My Season Review

Well now that our season is officially done and dusted, I wanted to give my opinions on this season.It's fair to say that this season was one big roller coaster ride. The club dealt with a lot of off field drama -from front office in fighting, to alleged drug cheating, to a salary cap scandal and to humiliating contract sagas. Off field, we saw it all!Not only did we deal with the off field dramas though, we also saw our fair share of on field dramas. Key players were lost to serious injuries (Semi, Peats, Taka, Watmough, Norman, Wicks) as well as dubious suspensions ***Junior Paulo*** .. The fact that the playing group were faced with a lot of distractions, I thought they did an outstanding job of concentrating on football.With all the dramas aside though, I do strongly believe we over achieved!When Jarryd Hayne defected to the NFL, just about everyone penciled us in for the wooden spoon. MOST fans never expected us to be playing finals football this season, however most rugby league fans and "expert analysts" never expected us to finish 12th either.I am a very passionate supporter. Maybe a little bit too passionate.. I HATE losing and I often let my emotions get the better of me. I'm also a realist. So when I have an opportunity to look back on the season that was, I realise that it was actually quite a good season from the club and one that we can certainly build on moving forward.This season was the making of certain players. The difficult circumstances showed us who was willing to wear their heart on their sleeves and do the dirty work when the going got tough.For mine, Corey Norman was our best player by a country mile. He busted his arse week in, week out and did an outstanding job of leading the team. The fact that he was rewarded with the captaincy toward the end of the season was a true mark of how far he has come over the past couple years.Semi was a sensation last season. But this season, the flying Fijian rose to a whole new level scoring 25 tries in just 18 games. That is an incredible strike rate!Manu Ma'u was once again very good. And I thought in the back half of the season, Tim Mannah played career best footy. In my opinion though, Junior Paulo was by far our best forward. He led from the front every week and was our main man when we needed some go forward.Danny wicks turned out to be the bargain buy of the season but unfortunately his season was cut short due to injury. None the less, it was a very good season from the big man.We also saw a glimpse of some of our promising youngsters. I really liked what I saw from John Folau and I think he can become a regular first grader in the not so distant future. Daniel Alvaro also had some promising moments and I REALLY like this kid.Like it or not, the club also saw a new board take over which delivered us some stability. Brad Arthur was also rewarded with a contract extension (rightfully so) which finally sees some stability in our coaching staff, which in my opinion is the most important thing to come out of this season. The club also saw the retention of key players as well as some of our best juniors.Like every season, we always think of what could have been. Parra found just about every way possible to lose a game. If we did things differently, we probably should have won those close games and we may very well have been playing finals footy. That for mine is the most disappointing thing. But what's done is done.As fans, we have a lot to look forward to over the coming years and a lot of reason to be optimistic about our clubs future. We have recruited really well adding a couple players that fill gaping holes - Foran and Gordon, combined with the junior and senior talent that we already have at the club.Enjoy finals footy and as we always say.. There's always next year!__ParraLAD!__

"I'm putting last year down to the new style of attack and defence that had been implemented, as well as relying on Volkman at half. It was a disatorous 1st half without doubt, but I can't see that happening again. We should be much better prepared…"

"It was. Mainly because Read came off as a total fuckwit. While it's nice to see (most of) the media on our side in this case, it;s really hard not to be."

Replies

Haynsey38 September 7, 2015 at 10:12am

Well written mate...enjoyed reading.
FAT GUY September 7, 2015 at 10:16am

Great blog champion..loved it and all well said..I'd add to that the most pressure next year won't be on the players it will be on the coach and coaching staff. So here's to a hard offseason and good luck to all semi finalist except Storm,Roosters,Dogs,Broncs,Souths,Dragons can't stand them sry......
ParraLAD September 7, 2015 at 10:18am

Cheers guys. Just trying to find some positives in what was a pretty rough season.
Wayne September 7, 2015 at 10:36am

Great read, well done mate. I've been pretty happy with our year, especially the back half. We have competed in most games despite our injuries and off field dramas. I'm excited about 2016, with a few quality additions to our squad and a full roster to choose from we will be playing finals footy.
- ParraLAD > Wayne September 7, 2015 at 10:42am
  
  We should definitely be in contention to be playing finals footy next year. Foran is an enormous addition. Plus Mick Gordon has be
- ParraLAD > Wayne September 7, 2015 at 10:42am
  
  Been on fire for the sharks. Hopefully he brings that form with him next season.
- Wayne > Wayne September 7, 2015 at 10:45am
  
  I'm confident he will Parralad. He seems to be a true professional and from what I have seen from him this year even at 70% on current form he is still a far better option that what we have now.
- ParraLAD > Wayne September 7, 2015 at 10:55am
  
  No doubt. I'm a big fan of flash. Great mentor for young Bevan too.
Wile E. Coyote September 7, 2015 at 10:48am

Just hope that next year we can often score when we get in the 20
And when it is golden point and we get in a good position first to take a field goal we can set it up and take it
And I hope for the forwards sake that they get reward for their efforts rather than see the backs fluff attack and defence
- ParraLAD > Wile E. Coyote September 7, 2015 at 10:56am
  
  I think those situations will prove why we signed Foran. He's a very controlled play makers and he'll be the one calling the shots.

of 4

This reply was deleted.

Eels Blogs

My Season Review

Replies

More stuff to read

Eels blogs

Braith loves us.

1EE Modern day Eels team: Halfback

1EE Modern day Eels team: Five-Eighth

Matterson - The gift that keeps on giving

Note: this page contains paid content.

Social Blogs

Irony is Even Deader

Shark Attack..... Moses told to be wary of the surf!

Poppa's Dilemma, Welcome to my Corner, come in and have a Cuppa with a Silly Old Bastard. I think it's New Year Shortly?

Keaon done deal

Note: this page contains paid content.