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Your DNA comment resonates with me who are we as a club what's our identity on the park that's what's missing at present.The last coach much maligned but the team had an identity I really struggle to understand what this teams is.There needs to connection from top to bottom not buffers the lower end of the chain should have zero issues talking with the top.
Identity needs to be driven from the top regardless there needs to be a standard of practice across the board wheather your Mitchell Moses or the person in the office selling tickets janitors coaches whomever.Whichever person takes a pay cheque from the Eels all have to adhere to that standard and if you don't your out.This imo is how we build a strong club.
Everyone does there jobs to the best of there abilities and if they don't there out it's that simple.
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We have a good start with Koina and Talagi in lower grades. Koina left QLD to play for Parra as him and his family are Eels fans. Talagi turned down Penrith to stay at Parra despite Blaize leaving. Tuivaiti from all conversations loves the club.
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LB, the thing is, and Gus laments this all the time, you generally have to pay overs for good juniors you want to keep. Big Sam will be one. Let's hope he stays loyal.
Look at the consequences of this. It's probably another blog.
If Gus and Scope are right (I think they are) you’d say this is another advantage the likes of the Broncos, Panthers and Roosters have.
They can potentially save $500k-$1m on the cap on the bottom third of their cap because some juniors are willing to compromise a little on their early deals for the chance to come through winning systems, play finals and compete for premierships.
So even if we start catching up on the TPA front post-Constitution (after the Dark Ages of self-cannibalism and self-sabotage), we’re arguably still behind on the cap, relatively.
Potentially, millions top to bottom on the cap.
It's something PNG won't need to worry about lol.
Mason, they can buy, buy, buy.
What could the PNG side could eventually be worth?
A $20m cap due to tax-free incentives. God knows what in TPAs. Would it be hard for them to rack up $20m or more in TPAs because of the country’s and Gov't passion for rugby league and its players? It's a national sport.
The level playing field idea is fallacy.
In my view, it's why big clubs like Parramatta or the Dogs, should push for a soft cap (maybe the RLPA and Panthers might be allies).Sure, clubs with an inherent advantage like Roosters and Broncos won't like it. But even if it only helps you land 1-2 marquees, that could be the difference in winning those tight games like Tigers and Knights which gets us to 6 wins (that's up there with top eight teams in wins). It changes the narrative on the season completely.
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Oh yeah you need to, as you need to make them feel they are wanted to start, have belief they will be starting.
As for PNG, they are this boogeyman but are nothing but a shadow at the moment. Look who they have signed; Luai, Johnston, Watson and Lees. They want Williams and To'o too apparently. All have in common is they are 30 when PNG come in and all signed 2 year deals. Great to build culture but nothing overly to be worried about as they are getting players who will go there for a paycheck to retire. Not that they will just be lazy, but only 2 years? Doesn't set it up too well to start they need 4-5 year players before bringing a new lot in.
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LB, that point you make about "belief" is huge not just for R&R, but in performance.
Terrell May is an excellent example.
Actually , he makes me wonder about someone like Suli who many clubs and fans don't believe in. "He's crap, I will hand in my membership if we sign him". Wherever he lands, I hope he makes it.
Terrell may have initially gone to the Tigers because they offered the most money and because he felt discarded by the Roosters and needed to feel highly valued. But he’s staying because Benji and the Tigers believe in him. At least that’s a picture he paints on a recent podcast.
What’s interesting is that both the Roosters and Panthers had concerns about his attitude. The whole “gangster May” podcaster reputation followed him around. Ivan was seemingly willing to back him, but Matt Cameron flagged concerns and the 3-year deal Ivan had lined up never eventuated.
Cameron essentially told him, from May's perspective at least, we can't accept 'all of you' as you are and brothers have been. May walked out.
Standards and culture v accepting human nature and reality.
It’s the lesson of Wayne Bennett.
“I’m off to bed. Just don’t end up in jail when I wake up.”
Be yourself. I have faith in you. Don't let yourself down.
Rugby league isn’t GPS private school rugby, nor is it a pathway to a monastery. It’s a tough game that very few can play or make it in that has always given people from all walks of life including the rough end of town a chance.
Talent means very little without hard work and belief. Sometimes all it takes is a coach, club or teammates that end up as circuit breakers. Even if no one else does. Ultimately, Bennett is right. All R&R decisions are a risk and it is up to the individual to make good on whatever talent they have or don't have.
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More stuff to read
"You should amend this to say we have done well with a few rejects ...there have been plenty that have done sweet FA as well."
