Hurriflatch
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well had typed this all up about 40 mins ago but the pile of C*** computer I have died in the A*** before I could post the topic so here goes again............
I've been thinking for the last few weeks what has happened to Parramatta and what can be done to turn things around?
Now to fully answer this question we must look at all the factors
1. Player turnover
Alright, it would seem that a lot of players who leave the Eels go onto bigger and better things at other clubs this is in it's own way true, however it is not a given that a player who leaves Parra automatically becomes a better player. Mark Tookey for example has been effectivly released by the Warriors only to get a repreive when Ali left and injuries hit.
Another good exmaple to look at is Brett Hodgson who has been on fire for the Tigers. When he was off contract at the end of 2003. He was asking for $220,000 no one here or a certain media personality thought he was worth that amount of money, nor did Brian Smith & Denis Fitzgerald at the time they were given plaudits for not giving into Brett's demands. The Tigers opted to take the risk at his best Hodgson is worth $220K but he hadn't been there since the 1st Origin of 2002 some 6 months prior to him signing with the Tigers.
Look at another Tiger, Jason Moodie he has signalled his intent to retire so there was no point in offering him a deal. He then doesn't get into the NSW Fire Brigade and needs work. The Tigers offer him a deal he jumps at the chance while his alternative is driving a truck in Newcastle. When he finally was signed by the Tigers. THe Eels already had Eric Grothe, Luke Burt, Matt Petersen, Wise Kativerata, Ashley Graham and Wade McKinnon as players on the books with 1st grade experience on the wing.
On the other side of the coin, The Eels have made some poor choices when he came off contract Ian Hindmarsh wasn't #1 priority by the time he was it was too late, he should have been to 1st player signed of those forwards coming off contract at the time he left.
2. Salary Cap
It has played a part, Parramatta by their success in turining around player's careers and developing young talent cannot afford to keep all the players at the club on the money they are worth. People claim the teams like Newcastle can keep these developed players together. One factor this is often missed. If a kid coming from the bush gets a place in Parranatta it is quite easy to commute to Moore Park or Cronulla for training. It is a lot more difficult to commute from Newcastle to Leichhardt or Penrith.
3. Injuires
Another factor yes all teams get them but since 2001 David Vaealiki, Jamie Lyon, Nathan Hindmarsh, Michael Vella, Nathan Cayless, Brett Hodgson, Adam Dykes and Luke Burt have spent considerable time on the sideline in many cases at the same time aswell doubling the impact of the injuries. This should not be used as the excuse as to why the team hasn't performed but MUST be given as a contributing factor.
4. Brian Smith
He has been here a long time, if he never came Hindmarsh, Cayless, Vaealiki, Graham and Witt may well not be the players they are today. He is still a very good coach but maybe he isn't the man Parramatta need, I'm not going to say either way should he stay or go but while not all the time he has done A LOT of good for this club.
Now, that we have had a look at the factors time for a soultion.
In the long term, there must be a reduction in the player turnover teams need time to gel this can be helped by jumping the gun on the youngests they have done this with Michael Witt signing him to a 4 year deal rather then giving him a 2 year deal to see how he develops they have jumped the gun and gotten ahead of the rush as he isn't on HUGE $$$ if someone was to happen (hoping it doesn't though) then it won't have a massive effect on the cap, while if Witt turns into the player many think he'll become then Parramatta will get a least a year out of Witt at bargin basement prices.
This MUST be continued with other talented kids heading the list (but not limited too) are Tim Smith, Ben Smith, Brett Anderson, Feleti MAteo, Jack Afamasaga and Jarryd Hayne.
IN the short term, there may not be too much that can be done 2004 may need to go down as a year to just build for the future. Take a leaf out of the Panthers books they won the spoon in 2001 and only improved a position or two in 2002 however they spent those years getting the likes of Joel Clinton, Rhys Wesser, Luke Lewis, TRent Waterhouse and Luke Rooney accostomed to the rigours of NRL football. Parramatta must do the same with the likes of the afore mentioned players. In in a year or two time watch them explode into a force.
