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
Well, that was fast. A few months ago, the front and page pages of the Sydney’s Daily Telegraph were plastered with the words “Heartless” and “Penniless.”
They were done so to describe a football club on the brink, and possibly also to help shaft Eels’ CEO Denis Fitzgerald (who says papers don’t come with agendas).
The Eels were a basket case, they reported. They were losing money hand over fist, they wouldn’t be able to go near spending the salary cap, and players should even think about how they are getting paid.
Suddenly they are the competition’s big spenders.
You work it out. Other than proving it pays not to have a memory longer than seven days in this game, it does show you that Daniel Anderson might be finally getting his way.
The signings of Justin Poore and Shane Shackleton are not just encouraging for Eels fans from a financial perspective, but also that the players wanted to go there.
You could have been forgiven for thinking that the Eels would have to have been one of the least attractive options, but either Daniel Anderson has some sort of vision or he is one hell of a salesman.
Of course, Eels fans would also know that big signings don’t necessarily bring success.
The Super League war saw them operating with a $9 million dollar roster with the purchases of Jim Dymock, Jason Smith, Jarrod McCracken, Dean Pay, Adam Ritson and Araon Raper. And they produced little but a big bill.
But as this season teeters, the blue and gold army now have more reason to hope for better times ahead.
Harry Callahan
Guest
I can't believe parra would take on Zappia - shame, shame, shame! If true, it goes to show that the more things change (Fitzy) the more things stay the same (board hiring their mates).
The man
Guest
Daily Telegraph
Znotty
Guest
State of Origin season is here & the Knight`s start to wobble,who`d have thought
Znotty
Guest
Craig Wing ..talk about overrated.
Col the Bear
Guest
Is it true parra said they would have no qualms about putting Zappia in?? Roosters again at gosford this weekend.. has anyone got an idea how many times Roosters have played at gosford in the last number of years.. they must have played there the most out of any team.. No wonder they pushed so hard for the gold Coast over the central Coast, it's so they can get in there and continue to pump up their coffers.. Once again the dash for cash is for the CC.. Give us the CCBears.. we are sick and tired of being used by these clubs....
Steve Kaless
Roar Guru
Brett, You are right this site dos have a theme to it today. Fairfax will get its turn next week. I agreewith both you and Alan and hope it came across in my piece, the purchase of those to big boppers is a good start, but also has to be part of a plan. As you say it must be added to. I have always felt for a while Souths were a good example of just buying, or trying to buy, anyone on the market. You need structure. The man, Who is DT? Dane Tilse??
The man
Guest
Next look for the Sharks to sign Wing and the DT start proclaiming a new golden era in the Shire. Not a fan of players signing deals mid season - surely clubs and players can wait until the off season?
Tom Alexander.
Guest
Wing will go were the money is after the big financial losses he was reported to have incurred recently so i wouldn't be surprised if parramatta get the nod this time because the roosters have had there chance with Wing so once bitten twice shy type scenario would probably be a factor favouring the eels i bet parra will have their eyes on thurston aswell when his contract expires in the near future.
Brett McKay
Guest
poor old Daily Terror. First it's Jesse Fink, now you too Steve!! And as for "who says papers don’t come with agendas', where the Terror is concerned, I'd say the answer is "no-one"!! We touched on this in Alan Nicolea's piece yesterday. Yes Parra have done well snaring Poore and Shackleton, but surely the immediate Premiership talk is a little over the top? No doubt these guys will make a difference, but Parra still need a class play-maker, or to give young bucks Robson and Mortimer more time. Definitely though, Parra are building toward something in the next few years..