The Eel's celebrate their winning points during NRL's Round 3 Parramatta Eels v Newcastle Knights at Parramatta Stadium, Friday, March 28, 2008. Eel's beat Knights 24-23. AAP Image/Action Photographics/Grant Trouville
Is Brett Finch a prophet? Will he depart the NRL to set up his own religion with himself cast as a messiah?
A fortnight ago, when the Eels came back to beat the Raiders, the Parramatta halfback Brett Finch was asked in a post match interview where he was likely to play his next 50 games, in reference to fact that he had just completed 50 first grade games for his third club.
Finch replied, “the scrap heap probably, I’ve been close a few times.”
He did so with a laugh, which suggested that he didn’t think he’d be headed there within two weeks on board the Daniel Anderson express.
But that comment showed far better vision than anything he has showed on the paddock this year.
Anderson was brought in by the Eels to lay down the law and steady the ship after the Eels’ player revolt lead to the dismissal of Michael Hagan and plenty of talk that the lunatics were filling in the time sheets at the asylum.
Anderson arrived from St Helens with his reputation of taking no prisoners on his way to results firmly in tact. His previous success in the NRL with the Warriors also came with rumblings that he’d put more noses out of joint than a South Auckland bouncer.
But in the Eels’ quest to rebuild, they seem very close to completely imploding this season.
The departure of Finch leaves Anderson with some big questions.
Without an experienced halfback calling the shots, how much longer can the Eels persist with the Jaryd Hayne experiment? The Eels’ backline looks rudderless at present.
Surely the combination of Jeff Robson and Hayne isn’t the way forward.
Also, if the rumours of a move for Michael Monaghan are true, then how long are they willing to wait?
Warrington are going through their own annus horribilis at present and may be keen to cut their losses sooner rather than later. But that is a big IF.
The Finch departure suggests more than just a problem in finding someone to fill the number seven jumper.
In the level playing field that is the NRL, if an injury free season is your best way to head up the table, a bust up between coach and players seems to best way to head south.
Steve Folkes’ relationship with his squad sealed the Bulldogs wooden spoon last year; the Cowboys demise was linked to a falling out with Graham Murray; and it is more than a coincidence that the Panthers have been close to the bookies’ favourite the last two years given the mood in the dressing room with Matt Elliot in charge.
Parramatta boss Denis Fitzgerald has already backed Anderson, but he has little choice, with the coach in just the first year of his contract and the Eels already crying poor.
It can’t be much fun for Eels fans at present, and without wanting to tend to the wound with a large bag of salt, it must be said that none of them should be using the phrase “it can’t get any worse.”
Trust me, it can. It can get much, much worse.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
The Bulldogs are facing a $4 million lawsuit from former player Jackson Topine, after allegedly being forced to wrestle his teammates as punishment for…
Brad Arthur's future as Eels coach is looking more bleak by the round after revelations that club officials refused to allow star signing Zac…
Brad Arthur believed Tom Trbojevic was offside before Will Penisini was binned for a professional foul. Brad Fittler confirmed Penisini was unlucky
Clint Gutherson showed his frustration at the press conference, shaking his head when asked about Sivo's brain explosion.
This can't have been a lot of fun for Brad and Gutho!
Maika Sivo scored a hat-trick in his return to first-grade footy but a brain fade in the second half saw the Eels winger sent…
