Steve Sharp, as quoted in the Parramatta Advertiser.
‘Best roster’ at Eels for 15 years
EELS chairman and three time premiership player Steve Sharp has declared the club has its greatest side since the outfit that made the grand final in 2001.
Brad Arthur is preparing his side for a serious premiership tilt after strong recruitment drew star players including Kieran Foran, Michael Jennings, Beau Scott and Michael Gordon.
The Eels won the minor premiership in 2001 and reached the grand final, losing to Newcastle.
Parramatta played in the 2009 grand final off the back of a superb season from Jarryd Hayne, but this year’s squad boasts more depth.
“I’ve had that discussion with a number of people, including my young fella, and we believe this is the best roster we’ve put on paper since 2001 and we’ve had some good sides between now and then in 2005 and 2009,” Sharp said.
“It’s interesting to see that some of the guys who played in 2009 have made the same comment. We’ve had some quality players elect to join our club and we are excited about the fact that they are also quality people.”
Sharp was thrilled with the roster the club assembled during the off-season.
The club will retain Junior Paulo and Pauli Pauli, with Sharp denying reports the Eels would have to part with the young forwards to squeeze Jennings in under the salary cap.
“The club is financially doing very well. We’ve fixed up a lot of our governance issues that have been well publicised and that has made us an attractive club for people to come to.”
There is still work for the Eels to do to ensure they aren’t penalised four premiership points as part of salary cap breaches the club was fined $465,000 for in 2015, but Sharp is confident everything will be fixed before the February 29 deadline.
“We’ve been in constant communication with the NRL and working together hand-in-hand, and it has been fantastic,” he said.
POPULAR SKIPPER GETS KEY ROLE FOR PREMIERSHIP TILT
TIM Mannah is set to remain as captain of the Parramatta Eels in 2016.
Eels chairman Steve Sharp told the Parramatta Advertiser Mannah will lead the club this season as sole captain or co-captain.
If coach Brad Arthur installs co-captains, it is likely to be Mannah and Kieran Foran.
Mannah has captained the club since 2013 when he was named co-captain with Reni Maitua and Jarryd Hayne.
The arrival of Foran, who has skippered New Zealand, raised questions about whether Mannah would retain the captaincy.
Mannah wants to hang on to the role, telling media late last year it was “something I really cherish”.
After leading a squad lacking depth and experience last season, Mannah will now be able to rely on talented and experienced recruits Foran, Michael Jennings, Beau Scott, Michael Gordon and second-season Eel Anthony Watmough to help lead Parramatta to on-field success in 2016.
Sharp said the experienced players would be invaluable in helping Mannah and the Eels make a genuine premiership tilt.
“People like Beau Scott bring a great presence around the club, particularly to the young up-andcoming players who are either in first grade or the periphery of first grade,” Sharp said. “The way they approach training and the discipline they demand from everyone when they are on the training paddock has been fantastic.
“The players that come to our club are natural leaders and that will go a long way to help our young fellas develop.”
After slugging it out through a tough pre-season, Mannah said the playing group was looking forward to getting game time at the Auckland 9s and in upcoming trials against Gold Coast and Penrith.
“It’s a very good roster, but good rosters don’t mean anything unless you perform on the field,” he said.
“Everyone is excited and we can’t wait to get out to Auckland for the 9s and Alice Springs for our first game.”
Replies
I enjoy the sentiments in the article but for the love of God can Steve Sharp stop talking to the media and let his management team take care of media correspondance.
As long as they sort the financial cap issues, he can promote the club. BA I assume is happy to let others speak at times. I was happy for one of them to go...not sure how we keep them all.
BA should be the one announcing who will captain the team not Sharp.
I would also suggest Sharp and Boulous refrain from making statements about winning premierships in a certain time frame. Do the talking on the field backed up by results.
60's reports on TCT are pretty glowing of Pauli's efforts post Christmas. Hopefully they show on the footy field should we get some injuries and Pauli is called up.
I would like to see Pauli Pauli be used more as a middle forward for short stints.
I know they like to use short prop style players for this but I think Pauli Pauli is a damaging runner who should be able to draw in players. His passing is also not too bad. I just think he's a bit lost on the edge.
Usually when management says they are staying they are actually going...
Im glad Paulo stay did not worry me about Pauli don't get me wrong I like Pauli
I don't mind Sharp making statements to the media. Brad Arthur isn't exactly the most personable bloke and it appears as though he despises the media. Daniel Anderson isn't really Mr personality either and I doubt anyone except maybe Eels tragics would recognise John Boulous.
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