2015 was the disaster year when the shit hit the fan, we lost points, million dollar fines, unloading of players for salary cap bungles.
It was said it will be years before Parra can catch up and adjust into being a competitive force.
Well it was addressed with the appoinment of Brad Arthur and within the confines of the resources, nobody expected us to come out so quickly from those doldrums. 2018 was a hiccup and the coaching and resources were adequate up to that stage. This was probably the step back we had to have, but it also involved change and BA misread this change. Subsequent events shows these type of changes in rules and strategies were his achillies heal.
Subsequent success basically pinacled in 2021 when the window was supposedly open, but essentially we weren't good enough. The worst thing that happened was the miracle of 2022 and a grand final and the delusion of success. It was really that 22 season where we were starting to falter inclusive of the destabilisation of the Jake Arthur scenario. At this time we were all seeing what we are saying now, we saw the signs last year and this year is shaping as a disaster. Shit happens, no need to crucify anyone, which is the mentality of a lot on here. I am sure everyone was/is doing their best. Just not good enough.
Its time now to look at that in reflection and move on. I have never thought that we had a roster that would win us a competetion, I looked at the positives and was optimistic, the pros and cons were always subjective.
The club has faltered now and lets see and give it the chance to rebalance. Taking positive steps rather than fantasy games of selections, recruitment and wishing wells.
We have done too much blaming and handwringing. We have plenty of company amongst other clubs. Penrith are now on a slight decline and powerhouses like Roosters and Melbourne whilst still out there and threatening are not what they were. Broncos are the new kid on the block and they have/are coming off the back of a horror period. They should have won it last year and the talent they have is exceptional but that came from a period not that much different to ourselves. We are not the laughing stock we accuse ourselves of being, we are no different to any other team which gets beaton by 30/40 points.
It seems to me that the asylum of fans, especially 1EE's have got a lot of confusion confronting them and a huge problem in understanding this is a professional business and not a case of sitting in the corner, putting in your thumb and pulling out a "plumb"..
There is a huge drive by fans on this site to think that with a wish the board will sign Wayne Bennett as the saviour.
Mutts has outlined as much with what he would do. Everything is fine except we have no idea if Bennett would be interested?
Lets go back to Mutts programme, he finishes BA next week (good timing the bye week) and simultanously rings (the board that is) Bennett to confirm his interest, appoints Barrett to finish the season.. Lets assume Bennett has given some consideration in the "dry laconic style he has" but is not prepared to commit untill his season with Phins is finished, why would he stop mid season and plan anything that is not in his head already. He would need to meet the board, discuss the aspects and autonomy and then decide. He then would offer an informal commitment with an undertaking that if any leaks take place he is out! Mutts wants to simulataneously advertsie for assistants, NO Bennett will get who he wants, he knows who he can work with.
Finally someone can remind me that Bennett was all ready to coach a side (I think it may have been the Roosters) and it got leaked and he closed everything down. He doesn't like big mouths and god knows that this board to date can keep its mouth shut, a positive and a negative with regard to communication when I blogged specifically about this.
Now if Bennett does not want the job 50/50 for mine, you can all start speculating over the new coach for the hundredth time. There is no doubt we need to change but we have the essence of a good side, with the exception of "speed" a fully fit side with Lomax included, a decent hooker (Matt Arthur looks the goods) a classie utility player like a Connor Watson and a running forward like Angus Chricton. Maybe a winger like Toupu from Roosters (immediate experience and say two years off retirement) and a build up back load of recruiting speed and athleticism, Coryn has been talking about grabbing 7's players for ages.
We get rid of Sivo, Harper, and half a dozen of our reserve forwards and anyone else in reserve grade that is not capable of filling into first grade when required i.e. Hands and Lussick as pure back ups but the nucleus of a good 2nd Grade side, ..........last thing a dedicated sprint coach!!!!
The board also has look at functional issues like TPA's which will allow us to fill our roster with next level players in back up and also finding a board memeber with football experience, I said the other day Sterlo would be perfect or someone like Beau Scott and finally go make an offer to Matt Cameron too good to refuse to be our new head of football. It maybe impractical to sack BA and MON at the same time but MON is also to finish this year. Once some one like Cameron was appointed then he will look after Bennett's need's and be the link back to the board.
