year arriving on Sunday against Canterbury-Bankstown. Over the last five seasons, Parramatta have found it difficult to lift without Jarryd Hayne, with Sunday’s match against the Dogs presenting an opportunity to show the Eels can win without the superstar fullback.
“I really briefly touched on us not having Jarryd today. The main thing I wanted to speak about was how our attitude needs to be right. There’s got to be a real hunger and real desire to want to go out and get in the contest,” Arthur said. “It’s all about attitude and desire. We’ve got to be desperate to start well.
“We’re reasonably happy with how we’re trudging along but there’s still plenty of areas we need to continually work hard in, as evidenced against Penrith the other week.
“The Bulldogs will be physical, just look at the team they’ve picked.
“They make no bones about how they play so it’s guaranateed to be a good challenge for us.”
Replies
A smart man never stops learning and always admits he can improve
BA thinking outside the box, liking him more and more
"There’s got to be a real hunger and real desire to want to go out and get in the contest, It’s all about attitude and desire. We’ve got to be desperate to start well."
I take that to mean don't try to manufacture the fancy stuff in the first 15 minutes. Make it a war of the forward packs in the first 15. Should be a ripper of a contest.
Nah, Roberts is at the storm now.
Smart move.Arm our blokes with a stout bit of willow,then smash the opposition with them.Can't possibly lose.
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