By Gabriel Knowles
April 28th 2009 @ 2:26am
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Parramatta have way too many dummies on board
What a year it’s been for Parramatta fans so far. It doesn’t look like the Eels are going to win anything this season, unless they give out a trophy for the dumbest club at the end of it all.
We’ve only had seven rounds of action, yet the Eels have managed to get rid of their only experienced playmaker, play their best player out of position, and look so disinterested at times to have had past greats questioning their commitment to the jersey.
It’s little wonder they’re second last on the ladder, and if Friday night performance against the Broncos is any indication, they’ll be staying at that end of the table all season.
Admittedly, things didn’t quite go their way on the night. But they’ve only got themselves to blame.
Crucial dropped balls in try scoring positions, poor fifth tackle options and a leaking defence is a recipe for a heavy defeat. Nathan Hindmarsh’s feet first slide into Darren Lockyer’s head summed it up: dumb, and now it looks like he could be suspended just when his team needs him most.
Off the field, things haven’t been much better.
The Leagues Club reported a loss of $9.1 million in the lead up the their much publicised board election. While that may have been a blow for their reputation, it had nothing on the stupidity of what appears to be the incumbent board’s “votes for vouchers” campaign.
Chinese leagues club members, along with those with surnames that sound Chinese, each received a $30 voucher for the Tingha Palace restaurant in the club, valid for the three days that voting took place only.
A complimentary meal is one thing, but the how-to-vote card tipped it over the edge and made it quite possibly the dumbest thing the club has done so far in 2009.
It could be too early to call that one, though, after the 3P group, supported by club legends Ray Price, Eric Grothe and Brett Kenny, beat out the incumbent board comfortably and promised to remove long time CEO Denis Fitzgerald from his position as soon as possible.
After three decades under Fitzgerald, it might well be that a change at the top could the tonic that gets the Eels back into premiership contention.
Given that Fitzgerald’s contract is said to be watertight, the incoming board would do well to resolve the situation with some discretion and diplomacy because the last thing Parramatta needs is even more of their dirty laundry being aired.
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Luke W said | April 28th 2009 @ 9:23am | Report comment
Completely agree. I don’t know what coach started this trend of playing centres and locks at five eighth, but so far the only team to get any real success is Souths with John Sutton. The Hayne experiment was a complete disaster. From day one, the Eels should have played Kris Keating at five eighth, Finch at half and Mateo at lock. It would have been a much better balance for the team.
Choppy said | April 28th 2009 @ 11:10am | Report comment
Luke I disagree with your positions, Parra looked their best last year with Mateo at 5/8 and Finch at half. KK has looked good so far at 1/2 since Finch spat the dummy and cried himself a river to Melbourne.
This year is a write-off on the field but hopefully we’ll actually recruit some players for next season.
Personally I think it’s Hagan that stuffed Parra up on the field.
Off it Fitzgerald was responsible for a ‘Paper’ loss of $9.1m, but that was a massive write down in the value of assets. From the reports I’ve seen the club is financially in decent shape and once property values start increasing again the balance sheet will be even better.
The main thing I am worried about with the 3p’s group is their lack of financial success, you can have all the passion you like but if you can’t pay the bills there’s nothing left to be passionate about.
John Ryan said | April 28th 2009 @ 5:55pm | Report comment
Well hopefully they will get rid of the big dummy Fitzgerald,30 years in one job,if he is the financial genius he thinks he is,I,m sure he will get another job quick smart,but if he is what I think he is I hope they weed out his cronies as well.
Phil said | April 28th 2009 @ 6:49pm | Report comment
I have no sympathy for them at all – they have had one of the worlds greatest backward thinkers running the place for too long and deserve everything they get.
rick said | May 1st 2009 @ 3:25pm | Report comment
i agree and disagree,it is my belief that the palyers are the ones running around on that pitch not the board.
take for instance luke burt he is not playing well at all ,the only thing i would pin the coach for is drop players who dont have the right attitude and ability as an eels fan i would rather watch young and upcoming kids get a flogging at the hands off the opposition than watching our main team play like they did on friday night.
as for fitzgerald i was ashamed when i haerd the other night that fitzy would not allow former premiership greats like sterlo,kenny,price enter the sheds to talk the boys before kickoff in there last 4 grand finals.