By Michael Chammas
No one will publicly admit it, but privately, for whatever reason, head office and the football team don’t sing from the same hymn sheet.
Legends split on Eels' performance: Andrew Johns, Cameron Smith and Paul Gallen dissect Parramatta's 34-10 win over the Panthers.
Perhaps years of being based out of different facilities has exacerbated the problem, but reuniting under one roof in Kellyville is yet to fix it.
There is no better on-field leader than Clint Gutherson, but there’s a reason Junior Paulo was handed the co-captaincy, and it’s not all to do with football.
They use that to their advantage in the pressure-cooker moments of finals football.
There’s no doubt, especially judging by their two wins against Penrith this year, the Eels care deeply about the result. But who are they playing for?
Most of the Eels players couldn’t get off the CommBank Stadium turf quick enough despite pulling off a potentially season-defining thrashing of Penrith.
It’s not the first time, either. Most of the players, barring Paulo, Ryan Matterson, Reed Mahoney and Dylan Brown, usually can’t get to the sheds any quicker.
Parramatta is a club with a proud history and the most passionate fans starving for success after four decades without a premiership. It’s the longest drought in the NRL.
The Eels could do worse than embracing that, rather than running from it.
Replies
Cheers NoS and Coryn for posting and adding the link in another blog - I don't see the disconnect Chammas drawing a long bow
We lack the spirit of many other teams, this article backs that up.
It seems what Hadley mentioned about some in the club are arrogant might be true.
This article doesn't say anything.
Clickbait eels article.
"Parramatta is a club with a proud history" that always cracks me up
Most wooden spoons
Took 34 years to win their first comp , longest of any club .
Been 36 years since their last comp , the longest drought of any club .
What is their to be proud of exactly ? 4 years in the 80s ?
Why exactly is it that you pretend to be an eels fan? Or are you one of those flops that constantly change teams? And yet you give Brissy crap for the same thing.
It does become tiring doesn't it Rusty.
I'm guessing Frankie is an old mate of Fitzgerald the way he constantly moans about admin and players.
I totally agree Rusty and Archie. Who exactly does this Frankie Bong support. I have been a long time supporter of this fan site and this Frankie guy uses the forum to rubbish the team at EVERY opportunity.
JUST LEAVE
I'm proud of our history Frankie, winning or losing. It's our history
I feel the same, but @frankie has a point, the Eels don't have a top echelon performance history. The juniorless Melbourne Lightning Rods have won more in a significantly shorter timeframe.
Although I hate the Rods as much as the next man, their approach to managing the club as a corporate entity is superior to Parramatta.
To the board: when was your last organisational risk assessment? RCSA? Does anyone manage risk? If answered truthfully there is a "red" culture risk, which needs to be mitigated as a matter of urgency.
Consider the extreme example where another Sydney team ends up like the Bears, Balmain Tigers, Wests Magpies etc. Who are they going to choose? Who has the most viable organisation? Don't just assume the huge Leagues club is going to keep the Eels afloat.
The Eels mist aim for, and achieve, excellence. There is clearly no accountability at the club - who has been sacked for the ongoing performance of the team?
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