MondayProbably already been mentioned, when does pre season start? Can't wait, hope the boys are ready to rip in
1978 really for me. I think the BA years get a pass mark, overall.I have been a fan since 1975. I agree with Gronk, for the most part the BA years were good for Parra when you look at the long dark years of 1987 to 1997 and 2010 to 2015.
However, we may have snagged a comp if we were better coached.
The 98 semi, 01 GF and 05 Cows choke are the top 3. Toss a coin for the worst, fmd as Eels fans we’ve to put up with some quality gastric infested shit over the years.
I enjoyed the BA era for the most part. We had some very good years, won a lot of games. Yes, there were quite a few terrible losses, but mostly we were good enough to be a chance of winning every game we played. I was optimistic and hopeful. Even these last two years where we weren’t very good I was able to begin the year with a feeling that we might do well.
The 3-4 years before then I could not say the same. Also the early to mid 90s.
I am interested to hear from others who are old enough to have enjoyed the 4 GF wins in the 80's and the the drought that followed.
Just a simple observation from my POV, and certainly no fault on you, but the Brad Arthur era was a tropical island holiday compared to previous years.
No I am not being a hugger. Well, others will determine if I am or not.
You can still be small and yet be useful in today's game. Just have to be strong and/or fast.
To'o and Papenhuyzen are small but are great players.
Or the coaching and tactics were getting very stale. We have to consider that even if we don't agree with it.In 2023 we were f**ked by injuries/suspensions. This year we were just f**ked. It wasn’t helped by a couple of key injuries, but most of our senior players had career worst seasons. Were they underprepared or are they just too old? We might find out in 2025. It’s very exciting.
That is a good point, actually.We didn’t have a suitable replacement for him at fullback during those times. Now he isn’t even first choice fullback.
None of what you just said had anything to do with what I posted.The BA era is 6/11 years of no finals so less the 50%. With 16 sides for most part that's below average.
His finals record was he only managed once to get to the last the last 4. I reckon lucky also as Storm,SouthsRoosters where all depleted. We still where beaten 13+ twice in the final series.
People seem to forget we had a spine of Gutherson,Brown,Moses,Mahoney and NSW props Jnr and RCG. It was a dam good side. Nothing special about getting to the last 6 sides with those players. We where in a 4yr premiership window yet only once into a preliminary.
Brian Smith era was far far superior. He managed to get sides of no names to perform. That 2000 side where basically kids. They pushed the Broncos in the finals. 2001 they had 3 x NSW cup players in JT, Beautner and B.Drew in the spine yet he managed to turn it into a gun side.
BA was BOG AVERAGE.
None of what you just said had anything to do with what I posted.
Coaching means preparation, which I already mentioned. As for stale tactics, they changed significantly in 2019 and again in 2023. They shouldn’t change too often unless you’re turning over your roster.Or the coaching and tactics were getting very stale. We have to consider that even if we don't agree with it.
Coaching means preparation, which I already mentioned. As for stale tactics, they changed significantly in 2019 and again in 2023. They shouldn’t change too often unless you’re turning over your roster.
To be clear I'm not knocking the kid before he’s played a game. Thurston was probably too small too…You can still be small and yet be useful in today's game. Just have to be strong and/or fast.
To'o and Papenhuyzen are small but are great players.
Analed by changing tactics, poor BA.Tactics just keep changing
Poor BA