One game only, same old story. 40 years of this rubbish. Every pre-season, big talk, everyone says this is our year. Sometimes we start okay, sometimes we get smashed like last night, 52-4 by Storm. Then the losses start, we lose all momentum, and by August we’re just trying not to get embarrassed in finals – if we even make it. Why does this always happen to us?
But this issue goes beyond what happens on the field. The club seems to have settled for mediocrity.
- We seem to be stuck in a cycle. No premiership since 1986. Longest drought in the NRL. We get close – 2001, 2009, 2022 grand finals – but nothing. Arthur got us to finals sometimes, but when it matters, we fall apart. Even the NRLW team does the same. Some fans say we’re competitive. I think we’re just used to losing now. Look at Penrith, they changed everything. Storm rebuild and still win. Us? Every year is just effort, struggle, and nothing to show for it. What are we missing? keep memberships strong, and share opinions on socials – but maintaining pressure for change is challenging. Petitions, strong reactions, and the 2024 rebel ticket at the Leagues Club (supported by legends like Brett Kenny, Ray Price, Eric Grothe Snr/Jnr) did not lead to changes. Other clubs’ supporters sometimes succeed in board shake-ups or resignations. We voice concerns, express frustration, and may quiet down over time. It can be difficult for fans to sustain momentum, and the board often waits for the next cycle.
- The way we treat our legends is a joke. Price, Kenny, Sterling, Grothe, Hindmarsh, Cayless – they made this club in the 80s. They tried to help, spoke up, but the club ignored them. No real roles, no say in culture, nothing. Penrith uses its legends everywhere. Us? Just old photos and nostalgia. No wonder Parra has no heart anymore.
- The board is a joke and has been for years. Sacked by the authorities, salary cap mess, Hayne and Watmough payout, directors quitting, legal dramas, and fan revolts that go nowhere. They just react, protect their mates, chase quick fixes. No vision. Culture is rotten, good players leave, no real push for a premiership. They don’t care about the drought. They just want to keep their jobs.
We have the players. Moses, Paulo, Addo-Carr, some good young ones. The biggest league club in the game. Now Ryles comes in, won at Storm and Roosters. But if the board and culture stay the same, it won’t matter. We’ll just go through more coaches who win everywhere else but fail here. Hagan, Anderson, Stuart – all winners before Parra, nothing with us.
Enough is enough. Parra fans, if you want real change – board held to account, legends respected, real investment in culture like the top clubs – do something. Contact the board, go to meetings, make noise. If not, get ready for another 40 years of pain.
What does a good year even look like for us? Not talking about some fantasy, just being real here.
- Top 8 has to be the bare minimum. All the so-called experts had us around 6th to 10th before the season started. If we just scrape into 7th or 8th, that’s nothing to celebrate, just more of the same. 5th or 6th would actually mean something for once. Miss the 8? That’s just another failure.
- We need to win at least 13 or 14 games, not just go on some late run and hope for miracles. Last year, we went 5 -2 in the last 7, but where was that all season? Just be consistent for once, not this up and down rubbish.
- Stop getting smashed in big games. No more 50-point embarrassments, especially at home. Show some fight from Round 1, not just when the season is already gone. Fix the basics – discipline, defence, completions – how hard is it? Build some momentum for once instead of waiting until it’s too late.
- A real finals run? That would be a miracle. Just getting past the first week would be huge for Ryles in his second year. We’ve been stuck in this top 8 and our rubbish for 40 years.
Replies
I'd love to know, what the club is doing to identify why we don't get the players we say we are after. If they are leaving no stone unturned then tell us the stones, help us fans understand. As soon as we know why, the real reasons then fans can accept that. Is it a person, is it a process, is it illegal tactics used by other clubs, is it our reputation, is it our coaching team, is it the destination for housing and training.
'Is Mark O'Neills hands tied, so to speak, or are we negotiating from a poor position, whatever it is, it needs to be understood.
There was an article the other day about Madge, he got on a plane and went to New Zealand to personally speak with Barnett. Now that shows respect and shows how much the coach values Barnett talent. Other coaches like Bellamy explains at the recruits home, how family are included and looked after, may be moving, may be jobs for the wife, maybe best schools etc. It's laid on. Gould does personal meetings and shows his clubs blueprints, pathways and after football life. The Dragons chartered a private helicopter as part of their recruitment to sign Keaon Koloamatangi from Souths, they flew him from Sydney to Wollongong. All this is VIP recruiting rolling out the red carpet, showing they are a priority signing they provide a memorable experience. The Roosters offer a quasi membership into the Sydney Roosters Foundation with strong corporate partners, they offer career pathways after football.
I don't hear about how the Eels go above and beyond. They may do it, or they may not. But our reputation is that we are not a flashy recruitment team, and i cannot find any antidotal evidence that they do a lot of these types of things during recruitment.
It dosnt have to just be $$ when fitting a $15million dollar team into a $12 million salary cap, nor does it have to be illegal. It does have to be first class and does have to be planned.
Bravo 👏, Bluey.
Yeh! good comeback Bluey, I defended the best I could but you raise some very good points for taking that extra step.
Good points. The only insight i have ever received is from a mate that works with Lachlan Galvin's dad. James went with Lachy to the COE and met Ryles etc. Said he was very impressed with it all, even Ryles he loved what he had planned for Lachy. But it was Luke Vella that was deciding factor. Then there is Keaon who wanted to be with Suli as they are best mates.
It seems all these little factors get players over the line and we have nothing at all. I mean we should be rich in resources that players dream of. Particularly TPA's.
Something is wrong and it has to be investigated.
Broncos lose Haas and potentially gain Barnett, I'm not sure I'd say that's great recruitment/retention
Mate , some valid points raised . I know we have improved off field dramatically. Membership , pathways , Kellyville centre . The recent court win showed some professional resilience . So little victories in important areas .
To be honest , I didn't see yesterday coming despite Storms streak. We just couldn't go with Storm around the ruck. They are the best in the comp for that little 2m x 2m square . When we are off our game , it starts and finishes there . Defense not plugging holes , dummy half scoots , players not getting to marker and getting rolled through the ruck.
Watching the games tonight , we are not beating any of those teams . But when we are on , we can compete with any team. We just have to ensure everyone turns up to play because the really good teams don't carry too many passengers .
So far, it is only one game, it seems we may have recruited poorly. Come this time next week we could have a different tune. But you are right big difference from off night and on nights. Great teams have off nights but not that bad.
Based on the games so far, I predict the bottom 3 to be:
15. Roosters
16. Broncos
17. Eels
I am very smart.
Out of the mouth of Babes Yehez, you could win a lot of money on that bet......I think you should anchor it with Eels and build your quaddie around it LOL
Im pulling up stumps boys. Good luck
Go Roosters 🐓 26
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