The Draw - Should it Be a Concern? - Eels Blogs

Having looked into the draw, the aspect that again concerns me relates to our home matches. Not so much the parts that we can't change, after all we are locked into losing 2 games to ANZ and one game to the NT. The greatest concern is the scheduling of our matches at Parramatta.

After round 11, there are only 3 matches scheduled for Parramatta. Fifteen weeks will pass with only these few occasions to get behind the Eels at our true home. Even allowing for two scheduled byes, this does not read too well.

Here's how it reads:Roosters Round 18Manly Round 22Dragons Round 25

Firstly comes my concern as a season ticket holder. It is almost as if my season is over by Round 11. I enjoy getting to matches at Parramatta. It provides a far better match day experience than other grounds as well as providing the opportunity to be able to catch up with footy mates before and after the game. At the very time that the season begins to heat up, season ticket holders are watching most of the action on Fox or 9!

But its not just a selfish reason that brings some concern.

With 6 Parramatta matches in the first 11 rounds, we will need to hit the ground running. There will be no easing into the season with so many early games at Pirtek. Every team planning to make a genuine impact in the finals series budgets on winning the majority of their home games and at least 50% of their away matches. With new players in key positions I would have expected Parramatta to build into form as combinations get sorted. I'm not sure that the draw allows the team such a luxury.

No doubt there's going to be an issue that every team can find in their draw and the club's use of other venues has played a role in creating this outcome for the Eels. I believe that we now have the team to win away from home but I wish that this aspect of the draw did not exist.

Replies

Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst December 11, 2015 at 3:59pm

Welcome back buddy
Earl Grey December 11, 2015 at 4:00pm

Good to have you back sixties
Dan December 11, 2015 at 4:00pm

Good to see you Sixties.
Stevo December 11, 2015 at 4:02pm

Hooray welcome back Sixties
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 December 11, 2015 at 4:05pm

This will change when the new stadium is built. We definitely won't be taking any games to ANZ, leaving us with the only game taken away to the NT if that deal is still in place.
- est_88 > Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 December 11, 2015 at 4:23pm
  
  Cannot wait until the new stadium is complete, the day when we never see ANZ on our home schedule will be the best day of a parra supporters life
Steve December 11, 2015 at 4:06pm

Great to see you back legend!
Trapped in the 1970's December 11, 2015 at 4:15pm

that's made my Friday arvo
Jpav December 11, 2015 at 4:28pm

Welcome back buddy.
Feel an Eel December 11, 2015 at 4:31pm

Is it fair?
No.
Can it be totally fair?
No.
Has several years of complaining by all clubs changed anything?
No.

Is MONEY the reason?
Yes.

I believe we are better off than some teams. Should our draw be a concern?
No.
Good blog but until it is every team play twice or similar, it will never be fair.
There appears to be more inconsistencies and conflicts of interest with every passing season.
The Broncos and Friday nights show that money is more a priority than fairness.