Just like Parramatta Stadium rose from the ashes of Cumberland Oval, so too will the Parramatta Eels rise from the ashes of this season. The fans have shown how popular the team is, even if they finished last. Whilst the send-off of club legends Nathan Hindmarsh and Luke Burt was far from a fairytale, the new breed has arrived. Cheyse Blair has already represented his state in the U20's NSW side and has been selected in the Junior Kangaroos Train-on squad. Jarryd Hayne, whilst being injured for the majority of 2012, is still an unbelievable athlete with an immeasurable amount of skill. Chris Sandow, a member of the QLD Origin development program, simply explodes with raw talent, it will be a task for Stuart to get him to play consistently but it is not impossible.
Now on to the coach. Ricky Stuart is Parramatta's first premiership winning coach since John Monie coached the side to their last title in 1986. Whilst he may not have the same players as the legends of the 80's he does have passion in spades. Stuart has managed to instill pride and passion into the NSW jersey that has been missing recently and it has shown in the way they have pushed QLD. I look forward to seeing if Stuart can instill the same passion in the jersey as was shown by Hindmarsh throughout his career. I have a firm belief that the Eels can rise from the ashes and bring glory back to Parramatta.
When we win the competition I don't expect an elaborate speech from Stuart I simply want him to say "In the words of Jack Gibson, "Ding, dong, the witch is dead." It's been that long that it feels like we're starting again.
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Hey SE 22 - I need a bit of what you are on to help me get through the day!
I remember rising from the ashes - having to go to belmore to watch us play for 4 long years.
I hope this resurrection is quicker. I like the buys we have made this year - Kelly, Lussick and Harrison. I think all 3 will be starting players. I also hope Hayne plays 6, but our centre/wing options have me very worried. I don't share your enthusiasm for Blair, but maybe he'll thrive under a new coach.
I've heard a few people say that Stuart is our first premiership winning coach since Monie. Wasn't hagan a premiership winning coach with the Knights in 2001? Sometimes it's not all about the coach. Look at Qld under Meninga...
Any turnaround will only work if the players buy into the coaching plan.
Nice blog super, good read, but you forgot Mick Hagan won a comp in his first year as coach out of memory......Ricky is our 2nd premiership coach, toot toot
Michael Hagan was just a figure head who relied on Andrew Johns.
mg from the grill team thinks parra and penrith will be very strong in 2013 , there hes top 2 picks.
so super eel,we may indeed do a ''phoenix'', and rise from the ashes in 2013.
we surely can not go down down down lower then this season man.
twist and shout guys the eels will rise again..go parra.