Eels Blogs

We recently had our bi-monthly Supporters Group meeting, getting clarity on a number of questions raised here on 1 Eyed.

Football operations

As I've said previously, we do get some football operations information, but it's relatively high level and we're not exactly given info on signings etc.

I did however get a little clarity on how the top 30 works. We currently have 29 players contracted for 2026 - this includes Brendan Hands and Ryan Matterson.

Hands and Matterson's loans don't really help salary cap wise this year given how late in the season they moved.

It was clarified that Bryce Cartwright's decision to retire didn't remove any money from the cap as this was the final year of his contract.

We got a little info on how a squad comes together. Basically the coach puts together how they want their team to play and the types of players they think they'll need. It's then over to the GM and recruitment team to recruit or retain the players that suit the coach. Just because a good player hits the market, doesn't necessarily mean they fit the coach's style of play.

There's probably a little nuance there but recruitment isn't in the purview of the Supporters Group.

Centre of Excellence Tours

Announcement coming early next week about this. Tours can only be run during the off-season when players aren't required to be at the facility. It's likely a small ticketing fee will be attached which will be donated to the Eels Foundation.

The main reason for this is the club has had occassions when they have run free events or tours in the past at other facilities and people who register don't show up. Given the fee will be going to the Foundation I believe it will be tax deductable.

Other codes and teams that run tours charge for them so this won't be unusual.

Membership packs

I get the most feedback on this.

2026 is the final year of a supply deal with their current supplier. The club will be engaging with members to better understand what we want in our packs with better options and more flexibility. Keep an eye out as I have volunteered for the 1 Eyed community to be involved in this.

I also got some clarity around the coins that have been part of the packs for the last couple of years. It was basically a trial run to see interest. It looks like this will continue to be part of the packs, but they'll be looking at introducing a series, perhaps offering a display folder or something similar to store coins for those who want to collect them.

Member recognition

The 10 year members event was held on Monday night. The club is continuing to look at ways to reward members that pass milestones. 

It has been raised with them to perhaps offer personalised merchandise for members when they pass a significant milestone, invites to the Ken Thornett Medal or invitations to the COE, or other experiences are being looked at.

We also said that some form of recognition at the final home game of the season for those members who have attended more than 90% of home games is appreciated and the club was open to that.

1986 40 years anniversary

The club has already begun planning for next year's 40 year anniversary. While there was a little bit of discussion about how it would look celebrating an event from 40 years ago with no premierships since, the club is firmly of the belief that we're celebrating what was achieved by that group of players because they deserve it.

We may be looking at scheduling a match against the Bulldogs around the date of the 86 grand final but that is a little further down the road.

There will definitely be a reunion held for the players and the club is looking at how that works alongside the current playing group.

Ideas were put forward such as current players adopting a premiership winning player's name for their locker, alongside some retro merch next year.

Planning continues.

Fan events

This is always a difficult balancing act for the club. Players are restricted to 25 events outside of their playing/training commitments and this is heavily policed by the RLPA.

The club increased the number of events for fans this year, combining meet and greets with open training sessions. The good thing is these events were well-received and the club will continue to look at how best to host these events. One thing put forward was giving fans as much notice as possible to allow regional fans to plan appropriately and travel.

Community visits

Similarly it's a balancing act for the club relating to how available the players are. They did address school visits and broke down the school program. There are over 200 schools in the Parramatta catchment. Roughly 50-60 engage with the club on a regular basis. This means that rugby league is offered in some way by the school and asks the club for Game Development Officers, who visit throughout the year to conduct training and skills sessions with students.

It's a two-way street. Schools that engage with the club more than once or twice a year get first preference when it comes to NRL player visits. Much of the club's involvement with a school depends on how involved the school is with the club.

If you have a child at a school in the Parramatta area and want NRL players to visit, then you might want to ask your school if they're engaging with rugby league and the club on a regular basis.

If you have any further questions or feedback you'd like raised, please let me know.