It seems to me that Parra may just be starting to have some luck go their way. Things that may seem like a loss initially are turning out well.
A few examples.
Wayne Bennett. Is he still a super coach or has he lost touch with the game? I know we made a (very poor) attempt to sign him, but I feel as though we dodged a massive bullet by missing him. Then made a fantastic move in signing Ryles. Would anyone take Bennet over Ryles at the moment? I wouldn't. Seems Wayne spends a bit too much time trying to tinker with the game instead of coaching his team. His results have been average for some years now. Today, media reports are quoting Wayne's impassioned defence/support of the kick off rule change but I see that ALL 17 clubs are against it. i.e. He can't even convince souths to support it. And then people like Matty Johns have dead set blasted it.
The Galvin saga might just be another. I was keen for him to sign with us but since he's been at the Dogs I wonder. I looked at him with fresh perspective. I think we might have avoided a player whose ego MIGHT outweigh his ability. And I'm not saying the kid can't play. However, his signing did the dogs no favours last year. And I can see young Joash growing into a great 5/8. He's a footy player and has already had to fight for every opportunity which builds great mental toughness. A training report from TCT suggests his passing game is on the rise and his running game is already a massive strength. I can see this turning out well for us. Even Pezet for 1 year may turn out to be good luck in that he helps Joash develop over the next year before 5/8 becomes his own. And Pezet will cover any Moses' absences much better than anyone else from recent years.
Then, there is Reg and Gutho. Initially, like many, I saw it as a head scratcher. But Reg has been a terrible signing for the Titans who came second-last last year. And sure, Gutho was solid for the Dragons but Iongi is on his way to being one of those generational players. His attack is brilliant but it was his abilty under the high ball and last ditch defence that I found pleasingly suprising.
Dylan Walker. When I heard we had signed, I thought "Mmm, fair player. Might go okay". But now I wonder if he has been close to the signing of the season. Williams is another great buy. So is the Fox.
I've seen Parra as having absolutely no luck for many years, but sense a turning of the tide now. We all know that luck plays a part in winning comps and it's pretty much impossible if your luck is consistenly bad.
As a final thought, can the Lomax situation also end up as a win for us? It has the potential to land us a decent centre which we definitely still need. Time will tell on that one.
Replies
I hope so brother I think WB is past it as far as coaching goes much prefer JR and his culture he has brought to the club either buy in or piss off I had said for years you are never winning a comp with guys only there because you paid overs for them you need players buying into the club and we are seeing it now become a reality I think some luck yes but a coach with a clear plan and willing to make tough calls is really helping us
Ryles' instincts have been correct so far, regarding cutting players, signings, and trusting in youth.
Good post but what I think you identified in the top 2 paragraphs is always the issue I've had with our front office.The fact Ryles was never there first choice and they went in with everything to get Galvin and couldn't close.
Yes getting JR looks like a prudent move thus far and I tend to agree with Wayne take every coach has his used by date and Bennett is imo almost there but thing is with the Wayne chase South's spent a year planting the seed Parra's plan was try to sneak in the back door and gave it 6 weeks.Thing is Bennett mentioned this very early on he was never going to a club that had a head coach in place so when we went it was too late realistically we had no shot.
Parras a team on the rise for sure but our time isn't quite yet and as you mention OP I still think we need a couple more difference makers to replace the 2 we've just lost.
Agreed but the dismal play for Bennet leads us to sign JR. This in turn has seemingly led to the front office functioning at a higher level. The play for Galvin seemed organised and thorough and by all accounts we were trumped at the last minute by a wild card in the form of his school coach. But again, not sure we didn't dodge a bullet there as I'm yet to be convinced that he really is all that. Just seems to me that things are starting to fall into place for us. My hope now is that Galvin continues to struggle at the dogs (I'm still dirty on the 84 GF) while we identify/develop a true superstar 5/8 to complete what is turning into a top notch spine.
Wayne hasn't won anything in 16 years. He's washed
Bellamy is the greatest coach of all time
Wayne is a legend of the game but Ryles is def the better fit for us to move forward. Impressisve stint so far.
Thx ScottX, good questions. I think it bad luck that a coach in his first year (JR) has to sit through losing two of his three (and only) marquee backs: Dylbag$ and Lomax. I'm sure JR did not count on those departures in the 2024-25 preseason. It's undoubted that we replaced both with steps down, and no offense meant to Pezet or Kelly, but strictly speaking we lost two current internationals with players without rep honors. We all hope Pezet and Kelly succeed but it's still bad luck for JR.
Im also undecided on Bennett & Galvin. Bennett's bunnies had a wretched year injury-wise so maybe let's see how 2026 unfolds? And Galvin seemed to take the Dogs backwards but he has good judges admiring his potential, so again we may want to watch how the Dogs go this year? Also with Galvin, what would fans have said if he came mid-2025 and displaced Brown?
What I will say about luck is that the Eels might need a lucky run with few injuries to outside backs and the props? With them we may be in trouble. Without them, maybe the form from back end 2025 continues?.
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