I’m done pretending this is just a bad game. This is who we truly are — and it’s been the same story for years.
Every season repeats the same cycle. We beat average teams, everyone says “we’re so close,” and then when it counts, we get exposed by the top sides. Nothing changes. Absolutely nothing.
This isn’t about Penrith — they’re doing what elite teams do. It’s about Parramatta being stuck in mediocrity and calling it progress.
How much longer are we going to accept this?
We’ve had the same management, the same approach, the same excuses for over a decade. “We’re building,” “we’re improving,” “we’re close” — we’ve heard it all before. At some point, it just rings hollow.
Where is the accountability?
From the outside, it looks like there isn’t any. No urgency. No real pressure. Just the same people making the same decisions and expecting different results.
Let’s be honest — we’re not a serious premiership threat. We’re a team that needs everything to go perfectly just to compete. The moment momentum shifts, we crumble. That’s not bad luck — that’s poor structure.
Good teams don’t rely on emotion. Great teams operate with systems. We lack both when it matters most.
Fans keep turning up, keep believing, keep waiting — but for what? More of the same?
I’ll always support the club. But I won’t keep buying into the myth that we’re “almost there.”
We’re not.
And until real, fundamental change happens — not just small tweaks — we’ll keep witnessing the same story year after year.
Replies
Fair enough, Clint. Perhaps a breakdown in communication from us both, it's hard with written words - apologies if I misunderstood your post.
I do get it, the negativity can be draining, and I'm definitely more pessimistic so far than I like to be.
The result would be great, but, if we go 2-3 with a hard fought loss, where we started strong, matched their middle, and play for close to 80mins, I can live with that as a positive step?
If we are demolished through the middle & lose field position, possession, and the scoreboard early again, the concerns just grow.
Richo is very interesting, does the timing create an opportunity we otherwise wouldn’t have?
Because agree, the Tigers have recruited well. I criticised the Luai buy tbh at that price, but we see ‘why’ they did it now & why its necessary sometimes, for some clubs, to spend overs on certain players / positions to get that talent-ball rolling.
The Dogs did similar with Kikau, Crighton etc.
I just really hope we are at least looking into an opportunity like Richo, or another, and are open to those conversations?!
Good response NOS that makes me understand the point of view.
I was literally thinking about this in the morning lol. I would have 100% taken 2-2 record to start the year given the draw we had. In isolation it is very good. But then I am like, I think I would have prefered 1-3 record if it meant our defence and start to games were much better.
Agree. Would've taken 1-3 if we'd played more in line with the end of 2025. Easy to say now though I know.
Question - has our defence diminished off the back of mental lapses, combinations, confidence, as Ryles alluded too, or has it diminished due to being completely dominated through the middle, losing field position, possession, and in turn giving our goal line defence no chance due to that fatigue? Both?
One feels far easier to fix, than the other.
Fair way of thinking about it EA.
If we Eels supports want to see another premership win the board need to put on their big boy pants & either make some serious changes on recruitment of players & coaches or simply fuck off.
With the rumour Nathan Cleary being chased by the PNG Cheifs & the Warriors wanted to reunite the trio of Cleary's at NZ , why dont Parra sign them as $$$ money talks to a multi million dollar deals
There's only tw reasons Cleary will leave the Panthers.
We can't compete with the money the Chiefs will be able to throw at Clearly as it's tax-free, it's just not going to happen.
And, as much as I love the diversity of Parra and the surrounding suburbs, that's not quite gonna hit the mark for playing on internationally either.
Bring in a new Head of Football with good connections and influence in the game and we might start making progress with some of the other elite players in the game.
If I'm Nathan Cleary I'm not leaving Penrith.
Theres no reason for him to go to PNG unless his oldman becomes the coach there.
Outside of that if he wants global appeal he should go to Union I know he has a relationship with Dan Carter so if becoming a icon in another sport and a global entity is his goal Rugby Union is something I'd think he'd look at before going to another nrl side.
PNG may very well appeal to Nathan.
Not only is his entire salary tax free, his girlfriend is from PNG. Her mother still lives there. Nathan and Mary Fowler have stated they want a large family and want to get cracking at it.
Dont underestimate the power of a future wife. haha
I think it will be the same as last year. We will finish strong and figure out defence out. Between then we will get smacked a few times
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