FOR the first time since 2009, there is a legitimate buzz that the Parramatta Eels could finally end their 30-year premiership drought.
Big signings during the off-season and the Auckland Nines win has fostered a genuine belief among fans.
“Every Parra fan that has come into my store has said ‘This is our year’,” Parramatta premiership player and Peter Wynn’s Score owner Peter Wynn said.
“They’re optimistic, excited and I do think it will be our year too.”
Parramatta legend Nathan Hindmarsh, who played in the club’s last grand final appearance in 2009, is also optimistic.
“They’ve got as good a chance as anyone,” Hindmarsh said. “I can see why they are excited. Winning the Nines was a great start.”
1. MORE EXPERIENCE
Parramatta’s recruitment spree has brought a lot of experience to the club.
Michael Gordon and Michael Jennings add depth to the Eels backline to support young star winger Semi Radradra. New Zealand captain Kieran Foran brings with him a Manly premiership, and Beau Scott adds more punch to a forward line that has veterans like Anthony Watmough, Tim Mannah and Danny Wicks.
Scott, who won a premiership with the Dragons before his time in Newcastle, has had an impact on the younger players.
“On paper we look very good. Having the experience of premiership-winning players Kieran Foran, Beau Scott and Michael Jennings — they all know what it takes to win,” Wynn said.
Young Eels forward Tepai Moeroa says the younger players have learned a lot from Beau Scott.
“He’s shown us younger guys how to be physically and mentally tougher at the same time, not just when fresh but fatigued,” he said.
2. THE FORAN FACTOR
Parramatta’s greatest halfback Peter Sterling declared Foran “the most important signing that our club has made in living history.”
Since Sterling finished his career in 1992, the Eels have failed to find a star halfback, going through more than 25 halfbacks in 22 seasons.
“He is still young. He’s tough, skilful and has premiership-winning experience at Manly and has captained his country, so he’s proved that he can lead a side,” Hindmarsh said.
Club captain Tim Mannah said Foran’s “work ethic for someone with that talent is something I haven’t seen before”.
Foran’s halves partner Corey Norman is excited about the new combination and is confident they will gel together quickly.
“He’s experienced, a world-class player and he’s a real good bloke,” Norman said. “He comes in, goes about his business, and pushes people around him.”
3. WINNING MENTALITY
A lack of experience and ability to play the full 80 minutes saw the Eels miss out on the finals last year, but Wynn believes the additions to the roster and lessons learned from 2015 will hold the club in good stead.
“When you get into tight games, you need to pull that extra bit out and that comes to experience,” Wynn said.
Moeroa said a gruelling pre-season, which included 4am starts and days in 40C heat, has prepared them for when the going gets tough.
“Pre-season has been tough but it is what is going to help us during the year,” he said.
“That mental toughness that we’ve built during the pre-season will definitely help us at the back end of games.”
4. BRAD ARTHUR
Foran has admitted the appeal of playing under coach Brad Arthur was a major factor in his decision to walk away from Manly and sign with Parramatta.
“I just loved working under him and enjoyed him critiquing things and telling me what I wasn’t doing right and what I was doing right,” he said.
“Then when he left (Manly) I just knew he was someone I wanted to play under.”
Arthur’s impact is evident in the quality signings he has brought to Parramatta, including Foran, Beau Scott, Michael Gordon and Michael Jennings.
Norman said the players enjoyed a great bond with Arthur.
“He doesn’t treat you as one of his players,” Norman said.
“He wants to get to know you and what you do outside of football.
“He just sees you as one of his mates which is the best thing, and that’s why people want to play for him.”
5. FIT AND FIRING
Parramatta enter the 2016 season with all but one of their star players ready to play in Thursday night’s season opener against the Brisbane Broncos.
Anthony Watmough denied reports he will retire due to a chronic knee injury.
Hindmarsh said Arthur has the group in great shape, saying “he’s got the guys looking the fittest I’ve ever seen them”.