Replies
Pop's I know your always 10 years late but it was 2016 and a club can only use TPAs if people are willing to supply them and the eels board are not a board that would have business people lining up to want to t help the club .
I thought it was 2015 when the damage was done and we paid for it in 2016....stand corrected if that's wrong.
Frankie I am no dfferent than you in terms of being 10years too late, the blog was about the relevancies at the time, its a bit like you saying Kevin Walters knows more than BA has forgotten, 3 years ago Walters was on the rack. You also said that Mam was developed by Walters and the difference (accordinging to you) is that Brown is going no where, development wise compared to Mam is being developed, but both have equal ability. I would like to see how Mam would go in Parra's side, trying to do what Brown does, horses for courses Frankie.
Finally the TPA's availability is an "oxymoron" supply in "fact" amd supply in "want" is obviously what you are saying. Guess what I have been on the TPA bandwagon since the 2018 disaster. Actually from what I understand we actually have some TPA's, cannot see why we cannot be more adventurous, I'm sure you agree with me there.
You have heard my views on the board in recent times, its just they are not a football board and have been chosen on the wrong premise. Doesn't mean they are all "deadheads" I'm sure if we both went out to dinner with them we would not be disappointed in them being able to handle a conversation. If we struggle I could bring up Italian suits and shoes and you could talk about the cannabis concessions available in Griffith.
I look forward to taking you to a fine Italian restaurant in Brisbane when you are up here, but maybe you would not want to be seen in public with someone like me.
Seems to me that you thought Brown was no good for a long time, same as Moses. Regardless they are opinions but you want to make references, it is my guess Walters would struggle with our team and to be frank (no pun) I think BA would go ok with the Broncs, that said I think our cattle is the problem and needless to say if Brown and Moses were both playing with Broncs and the rest of their roster, they could be sensational as against what they are with Parra every week.
I think Bennett is interested. More so would we be, since his demands would be massive. He is what the club needs.
Bennett would not go mid year, no way but if he agreed to go to Parra before end of the year he would have Woolf getting more to say during the week and Bennett prepares for 2025.
As for leaking the roosters job and he pulled out. Same as SL in 1997, the signed a few Brisbane players and announced they signed the Broncos before agreeing with Bennett. He got the shits and threatened to sign with ARL because it got out before he agreed. He dictates his press.
I hope your right LB, when you say he is interested, is that a gut feel or something specific that leads you there?
My other comment on Fomgy's post, me saying 2015 was the problem year and the punishment 2016. is that right or is it my memory which I am worried about incorrect.
Pop's this is what you posted
"2015 was the disaster year when the shit hit the fan, we lost points, million dollar fines, unloading of players for salary cap bungles "
2016 was when the club got caught , you never mentioned anything about when the damage was done . If you must know, the damage began in late 2014 .
Fair enough, I stand corrected, does it change anything in terms of the issues raised in your mind Frankie?
I'm more interested in discussing the practicalities of upgrading the board and your proactive way of developing TPA's.
I learnt reasonably young in life (took a while just the same) that when you walk in the door to approach someone with an idea or concept, that it usually works better not tearing the door off at the hinges as you do so.
I look forward to more commonsense and rationale dialogue with you Frankie, as I am pretty sure your heart is in the right place.
I more so believe the media hype around it. I mean we knock the media but they can be right, Lomax they tagged to us from the start and turned out true for example. They have said Bennett is eyeing off the Eels job. It is a good fit, team is there ready to go with some minor tweaking that Bennett can do. Mainly he has a Halfback that is done developing, Bennett could add a few things to make him even better but he doesn't need to develop a Halfback. Then, you have the 38 yeard drought. This would have to entice Bennett to add to his resume. He mentioned he looked up to the likes of Jack Gibson and Ron Massey, well he will be honored like them at Parramatta if he can win a comp.
Bennett is used up , not even coaching at the Fins at the moment.
Spacey, haven't we been down this track before with you.....just to tease me a little further, what makes you think he is not coaching them at the moment..... are you talking about his health, I knew he didn't go to Darwin on that basis.
Have good info he is not what he was in the past , better to chase another coach maybe Maguire or Ryles
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