Storm mismanagement derailed Eels season

After reading this forum for soooooo long, I thought I would offer my humble opinion on the perceived crisis the Parramatta Eels are currently enduring and the underlying issues that has ultimately derailed our 2010 season. I agree wholeheartedly with many blogs that point the finger at a variety of reasons that has seen our team provide inept displays consistently throughout the season. I personally believe that the Storm has denied us 2 years in succession of claiming the ultimate prize through firstly manipulating the administration of the NRL and secondly causing our team to once again believe all the hype dished up by the media declaring the Eels the undeniable favourites to extract revenge because 'you must lose a GF, to win one!!!'. I firmly believe that if the Storm were still legitimately contesting this year’s crown, we would have seen a completely different team however we all will never know.... 

 

Onto the positives and our hope for next year; as stated in other blogs, we really are short in only a few positions and for all of Ozzie's bad points (media slut), his desperation to sign a quality half is noteworthy. Phil Gould acknowledges the lack of halves coming through the juniors so looking outside the game to arrest this problem may been seen as visionary or an act of futility however WE MUST try something. I like the look of Brad Murray also however we all know like Mitch Pearce he is realistically 2-3 years away from providing consistent efforts in 1st grade. I also firmly believe we lack a genuine strike centre as Tahu and Reddy are wingers. Tahu just hasn’t got the ability to draw and pass that I calculate cost us at least 10 tries through out the home and away season. There are no real quality centres out of contract in the NRL so Ozzie must look elsewhere or overseas NOW as Loko will also be good in 2 years however I'm getting a little impatient waiting for a premiership. And finally on the recruiting front, we desperately need a 'big bopper' that will bend the line in the company of the great Moi Moi. If I was Ozzie, I would throw the kitchen sink at Graham from Super League as he would prove to be as good for the game as Burgess.

 

From reading blogs for many years, I know how boring it gets when people waffle on, so I will finish with a quick comment on DA. I love the passion and drive DA brings to the Eels however his people management appears to ultimately cause friction within the camp. I want DA at the Eels for many years to come however I firmly believe we need a shake-up with respect to the operations of the squad. Is the introduction of a 'S. Kearney or R. Stuart' a positive to provide structure, people management and an injected culture change of discipline and accountability??? Where this leaves DA I really don't know however as a frustrated Eels tragic, something has to give before we once again become a powerhouse of the competition.

 

Cheers

CoasterEel

 

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  • Welcome to our Eels family and thanks so much for the well written and thoughtful blog.

    I will be 100% honest and admit that I was 110% upset last night and cried all the way from the ground to my car and then all the way home.

    I was so shattered because on paper we are such an amazing team, yet there have been so many factors which have contributed to our poor season. i have blogged on these numerous times, but suffice to say we have had administrative issues, positional issues and we just never really got into gear this year.

    I refuse to lay the blame at 3 or 4 players because RL is a team game. We win and lose altogether. We can all say 'if Burt had made that kick last week', 'if that KK try had been called last night', but the bottom line is, we have not shown enough consistency this year to even consider giving the finals a real shake. And for all the talent we have - its disappointing.

    A few observations re: last night.

    I know there are lots of MK bashers about - but as was rightly pointed out to me, did anyone notice how much ground the Bunnies were making up the middle until MK came on? Ant Mitchell is young and provides spark, but is a bit of a liability in defence. MK is a solid defender and people should remember that.

    Also JP - Don't know why he is again copping so much flack. Check the stats and pay attention to his performances - he has been really solid.

    I do hope however that everyone can pick themselves up and get to Caylo's last game next week. He is a true champion and deserves to be applauded off the field like the true hero he is.
  • I thought MK did really well for us. He wasnt exactly creative or amazing or anything but he made a number of good runs from dummy half as did Mitchell. I dint mind them being our long term hookers. Hopefully they will grow and improve. I know MK hasnt done very well this season but if he can keep providing such good, quick runs like he did last night thats all we need. We dont need an amazing hooker just a traditional classic one which i think mitchell and Keating can provide.
    If we can get a strong half then our hookers wil click.
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