Just a few thoughts....any opinions on thse thoughts
Genius or the ramblings of an idiot????
I've been thinking for the last few weeks what has happened to Parramatta and what can be done to turn things around?
Now to fully answer this question we must look at all the factors
1. Player turnover
Alright, it would seem that a lot of players who leave the Eels go onto bigger and better things at other clubs this is in it's own way true, however it is not a given that a player who leaves Parra automatically becomes a better player. Mark Tookey for example has been effectivly released by the Warriors only to get a repreive when Ali left and injuries hit.
Another good exmaple to look at is Brett Hodgson who has been on fire for the Tigers. When he was off contract at the end of 2003. He was asking for $220,000 no one here or a certain media personality thought he was worth that amount of money, nor did Brian Smith & Denis Fitzgerald at the time they were given plaudits for not giving into Brett's demands. The Tigers opted to take the risk at his best Hodgson is worth $220K but he hadn't been there since the 1st Origin of 2002 some 6 months prior to him signing with the Tigers.
Look at another Tiger, Jason Moodie he has signalled his intent to retire so there was no point in offering him a deal. He then doesn't get into the NSW Fire Brigade and needs work. The Tigers offer him a deal he jumps at the chance while his alternative is driving a truck in Newcastle. When he finally was signed by the Tigers. THe Eels already had Eric Grothe, Luke Burt, Matt Petersen, Wise Kativerata, Ashley Graham and Wade McKinnon as players on the books with 1st grade experience on the wing.
On the other side of the coin, The Eels have made some poor choices when he came off contract Ian Hindmarsh wasn't #1 priority by the time he was it was too late, he should have been to 1st player signed of those forwards coming off contract at the time he left.
2. Salary Cap
It has played a part, Parramatta by their success in turining around player's careers and developing young talent cannot afford to keep all the players at the club on the money they are worth. People claim the teams like Newcastle can keep these developed players together. One factor this is often missed. If a kid coming from the bush gets a place in Parranatta it is quite easy to commute to Moore Park or Cronulla for training. It is a lot more difficult to commute from Newcastle to Leichhardt or Penrith.
3. Injuires
Another factor yes all teams get them but since 2001 David Vaealiki, Jamie Lyon, Nathan Hindmarsh, Michael Vella, Nathan Cayless, Brett Hodgson, Adam Dykes and Luke Burt have spent considerable time on the sideline in many cases at the same time aswell doubling the impact of the injuries. This should not be used as the excuse as to why the team hasn't performed but MUST be given as a contributing factor.
4. Brian Smith
He has been here a long time, if he never came Hindmarsh, Cayless, Vaealiki, Graham and Witt may well not be the players they are today. He is still a very good coach but maybe he isn't the man Parramatta need, I'm not going to say either way should he stay or go but while not all the time he has done A LOT of good for this club.
Now, that we have had a look at the factors time for a soultion.
In the long term, there must be a reduction in the player turnover teams need time to gel this can be helped by jumping the gun on the youngests they have done this with Michael Witt signing him to a 4 year deal rather then giving him a 2 year deal to see how he develops they have jumped the gun and gotten ahead of the rush as he isn't on HUGE $$$ if someone was to happen (hoping it doesn't though) then it won't have a massive effect on the cap, while if Witt turns into the player many think he'll become then Parramatta will get a least a year out of Witt at bargin basement prices.
This MUST be continued with other talented kids heading the list (but not limited too) are Tim Smith, Ben Smith, Brett Anderson, Feleti MAteo, Jack Afamasaga and Jarryd Hayne.
IN the short term, there may not be too much that can be done 2004 may need to go down as a year to just build for the future. Take a leaf out of the Panthers books they won the spoon in 2001 and only improved a position or two in 2002 however they spent those years getting the likes of Joel Clinton, Rhys Wesser, Luke Lewis, TRent Waterhouse and Luke Rooney accostomed to the rigours of NRL football. Parramatta must do the same with the likes of the afore mentioned players. In in a year or two time watch them explode into a force.
Just a few thoughts....any opinions on thse thoughts
Genius or the ramblings of an idiot????
