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Parramatta Eels undeserving of Storm's premiership says Finch
By Christian Nicolussi
June 04, 2010 Just when Parramatta Eels fans thought they needed no extra ammunition ahead of tonight's clash with Melbourne Storm, Brett Finch declared: "You don't deserve our title."
The Storm, who play their first match on Sydney soil since their cap-rorting scandal stunned the league world and cost the club its 2007 and 2009 premierships, as well as any chance of playing for a competition point this season are expected to cop a deluge of abuse from angry Eels fans.
Parramatta chief executive Paul Osborne was forced this week to call for peace in the stands -- but Finch said nothing would upset the visitors. He went one further and said the hostility would only add to the theatre.
"What can they say that's worse than 'cheats'? We've heard it's going to be hostile and there will be posters and chants," Finch said.
"If anything, it makes it more exciting for us to play. We've got nothing to play for, so the better the atmosphere will only help us. It's actually quite funny at times to see how berserk fans get.
"I played for Parra, I know how passionate they are and understand why some of the fans are quite angry, but that's the way it goes and it's something we have to cop during the year.
"I don't think they deserve it (the 2009 premiership) but that's only my opinion, and people have their own opinions."
Finch said he was tempted to take $50 notes being waved in his face by Raiders fans during a pre-match warm-up last month, and yesterday said he would be happy to take Eels' fans donations.
"For us, we want to have fun with our footy and enjoy it, that's all we've got," Finch said.
"We've set a standard for ourselves, we don't want to tackle all game and want to play some decent footy. We all know what Parramatta did last year, they had a fantastic run towards the back end and what started it was a Monday night win against us.
"They always go well against us and it will be tough in tough conditions."
Melbourne fullback Billy Slater, like Finch, wasn't worried about the expected hostile reception from the crowd.
"They can't get out there and tackle you," Slater said.
"It's all words, isn't it? It can't hurt you too much.
"We'll worry about our own performance and preparation.
"Parra got beat 30-0 (by the Dragons) last week, so we're expecting them to try and turn their season around.
"They'd probably like to be playing better by this time of year, but they're still a great side -- they didn't make the grand final for no reason last year."
Source: http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,27222164-5018866,00.html
By Christian Nicolussi
June 04, 2010 Just when Parramatta Eels fans thought they needed no extra ammunition ahead of tonight's clash with Melbourne Storm, Brett Finch declared: "You don't deserve our title."
The Storm, who play their first match on Sydney soil since their cap-rorting scandal stunned the league world and cost the club its 2007 and 2009 premierships, as well as any chance of playing for a competition point this season are expected to cop a deluge of abuse from angry Eels fans.
Parramatta chief executive Paul Osborne was forced this week to call for peace in the stands -- but Finch said nothing would upset the visitors. He went one further and said the hostility would only add to the theatre.
"What can they say that's worse than 'cheats'? We've heard it's going to be hostile and there will be posters and chants," Finch said.
"If anything, it makes it more exciting for us to play. We've got nothing to play for, so the better the atmosphere will only help us. It's actually quite funny at times to see how berserk fans get.
"I played for Parra, I know how passionate they are and understand why some of the fans are quite angry, but that's the way it goes and it's something we have to cop during the year.
"I don't think they deserve it (the 2009 premiership) but that's only my opinion, and people have their own opinions."
Finch said he was tempted to take $50 notes being waved in his face by Raiders fans during a pre-match warm-up last month, and yesterday said he would be happy to take Eels' fans donations.
"For us, we want to have fun with our footy and enjoy it, that's all we've got," Finch said.
"We've set a standard for ourselves, we don't want to tackle all game and want to play some decent footy. We all know what Parramatta did last year, they had a fantastic run towards the back end and what started it was a Monday night win against us.
"They always go well against us and it will be tough in tough conditions."
Melbourne fullback Billy Slater, like Finch, wasn't worried about the expected hostile reception from the crowd.
"They can't get out there and tackle you," Slater said.
"It's all words, isn't it? It can't hurt you too much.
"We'll worry about our own performance and preparation.
"Parra got beat 30-0 (by the Dragons) last week, so we're expecting them to try and turn their season around.
"They'd probably like to be playing better by this time of year, but they're still a great side -- they didn't make the grand final for no reason last year."
Source: http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,27222164-5018866,00.html
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