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http://www.smh.com.au/news/lhqnews/...rramatta/2009/09/20/1253384903310.html?page=2
The 46 points that have fired up Parramatta
Jessica Halloran | September 21, 2009
A CONFIDENTIAL club blueprint has revealed what the Parramatta players believe are the key reasons behind the winning streak that has taken them to within one match of what had once seemed an unlikely berth in the grand final.
Passed to the Herald after Friday night's convincing semi-final win, the 46-point document lists what Daniel Anderson's men believe is behind their dramatic form reversal.
The document, which appears to be the result of a communal thinktank, shows how Anderson has employed psychological weapons to lift his team for the finals; it reminds them why they started winning, and details the characteristics of the players who have impressed.
Twenty reasons the Parramatta players believe they have been successful is listed under the bold heading: ''WHY HAVE WE STARTED WINNING?'' On the flip side, under the heading, ''CHARACTERISTICS OF THOSE THAT HAVE IMPRESSED'', is another list, spanning 26 points, that details the qualities of Parramatta's players.
The key reasons the Eels believe they started winning, in their own words, include:
Never dropped our heads, not far off winning but carried on working on the good things from previous weeks
Believed in each other, played for each other and had fun doing it
The way we trained since last November. It all came together on the field lately
Working for each other in 'D'
Training and practice was getting put to use on the field.
The sheet was distributed to the Parramatta players before kick-off last Friday. A lot of the factors cited focus on belief and commitment. Phrases such as ''putting the team first'' and ''everyone started doing the little things for each other'' are listed. ''Confidence'' and ''change of attitude'' also feature often.
Insiders believe Anderson has focused on the players' psychology to get them firmly believing in themselves - increasing confidence in their teammates' abilities and bringing them closer together.
Anderson, who started his coaching career guiding Parramatta's lower grades, took control of an underachieving Warriors side in 2001. By the end of his first season, they had made the finals for the first time, and the following year were in their first grand final.
After coaching the Warriors, Anderson moved on to take over English Super League club St Helens. Under his guidance, they won a grand final and three Challenge Cups. He was dubbed the club's greatest coach by chairman Eamonn McManus.
Parramatta won seven straight games to finish in the eight. They upset minor premiers St George Illawarra 25-12 in their qualifying final at Kogarah Oval. They dismissed the Gold Coast Titans last Friday night, and will now take on the Bulldogs this Friday night at ANZ Stadium.
It's a dramatic turnaround since the Eels finished 11th on the ladder last year, with the club embroiled in chaos on and off the field.
Halfback Brett Finch opted out of his contract citing irreconcilable differences, and said he wanted to go to the Storm to better his chances of winning a premiership. Chief executive Denis Fitzgerald was also dumped after a bitter and divisive battle for control of the boardroom.
A new chief in the form of Canberra great Paul Osborne has helped settle the club. In a recent interview Osborne pointed to Anderson's great communication skills and belief.
Fairfax columnist Phil Gould agrees, writing in his Herald column recently: ''The change in attitude? Well, the transformation in this side over the past three months has been nothing short of spectacular. Anderson has instilled a spirit and belief in his troops that has people thinking a premiership victory is not beyond the realms of possibility.''
One of the final points on the dossier makes it clear the players believe Anderson is responsible for guiding them to their current position. It reads: ''The way we trained since last November. It all came together on the field lately.''
That it has, and with two weeks to go, it's the strong belief in themselves that might just take Parramatta all the way to the NRL premiership.
I love you, man: The characteristics players admire in each other
IT SEEMS everyone has an opinion on NRL players but it's not often we get a glimpse of what they actually think about themselves.
On one side of the secret document distributed to the players before last Friday night's semi-final against the Gold Coast are the traits the Eels most admire in one another. There are 26 points under the heading: ''Characteristics of those that have impressed.''
So who is ''approachable and a freak''? Who is ''on fire, turned our season around''? Who has ''showed confidence and direction for the team''?
It would be tempting to answer ''Jarryd Hayne'' for all of the above. The players are not named but one man could embody many of the admired characteristics.
But many of the Eels players' notes could relate to captain Nathan Cayless, Nathan Hindmarsh, Fuifui Moimoi, Krisnan Inu, Luke Burt or young gun Daniel Mortimer.
Key phrases on the paper, which was passed to the Herald, include:
Copped flak but has responded to be an important member of the team
Tough character
Attitude has been team-oriented given such a great individual year
On fire, turned our season around
Runs hard, big heart
Worked hard to prove the doubters wrong
Showed confidence and direction for the team
Plays above his weight consistently
Running the ball without fear
Upped his game - relentless
Off-field attitude has changed
Showing maturity
Great control for the team.
There's a lot of talk about commitment to the team. Other notes praise those with natural ability and tough characteristics.
Whatever the Eels admire most about each other, it is clearly working for the betterment of the team.