"Moses Beau Scott Gutho RCG Paulo Lomax off the top of my head in reasonably recent times.
Its a tougher go now because talent is speed thinner with more teams and the teams that seemingly develop the best are the teams that are ahead of the kerb.…"
Its a tougher go now because talent is speed thinner with more teams and the teams that seemingly develop the best are the teams that are ahead of the kerb.…"
"Pops, the game has sped up and fast outside backs are taking advantage of the space
Is Suli quick - no
He cant pass
Makes numerous errors in attack and defence
Is unwanted by a team who can't win a chook raffle
Unless st george are paying 50%…"
Is Suli quick - no
He cant pass
Makes numerous errors in attack and defence
Is unwanted by a team who can't win a chook raffle
Unless st george are paying 50%…"
"How many decent players have Parra signed over the years? Not that many that I can remember. Steve Edge from the Dragons. The 2 players from the Bulldogs that Brian Smith signed I think McKracken was one but can't think of the other player. Foran…"
What Wins Premierships? Talent, culture, systems, pathways, or belonging and connectedness?
For some, the answer is simpler. Who cares about the why? Sack as many as possible. Sign sexy names. Job done.
One thing is for sure: premierships rarely happen overnight. Clubs need patience: the exact opposite of what many fans need.
The theme of recruitment, usually strong criticism of Parramatta's recruitment and retention, has been a constant topic among Eels fans as we've struggled this season. After forty years without a premiership, and struggling this season unfolding, it's understandable why many are frustrated and crave a few sugar hits. Now.
In this week's Levels podcast, Willie Mason and Justin Horo discuss the Eels "tricky predicament" when it comes to recruitment and competing in that space. And what really matters in the end.
Many look enviously at the Dragons' buying spree. Yet so far it has produced not much beyond a last-placed finish and one win.
"You can't just go buy, buy, buy because have a look what St. George did in the last couple of years," Mason argues.
"They don't love St. George."
"I'm not saying that they're not putting in, but you have to have a pathway... and Penrith hit the jackpot," Mason says.
"You need that half a dozen that have a genuine love for the club."
"Everything else is manufactured," Mason concludes.
"Here's now where it [Dragons' huge recruitment spree] can become problematic in two years' time," Scope adds.
"Is it going to improve their play next year? Yeah."
"But could they potentially lose some good homegrown talent because of it? Yeah."
So, that's the balance. The Faustian Deal. The short-term sugar hit versus the long term. Building a team of champions and marquees versus building a champion team.
"Most clubs are manufactured trying to buy, buy, buy and thinking that you're going to win a comp because you don't have these kids who would genuinely die for that club."
Scope and Mason point to Penrith. They point to Brisbane's homegrown core. Mason points to what the Dogs are building. Even Melbourne, despite being different, have long recruited players into their pathways and culture from a young age.
Mason and Scope's common thread isn't just home-grown talent.
It's growing up together. Playing together. Connection.
Even the Panthers recruit despite losing a galaxy of stars that could fill a stadium. The difference is that they tend to do it selectively rather than chasing the biggest or sexiest names. They can afford not to.
Jason Ryles has overseen one of the biggest roster turnovers in the competition over the past season and a half. The club knows there are gaps to fill and I expect Parramatta will continue targeting quality signings for 2027 and 2028, with Jaydn Su'A likely only the beginning.
But if Mason and Horo are right, we're still only at the earliest stages, even if we recruit well.
If Parramatta had paid enormous overs to secure Keaon Koloamatangi, many fans may have celebrated the recruitment victory. But would it necessarily have been the right long-term decision? Apparently not according to Souths or Wayne Bennett. Like us, they weren't prepared to pay through the roof for him.
Interestingly, despite some of the fan pessimism surrounding Parramatta, Mason sees hope.
"I've seen their reserve grade. I've seen their 21s. I've seen their Flegg and SG Ball."
"They've got about six, seven of the best Australian school boys in the country. They're coming through. They're like 18. So, give them two years."
"They're the ones that you think can make the difference to the club."
Their argument is that the Eels' future may depend less on winning recruitment battles, cautioning against the Dragons approach, and more on developing the next generation already inside the system over the next few years.
The Broncos are evidence of a mystery beyond that.
Elite talent. Enormous resources. Strong pathways. A two-time premiership-winning coach. A roster packed with Origin and representative players. Recruitment comes easy. The result? Only one more win than us at this point of the season.
What do you think ultimately turns a club into a contender and then a premiership winner? And do you agree or disagree with Mason and Scope, and why or why not?