Dean Ritchie , Daily Telegraph
It is the coaching application rugby league legend Brett Kenny hopes can help Parramatta return to the Promised Land.
Kenny formally submitted an employment resume to Parramatta’s seven-member board on Monday seeking to join the Eels staff next season as an assistant coach.
News Corp has obtained a copy of Kenny’s application which claims he “can make a significant impact to the performance of the NRL side”.
“I strongly believe I can grow and build the Parramatta Eels into a highly successful organisation. I strongly believe with my playing experience, achievements and qualifications I can make a significant impact on the performance of the Parramatta Eels and have a positive impact on the culture of the organisation.”
The 60-year-old, who won four premierships at Parramatta, hopes he can secure a dual role which includes being a junior development officer.
“This is an area I believe requires enormous attention,” he wrote.
Kenny addressed his application to Eels football club chairman, Sean McElduff, and Parramatta Leagues Club president, Greg Monaghan.
A former Golden Boot winner, Kenny listed his extensive achievements as a player for Parramatta, City, NSW, Australia and Wigan. Parramatta’s massive supporter base has always loved and respected Kenny.
Kenny confirmed his application to the board when contacted on Tuesday and revealed how he could make a difference at the Eels.
Parramatta’s coaching staff has been under pressure but a month-long losing stretch ended with victory over North Queensland last weekend.
Kenny stressed he was not trying to dislodge head coach Brad Arthur and just wanted to help the club with his expertise and knowledge.
“I played at Parramatta for 13 years and won four premierships. That’s why people know me – because of the club. It’s been a long time now since the club won a premiership. I’m not saying if I’m there that will happen, but I’d like to make some improvements,” said Kenny.
“Maybe they could make some changes and I’d like to help out. It may work out, it may not – but you won’t know unless you try.
“I think I could give them more structure in defence. I don’t think these guys realise where they’re going wrong and, in attack, how to utilise certain players. There are guys there I think could be utilised a bit differently.
“Look at the top coaches who have been there a long time. They constantly change their staff. They don’t have the same people there for five, six years in a row. This is what Parramatta has to possibly look at.
“I’m quite happy to be an assistant coach and see how things work and work with the club and head coach, see how everything operates and learn.
“The ultimate goal is to win a premiership. Everyone wants a premiership – they don’t just want to make the finals. I don’t know why but they seem to drop off at the back-end of every season.
“We won four of the five grand finals we played back in the 1980s, so I think everyone was spoilt. Everyone thought it would keep going and then all of a sudden it stopped.
“Eels supporters are now saying this has been too long and we need to get back and start winning some premierships. I will wait and see the board’s response.”
Parramatta will play finals football again this season but will likely miss a top-four spot after a wonderful start to the season.
Unbelievably, Kenny scored two tries in three successive grand finals during 1981, 1982 and 1983. He was included in the NRL’s Team of the 1980s and is a Hall of Fame inductee.
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