Eels Blogs

There is much conversation and expectations coming through from this end of season review.

Now before we all get on the unicorn or realist divides, and argue over is is right etc lets look at the facts as we know it right now.

1. BA is staying - Whether we agree or not, all indications from the board, management and the man himself point to that BA, at minimum, will maintain his role as Head Coach for 2019.

2. Under resourced - No we are not Manly but there is a lack of support for the football club.  That starts with no GM of Football and works down to Assistant Coaches and other support staff

3. Anymore changes in the front office will only delay and progress further - Burnie may or may not be the man, but punting him and searching yet again for a new CEO would be diabolical.

So, what do we need out of this review.

1. If all things remain as is as above, we need a GM of Football ASAP.  We need someone that will take the reins and be a knowledgeable conduit between the coach and the CEO.  We need a mix of Frank Ponisi and Phil Gould, in that they take the head lines away from BA and the team and also plan out a clear and concise strategy for success.  They need football smarts but also business acumen.

2. 2019 attacking perspective.  All in all and aside from a few blow outs our defense has been fairly solid under BA's tenure.  Our run last year came off the back of defense and in many games we only scored a few tried in the dying stages as we would frustrate the opposition into mistakes.  So its time that we have some attacking flare in our game.  That is not block play after block play but some real intelligence in that allowing our players play ad-lib footy.  

3. Transparency in planning for short term and long term success.  We need someone to be very public with goals and agenda's and provide clear messaging to allow fans and the public to understand whats happening etc.

What i would like to see...

I cant say that i know the perfect person for GM but one names that comes to mind would be Steve Turner.  He has studied business post footy and understands the game.  There may be more like him out there but that sort of person is who we need.  Young and fresh yet understands the game and that wants to make a name for himself.  Another great one would be Stuart Clark, however unlikely he would leave NSWRL role.

I would like to try and convince the Walkers to be assistants in 19 with the aim to take over in 2020.  The walkers have great attacking prowess and could use the year to understand the difference between Q cup and NRL.  They would also make us the most unpredictable attacking side in the comp.

I know Gus Gould has been hammered for his '5 year plan' but we need this type of forecast.  Let the fans, sponsors and the game know what we are about and what we want to achieve.  All jokes side from a brand and importance perspective the eels are more important to the game than most clubs.  We need to be shooting for the stars and truly trying to become an icon in Australian sport. 

I get people are frustrated i am too, i often think will we be like the Boston RedSox or the Sydney Swans and have to wait 80 odd years until our next premiership, but i am also trying to be positive and really think that the NRL is so close, so tight that we dont need much to change be be success.

Appreciate your thoughts and insights too