What's new
The Front Row Forums

Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Rumours and Stuff

Messages
3,486
The issues with the front office have been around for a fair while, if the players know we are a young ascending roster that need a couple of rep level players to take the final step, it’s not hard to argue with the snail like performance of recruitment being an issue.

for instance, there are a couple of player manager groups who will not use the Eels in the first round of player contacts, they see the club as inflexible and dogmatic not seen elsewhere. We were told an international player was offered , with a figure that would be expected, our GM said don’t bother we won’t start any negotiation if that’s an expectation. There are other factors but when mentioned , it gets argues against on here, good to see it’s something that others have become aware of.

Like him or not, Gould knows how to start to set a roster, maybe pay a little overs to get a leader ( Chrichton), even Mahoney was Signed due to his determination and non stop aggression.

I’ve made my stance , dropped the gold memberships and bought a GA season tickets, as have my other family members, need more from the club given our decent cap position and roster needs.
I 💯agree with what ur saying in regards to management appearing to be very difficult, I would like to see the back of all 3, and its very disturbing though not fully unexpected that managers do not sell us as a destination club, when essentially we have the best stadium and facilities in the league or very close too, will they ever be shafted or will stay as long as they keep us fiscally active? There is no winning mentality amongst that lot just $$$$$

I’m glad u have taken a stand in regards to ur membership, I had full GA. Membership now just the 6, if the perform I will extend, if they don’t, I won’t…I’ve always agreed in regards to ur opinion at our lack of desire to win anything, maybe this stance against Doemax, may earn us a little credibility?

To summarise though, they know Parra fans follow like sheep, and ad long as that is the case nothing will change, most Parra fans are very passive when it comes to demanding change for success!!!
 

Eelementary

Post Whore
Messages
58,890
Change upsets people.

For the first time in more than a decade, we have a coach who is drawing a line in the sand, outlining his expectations of his roster, and hammering into them that the club is greater than the player.

Some players may find that upsetting - so be it.

I trust Ryles even more, after hearing some of these attitudes from the playing group.

Like @Avenger said - harden the f**k up, shut the f**k up, and play some football. Prove to everyone that your criticisms are warranted.
 
Messages
3,486
It's curious that some players believe we don't have by legends to come impress them.

Firstly, what have any of the players in our current roster ever won in the NRL?

Secondly, despite the fact that Cayless was much criticised, he captained New Zealand to a World Cup win - I don't think any player in our entire top 30 can ever hope to emulate that feat...
Unfortunately that doesn’t stack up regarding Cayless no matter achievements, at best he was honest, not enough unfortunately
 

Eelementary

Post Whore
Messages
58,890
Unfortunately that doesn’t stack up regarding Cayless no matter achievements, at best he was honest, not enough unfortunately

I'm not claiming he was a generational talent.

But he played 259 for this shambles of a club, and played for New Zealand 39 times - that's a resume above simply "honest", imo.

And he probably achieved more in his career than anyone else on the roster - except maybe Moses, who has won an Origin series, and Matto, Walker, and JAC, who won Premierships.

I don't feel they have the gravitas to make that sort of a complaint, when they're a nobody on the rugby league landscape.
 
Last edited:

TheCrowe

Juniors
Messages
1,952
We are playing more attacking and flowing football under JR. If Matto is openly saying he doesn't give a shit Id put that white ant in black and white and let him play for Wenty. Joyce Maine can go with him and give Sam and Teancum a run.
 

Soto

First Grade
Messages
5,969
Thanks @Stevie .

I assume the playing group is Moses as a majority of the players are new recruits.

Players not wanting to come to the club is not really a bother to me it's the development of the juniors into NRL players which is what we seem to be focusing on.

Depth in the backs is an issue and a good replacement for Lomax is our main priority..

The Talagi resigning is a bit of a laugh though as yes bringing out Ella when the kid wouldn't even know who PJ Marsh is.. I guess that's where the club has been lacking in teaching the juniors about the past as well...
I agree with this but will also add his dad would know who a club legend is.
I think the BA stench is truly washed away now.
My observations from the members training session a few weeks back was that it was a very organised and united group.
The young blokes wanting to break into 1st grade should have no baggage or interest in any internal politics which exist in every workplace not just sport.
There are plenty of people I work with or are stakeholders and often wonder WTF are they doing and how are they still employed....
The best advice I can give to my younger myself (going back 20 plus years and any younger people in the early stages of their working careers) is DONT get involved in any office politics...just be Switzerland...that comes from experience.
Also say yes to any opportunities given to you to grow your profile.
Its Ryles job to coach and develop this team. Apparently he has full autonomy.
If all players have bought in, then the results will come.
Another year of experience and some of these guys from last year will blossom.
I think Kautoga, Ionghi, Smith, TDS, Guymer, Tuivati will all be better again this year.
I know having spoken to some of the players last year at the KTM was the feeling in the club and the coaching was chalk and cheese...
 

emjaycee

Coach
Messages
15,164
Hahahaha sorry I had a very, very rare sleep in. Same person from inside the club shared this as things I have shared previously.

