Parramatta will have a reserve grade team back in the Intrust Super Premiership in 2020 as the Eels refocus their attention on becoming a strong development club. Severing ties with their NRL-feeder team Wentworthville Magpies after an amicable 10-year association to have an Eels presence in the ISP is one of the key recommendations from a two-month review of Parramatta's football operations."Out of the review we found if we want to be a successful development club we need to have the Parramatta Eels in the ISP. Then you've got a clear one-club mentality," CEO Bernie Gurr told NRL.com."So from 2020, we're bringing it back in-house."Another was the faith the NRL players had in current head coach Brad Arthur, who was placed under the spotlight after the Eels finished fourth in 2017 but slumped to 16th in 2018.The Eels lost six games this year by six points or less – three by two points."Bottom line out of this review, there was nothing negative about Brad. The players have confidence in Brad; they think they are well prepared every week," Gurr said."The issue from the players if that they're not taking that onto the field."So in addition to appointing a new position of "development coach", the Eels want to appoint a few of skills coaches to help the NRL squad, and have already filled the new positions of general manager of football, former Wests Tigers 2005 premiership winner Mark O'Neill."It's an absolutely critical appointment to maximise the potential of our footy department," Gurr said of O'Neill who will work closing with football operations manager Craig Sultana."We're also going to have a full-time dedicated coaching co-ordinator for our junior representative program. That's not commonplace in rugby league clubs," Gurr said."Some do it in different forms but we're going to have someone fulltime who will have a strong dotted line to Brad around coaching philosophy."Working alongside current assistant NRL coaches Steve Murphy and David Kidwell, the Eels will look to appoint a goal-kicking coach, and an "attacking spine" coach to help the fullback, five-eighth, halfback and hooker gel better."So additional resources in the shape of a couple of extra staff. The idea of additional people is to number one bring expertise, and number two, to get more ideas," said Gurr, who denied it meant Arthur wasn't up to the task."Not at all. It's not a huge jump from what we currently have. It's refining it and adding some expertise to it. It's all centred on giving Brad, the footy program, and players all the resources they need to be successful."Gurr said the Eels board was not marking any particular round in the 2019 draw to review Arthur's progress towards a new contract."When you put a date around it, you put a noose around your neck," he said."What we're going to do is have a good pre-season, get into the 2019 season, hopefully win some football games, and it will be assessed at the appropriate time.![[IMG]](https://www.nrl.com/siteassets/2018/10/normanc-180824700-sd.jpg?center=0.433%2C0.433&preset=photo-inline)
Eels star Corey Norman.Scott Davis/NRL Photos"But at the moment we're not even thinking about that."Gurr also said he expected Mitchell Moses and Corey Norman to remain the Eels halves, dismissing speculation both players had been shopped around to other clubs."They're contracted with us," he said."Bottom line though is we can't sugar coat it – they didn't play well but neither did the team play well."If your forwards aren't going well then even if you have Peter Sterling and Brett Kenny in the halves your team isn't going to go well."The Parramatta review interviewed directors, administration staff, football department employees, coaches, players, and even "outsiders" to hear their perception of the Eels.Best-practice methods in football departments over a range of sports were considered.The review was headed by leading AFL and sports consultant Shane McCurry, who did an internal review of the Richmond Tigers club in 2016 – they won the AFL premiership the following season.https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/10/10/parramatta-eels-team-returning-to-intrust-super-premiership/
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One thing I miss and always loved about Parra was that we always had talented juniors coming through. It was exciting to hear about gun players coming up and then see them perform on the big stage when they got their opportunity...
I seriously miss that.
We haven't had a Smith, a Hayne or a Mateo for a while which makes me doubt Arthurs ability to coach more than anything.
Don't give up on some talent coming thru Mate.
I see a number of juniors coming thru, they just need the chance.
Here's a list of some of our best.
Dylan Brown....half-back 18 years old
Steve Dressler....Prop...109kgs 20 year old
Stefano Utoikamana...Prop...18 year old and big
Salesi fainga'a...2nd row..20 year old and 105kgs
Greg Leleisiuao...21 year old.....tackle busting winger
Along with Oregon Kafusi and Reed Mahoney already blooded.
Confident all of the above will eventually graduate.
Hi Pop, I'm sure they'll lift in the blue & gold.
Just got a call from a mate, reminding me that Stevie Dressler has suffered a real bad injury that may threaten his playing injury.
God the jinx on our junior props returns.
Thanks Richard!
I've heard loads about Dylan Brown (especially on this site)... but our luck with producing halves has never been strong so I'm not going to hold my breath. I was expecting Leleisuao to make first grade this year but everyone kept saying his defence wasn't up to NRL standard. He does look like a weapon though!
''bottom line out of this review was there was nothing negative about Brad'' Bernie Gurr
That will do me...........
So you're done Snake. lol
im really done with Gurr, the blokes completely out of touch and a wimpy cat, the fans need to expect and demand more.
The reasons the players like BA is that Brads created an environment of zero accountability, why wouldnt they like that.
Where was the talk in the review on our lack of leadership? not a word.
Why does it take a review to realise we need an ISP team? FMD.