I’m a Parra fan, so I’m used to being disappointed.
It’s been such a long time since 1986. Since then what do we have? Runners up in 2001, fifteen years since our previous grand final.
Minor premiers in ’05 but we failed to make the grand final. Then there was the incredible run from eighth and the grand final loss of ‘09.
Those are the positives. Two grand finals appearances in twenty-eight years, a minor premiership and six other seasons where we played in the finals.
Just nine positives and I’m counting playing in the finals, not winning the competition.
What about negatives? Other than nineteen years of not playing in the finals? There’s back-to-back wooden spoons, management in-fighting, coaches given just a couple of seasons or less, management coups, a coach who upped and left, contracts offered to a swag of past-their-peak players who managed a handful of games before breaking down, a superstar who left the code and a promising player who left amid questions about his contract.
Those are the negatives. Oh and nineteen years of not playing in the finals.
So, it’s fair to say that I’m familiar with disappointment.
And then there’s this season.
This season started so positively. A respected coach and a set of new players still in their peak. A win at the sevens.
A superstar half who joined despite Parra management attempts to re-write his contract. Wins against the Cowboys, the Raiders (we love beating Ricky), Manly (we love beating Manly), twice against the Dogs (we remember the ‘80s), comfortably in the eight. But now disappointment comes crashing back down. We’re over the cap and not just this season.
Loss of the sevens title, loss of all points, be back under the cap before we play for points, all fair measures. Forcing the five officials to step down?
I’d think there’s probably a legal process that has to be run through there. But, personally, I agree. It seems clear that there has been an ongoing, covert process to beat the system. What’s really disappointing is that the five are refusing to go.
Do we want them? It’s time for new management.
jamesb
Guest
I don't think a team not playing for points is the right template as far as punishments are concerned. Sure you can fine the club and deduct competition points, but what the NRL should've done is allow teams like Canterbury and Melbourne a chance to redeem themselves by shedding a few players and then they can play for points. It was ridiculous watching the storm play for the best part of four months in 2010, for no points. The NRL got the process wrong. You can punish the club, but you shouldn't be punishing the fans in an ongoing way.
Boban Fett
Guest
As an A-League fan I am quite shocked that the Eels are still allowed to compete for premiership points this season, given the precedent that was set with the Storm in 2010 and the Bulldogs in 2002. I'm a big believer in conspiracy theories, and I'm convinced that if Western Sydney Wanderers did not exist, Parramatta would not be playing for premiership points this season. I am convinced that Todd Greenberg is petrified of WSW's soon to be massive fanbase, and gave the Eels a slap on the wrist so that the Eels fans don't turn away from the blue and gold and towards the red and black.
Bup
Guest
What a load of bollocks. This comps a laughing stock. Give us independent TPA totals of clubs NRL. Why don't you. Oh that's right the comps a Rort. TPAs at arms length why does a news limited owned club like the Broncs have Parker appear on Sterlo a news limited owned company. Why does Thaiday appear on an NRMA add with bronco and NRL logos isn't this against the rules. You tell us the Eels are over the comp give us the proof. Investigate all clubs.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Try 1971! But saying that, our GF win after 43 years was the best experience. It'll happen, just keep the faith.
Chris Meister
Roar Guru
Well said. If you remember the behavior of Parramatta fans towards the Storm players in 2010 it was disgraceful. I would think that if Parramatta played down in Melbourne this year our fans would do nothing of the sort.
Dromlan
Guest
I am not a storm fan per se but I do enjoy watching them play and I do have friends in Melbourne who tell me that that year was absolutely horrible. What made it worse was the whole way that the club was treated by Gallop which is a stark difference to the Eels situation. What I object too is Eels fans (who were amongst the most scathing and vehement in their treatment of Melbourne fans) and their board (who have been afforded much more consideration and due process) whinging about how badly done too they are. I happen to agree that Greenberg is doing a far better job than Gallop did and that the punishments for the Eels are about right (though they should be prevented from playing the finals). I do not agree that the Eels penalties are double though particularly when you consider the $1.1m returned prize money, $500k fine and you adjust for inflation. The interesting thing is that in Melbourne's case, the major component of the cheating was a guarantee of TPA's a practice that is now largely accepted by the NRL. This is an interesting read http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/parramatta-eels/why-a-review-of-melbourne-storm-salary-cap-penalties-was-rejected-by-arlc-20160502-gokais.html
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Given the environment that the NRL operates within, I think the penalties proposed are an acceptable real world ones. I doubt anyone at the club or its supporters feel as if they are having it easy. There seems to be a lot of tension and stress behind the scenes now and hopefully for the better too.
Ken
Guest
The NRL have evolved the punishment here by allowing them to get under the cap and play for points. I think it's for the best though, the Dogs only had a few weeks to play, but that was a long season for Melbourne supporters (of which I'm guessing you are one). The flipside to that though is that both the Dogs and the Storm encouraged their squads to take paycuts and stay together for a couple of years after - resulting in a couple of dubious premierships in 2004 & 2012. I think the way they are dealing with this is an improvement. Parramatta can recover instantly, but they had to lose one of their best players immediately (+ officially get Watmough off the books). A much cleaner cut. It should also be noted that Parra did get double the fine that the Storm & Dogs had, despite the effects of their rorts being far lower on the integrity of the comp.
Dromlan
Guest
At least you are being allowed to play for points, the Dogs and Melbourne weren't. At least you got a proper investigation, consideration and due process not like Melbourne where the whole thing was done and dusted in just 5 hours. At least your club is being given the chance to reply and the chance to get under the cap. All in all the Eels have got off lightly, their fans are not having to suffer as much as other clubs in the same position, you are not being hounded by the media and constantly called cheats by other fans even years later. Think yourself lucky you have Greenberg in charge and not David Gallop and think yourself very lucky that this year you still have a chance.