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Eels in the media

T.S Quint

T.S Quint

Coach
Messages
14,445
Noise said:
It’s spelt Tom Delonge
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Johnny88

Johnny88

Juniors
Messages
1,321

NRL 2025: Peter Sterling officially makes Parramatta Eels return​


Peter Sterling insists it isn’t a comeback. He has been in and around Parramatta since his retirement, attended the odd game and never stopped supporting the club.
However, it always felt like there was a barrier there, something stopping him taking on an official role with his beloved Eels.
Not any more though. The greatest player in Parramatta history has accepted an offer to take up a role as an ambassador of the Eels foundation, an organisation set up to help members, fans and partners invest in the long-term future of the club.
Parramatta announced the landmark occasion on Saturday afternoon with Sterling donning an Eels polo shirt and spruiking the club’s future.
If the video that accompanied the announcement was any indication, Sterling certainly seems ready to become more involved, although Parramatta will need to share him with travel plans and the golf course.


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“I am there supporting the club in this venture because I think it is something that is going to be good for everybody involved,” Sterling told Sunday Sesh.
“I have never gone anywhere. They don’t need me poking my head in too many places. I pick and choose my involvement with them and they are very happy with that.”
Eels chief executive Jim Sarantinos added: “I think it is symbolic of the fact he is still so heavily invested in the club and wants to see it succeed.
“It is nice to have him involved.
“He is a legend of the club, he is respected and admired by everyone.”
In recent weeks, Sterling has caught up with new coach Jason Ryles and spoken to some of the club’s players. He likes what Ryles has done in his short time in charge and has offered to be there if the rookie coach needs a chat.

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There are few better sounding boards in the game. Sterling was a genius as a player and brilliant during a long career with the Nine Network.
Those commentary duties perhaps explained why he kept his distance to an extent, allowing him to remain impartial despite never losing his love for the Eels.
He is now back – he insists he was never away – in an official capacity with the club for the first time anyone can remember.
“I think the foundation is something that is very good for the club, I had lunch with Jason and that was just a chat – I couldn’t have walked away more impressed,” Sterling said.

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“Couple of positive things in the last couple of weeks. It was very nice to have a meeting with Jason and find out what his plans are for the future and how he plans to get there.
“The main thing I want Jason to know – and he knows that after meeting the other day – is that I am 100 per cent behind him and if there is any reason he wants a chat I am only a phone call away.
“There is a real sense of optimism around the club with Rylesy coming in.”

 
Chipmunk

Chipmunk

Coach
Messages
17,365
Poupou Escobar said:
90% of the Matts squad will never get anywhere near first grade, and clubs accept this. By under 17s they would have a good idea which ones will and won't make it, but they still need a full squad. If you're picking Harold Matts kids you know will never play first grade you might as well pick the ones you know will play well against other 17 year olds. That means powerful kids who will run out of puff, not relentless toilers who will be overpowered from the first minute.

My point is that the demographic makeup of Harold Matthews will probably never match the demographics of the NRL. Though it potentially might one day, if they slow the game down enough.
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Surely though at some point in time the demographics of the Harold Matthews (and the Qld equivalent) have to make up the entire demographic of the NRL?

Otherwise, how are these other demographics not in this age group finding their way to the NRL?
 
Happy MEel

Happy MEel

First Grade
Messages
9,845
Johnny88 said:

NRL 2025: Peter Sterling officially makes Parramatta Eels return​


Peter Sterling insists it isn’t a comeback. He has been in and around Parramatta since his retirement, attended the odd game and never stopped supporting the club.
However, it always felt like there was a barrier there, something stopping him taking on an official role with his beloved Eels.
Not any more though. The greatest player in Parramatta history has accepted an offer to take up a role as an ambassador of the Eels foundation, an organisation set up to help members, fans and partners invest in the long-term future of the club.
Parramatta announced the landmark occasion on Saturday afternoon with Sterling donning an Eels polo shirt and spruiking the club’s future.
If the video that accompanied the announcement was any indication, Sterling certainly seems ready to become more involved, although Parramatta will need to share him with travel plans and the golf course.


View attachment 96654
“I am there supporting the club in this venture because I think it is something that is going to be good for everybody involved,” Sterling told Sunday Sesh.
“I have never gone anywhere. They don’t need me poking my head in too many places. I pick and choose my involvement with them and they are very happy with that.”
Eels chief executive Jim Sarantinos added: “I think it is symbolic of the fact he is still so heavily invested in the club and wants to see it succeed.
“It is nice to have him involved.
“He is a legend of the club, he is respected and admired by everyone.”
In recent weeks, Sterling has caught up with new coach Jason Ryles and spoken to some of the club’s players. He likes what Ryles has done in his short time in charge and has offered to be there if the rookie coach needs a chat.

View attachment 96655

There are few better sounding boards in the game. Sterling was a genius as a player and brilliant during a long career with the Nine Network.
Those commentary duties perhaps explained why he kept his distance to an extent, allowing him to remain impartial despite never losing his love for the Eels.
He is now back – he insists he was never away – in an official capacity with the club for the first time anyone can remember.
“I think the foundation is something that is very good for the club, I had lunch with Jason and that was just a chat – I couldn’t have walked away more impressed,” Sterling said.

