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.
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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?.
Rumour hanging around that Max Popo signed a 3 year deal with us. Good news for EA if so, big fan.
Yea his management announced it this morning. Disappointed he didnt get an NRL pre-season since he was our best forward in SG ball.
Scott, I’ve been thinking more about luck. There’s something more: adaptability.
The ability to pivot calmly and intelligently when Plan A or B fails. Footy, like life, is full of uncontrollables.
When Bennett didn’t pan out, we didn’t panic. We took our time and landed the right fit in Ryles. That was probably the luckiest of all strikes.
When Galvin didn’t work out and Dylan was leaving, Ryles didn’t panic either. He was even prepared to let him leave mid season. We had already recruited depth in Paps and Hawkins, with Iongi and Walker able to cover if needed. Fans may be anxious, but the club clearly isn’t.
When Hopgood wasn’t working at lock, we pivoted again. We kept cap flexibility for mid season buys, signed Walker for his footy IQ in the middle, and shifted Hopgood to prop, where he played his best footy last year.
We managed Simmo without burning bridges.
When Lomax wanted out for his $1.5m tax free R360 deal, the club again didn’t panic, protecting itself through the release agreement.
When the cap diligence was being undermined up by POs, we changed our stragedy not long after the 2022 grand final. Since mid 2023, no new contracts had them. Now, there are none. That strategy change extended to juniors and signing them longer-term deals. No POs.
When big money tied up in Gutho, Reg, and Sivo, we shifted toward cap value to build depth and future flexibility. Adaptability for the future. We also held firm on Kaeon, refusing to overpay beyond $1.1m. We stuck to our guns.
Sure, the optics sucked.
We wore the optics. Hooper went hard at us implying we were incompetent and moved slower than glaciers. Many fans were far, far worse. A thousand times worse.
Through all that maelstrom, we kept moving forward quietly, chipping away, focused on the road ahead. Adapting to whatever challenges arose. Like the old Zen saying: When the wind blows, the grass bends.
Now the CEO, GM, head coach, and chairman are aligned, "on the same bus", which has not been the case for a long time. And that has filtered through the club. Credit not only to Ryles, and others up top, but also to CEO Jim Sarantinos. They just need to keep going. Stay united. There is a long way to go, but the foundations are right for whatever comes next.
Well said.
40 years mate aint no luck anywhere near this club .....otherwise we would of at least won in 01 and 05
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