I have just returned from our yearly vigil to Magic Round with my 3 kids. I didn't expect the Eels to win and they probably played like I thought they would, so i wasn't majorly disappointed. But my 13 year old son had high hopes and was absolutely gutted by that spineless performance.
As a team and a club we are at a crossroads right now and some tough decisions need to be made. I confess I have been a BA fan, maybe even one of the so called "Unicorns" of the site. Always believing the best of the coach despite the bleeding obvious. And there was some good reasons for that belief. When BA came in 11 years ago I was not enjoying watching the Eels play footy. It wasn't just the losing but the boring and passionless style that Kearney and Stuart brought in. Then BA came in and he built a side that we could be proud of. Yes ups and downs and some poor years but a reasonably consistent team that were enjoyable to watch again (most of the time).
But rarely is a coach or leader able to lead a team or an organisation year in and year out like a Craig Bellamy has with Melbourne. Most coaches and leaders have a use by date. Even the great Wayne Bennett had "lost the magic" at some point at a few clubs and needed to move on. There comes a time when for whatever reason the team isn't responding to the coach anymore. The style of play just ain't working. And yeh you can blame the players for sure but watching from high up in the stands today this is what I noticed:
1) When the Storm went to our edges they had us stripped for numbers and made break after break out there. But when we went to our edges there was no space created and most of the time their defense were almost pushing us into touch as we shifted the ball. There was no overlap on their edges when we attacked. Even the great finish from Simonsson in the corner was not created by any kind of overlap. We just got to the line before they could get us in to touch.
2) Is the same point as above really. Our edge defense tried hard and scrambled as best they could but the Storm always found space and numbers on the edge. Yes players can be blamed somewhat for their poor decisions in defense but you could see it was also a broken down system and it has been for a while.
3) We simply don't have an x factor player that can tear apart a tired opposition like the Storm and other title contenders have. Dylan Brown and Blaize T are good attacking players and can make a break but they are not in the elite x factor class of the NRL. Now you could say "what has that got to do with the coach?". Well alot. BA has brought solid players to our club with a focus on defense and consistency but he has failed to make an attempt to sign fast, elusive outside backs or X factor type players. Those type of players might be classified as too risky for BA and the way he coaches. He likes a predictable, dependable type player who minimises risk. That is one reason Carty didn't get much of a look in for his first years at the Eels. He was too much of a risk for BA
From looking down today at the style of footy we play and both the attacking and defensive systems, we are now miles away from the top sides. And ladies and gentlemen that comes down to coaching. The defense and attacking coach do not over rule the head coaches style or systems. They coach according under his style and systems.
So we now sit at a crossroad. We can continue to go with Arthur because "there is no one else" or "he can get us out of this hole". But truthfully I doubt it. 11 years and a style that isn't working anymore. A team that doesn't look that interested in his 'ways' anymore. We must take a risk and move on to another head coach. "But what if he isn't as good as BA and we go backwards?". What if... what if....
But to stay with what we already know is a bigger risk in my mind. The tide has turned. BA the fighter must be relieved of his duties.
"You say but what about the players?" "We need a clean out". Well maybe aside from say Sivo and perhaps Lane you leave the squad for the new coach. There is talent there and a new coach and a few new faces may be the fresh start this club needs. Let him decides who stays and who goes.
So I say it again.................................. It's time to build a team that we can be proud of again!!!'
Can I hear an Amen
Replies
"Then BA came in and he built a side that we could be proud of"
This Dave Chappelle standard comedy 🤣
81,82,83,86 were teams to be proud of becuse they were winners
Teams who who show heart, courage and spirit when things are against them are teams to be proud of .
Their is nothing to be proud of that involves Brad Arthur.
Fong I know you like to hate on the coach. But seriously he has given us some good years. Not a premiership but some bloody good sides that we could be proud of. Not many teams can say that. I dont have the stats in front of me but I'd say 6 of those 11 years you could say were a success and the fans enjoyed going along for the ride. It's time to get off the bus but credit where it's due Fong.
What you class as success others don't , 3 finals wins , floggings and 7 losing margin records is not success .
I class success as years where I look forward to watching the team every week because I know I am going to get a good performance and I can have igh hopes of a win. To watch a team that has passion, skill and plays for the jersey. Under BA there has been more of those seasons than not. Brian Smith never got us a premiership but I'd say the same of him. he got the club playing consistent, coompetitive footy again.
Look at our memberships. That has happened because people belive the team can win and that's built on some decent seasons under BA
"I class success as years where I look forward to watching the team every week because I know I am going to get a good performance and I can have igh hopes of a win. To watch a team that has passion, skill and plays for the jersey. Under BA there has been more of those seasons than not"
You made Dave Chappelle look like comedy dope with the above comment 🤣🤣.
The fact you think that Brad Arthur has made Parramatta as competitive as what Brian Smith did shows you are clueless and have very low standards , but god bless you champ .
I didn't compare him to Brian Smith but both coaches got us playing competitive, finals footy again. You forget what a basket case we were before BA.
Brian Smith was tacticaly a much better coach than BA. I have been watching this team sice 81. I used to love how Smith came up with game plans out of nowwhere for a particular team. I will always remember a bunch of no name Eels beating the Broncos under Smith simply because of his game plan. He was a genius but couldn't get us a premiership. Who is next? Would you try Holbrook? He is at the Roosters after all :-)
You are comparing them because you are saying they both got Parramatta playing competitively , Brad Arthur has never got Parramatta to be as competitive as was Brian Smith did and only a fool would suggest it .
They both got us playing competitive. Yeh thats a fair comparison but I am not comparing their abilities. But as a fan they got some excitement back for the team again regardless.
I'll give Brad Arthur credit for always putting his own best interests ahead of the team and for always doing what was best to protect his job , and as a bonus I'll give him credit for making sure his son got a massive contact upgrade .
I don't think he did that. He is not going to come out and say I am crap and dont know what i am doing. I think he was genuinely invested into the team and as a Father into his son too. i have 5 sons and I am invested in their success too. I think the players like him because he backs them and believes in them. You and others make him sound like everything he has done has been pathetic. Its just not true. You can show the guy the door and also acknowledge the positive things he has done. It is not his fault no one wants to sack him on the board. He is not the type to walk
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