Article: SMH
Parramatta boss Scott Seward has expressed serious concerns for his players' welfare after the Eels were drawn to play six interstate games, including three consecutive matches away from home, when the NRL fixtures were released on Monday.
The Eels will play every interstate team away from home for the second consecutive year despite pleas to the NRL to lessen their travel burden. The most serious concern for the club is their round 20-22 games where they will travel to Townsville, Gold Coast and Darwin. The Eels match against Penrith in Darwin is the club's home game.
The Eels will also battle school holiday traffic following from their round seven clash in Newcastle on Sunday April 19 which coincides with the end of the holiday period before they travel to Brisbane for their round eight game.
Seward said he will further express his grievances to the NRL. "It's certainly tough especially when you do volunteer to take one of your games interstate to grow the game," Seward said. "We will deal with it the right way. We understand how hard it is to put a draw together. We'd be negligent if we didn't voice our concern over the travel and what it means and the welfare to our players. [Player welfare] is a massive concern for us. They aren't one hour flights. It's something we have to watch and monitor. We learnt plenty from this year. We will certainly put that into action again.
"It's just something you have to deal with, it's part of the game. There are interstate teams that have to travel every week. We just find it interesting that we get two years in a row where we travel to play every interstate side."
The Eels will consider basing themselves in Queensland in between their clashes against the Cowboys and Titans. Parramatta won three of their six interstate games this year. Seward said he had voiced his concerns to the NRL before the draw was released.
"It was mentioned that we travelled a lot," Seward said. "It was certainly in [the NRL's] minds. We just have to prepare for it. I was surprised we'd get travel like that again."
Seward backed the club's decision to switch one home game to Darwin for four years. Almost 10,000 people turned up for their first game in the Northern Territory when the Eels beat Canberra 18-10.
"We are committed to the Territory," Seward said. "I don't think that's the issue here. We signed up for the Territory knowing our commitment."
Replies
That Game in drawin that's what you get for taking home game away from us fans so toughen up Parramatta
I think we will make the 8 but I don't think we got the side to go all the way yet but you never know
Fffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk i just want it to start already.
If the NRL and players etc hardened up and played every team home and away the draw could be the exact same every year. No one would have anything to complain about except playing 30 games a year. Drop the byes, city country, aus tests and the amount of games is pretty much the same.
Maybe he should be more concerned about taking away three competition matches from Parramatta Stadium each year. That is not the NRLs fault.
Channel 9
Don't waste time talking to the NRL - talk to the guys who organise the draw.
That is all.
He can't complain about the 6 Interstate games. Cowboys, Broncos, and Storm would play 10 to 12 interstate games a year not including finals... Not to mention NZ with 12 "International" games a season.
My thoughts exactly.
We've been a shite side for years and get treated accordingly. If we want to get to the top and be a priority for the NRL we need to fight and not get bitter...get better.
It will just make victory even sweeter.