Dear Mr Gallop

Firstly, yes I am a Parra supporter and yes im upset that we lost and yes, as is often the case when you lose, you can find a way to blame the loss on something other than football as the case may be here.I know that the general consensus is that people want to see a free flowing game...True for the State of Origin where really, Ch 9 and the NRL, are the biggest benefactors...- Definitely NOT so for the season proper, in particular the Grand Final.This means so, so, so much more to us than a free flowing ratings grabber. We are the faithful, we watch week in-week in out, support the game week in-week out, and we want a team to win because it played within (read: respected) the rules of the game and was the better team on the day.Unfortunately, this was not the case tonight....For your consideration;Firstly for a bit of objective balance;1.Parra got away with at least 3 high shots-Reportable penalties on any given week...2.Now for the bits that changed the game;2.Craig Bellamy has a job to do-that is have his team win-being fully aware of the fact the refs will be praised for letting the game flow he will have instructed his players to slow down the play the ball, more than usual, knowing that the refs will have been instructed (or led to believe the same) to avoid blowing the whistle.3.Ditto for forward passes from dummy half- This game is said to be a game of inches-you allowing the Storm 6 extra from each play the ball DOES affect the outcome.4.Since the Storms inclusion in the game we've had Grapple tackles, chicken wings, wrist twists, ankle locks, wrestling coaches and on and on and on. You have to ask yourself is this the way of the future?5.No question, Melbourne are a great side-sadly for me though I can't help but think a lot of there greatness is due to their coaches impeccable understanding of the game, its rules, its officials and most importantly the exploitation of each.6.Sadly, once again, the NRL has been out-coached by Craig Bellamy. He can't be blamed, he is just doing his job-you, on the other hand are not. The Melbourne Storm are now well and truly established in the league-Victorians are as convinced as they will ever be. As far as promoting the game in Victoria is concerned you're job is done. Now lets get back to playing rugby league, on a level playing field, the way the game is meant to be played.7.Given their history you should have, and will have, known that Melbourne would be stretching and exploiting every rule introduced to promote this great game. Yet, sadly, for some unknown reason, you failed to act on it......8. Oh and one more thing. Why on Earth, in a Grand Final, would you not employ 3 video refs. Each to vote on the call-majority rules-decision made, no retribution. Granted Bill probably had the game of his life tonight with Tony now feeling confident enough to make the wrong calls all on his own but for next time, at least consider it hey?Finally, all ranting aside-im hurting-I love Parra-I wanted this so badly, not for myself, but for the players, in particular Hindy, Burt & Cayless. (On top of this, just quietly I was also hoping that we'd manage to sneak a signature out of Morts for a few years on the back of a GF win : ))Parra, thanks so much for the last 3 months, it's been one fantastic ride. I've gone from being the laughing stock of my fellow league mates, to the one finally saying “I told you so......”….As is so often the case, once again I find myself repeating those same two words “next year”. It's not easy being a Parra supporter, but you wouldn't swap it for all the premierships in the world. Who knows, maybe, just maybe those 2 words may ring true this time.If Daniel Anderson can inspire the same emotion again next year I reckon we're half a chance.....Go Parra

i think you are right about bellamy and the whole breaking the rules of the game because the refs wont pull it up stuff.
Now melbourne won it and good luck to them but parra have put this game up on a new level with the way they have been playing, they have revived the league to all supporters and have shown us that they will quite possibly be there again next year,
but i would just like to add a couple of things as to why i think parra were never going to win it this no matter how well they played....
1st..when they were in the slump (3rd last) quite a few bets were made even with the odds up to $151 to win the grand final, i beleive a lot of people put money on the eels not just to make the GF but win it as well, now with the way it works we have bookies who sponsor the NRL standing to loose possibly millions of $$$$$$ and in doing so would not be able to keep supporting the game etc..
2nd..ever since Melbourne entered the competition they have been whinging about getting extra help from the NRL because of victorians loving the afl and they got it and they keep getting it from the nrl and associates to keep the game alive down there so over time i beleive that it has all become 2nd nature to everyone concerened, to either bend the rules, turn a blind eye and kept it quiet or something for example...
Wrestling coaches: Melbourne introduced them and they started using the techniques to use on other players, now common sense would tell you (and just about all the commentators picked it up) that men moving with the way they do in rugby league are going to get hurt when you use techniques that are designed for men standing in the one spot but the nrl let it go and it wasn't until players from other teams started to get injuries and the other coaches started to voice their opinion that they did something but only for a short time then they started again by manipulating the technique.
3rd point i would like to pick out is the afl had a big year and in-particular the Victorian teams which would have done some damage to the storms popularity down there so for them to win the GF would give them some help in getting some support back

thats just my opinion

A really big well done to the EELS and to what they have acheived this year we are all proud of you all

