Parramatta Eels 2017 season review

It's entirely possible Gee embezzled that money for himself and refused to be interviewed by the NRL in fear of being persecuted further by the law. The only facts surrounding the whole incident are that Gee took money from the leagues club that was paid back after an independent accountant brought the issue to the clubs attention who then reported the issue to the NRL. Gee then left and refused to be interviewed by the nrl. You can draw many a bow from that.

Doesn't matter how "shifty" it looks, that's not evidence, nor does it objectively imply causality. Only your confirmation bias says so.

You really don’t know how a legal TPA comes into being? The NRL rules are exceptionally simple and straightforward. Clubs can source TPA sponsors and introduce TPAs to players. They can’t however be part of any negotiations or guarantee any TPA deal. Players can source their own TPAs independent of the clubs. The rules allow an incredibly broad range of third party deals that can be legally struck. To break the rules an administrator has to be either galatically stupid or deliberately rorting the system.

The fact Gee departed, and then refused to co-operate with the NRL ensuring himself what amounts to a life ban from involvement with the game pretty much confirms something shifty was going on at the Broncos; cap related or otherwise.

"People only see or remember what they want to". Oh, the irony. If you're confused as to what Parramatta did, here's a quick recap: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-09/parramatta-eels-salary-cap-sanctions-ratified/7582924 Broncos got caught? You got any evidence that they were guilty? Gee's departure is not evidence, contrary to what your confirmation bias says. Melbourne's conduct was larger-scale than anything else, yes, and they got appropriately punished. And they continue to be hounded to this day, seven years after the punishment occurred. Eels got one year and then everyone paraded them round as one of the 'feel-good' stories of the year. When the Titans were caught breaching the cap they were fined and docked competition points, in what universe is that scot-free? You also forgot to mention that the Eels avoided being docked points for 2015 indiscretions. Ah, the magic "the better teams are obviously rorting the cap!". Haven't heard that one before. It's sad and pathetic. If you think last year was the biggest witch hunt since the SL war, you might want to revisit that opening statement of yours.

People only see what they want to see or remember what they want to remember. I can't recall a media witchhunt like last year since the super league war. Let's be clear what Melb did was outrageous, arrogant and beyond anything any club has done. The Eels (who were under the cap in 2016) got caught for TPA's that were either not registered or illegal and were subsequently added to their 2016 cap (and 2017). All these players have since left. When the Bronco's got caught they simply sacked Gee and told the NRL "he's no longer here so your can't speak with him" and the NRL said umm OK. In Parra's case Seward sought out his former mentor to help set up their TPA's so they could "play with the big boys". The irony is that same mentor then became judge, jury & executor. The Titans got caught doing exactly what the Eels did but (smartly) confessed so got off scott free.The only reason the Eels got hammered was the old board kept denying. But of course will all pretend that what the Eels tried to do (very poorly) doesn't happen at the majority of clubs (especially those that regularly make the finals and magically have 3-4 times the rep players). I'm still waiting for someone to explain exactly how a LEGAL Tpa comes into being under the NRL rules?

Agree with your comments about Moses and Norman. Take their last match, for example - when the game was on the line their halves created absolutely nothing.

They will absolutely improve next year. This idea that aging players will be to the detriment to a teams success is absolute rubbish. Let me throw a few names at you... Luke Lewis, twilight of his career probably had his best ever season in 2016. Won a premiership and won a Clive Churchill medal. Corey Parker, retired too early is the opinion is most of the rugby league community. At least he retired at the top of his game because he was by far one of the better players in the entire comp during his twilight years. Paul Gallen, Sharks player of the year again. Led his team to a premiership in 2016 and was name lock of the year this year. Like the old saying goes, some players are like a fine wine, they only get better with age. Parra has an excellent mix of youth and experience and they'd have a burning desire to go all the way in 2018, especially the way the exited the finals was super disappointing for them and they'll be hurting. I think this season was probably on par, perhaps a little better than what most expected of them this year. My prediction for the next years Grand Final, Parramatta vs North Queensland.

