Next week is our last Supporters Group Alliance meeting for the year, so if you have questions for the likes of Jim and Mark, get them in.
As a reminder, the SGA is focused on the club's interaction with community, members and supporters on match days, online, and on topics like membership and apparel.
The SGA has now been around for just over 12 months. Our initial focus and priority was on the club reconnecting with fans through the 2024/25 pre-season. Our feedback and advice was used to help structure the fan days held across western Sydney. The Eels have continued with these fan days as a priority with the first one of this off-season already being held.
We've also got clarity on how membership packs are put together and provided robust feedback on what members want moving forward. I will be asking for an update on where things are at with looking into a new supplier for 2027 memberships.
We have been updated at our meetings on the club's approach to junior retention and pathways. While we don't provide direct feedback on footballing operations, we do ask questions around salary cap, contracting and squad composition.
I imagine Zac Lomax will be a topic for discussion next week alongside recruitment plans. We don't usually get in-depth info here for obvious reasons, but Mark has, in the past, answered questions regarding our salary cap expenditure and recruitment in broad terms.
Post your questions below if you have anything for the club leadership.
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The coins seem to be constant now, is there a way to get a binder or something to collect? Could there be maybe a fan vote to decide the next coin etc?
Thanks LB. So the coins are now going to be part of the packs moving forward as people seem to enjoy collecting them. The club is looking at doing a series so it could become a little more predictable for collectors. I'll pass on the request for a binder.
Apparel: - Can we please align to a major clothing brand like Adidas as Macron deal ending in 2026.
Recruitment: Have had significant players removed off cap in 2025/26 - Gutho, RCG, Ofahengaue, Lomax, Brown, Lane plus the minor palyers with no significant recruit that is valued above what these palyers were on???? Whats going on? Surely a pool of cash is available to strike on key recruits
I know the club is looking at their apparel suppliers. Fans have had poor experiences with the sizing across Macron's tenure.
Regarding recruitment. We get a little info. I'll ask about our cap for 2026.
Go ask them if they have an overseas active scouting program.
Ask gentlemen Jim why Parra merchandise ie jerseys are so expensive and ask them if you can get a personalised jersey option with your own name on the jersey.
Quiz them about TPAs and after football options and if they are being used.If not why not.
Partnerships with overseas clubs have they investigated that option ESL NZ the pacific.
Profile of players they are after what's the number 1 go to when looking at recruiting the mentioned.
Expansion how has this effected our ability to recruit and is this going to be a sticking point going foward.
Pathway recruitment how far afield are we looking probably ties into the above recruitment question.
Like player coaching recruitment are we looking for the best in class in the front office also.
So the merch is an easy answer because we used to have the owner of Sport First Nambucca on here. It's an NRL licensing issue. Basically the NRL charges so much for the licence to produce merch, the prices are high so retailers can actually make a profit.
In terms of player profiles. It depends on the position. Ryles and O'Neill have been pretty open in saying they're looking for speed and leg drive but also footy intelligence.
TPAs are arms length from the club. Each club has to report official TPAs and they have to be registered with the NRL.
I'm not sure if your allowed to ask this Super in the current forum your participating in, but here we go.
Question: Are we investigating why we appear to fall down at the crucial part of recruitment, the closing of an in demand talented player and how this perception of missing out on them is influencing supporters and fans alike when it comes to buying club merchandise or attending games, or buying memberships.
Just as we see pathways as our long term player plan, the perception of being unable to sign a first choice recruitment player will effect long term our fan base. Kids follow stars and then as adults become rusted on supporters. If we can't get these stars at the Eels our youngest fans are never influenced to remain an Eel supporter for life. Long term this can be devestating for a fan base, and in kind a football club.
I think asking is not an issue more so the response as definately will give a professional script answer.
Mark and Jim are pretty open in these forums. They'll give us some info. That being said, we're also not actively in talks with as many players as we are linked to.
That's interesting, so media make up names for sake of it?
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