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Eels look to build a dynasty
Where others might see vulnerability, Parramatta head of football Mark O’Neill sees only opportunity.
In concert with coach Brad Arthur, O’Neill is the man charged with piecing together the Eels’ roster for next season, leaving him to wade through a host of players coming off contract.
Among them are some of the most prominent names at the club — the likes of Clint Gutherson and Mitchell Moses. Big names who are likely to attract big offers should they maintain their form and remain on the market.
In Gutherson’s case, his agent suggested last week there were already clubs hovering around and ready to swoop. O’Neill doesn’t appear concerned. He has been in regular contact with Gutherson and remains confident the club captain wants to stay.
“I would respectfully disagree about being in a vulnerable position,” O’Neill said.
“I think we are in a position where we can make decisions based on their objective merits. We are not in a position where we need to be rushed as such.
“We have our 2019 roster locked in. Now we can be strategic. There is a lot happening under the surface. I wouldn’t suggest we are vulnerable at all.
“I would think it is a good opportunity and we have a chance over the coming years to build an exciting roster — one the fans are excited about.”
Gutherson’s agent appeared to put a gun to the club’s head when he suggested the Eels had until the end of this week to make their captain a decent offer.
“Gutho is a fantastic bloke, a fantastic talent, influential. He displays all the behaviour of a professional footballer and what we want at Parramatta,” O’Neill said.
“He is our captain and we believe in him. We see him as the future here — nothing has changed. There are no two ways about it.
“He presents that he is happy and comfortable.
“I talk regularly with Gutho about various things — not always his contract.
“But he is always kept in the loop and I have the utmost respect for him.”
As for Moses, O’Neill has a relationship with the Eels No 7 stretching back to their time together at Wests Tigers. He, like everyone else at the club, has seen a significant change in Moses over the off-season.
“Yeah, I do. I do want him to stay,” O’Neill said.
“I can’t see his best years of football being behind him, same with Gutho. Mitchell is only relatively young — he is 24.
“In terms of the off-season he has had, he has been fantastic in terms of putting his hand up, seeking feedback and asking for more.
“He has shown a level of emotional intelligence and self-awareness that I think is inspiring really.
“Pressure comes with that position to a degree.
“Pressure is part of the game and that’s why they enjoy that — it comes in that position. Mitch has made a lot of personal sacrifice in the off-season.
“It has been a change to him and what he has done previously.
“I have known him since he was a kid.
“This off-season there has been a hell of a lot of positive steps … to concentrate on footy and really apply himself.”
O’Neill has other concerns beyond those two. Aside from Gutherson and Moses, Tim Mannah, Brad Takairangi, Michael Jennings and Tepai Moeroa are off contract while Daniel Alvaro has an option for next season.
The other pressing matter is the future of teenage five-eighth Dylan Brown, who has another year remaining on his contract but will be free to talk to rival clubs from November 1.
The Eels want to upgrade and extend Brown as a matter of urgency. O’Neill has work to do but he insists there is no need to panic.
“The philosophy is sometimes it takes a bit of time to get a plan in place,” O’Neill said,
“We have a lot of local talent as well. We want our kids and our players to aspire to be Eels players. I don’t think there is a sense of immediate urgency.
“I am of the understanding that if any of the players are going to be shopped or taken anywhere they will speak to us.
“I trust the managers on that. I certainly have no reason not to, particularly after my dealings with them over the years.
“We have to make the right decisions based on the right reasons.”
