Eels Blogs

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.