Eels Blogs

OK, here goes, I really need to get this all off my chest, it's been building up for a while now. I regularly check this site just to read the Choc baggings, we thrive on his failure...I'm a born and bred Sea Eagle supporter. I grew up in the 80s with those epic Parra v Manly matches at Brookie. Ray Price, Sterlo, Kenny, Ella, Les Boyd, Max Krilich, Phil Blake, Terry Randall etc. As you know we've never ever felt sorry for each other...but I gotta say - wtf are you doing Parra? It's the first time in my 47 years that I actually feel for you guys - and here's why.

1. Anthony Watmough - why the f&^K would you sign up such a destabilising and aging player such as Choc. We couldn't wait to get rid of him - his constant penalties, constant dropped ball...it was doing our head in for the past few years. He's now your problem at 600k a year. Furthermore, Choc is as Manly as you can get...Narrabeen Sharks junior straight into Manly grade - it's as old school and as die hard Manly as you can get - he's a life member - do you honestly think he is going to bleed for your club - he grew up hating you since he was born - his effort on Milford was disgusting - it looked like the effort of a Manly player in an Eels jersey. And he has a mouth on him that just distracts the whole footballing operation. The funniest thing is he claims BA is the greatest coach he's ever played under. I wonder if BA will ever be able to drop him...I doubt it, he owes Choc for everything.

2. BA - Hmmm...lets think about that...BA has never ever taken an NRL side to the top 8...the two other coaches Choc played for (Tooves and Des) took him to GFs, Minor premierships, SOO and Australia. How on earth is BA rated as this earth shattering phenomenal coach. He had mostly the same Eels side last year but with Jarrod Hayne and still couldn't make the eight. He is not a proven NRL coach and watching him in press conferences, he never accepts blame in any shape or form...and his massive anxiety is expressed with his tongue constantly fudging around in his mouth...he looks uncomfortable and lacks confidence...he does not come across as a coach who is going to achieve anything for your club. Is everyone else blind to this? Am I seeing things? Time will tell.

3. Chris Sandow - Chris is THE worst defender I have ever seen play first grade. Very simple game plan for opposing teams - when in trouble, just run big mobile guys at Sandow - you could never ever win a comp, let alone make top 8 with such a weak link in your team...and you are paying him 550k a year...who is responsible for this garbage? Look at every team who won a GF over the past 15 years, every one had halves who could defend well! It's a no brainer. To put it in perspective...can you ever imagine Chris Sandow taking any team to a GF ever? let alone with your team...I just can't see it...he is NOT a good enough player to take a team to top 8. If I'm correct, he's never played finals football? But you guys bank your future on him 4 years ago...you've paid him $2m...OMG

Did I say I feel for you guys?

4. The greatest disrespect you have shown Foran is that your management waited until the June 13 deadline to hit him up to change the contract. Such cowards trying to lock him away and thinking (hoping?) he'd just roll over - as if there was no way back because it's past the deadline - I think that was disgraceful - enough of your management team knew about the clause in May to address it then - but if they had, Foran would have walked unencumbered. I believe his career will be in great jeopardy if he goes to your club...and that's no slight on your club, deep down we love the Parra/Manly rivalry, we cherish it...but your best way forward is to wipe the slate clean, but keep Mororea (your greatest asset), Gower, Manau and Semi Radradra and Junior Paulo and Peats. The rest can go, not good enough to take you where you want to go. Forans unnatural attachment to BA will only create great uncertainty for you...what if you come last and you need to sack BA...what of Foran then, will the new contract force him to stay when he doesn't want to? The position is untenable...the whole things is a liability for your club...move on from it.

5. Daniel Anderson - he's a proven NRL coach who took you to a GF...it's a no brainer, he needs to coach your team and rebuild your team...starting now! To put it into perspective, if BA was sacked now, do you honestly think any other NRL club would be interested in him..seriously, he has NO success...his only claim to fame is that Choc says he is the greatest coach of all time...wow, what a claim to fame. Can someone please tell me what BA has done to have your club decide he is the linch pin to your future. I don't get it? What am I missing here?

6. Hoppa - he is not even on the same planet as the Hoppa prior to his mission. Can't you see he has lost all of his power, strength and most of all all of his speed. He is an average player for you...800k a year WTF!!! It was his choice to go on the mission, it's his body that suffered greatly for the break...but it's his fault...his past and brief glory is not enough to sustain your club...you can do so much better for the money.

7. Tim Mannah - WTF! He's your captain?...he's your inspiration to fight back from where you are...god help you...Mannah looks completely fine with your team losing...he seems totaly unphased and unaffected...he just nods his head and says...shit happens....every week....I wanna scream for you guys.....get a f*&^king captain that has fire in his belly and is a good player...I said good (doesn't have to be great)...Tim Mannah is a below average forward and that's being nice, because, let's face it...yes he's a nice guy...but he will never take you to a GF! I'll ask again...am I mad?...I'm crazy...can anyone else see your horrendous situation?

So here's where you're at...Choc 600k for 4 more long years where he will get worse and worse every year...Hoppa on 800k and is closer to 300k value...Sandow, what a joke 550k...its the worst recruiting in the history of NRL. (not mentioning the aging Beau Scott ...faaaaaaaark)

Anyway, I had to get it off my chest...as a die hard Manly supporter I really hope you guys rebuild your club and get back to 1980...and I hope we do to. But I'll tell you this, if your future is built on BA and Choc and Scott...you are screwed again for years.

Good night and best wishes.