I’ll do my best to remember as I had a thousand beers yesterday. Should have not put my Ring cameras on mute lol.

Feedback I got was a lot of frustration between the playing group and Jim CEO, Mon, Ben Rogers is it?, and some other guy from R&R.

Matto has openly told pretty much anyone that he is “collecting his paycheque”. He is not necessarily seen as disliked as he gives the impression of caring more about family and his devotion to religion. Massively upsetting to hear we waste a top 30 spot in him though.

Mitch Moses is intense, like really intense internally. Was told he was picked because he is our best player, not because he is our best leader. In fact, far from it.

Moses is apparently VERY pissed off with the club atm. We have got “a shitload of cap space” but I was told we haven’t even come close to landing one. The only thing of note we’ve really landed was Pezet who is a rookie and gone after his learning year with the club.

An example I was told was when Talagi was being courted to stay, we rolled out Steve Ella. The comment was no disrespect to Steve Ella, but Talagi didn’t even know who he was, let alone admired him. Penrith rolled out Nathan Cleary and it was a no contest!

We have this new super impressive training facility and wonderful setup, loads of cap, great brand but I was told “no one wants to come to Parramatta”.

The thought from the playing group is one of frustration and anger around the squad and depth. There have been times when they finish training and all put their hands in and say “1,2,3 f**k Jim!”. I can only assume this is not around JR but I didn’t ask.

Ryles plays an extremely structured footy and outgoing players have openly criticised the lack of “off the cuff” footy with offloads. Dylan Brown despite getting a massive offer was not enjoying the style of football much. Carty has been very open with his criticism of the teams style. My comments to this was the older style of footy won us nothing and we agreed.

There is a school of thought we are effectively playing a very Melbourne style without the cattle to make it effective. I’m told that’s the thought from Moses and a couple senior players.

I am not implying they are unhappy under Ryles, that’s not was not what was said to me I want to be clear on that. In fact the feedback was the “footy culture” seems really good. But there is significant disharmony between the playing group and Jim and Co.

Players are concerned about the impression people aren’t lining up to knock on our door. None of the Melbourne players had any interest in us with the Lomax swap.

This could absolutely be Juniors last season, but he may go another one. Apparently BA is still a “fatherly figure” to Junior and they talk every day. There is a thought BA will take him wherever he is in an immediate coaching capacity. I believe this will be a huge opportunity missed if it happens.

I was told Gutho absolutely hates Parra now. He has told others he will not have anything to do with the club post football which although I’m not a huge fan of him personally he was our best player for a very long time. He is far from a leader though but I had suspected that. There is a school of thought he should have been playing centre and at the same time been able to turbocharge Ionghi’s development whilst finishing as a Parra legend, that’s all gone now.

The comments to me are that we don’t really have any legends of the club that are relevant. We have Cayliss, Burt, etc but they are hardly considered legends of the game broadly speaking and even Hindy never won a competition. We just don’t have the strategy or firepower.

I’m sure there is more stuff I’ll remember but wanted to share. I’ve tried to seperate my opinions for another post and keep this as close to how it was said to me directly.

Hope you guys bloody appreciate this effort during my headache lol.
Great insights. Thanks for sharing.
 
Messages
3,486
Are you suggesting I am fabricating the story from a fictional person I’ve shared information from roughly 12months ago that held true?
No…why would u say that, I certainly didn’t, my point is the person you spoke to was so open, me not knowing his connection to club if any, relax man
 

JokerEel

Referee
Messages
20,238
Don’t you dare call me a QLD’er you merkin.

PS J’Maine was explicitly mentioned as a player quite unhappy at the moment.


He probably isn't happy when th Ryles as he has been told he is a front rower now not a ball playing lock...
He also would have seen how Penrith developed their players to win a premiership/s so not sure if he should be complaining about our recruitment.

Btw I think Hopgood could have a standout season after so many injury plagued seasons.
 

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
101,408
Jdb, seems intense too. Maybe a really good purchase for us
Something coaches value, and which isn't fully visible to outsiders just watching games and press conferences, is leadership in players. This explains why senior journeymen often fill depth spots instead of promising youngsters. A lot of these senior guys are huge contributors to team culture, even if they aren't stars on the field, or mincing around in front of press micophones.
 

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
101,408
He probably isn't happy when th Ryles as he has been told he is a front rower now not a ball playing lock...
He also would have seen how Penrith developed their players to win a premiership/s so not sure if he should be complaining about our recruitment.

Btw I think Hopgood could have a standout season after so many injury plagued seasons.
He had a massive 2023. It's kind of all been downhill from there, but in his current role he does a huge amount of defensive work in fairly limited minutes. He's a valuable member of our forward rotation.
 
Top