https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/ee...to-review-nightmare-year-20180606-p4zjuv.html
Eels board calls emergency talks to review nightmare year
Parramatta have called a snap board meeting to review the disastrous start to the season and a football department that is understaffed compared to the pacesetters of the NRL competition.
Eels directors will convene on Thursday to discuss the club’s plight after posting just two wins all season to languish in last position. The meeting will determine the nature and scope of a review into the blue and golds – a team many expected to be premiership contenders after a top-four finish last season.
The dramas seemingly haven’t ended for the Eels on and off the field during a forgettable season. The board will gather to discuss a raft of issues, including whether the football department needs an overhaul. Parramatta CEO Bernie Gurr indicated a review of the club will be fast-tracked after the disastrous 30-4 loss to Newcastle, with directors to consider whether it is conducted internally or via an independent consultant.
The Eels are operating without a head of football – Gurr currently holds that role – and there is a feeling that coach Brad Arthur has too much on his plate. It’s estimated that Parramatta are operating on a football department staffing number of 24 after the recent addition of assistant coach David Kidwell. It’s understood this pales in comparison with the top sides. Defending premiers Melbourne are believed to have a staff list of 35, one more than the Roosters.
There is pressure to cut costs after the Eels splurged $22 million on football spending over the past two years, the most of all NRL clubs.
One thing everyone at the club will likely agree on is that the playing roster needs an overhaul. An Eels official player agents on Wednesday afternoon asking for their off-contract lists for 2019-20.
Eels playmaker Corey Norman is on the outer, but it remains to be seen whether another club will make a play before his contract expires at the end of next year. If he again steps out of line – he was pinged for breaking protocols and drinking while carrying a soft-tissue injury – his contract will likely be torn up.
The pressure is on Arthur after the disappointing year, but there is a feeling he has earned the right to see out his contract, which expires in 2019, after steering the Eels through the salary-cap debacle.
The spotlight isn’t just on the football club. Parramatta chairman Max Donnelly wrote to members about the process of constitutional reform for the leagues club. A previous attempt to change the constitution last year didn’t have the support of the members and Donnelly will hold an information session at the Parramatta Novotel on June 21 to get feedback on his latest proposal.
The main change will be that previous Eels directors will again be eligible to stand for election, opening up the prospect of a return from the likes of Roy Spagnolo and Denis Fitzgerald.
In a rare piece of good news, Kane Evans won’t have to front a NSWRL judiciary hearing.
Evans was set to defend himself against allegations he delivered a racial slur against Warriors back-rower Joseph Vuna, who made a complaint to referees during the Intrust Super Premiership encounter at ANZ Stadium. However, the complaint has been withdrawn.