View attachment 96656
“Couple of positive things in the last couple of weeks. It was very nice to have a meeting with Jason and find out what his plans are for the future and how he plans to get there.
“The main thing I want Jason to know – and he knows that after meeting the other day – is that I am 100 per cent behind him and if there is any reason he wants a chat I am only a phone call away.
“There is a real sense of optimism around the club with Rylesy coming in.”

Click to expand...
The fact that we haven’t had this kind of support from the old brigade speaks volumes. If this is the culture Ryles is building (and has done) I’m 100% on board. He’s already building an incredible squad, get the current squad to buy into the passion of those that have gone before them (and us merkins), and you have a recipe for success.
 
Poupou Escobar

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
91,047
Chipmunk said:
Surely though at some point in time the demographics of the Harold Matthews (and the Qld equivalent) have to make up the entire demographic of the NRL?

Otherwise, how are these other demographics not in this age group finding their way to the NRL?
Click to expand...
Because only a small subset of the Harold Matts comp (at any given point in time) will go on to join the NRL, and that subset isn't representative of the broader demographic makeup of Harold Matthews players. This is my point. The Harold Matthews players who don't go on to play NRL are demographically different to the ones who do.
 
R

RustedonEel

Juniors
Messages
128
Poupou Escobar said:
Because only a small subset of the Harold Matts comp (at any given point in time) will go on to join the NRL, and that subset isn't representative of the broader demographic makeup of Harold Matthews players. This is my point. The Harold Matthews players who don't go on to play NRL are demographically different to the ones who do.
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FFS, drop the "demographically different" woke crap and come out and say it. Islander kids are far more likely to progress from HM to the NRL than others.
 
Gronk

Gronk

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
77,398
Happy MEel said:
The fact that we haven’t had this kind of support from the old brigade speaks volumes. If this is the culture Ryles is building (and has done) I’m 100% on board. He’s already building an incredible squad, get the current squad to buy into the passion of those that have gone before them (and us merkins), and you have a recipe for success.
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I think it’s got more to do with Fat Tony trying to make moves on the club than Ryles TBH.

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I

Incorrect

Coach
Messages
12,595
It kind of feels like when Brian Smith came to the club. Like we've drawn a line in the sand and said something's gotta change, introducing a bit more professionalism.

I reckon Josh Hannay will have learned a lot watching what Ryles has done so far and will be better prepared when he applies for his next head coaching gig. Rather than be happy to keep the status quo somewhat and keep the same assistant's and staff like Hannay said he would, Ryles has come in and committed to doing a full reset.

It may not amount to anything but we certainly can't accuse Ryles of not shaking things up in an effort to turning things around.
 
Avenger

Avenger

Immortal
Messages
33,952
Incorrect said:
It kind of feels like when Brian Smith came to the club. Like we've drawn a line in the sand and said something's gotta change, introducing a bit more professionalism.

I reckon Josh Hannay will have learned a lot watching what Ryles has done so far and will be better prepared when he applies for his next head coaching gig. Rather than be happy to keep the status quo somewhat and keep the same assistant's and staff like Hannay said he would, Ryles has come in and committed to doing a full reset.

It may not amount to anything but we certainly can't accuse Ryles of not shaking things up in an effort to turning things around.
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The old regime certainly had its successes—BA, despite his flaws, delivered plenty of highs. But we pushed things so far that we were left trying to blend the skin after squeezing the lemon dry. Change was necessary, and like many others, I’m excited for what lies ahead. With that in mind, I’ll be renewing my membership and backing the future.
 
I

Incorrect

Coach
Messages
12,595
Avenger said:
The old regime certainly had its successes—BA, despite his flaws, delivered plenty of highs. But we pushed things so far that we were left trying to blend the skin after squeezing the lemon dry. Change was necessary, and like many others, I’m excited for what lies ahead. With that in mind, I’ll be renewing my membership and backing the future.
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Yep, I'm not downplaying some of the stuff BA brought to the club but the lemon was squeezed completely dry and there were some really questionable goings on towards the end of his tenure.

Looking forward to a new era under Ryles.
 
Poupou Escobar

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
91,047
RustedonEel said:
FFS, drop the "demographically different" woke crap and come out and say it. Islander kids are far more likely to progress from HM to the NRL than others.
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Didn’t some merkin say there was a greater percentage of Pacific Islanders in the junior reps than in the NRL? That would mean they are less likely to progress to the NRL, even if they are far more likely than other kids to make the Harold Matts squad.
 
hineyrulz

hineyrulz

Post Whore
Messages
153,432
Incorrect said:
Yep, I'm not downplaying some of the stuff BA brought to the club but the lemon was squeezed completely dry and there were some really questionable goings on towards the end of his tenure.

Looking forward to a new era under Ryles.
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The lemon was completely bald by the end.
 
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