"After a penalty eels are in good field position. Eels go right and Hawkins goes short to Carty who flicks a offload with the flick and Z Hunter is in support to score."

"Interesting stuff, I have been a big critic of Talagi and I am watching with interest his development through Penrith.
I feel the commentary have a huge focus on anything positive he does and he has had some good moments. My further belief is if he…"

"Eels get good field position. Matto cuts back leff and manges to find an offload to Latu. He does great work to catch and pass to Nanva. He draws in defenders with a left foot step before flinging the ball to Tago who catches the ball after the…"

Replies

Ross October 4, 2009 at 10:48pm

Next Year.. I have said that 23 too many times, but this time.. I really believe it.
Number One Eel Fan October 5, 2009 at 10:17am

i think you are right about bellamy and the whole breaking the rules of the game because the refs wont pull it up stuff.
Now melbourne won it and good luck to them but parra have put this game up on a new level with the way they have been playing, they have revived the league to all supporters and have shown us that they will quite possibly be there again next year,
but i would just like to add a couple of things as to why i think parra were never going to win it this no matter how well they played....
1st..when they were in the slump (3rd last) quite a few bets were made even with the odds up to $151 to win the grand final, i beleive a lot of people put money on the eels not just to make the GF but win it as well, now with the way it works we have bookies who sponsor the NRL standing to loose possibly millions of $$$$$$ and in doing so would not be able to keep supporting the game etc..
2nd..ever since Melbourne entered the competition they have been whinging about getting extra help from the NRL because of victorians loving the afl and they got it and they keep getting it from the nrl and associates to keep the game alive down there so over time i beleive that it has all become 2nd nature to everyone concerened, to either bend the rules, turn a blind eye and kept it quiet or something for example...
Wrestling coaches: Melbourne introduced them and they started using the techniques to use on other players, now common sense would tell you (and just about all the commentators picked it up) that men moving with the way they do in rugby league are going to get hurt when you use techniques that are designed for men standing in the one spot but the nrl let it go and it wasn't until players from other teams started to get injuries and the other coaches started to voice their opinion that they did something but only for a short time then they started again by manipulating the technique.
3rd point i would like to pick out is the afl had a big year and in-particular the Victorian teams which would have done some damage to the storms popularity down there so for them to win the GF would give them some help in getting some support back

thats just my opinion

A really big well done to the EELS and to what they have acheived this year we are all proud of you all
ILUVHINDY October 5, 2009 at 8:00pm

So well said. I was thinking all of those things too as I watched the game. Yes, I am sad, but I still love Parra!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Next year hey.....
Camo73 October 5, 2009 at 8:29pm

Why do they continue to work so hard to promote a product that nobody really cares about? Why can't the Victorians keep their AFL and the other eastern states have the NRL?
No matter how hard the AFL promote their game I am simply not interested. If there is a choice between an AFL game and nothing I'm more than likely going to choose the nothing option. I dare say the Victorians feel the same about the NRL. Let's have a team where people want it. Say.... the Central Coast? Instead of paying so much money to sell a product to a market that is less than indifferent, give it to the fans that want it and will support it.

I heard on Roy and HG this afternoon that in Victoria they ended the coverage as soon as they could and went to their news. They didn't even have a chance to watch the presentation.
Adam Paden October 5, 2009 at 8:56pm

Rugby league isn't even enjoyed by victorians, Parra deserved that victory! Fuck David Gallop Fuck Archer and Fuck the Mexicans! parra 4 life!
- Bosanac > Adam Paden October 5, 2009 at 9:21pm
  
  Preach on.

This reply was deleted.

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