This is a question that I can not get my head around. If we listen to all the "experts" that are only saying we were never in a premiership window now that we are losing and never said a thing when we were killing it at the start of the year. We can't win with this squad and I'm starting to except this as fact however I really want to know why can't we get big name players to the eels.
We have one of if not the best stadiums in rugby league, the biggest membership, the centre of excellence and although not overly successful as a premiership winner we have been in the league since 47 and have a proud history and some of the best players to ever play the game.
The knock on John Morris was he could not attract players and this is why they wouldn't extend his contract even though he got cronulla into the finals every year he was coach. Look who they have coming to the sharks next year with a change of coach. There is no way cronulla should be a team you would rather play for than the eels.
If we had a change of coaching staff is that what it will take to attract players or is it poor recruiting or is it something else as I can't think of the last superstar (established or up and coming) that we recruited and please no one say Foran as this was flawed from the start and BA and the board should have been flicked just for that
Thoughts
Replies
Moses was a big buy at the time
I hope that's not it. Where is the consistent game breaker
There is more to it than just having a superstar. After Cam Smith retired plenty of people said that the Storm wouldn't be the same team but here we are and they are still at the top. The players they have, have become super stars so the big question is, How ?. I have always been a big supporter of BA but I'm not sure he is what the club needs. It doesn't all fall on BA though because the players are not playing the way they did earlier in the season so they have to also be held accountable. What I saw last night was a team of players that belonged in reserve grade at best and I don't know if a team of players is the best way to describe them. They don't play as a team at all. There is no game plan, No defensive structure and I don't remember when I last saw a decent set play. They are constantly out of position and as far as effort goes, There is none.
It's time for the club to get someone in that knows how to get this team and club firing like the Storm and Roosters.
Yes we have the Stadium, The Membership numbers, The Centre of excellence and a massive leagues club behind us, but we don't have the rugby league knowlege required to be a real contender. To add insult to injury we have a list of players off contract that believe they are all worth a lot more money.
I'm a ticketed member and an absolute die hard Eels supporter. My emotional state is often determined by how the team goes on the weekend and as much as that might sound overkill it is something I can't help. I'm about to turn 57 and I was 22 the last time the Eels won a premiership.
To all those that come and go as players, coaching staff and admin. Next time you say you are doing it for the fans I suggest you take the time to really think about what you are saying beause some of us have been waiting a very long time and others have already departed this world while waiting.
I agree Jim but the question remains why can't we attract any off contract big names.
Does our lack of football knowledge make any top line player nervous about coming to a club that can't take that next step
Could it have anything to do with the coach we have, I wonder?
I hear ya Jim. I have been following them since the early 70's, and have been a ticketed member since our last comp win in 86. I have recently turned 60. I hope I get to see another premiership win before I go to the great footy stadium in the sky. Last night was unacceptable. The players should hang their heads in shame.
I rarely hear the eels name come up when a young up and coming player is of contract.
We never seem to put any pressure on other clubs to lock their young stars up cause parramatta is coming for him but anyone with a sniff of talent is always on the roosters radar. Even if it isn't true the pressure then goes onto the club to retain said player so the roosters don't get him and then their salary cap gets messed up because they pay overs to keep him.
Nico hynes off contract and crickets from the eels. There is a player with a point of difference that puts Dylan Brown on notice to pick up your game and stop the complacency
We also managed to lose Hayne during BA's reign, when he was at his best.
Hayne was going to the NFL no matter who the coach was at the time.
Didn't come back to the eels immediately.
Hayne ruined the Titian's finals campaign and cost Neil Henry his job who by the way I rate as a coach
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