Former Eel Eric Grothe Jr is also happy with the preparation, but keeping the injury list to a minimum will be key for Parramatta to be successful in 2016.
“It’s important that their star players keep fit, because that will go a long way to having a successful campaign.”
6. PRE-SEASON FORM
The Eels started the year in style, taking out the Auckland Nines.
But it took the last 20 minutes of the final trial match against Penrith to give Brad Arthur his biggest confidence boost about Parramatta’s prospects in 2016.
The Eels downed Penrith 22-8.
“What’s given me the most confidence was the last 20 minutes (against Penrith).
“We put all the boys that have been here for the last couple of years out there and defensively they kept turning up and they followed on with the mentality that was put in there in the first 60 minutes,” he said.
7. YOUNG SUPPORT CAST
Moeroa, 20, spearheads a number of young forwards the Eels are developing including Daniel Alvaro and Junior Paulo, both 22 and Alex Twal, 19.
Rising star Clinton Gutherson, 21, joins the Eels from Manly and will add depth to a backline which will be invaluable during representative periods.
“This year will be a big for us young fellas to show that we’re not just the newbies or rookies,” Moeroa said.
“We want to show that we’re actually becoming seasoned NRL players and this year will be a good test.”
8. SHARP SHOOTER
The lack of a reliable goalkicker cost the Eels wins last season but the addition of sharp shooter Michael Gordon should fix their goal kicking woes.
Gordon’s 78 per cent conversion rate in 2015 was down on past years, but his goalkicking was equally as good as Cowboys star Johnathon Thurston’s in 2015.
From 2008 to 2014, Gordon had a goal conversion rate of 80 per cent or higher — which will make him a welcome addition to Parramatta.
“Two points go a long way, going up in sixes,” Norman said. “Michael’s been working on his goal kicking so we should be all right.”
9. OFF-FIELD STABILITY
The club is finally beginning to see some stability at head office after years of boardroom bickering. Finals chances have also been bolstered by the fact that they won’t lose four competition points as part of a suspended reprimand for breaching the salary cap.
10. THE FANS
Parramatta fans have supported the club through thick and thin.
Despite a tough season on and off the field in 2015, the club broke its membership record and is on par to break the record again in 2016.
Eels membership figures are 13 per cent higher compared to this time last year.
Parramatta merchandise has also been flying off the racks since the Eels claimed the Auckland Nines.
“When Parramatta won the Nines, I got a good spike in business,” Wynn said.
“They’re always there and very passionate and when we play at home it is a really good atmosphere,” he said.
The fans will add to the pre-game experience at Parramatta home games at Pirtek Stadium this year with a pre-match march.
With the backing of police and Parramatta Eels, fans will meet up at Prince Alfred Park before Thursday’s season opener, before a sea of blue and gold makes its way down Victoria Rd, and finishes near the Ray Price statue outside Pirtek Stadium.
Eels fan Troy Worner, who is helping co-ordinate the march, said it would be a family-friendly experience.
“There will be Parra fans dressed up in blue and gold, flags waving, the Parra chant, and probably the beating of drums,” Mr Worner said.
The march will start at 7.05pm on Thursday.
Replies
OK it's the Parramatta Advertiser but it's game dayyyyyyy!!!
GO YOU EELS!
Not his best shot!? Lol
There's no
1. HOPOATE
3. Morgan
7. CHRIS SANDOPE
13. CRAB FUCKER
Let's hope this is the case, I would like to see a finals birth let alone a grand final
FOR the first time since 2009, there is a legitimate buzz that the Parramatta Eels could finally end their 30-year premiership drought.
Best off season in years, most anticipated start to a season since 2010 - YES YES YES
But a Premiership WIN in 2016 without playing a single game is just a little too fanciful to stomach
ssssshhhhhh
i just wanna enjoy the ride and maybe win some games
And it's not just Gordon's kicking, we definitely lacked an experienced and positionally sound fullback waaaay too much last year...really looking forward to watching the difference he will make.
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