They were pretty good the Eels. I reckon they were unlucky not to beat the Storm in the finals. I thought Moses had a great spell at the Eels. They looked much better in attack when he arrived. Him and Norman have got a lot of football in them and I'm surprised if they aren't rated highly. Tim Mannah is one of the least effective forwards in the comp but Jason King was pretty average also in his time but it seems with both of them they are well respected and they are maybe valuable players beyond how they appear. Next year I have no idea as I couldn't see the Raiders missing the 8 this year. They talk about players being made for Origin duties then surely Brown fits this mold, he was exceptional and played smart most of the time. It will be interesting how they fare without the Semi, players who score tries from 90 metres out entirely off their own back are the rarest commodity in league. Ben Barba had a similar impact at the Dogs for a year or two and that type can make all the difference.

I thought (as mentioned above) Brown and Gutherson were their best, They play a great brand of footy. They’re tough in the middle and play attacking stuff. I “hate” the Eels but really enjoy watching this team play. I think you’re a bit hard on Mannah. He was good to very good throughout the year and better than he’s been in a while. He’s not fancy there’s no carry on, he just gets on with it. Norman went off the boil a bit in the last 1-2 months of the comp bit unlike the lads above I really rate him. His kicking game around the park is good but he’s at his best when he’s got the ball in hand inside the oppositions 20. I love the way he carries the ball out in front in two hands. He can pass or step either way and can kick off either foot. He also gets the ball from hand to foot lightning quick and at the line. I think when he’s on song he’s the most dangerous half in that part of the field in the comp. Still has problems with consistency and yet to play out a full dominant season. Radradra was hot and cold this year - I didn’t think he was close to their best - but there’s games he basically wins on his own. He’ll be hard to replace.

The future is very bright for the Eels. They are going to rival the Donkeys as the biggest club in the NRL once their new stadium opens!

He could, but I just don't get that feeling from him. Could just be me though. It's one of those funny things that happens heaps - blokes leave clubs because they want to play a different position, then after a couple of years that spot's opened right up again. Why is it that some players don't seem to want to wait those extra couple of years? I'm guessing the discrepancies in the reactions were because Parra did miserably in that time. I can't quite understand that myself though, especially since they ended up better off this year from it. Does that count as profiteering?

I tend to agree with most written here. At the Broncos (keeping in mind his age) Norman seemed like he had the skills but just a 1/2 second slow in making plays - or NRL level is that much quicker. He's good and may be very very good in years to come if he has/gains a JT-like commitment to improving his game. It's a funny irony about the cap rorting by Parra. Everyone condemned the board and the players were unscathed. In Melbourne however...

I reckon your right, Eddie that Parra will go backwards next year. They've made no moves to replace players and losing Radradra will hurt them immensely. Sure Moses and Norman will have the off season together but other clubs will have the same time to work out tactics and putting pressure on either guy seems to make their games fall apart. Their playing roster looks thin and old - I reckon they'll maybe make the 8. Hope they do something about Kenny Edwards. Some of the stuff he got away with should have resulted in suspensions for mine.

For sure Gutho was the main attacking threat,tore it apart..

This is all well and good. But the real story is that Brisbane finally have not one, but TWO Sunday arvo games at Suncorp. Plus a Sunday evening match. Brings a tear to my old eyes ?

Agree - Brown and Gutherson were the revelations of the year and should have received the most focus.

I'm the same, I'm apparently one of the few Broncs fans who isn't that torn up about Norman having left. And no respect for Moses, the way he carried on to get out of the Tigers. I'd expect that kind of behaviour from a five year old. They're a great niggling team. It's annoying when you're playing them, and some of their players take it too far, but if it works, good luck to them. Radrada's loss is pretty massive, I have to try and find someone I actually like in the side again. French seems like a good kid? What I don't get is how they not only got off scot-free from the public, the season after they cheated the cap, but then got promoted as one of the "fairytales-to-be". Simply because they were inept enough to finish last while cheating the cap. They should've been followed by the same witch-hunt that still goes after Melbourne, not to mention teams that haven't actually been caught over the cap.

Agree with most of this Eddie..but doubt if you can get away with doing an article reviewing this club for ‘17 and not mention Nathan Brown.Absolutely tireless,carried that pack this year,body took a pounding..very much a Gallen clone...pretty clear winner of club player of the year for mine..

Really impressed how they seemed to relish the physical stuff and they have real weapons in Radradra, Jennings and French. Unlike the author of this piece (and to be fair most people) I just don't get all the hype surrounding Moses and especially Norman. They seems to drift in and out of matches and some of Norman's 5th tackle options were just woeful.