Your Thoughts on the Future of the Site?

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.

I'm of the view that, whilst this forum has always had it's fair share of argy bargey, it has in recent times become quite toxic and has led to the departure of several well respected members whose contributions added positively to discussion around our footy team.

My wife and I were discussing a similar topic this evening and we arrived at the view that COVID really messed things up. We now live in a world where we require immediate reassurance and remedy when confronted with adverse circumstances, and if we're unable to apply that salve, must find a scapegoat to blame. This, in contrast to the mindset during previous pandemics and World Wars, where folks may have been of the mind that "life happens" and took a more stoic approach. I think this is a reason why conspiracy theories have become so rampant in recent times and those conspiracy theories have certainly found a home on this forum.

I'm also of the view that this forum is no longer a tent of competing ideas and is instead an echo chamber for the knucle draggers that you typically find in the comments section of any right wing publication - i.e. the Murdoch press. Shit, I'm a subscriber to Code Sports and just today, the comments section was screaming that Pat Cummins and Usman Khwaja should be dropped from the Australian cricket set up for no reason other than their political ideation.

I see similar Neanderthal tendencies on this forum, which has become the most inelegant example of the Dunning-Kruger effect I've experienced on social media. We've lost some seriously good people - and it's no surprise there's only a handful of women that contribute to our forum because it's become an entirely unsafe environment. We should be collectively ashamed of that.

I'm no angel - and acknowledge I've had a crack at folks on here from time to time. I've been trying to self improve over the last few years. And, when we lose footy games, I don't think it unreasonable for folks to get on here and express themselves as demonstrably as they see fit.

I say to my clients all the time - if you wouldn't want something you say to be published in the newspaper or shown on television, that's a good yardstick when deciding whether or not you should say it at all. There's never been anything I've said on this forum that I wouldn't say to someone's face - and, to name just one name, Frank the Tank and I have gone at it from time to time, but I'd trip over myself to have a beer with him, even though we probably would walk away, after a handshake, not necessarily agreeing with each other.

This forum is our space - and it's our responsibility to craft it in a manner for which we can be proud. As it stands, we're below par and HOE rightfully calls us out on it.

"Yep Probably was Obviously your memory's better than mine and the fact that I only use this website for Eels related topics I had no interest in the other categories One thing I noticed though My avatar and name has never changed from the first time…"

"If you're addressing me Mark You need to actually read what I said
I said that non eels topics belong in the cave and if you want to beat your chest over some random topic You can do it there
As for the sucker fish comment Even though I have written…"

"Of course I'm going to click on and read something if it's political or religious or anything that is interesting social media Just because I don't smash the topic with my opinions doesn't mean I'm not interested I care about everyday goings on I…"

Replies

Cumberland Eel December 22, 2025 at 7:55pm

So if we ban political and religious discussions does that mean that sex, gay, soccer, union, cricket, LGBTQ, fishing, and illegal substance topics and camel 🐪 topics are still ok
- Hell On Eels > Cumberland Eel December 22, 2025 at 8:14pm
  
  Haaha, Cumberland Eel. Looking for loopholes and specifics. Smart. Basically, all non-footy discussions might end up in The Cave. But, if you want to add a blog on lawn bowls, cheese rolling, volcano surfing or a camel story, I doubt you'll get in trouble. It might end up in the cave if it involves Charlotte and Wilbur in the barn.
Bourbon Man December 23, 2025 at 1:18am

I'm of the view that, whilst this forum has always had it's fair share of argy bargey, it has in recent times become quite toxic and has led to the departure of several well respected members whose contributions added positively to discussion around our footy team.

My wife and I were discussing a similar topic this evening and we arrived at the view that COVID really messed things up. We now live in a world where we require immediate reassurance and remedy when confronted with adverse circumstances, and if we're unable to apply that salve, must find a scapegoat to blame. This, in contrast to the mindset during previous pandemics and World Wars, where folks may have been of the mind that "life happens" and took a more stoic approach. I think this is a reason why conspiracy theories have become so rampant in recent times and those conspiracy theories have certainly found a home on this forum.

I'm also of the view that this forum is no longer a tent of competing ideas and is instead an echo chamber for the knucle draggers that you typically find in the comments section of any right wing publication - i.e. the Murdoch press. Shit, I'm a subscriber to Code Sports and just today, the comments section was screaming that Pat Cummins and Usman Khwaja should be dropped from the Australian cricket set up for no reason other than their political ideation.

I see similar Neanderthal tendencies on this forum, which has become the most inelegant example of the Dunning-Kruger effect I've experienced on social media. We've lost some seriously good people - and it's no surprise there's only a handful of women that contribute to our forum because it's become an entirely unsafe environment. We should be collectively ashamed of that.

I'm no angel - and acknowledge I've had a crack at folks on here from time to time. I've been trying to self improve over the last few years. And, when we lose footy games, I don't think it unreasonable for folks to get on here and express themselves as demonstrably as they see fit.

I say to my clients all the time - if you wouldn't want something you say to be published in the newspaper or shown on television, that's a good yardstick when deciding whether or not you should say it at all. There's never been anything I've said on this forum that I wouldn't say to someone's face - and, to name just one name, Frank the Tank and I have gone at it from time to time, but I'd trip over myself to have a beer with him, even though we probably would walk away, after a handshake, not necessarily agreeing with each other.

This forum is our space - and it's our responsibility to craft it in a manner for which we can be proud. As it stands, we're below par and HOE rightfully calls us out on it.

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