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 -
Is Wayne Bennet 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 and then a 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 didn't, 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). 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.
Another example is the players we let go, especially Reg. I saw it as a head scratcher move but he was terrible for the tits. And Gutho was very solid for the Dragons but Iongi is on his way to being 1 of those generation players. His attack is brilliant but it was his abilty under the high ball and last ditch defence that I found pleasingly suprising.
When I heard Dylan Walker had signed I thought "mm, fair player. Might go ok" but must have been close to signing of the season.
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 1.
Replies
Acme, just curious: What were the most interesting things to come out of that Bennett talk?
Like you, I enjoy listening to and learning from people in the game, and he’s obviously a great coach. I remember Bup raising some deep reservations about him a while back.
I was never sold on Bennett for us, mainly because he tends to hang around for only 2–3 years. A short-term fix. Also, I feel clubs tend to regress (the Dolphins aside) after he takes his magic dust with him.
Rylesy feels more like a long-term, Brian Smith–type, who wants to build the club from the ground up. He’s very different to Smith stylistically, who's more tactical, but that long-term approach appeals more to me. I really hope he succeeds.
I don't believe in.luck. Ryles has made some great decisions and has the club in a good position to move forward. Whilst most thought getting rid of Guth and rcg were head scratchers, Ryles had a clear vision to turn this roster around. Most if not every signing he's made have more than succeeded.
Just one thing, im rating Lincoln Fletcher as Brown's 2027 successor ahead of Lorenzo and Joash, and i think Ryles is seeing this also, especially at training. Need to lock him up until 2029. 30
Also sign Rylsey until 2032 asap imo
In my humble opinion . Feel the vibe around the place is very different from the last few years . You could notice it last year at the few training sessions i attended and also going to watch the lower grade games with a lot of the senior players watching from the sidelines the whole place just seems a really happy iplace since Ryles and his team have been in charge . Im very optimistic about what lies ahead
You don't feel luck plays a role at all Chiefy? Certainly agree that the things in our control are being handled really well right now but I certainly think there are things outside of our control which can play out either for or against us. Conversely, there is the saying 'you make your own luck'
Fletcher long term 5/8? Reading good things here and at TCT but I always like to see for myself. Where do you see Joash in 2027 at this stage? I've mentioned elsewhere that I like him and see him really developing with a settled position in 1st grade.
When do we extend Ryles? Is now too soon? For a rookie coach, he is killing it!
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.
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