If there was one decision I think the Eels could take back over the last couple of months, it would have been the signing of Esi Tonga. Last year, rumours abound that Esi's party boy reputation was well deserved and so it was no surprise to see him released at the end of the year.
In the article Parramatta Eel Willie Tonga almost let the bright lights of Sydney end his NRL career in The Daily Telegraph today, Josh Massoud confirms that was a disciplinary decision.
"His little brother Esi was sacked from the club for disciplinary breaches," the story states.
There is probably little doubt, that Esi was not acting alone, and the Tonga brothers were particularly tight with Chris Sandow, for example, who was criticised last year for a lack of fitness. In the story, Tonga admits he "went off the track that I had my mind set on".
"I don't want to blame it all on Sydney, but it does play a part. In a big city there are things you can get caught up in and the lifestyle can take away from your football. I got caught up in that."
It's not the first time, we've heard that from Tonga, and to be frank it's not an excuse someone of his age
and seniority should still be using, especially given that many of his media interviews last year were talking about having run off the rails, what he learnt from that, and mentoring Parramatta's young Eels not to follow the same course.
I have no doubt that any chance Stephen Kearney had of moving his team forward last year, were undone by inconsistent discipline within the playing group and that changes in the roster undermined any of the objectives he had achieved the previous year. Willie Tonga played like he was happy to wind down his career last year on big dollars and minimum effort. This club can't afford to have one of its most senior, talented players acting like a passenger again if it has any hope of turning around its fortunes.
Let's hope that this time, Willie's words are more than just lip service. We need him.
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I think we can expect a solid year overall from Tonga, on the proviso he stays on the field of course.
He seems committed to making sure that he can bring something to the table, so I hope he can do just that, starting in Rd 1 v the Warriors.
Willie will probably try to perform as his contract expires at the end of this season & he will want to generate interest by NRL clubs in competing for his signature. I hope that Parra does not re-sign him. He has not given us good value & the next contract will probably be his last.
I reported in December 2012 http://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/eels-have-first-session-with-s... about the boys having their first session with performance psychologist Jonah Oliver. At this session Ricky said in front of the boys that he did not want Willie at the club but after the Folau deal fell through he had to rethink his strategy and he believed a committed Willie could help the team achieve success.
Apparently, you could of heard a pin drop as the players looked stunned while Ricky said his piece. An observer to the incident said Willie looked embarrassed.
Hi Jimmy, lets hope that it fires Willie up to try & prove RS is wrong however whilst I don't approve of telling a player that he is not wanted long term in front of the team, that should be done privately one on one, I agree with the decision.
All of a sudden he has to play his own game and he can not!
Concentrate on playing League and remaining injury free Tonga and FFS pass to your outside man or I will pay the fine to run on the field and relay my message.
Played Tonga into rep teams..............
Just play footy Willie, you d1ck.
And don`t HOG the ball ever again Willie.
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