With the 2026 season now underway I thought I would provide an overview of how the site is tracking both in numbers and in overall feedback we've been receiving.
Analytics
2025 built on the 2024 season and 1 Eyed Eel continues to grow. Numbers-wise we were very similar to 2024 with 3.8 million views, 41,000 returning users and 163,000 users overall.
December was our busiest month which is a clear break from the norm as it's normally the quietest month. The Zac Lomax contract issue saw nearly 15,000 users online on the one day.
2026 has started strong with 600,000 views, 8,500 returning users and 41,000 users overall.
January was very busy compared with last year - most likely again attributed to the Lomax saga.
New initiatives
I have kicked the 1 Eyed Eel newsletter off again. Time last year was not something I had, but there are now regular newsletters going out via our Substack. Why the newsletter? Not everyone who follows the Eels wants to join another website. Substack also uses an algorithm that surfaces our newsletter with other NRL fans outside of the Eels.
The newsletter links back to the site and enables people to find the site who wouldn't otherwise visit. We currently have over 200 subscribers on the newsletter.
As you likely saw last week, we started the 1 Eyed Eel podcast after receiving feedback in 2025. We are still iterating this but we have so far settled on a weekly preview/review show. We're not aiming to cover every bit of Eels news, rather focusing on a handful of main talking points from each game.
We have got a few confirmations from interview subjects. I will be organising those interviews soon to add to the podcast.
We have been asked about video for the podcast. It's not something we are looking at right now mainly due to the additional tech we would need to make it look professional. For now the focus is on ensuring audio and content quality. Video may be something we investigate in the future.
https://open.spotify.com/show/4VqHGpoOvweadlgvenSBwn?si=408a5e6d4f1c452b
With both the above, if you have friends or relatives who are Eels fans but aren't on this site, you can send them to the podcast or newsletter. The newsletter lands in your inbox and the podcast is on Spotify.
Moderation
As explained towards the end of 2025, we have tightened up moderation across the board to ensure the site remains a welcoming place for all Eels fans. We have suspended a very small number of members due to Code of Conduct breaches. They aren't permanently banned and we remain in contact with them. One member will be returning next week after understanding the approach we are now taking with moderation and agreeing to this approach.
We will continue along this path with respected to socio-political blogs. These blogs continue to be an issue that drags the site down and has earnt it a poor reputation on other NRL supporter platforms.
As I said last year, vigorous debate related to the football team is always welcome here. That is not changing. The only thing we will keep an eye on in relation to the football discussion are personal attacks on other members, players, staff or coaches.
One of the key differences for 1 Eyed compared to many other supporter platforms is the ability for any member to sign up and post discussions. This comes with a level of responsibility for all site members to abide by the Code of Conduct.
Sponsorship
I am continuing to investigate and reach out to brands and companies to find sponsors to replace the Google ads that are currently on the site. Somehow site hosting costs have increased 10% in the last 2 years so I require some form of advertising to cover these costs and maintain the site.
The main stumbling block has been without a previous sponsor campaign, I can't demonstrate an effect to a prospective sponsor (i.e. click through rate, sign ups etc.).
If you have any contacts who may be interested or you want to contact me about any matters related to administration of the site, email me at supereel22@gmail.com.
Replies
Super, it's quite incredible our numbers have not fallen, as my understanding is online forums like ours are in decline for many reasons including the explosion of new other media, and forums becoming hostile bashing grounds for a minority. Life has enough dramas without the need for all that.
We had a very small minority complain over our new moderation direction, but that small minority rarely posts on here anymore and some are suspended. Far more have been positive about the changes.
The overwhelming majority of posters are not the issue, frankly.
When I talk to members who don't post on here much anymore or who have left, privately, and go through the large numbers listed who have left, including the reasons they have left (of which there are many), it is clear the small minority have it upside down. Poor enforcement of conduct standards leads to people leaving, not being more interested in being here. Sixty years of research into sociology and online communities reinforce that, and explain why people behave differently in different environments too. The 'norms' are contagious. That's one thing that had to change on here.
Our glue is footy first. The Eels. Even if it's not without some suffering! In a sense, this place is sometimes therapeutical. If people want to have socio-religo-politico argy-bargy or be involved in dick-swinging competitions there are so many other platforms to do that. Much bigger ponds. Go there and have fun.
Hopefully, with less hostility and drama on here and the freedom to post your own blogs, status, and ideas, with some inevitable disagreement and argy-bargy that doesn't go overboard, our numbers might even steadily grow against the overall trend. But moving on beyond that human element, structurally we probably need to move into new media directions which the newsletter and podcasts have started.
Thanks for the update Super. Its good keeping people informed, i like that. Hats off to you.
The new shall we say moderation direction without political or Religious blogs and some minimum standards now is definitely a winner, in my opinion.
Following up on Hoey's post, I'll put my hand up and say that the political blogs nearly drove me away, so kudos to yourself and the team.
Thanks, Bluey. Glad we didn't lose you. You're an ambassador for the silent majority that don't publicly say what they really feel: the site's hostility and toxicity was driving them away.
That's the part the "freedom of speech absolutists" who don't like the new norms seem to forget desiring a free-for-all-without conduct standards. It's well-intentioned, but ultimately destructive.
I went through the long list of people who left our site and that same theme reappeared: the toxic climate and some of our posters described with colourful expletives.
I would've personally preferred if we could all be civil when discussing any topics, non-footy or footy-wise, but that is just naive in online communities. All solid research shows that. Still, without some disagreement and challenge, we'd get bored, so we don't want to muzzle people.
Cheers HOE, No I don't want to muzzle people at all, as far as the other blogs we all have the Love of the Eels in common, i don't want to concentrate on our political or religious differences when it comes to sport. Its no less important in the world "politics/religion,but sport can transcend and for a while we can just be united by talking everything Eels / sport. What your saying does appear to be the perfect formula.
Thanks, Bluey. You just keep being you. You're good for this community, mate.
As long as I can still declare I'll send " a shit in a box " if it's needed
I'm ok with the changes 🤔😆😆
Here you go Carlo, this one's for you to use, to deliver your online "Shit in a Box". CarloEEL2
Omg I love this so much !!!!
thankyou bluey
I actually think my poo rage left with BA but I'll keep the virtual image for any distaste
totally looks like me too ( just a bit older 🤔😆
All yours 👍