Ladies and Gentlemen,
This site has never been the most endearing to the club or even parts of our own fanbase. A common piece of feedback I receive privately is that some find it too negative or drama-filled, which is why many choose to stay away. At times we clash hard and put each other down, the club, the players, and even Super, who pays for this site out of his own pocket. Some of this could understandably offend players’ families. In conversations I’ve had with people within the club’s hierarchy, the club takes a fairly open-minded view and accepts that it can’t control what others say or think. That’s a mature approach.
That said, I believe the majority of us are good eggs, mean well, even if some are rough around the edges and a small minority hold more extreme views. Over the past decade, I’ve met many wonderful people through this site, some of whom I now count as close friends and have learned a great deal from. You’re a big reason I’m still here and why I care about this community.
If you’re willing, I’d appreciate your thoughts on the direction the site should take. Ultimately, Super will decide, but it’s helpful to understand how people feel, here or privately, on:
- Current affairs and political blogs: Even if personally enjoy them, these often become the most feral and attract extremist views, especially in challenging times. They can flood the site and turn off many who simply want to talk footy, the one thing we all share. Life has enough dramas.
- Moving these blogs to The Cave: Making them members-only may be a win-win, it allows discussions without overwhelming those who’d want to avoid it.
- Any other ideas for improving the site.
Please don’t comment on political, religious or current affairs issues in this blog. This is about improving the site, not saving the world from an apocalypse.
Replies
Strange Eel, I hear you, mate. Well said. And we all get argy-bargy at times.
Like you, I do enjoy the banter of current affairs-political discussions, too, even if these uncomfortable discussions go in circles and end up slanging matches lol.
Would you accept a compromise: The Cave?
Yeah but I don't see 'The Cave', what is it?
On the footy side of things, the fact that it's raw and not full of unicorns is also what makes it appealing. I sometimes hope players and their families don't stumble across some posts , but that's how a lot of supportters truely are.
After a game and I go directly to my computer to be proud or more often vent, my miss has often said to me, that forum is a great thing, it's were you guys can all get together without having to meet up in a pub.
Maybe it's time to hide such discussions in the cave, if you want to partake you have to go looking for it.
Just don't allow this site to become a wishy washy love in for the club. There is already a site with that identity, and that's fine if you are into that.
I enjoy the fact we can be brutally critical of the club, players and staff even at times if it's over the top, fans are passionate and venting can help.
HFK, Can't disagree, mate. As much as some enjoy current affairs discussions (including myself), I feel the cave is better for the majority too. They're creating too much issues.
The only comment I would say on the balance of "positive" and "negative", is that "positive posters" are generally softer or gentler souls, for lack of better words. And many of those have been railroaded off the site by a small handful of tougher types who won't stand for their kind of "positivity". I don't feel that's a positive outcome either. You don't want this site to become one-sided. Just my personal view.
The site should purely relate to discussion on the Parramatta Eels, the broader NRL and 'outside' sports where they have a link to the Eels or NRL. e.g.: rugby union, R360 or NFL. I personally feel that no blogs should be on here that don't relate to any of those. There's plenty of other forums for that sort of discussion.
Thanks, Iamnot. Appreciate that, mate. So many posters feel the same way you do. I suspect the majority.
Randy mentioned it the other day, by the looks Wiz has packed his bags and gone. Shame, another good long term contributor on here has left. Anyway I guess we've all got our reasons for being here or not.
Wiz has not packed his bags and left. I spoke with him late last week. He has been banned by for commenting that he disagreed with Brett Allen being banned for refusing to change his Star of David avatar. Wiz does not know if the ban is permanent or if it is temporary and if temporary how long it will be for. Hoping Super or Hoe can inform him or at least give him a chance. He has been on this site since the start. FREE WIZ!
Ok that's good news, I saw Randy's comment and clicked on Wiz's page and it said that it was closed. Look forward to him being back at some stage.
So they banned Wiz for because he voiced his disagreement of Brett's banning?🤣🤣🤣🤣
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