Eels Blogs

In the 7 years we have played in Darwin we have only lost once. In 2017 against the Cowboys.

Yes our Darwin agreement helps promote the game and Indigenous side in NT and the wider interests of rugby league,  but it is also worth $1m a year for us. For one game.

As fans we always moan, like a bear that hasn't eaten in three decades, understandably, about our ability to attract sponsors and TPA's - but that's an good deal for us, in Rugby league terms. That forms about 17% of our $5.9m 2018 PNRL "sponsorship and hospitality income", compared to say the Roosters $7.6m.

We need it just as much as the NT.

And the NT goverment could have walked away from us, when the $4m four year deal expired in 2017. 

One the downside, last night's crowds figure of 5,391   was the lowest we have ever had at Darwin, which peaked at almost 12,000 in 2017; and I wonder if that trend continues whether that might affect future deals. NRL crowds are often a problem, were AFL and BBL in Perth puts us to shame, but bottom line the NRL was the most watched sport on TV and foxtel last year. NRL is perhaps stronger in Australia than many critics believe.

Another upside is last night's 22-16 win was the first time in three years we have beaten the Raiders. In ten years we have only beaten them three times. Two of those were at Darwin, with both being wins from behind. And Junior Paulo has been our lucky charm - the only current top 17 player to have played in all three of those wins. It's a funny game.

The win wasn't the prettiest of matches, where neither team played to its best, and wehad a bit of lady luck, but we wanted it a little more and were more switched on when it counted. Ferguson and Moses were outstanding, as was Mahoney, Gower, Junior, and most of the team, despite making plenty of errors along the way. Ferguson is an incredibly sublime athlete when given a chance and is on. Big, fast, strong, agile, gymnastic. 

Sir Alex Ferguson, once said the one attribute he looks for in a player is: a "sore loser".

Moses hasn't hit the big time or played Origin, but for all his critics he is that: a sore loser. He often spits the dummy. When the Raiders steamrolled over him to score, he bashed the ground in disgust. Many players don't do that, if you watch replays enough. If you watch replays Moses, when on, is often around the play, following the ball. When the game was on the line, he busted the line and tackles to score, usually his speed, strength and will. And when he scored it was if a lion roared. Immediately after the match when interviewed by 2GB the first thing he did was blame himself for the Raiders early 16-0 onslaught. And also comment that is a game the Eels would have lost by 30 in the past.

We need more sore losers', as we have just about come to the conclusion of one of our worst decades since the 1950s.

It might take us away from Bankwest for one game a year; which may later prove an issue, but Darwin is a win every time. For now.