Thought this was a good read and thought I'd share it
THERE’S a bright glow beaming from Parramatta Stadium today with Kieran Foran’s deal officially salvaged.
Eels fans everywhere can breathe a giant sigh of relief, while the board pat themselves on the back after avoiding what would have gone done as the greatest butchery in rugby league history.
But no one is happier than their coach Brad Arthur.
And why wouldn’t he be?
On face value, the Foran deal provides the club with a quality playmaker but behind the scenes it means so much more.
FORAN AGREES TO REVIVED EELS DEAL
Scoring Foran’s signature impacts the entire club on so many levels.
It may sound ridiculous but the 24-year-old will become Parramatta’s saviour and he will do so without even touching a football.
Here’s why.
Brad Arthur’s job has been saved
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur looks on.Source: News Corp Australia
Take it as gospel — if Foran’s deal fell through, Arthur would be scouring job websites for a new gig and the Eels would have their seventh coach in as many years.
It’s been no secret that Arthur’s future with the club has been on the rocks.
But it was the young coach’s relationship with Foran which proved the tipping point in getting the new contract over the line.
Arthur is such an important figure that Foran’s new contract sees a get out clause introduced which effectively makes him a free-agent should the coach be shown the door.
It’s powerful stuff and a sign of what high-regard the five-eighth holds his mentor in.
The club’s board now knows Foran is not to be messed with.
Should they punt Arthur, they roll the dice of losing their marquee signing once again.
One would have to believe the board has learned their lesson, meaning Arthur can sleep easier for at least the next two years.
Gives the fans hope
Parramatta fans show their support.Source: News Corp Australia
Eels fans fly your yellow and blue flags high. Wave them with pride.
In the words of Peter Sterling, Foran is the “most important signing” in the club’s history.
It’s hard to argue.
When the deal was in jeopardy, irate fans threatened to tear-up their memberships.
The club copped an influx of passion-filled letters penned by furious supporters.
One member claimed he had wasted 30 years of his life.
But as the dark clouds part over Western Sydney, a ray of light is beginning to shine through.
While we can’t guarantee Parra’s dark days are completely behind them, with their salary cap troubles still unresolved, Foran’s signature is a step in the right direction.
Eels have classy spine
Close your eyes and picture the voice of Fox Sports NRL, Warren Smith, calling these names.
“Nathan Peats sends it out to Corey Norman, the halfback with quick hands, gets the ball onto Kieran Foran, Foran takes on the line and finds Will Hopoate. The Eels are over!”
Just imagine it. Well, next year it will be a reality.
Toss in the likes of Semi Radradra and tackling the Eels backline becomes a daunting prospect.
With strike across the park, Arthur has a team which is not only creative but which can build pressure and keep to a game plan.
Kieran Foran in action.Source: News Corp Australia
Foran is meticulous when it comes to his preparation. You don’t become an international without being wired that way.
The Kiwi star will bring the Eels’ spine confidence and composure.
Having a leader of his calibre will pay dividends when it comes to influencing the players around him.
Leaders bring out the best in their teammates and that’s exactly what Foran will do. He will make good players great.
Recruiting power
Yes, the Eels have salary cap issues.
So that limits what they can do with recruitment.
But the dramas will be resolved next season meaning the club can get active in the open market in 2016.
The good news for the club is Foran signed, and in the end he stayed.
He felt confident enough to join the club and if a player of that calibre has faith then why shouldn’t any other?
If Foran was to walk away from the deal, there would have been a thick stench around Parramatta Stadium.
Thankfully that crisis has been averted.
A player like Foran has pulling power.
Looking long-term, Foran’s signature will do more for the club than just reflect on-field results, there’s no doubt about it.
Wake-up call to the board
Parramatta Eels chairman Steve Sharp.Source: News Corp Australia
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results.
Something has to change in the boardroom.
Talk is cheap. Action is key.
Parramatta chairman Steve Sharp said there was a breakdown in the signing process which led to a $1 million payout clause being written into his deal.
The board’s primary goal should be to protect the club from financial turmoil.
The first deal Foran signed failed to do that, which resulted in the breakdown.
How the $1 million payout clause was ever written into Foran’s deal will forever baffle the world of rugby league.
It’s even more ridiculous when you consider their fragile financial position.
The club is facing a $525,000 fine and the loss of four competition points for breaches last year.
It should be common sense.
Pay attention to detail and operate within your means.
Here’s hoping the board has learned a valuable lesson; attention to detail is key and the fans will be paying plenty of attention to Sharp and his team moving forward.
Replies
Cheers Kramerica
Yeah, thats the one part of the article I thought was rubbish. But everything else seems spot on. Especially the part about our spine for next year, can't wait to see that in action!
I stopped reading it at "take it as gospel". Not worth my time. Ridiculous article.
depends which gopsel but!
I stopped at "Article from Foxsports" lol
Bring on 2016
BA must have been under some pressure
Choc's comment before that related to the media insinuating BA was under pressure which simply wasn't true.
Both BA and Sharp said he was the long-term option.
If you notice over the year, Parra are the team that just simply sells papers better than any other team.
In 09 the media were riding the Parra wave all the way to the GF, because that what was selling. After that year it was the Parra drama after drama that was selling the papers so the media was riding that wave.
I don't know about the rest of you, but Choc's comment was more of a F-U and back off sort of meaning than confirming BA was under any pressure.
It is not like the board was going to get rid of the best coach we have had in quite a few years, because unlike the previous "coaches" we had BA is Parra boy and is BnG through and through like the rest of us. And that is what the team needed, may he lead that team for many many years to come.
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