Israel to Spark a Parramatta Renaissance

The Parramatta Eels are firming as a legitimate smokey for the 2013 Finals series with the impending arrival of superstar Israel Folau. If and when Folau signs, the Eels will become a serious threat in the National Rugby League.

With a new coach at the helm in Ricky Stuart and the appointment of Chief Executive Officer Ken Edwards, the Eels are finally getting their house in order.

Folau’s impending signing gives the Eels an added weapon in an already impressive backline that boasts Jarryd Hayne, Willie Tonga and Chris Sandow. All three men had disapointing 2012 campaign’s through injury and poor form but will be hoping for a change of fortunes heading into the new year.

Coach Stuart will be happy with the depth developing at Parramatta Stadium too with a number of talented rookies hungry for selection.

Cheyse Blair, Ryan Morgan, Jake Mullany and Taniela Lasalo head a long line of youngsters that will push for selection throughout 2013.

Folau wont be the monster he once was immediately. But the fact the Eels have seemingly got their man shows that big things are just around the corner for the once mighty club.

“He is a product of western Sydney and I can’t see a better fit than him joining Parramatta,” Stuart told The Daily Telegraph on Friday.

“Israel is from the west and that’s where he wants to play his rugby league, with his mates. He is very passionate about playing rugby league for Parramatta.

“Parramatta fans have had a couple of dull years so it’s my job to improve every player in the team and, with Israel there, that will help that happen rapidly. Israel wants to be at Parramatta and we want him to be an Eel. That’s the great thing” Stuart said.

“We are doing everything in our power to make him an Eel and everything we have done has been in consultation with the NRL.”

But the real sticking point for Parramatta fans is whether Stuart can get the best out of enigmatic playmaker Chris Sandow. The former Rabbitoh is the key to everything.

Historically, halfbacks have not faired well under Stuart’s guidance. If Sandow can hit the ground running in 2013, much of the pressure on Folau and Hayne will be lifted and free them to play their natural games.

With the Penrith Panthers recruiting impressively for 2013 and a new start for the Wests Tigers, it seems things are looking up for rugby league in Sydney’s west.

Let the good times roll.

 

Possible 2013 Parramatta Side:

1  Jarryd HAYNE, 2 Ken SIO, 3 Willie TONGA, 4 Israel FOLAU, 5 Jacob LOKO, 6 Luke KELLY, 7 Chris SANDOW, 8 Tim MANNAH, 9 Matt KEATING, 10 Fui Fui MOI MOI, 11 Ben SMITH, Matt RYAN, 13 Reni MAITUA. Bench 14 Darcy LUSSICK, 15 Mitch ALLGOOD,  16 Joseph PAULO, 17 Ben ROBERTS.

A Sticky Kiss of Death

Ricky Stuart’s tenure as coach of the Parramatta Eels has officially begun with sessions held this week in Sydney’s Golden West. A new era is here for the Eels and their fans. But if history is anything to go by, Chris Sandow should be shaking in his boots.

The long line of playmakers that have fallen by the wayside under Stuart is scary. Whether it be via an early release, poor off-field behaviour or simply not getting along. There is something awfully shady about Stuart and his history with halfbacks.

From his time at the Sydney Roosters and the Cronulla Sharks, things never seem to work out for the sixes and sevens.

Things had been prickly for a long time between Stuart and then Cronulla Sharks captain Brett Kimmorley when Ricky joined the Sharkies back in 2007.

Despite having won a premiership with the Melbourne Storm and leading Cronulla to the Grand Final qualifier in 2008 under Stuart, Kimmorley was shown the door in favour of Trent Barrett.

Stuart tried to explain himself in an article for The Telegraph back in 2009.

“I learnt that Kimmorley was not a big-match player – not the kind who can get you over the line in big games, like Andrew Johns or Darren Lockyer. And I knew that when I later moved to Cronulla” Stuart said.

“We tried our best to work together, but it didn’t work.”

Remember that these were successful clubs. The Roosters had won a premiership under Ricky in 2002 and the Sharks had placed equal first in 2008. Yet he was still sacking guys. From Brett Kimmorley to Luke Dorn. It simply doesn’t matter who you are.

What does Stuart deep down really think of Sandow and the Eels than?

Sandow is on a huge contract and was miserable this season for his new club. The guy is missing plenty of things that Ricky requires. The diminutive halfback has to start from scratch and play for Ricky or risk being booted out the backdoor.

Stephen Kearney tried to change him and failed. How is the new coach going to do it?

Stuart is probably best just punting him altogether and finding someone else.

Even after he has left a club, his fingerprints are there for all to see.

After being sacked from the Sydney Roosters at the end of 2006, bad things continued to happen at Bondi.

Craig Wing quickly turned his back on the club to join rivals South Sydney and Brett Finch asked for a release to join the Eels. Jamie Soward was sacked in 2007 after 22 games too.

Sharks’ halves were not safe even after Stuart had stood down in 2010.

Scott Porter was released from the club in 2011 after 22 games and Albert Kelly has since been given the flick from both the Sharks and the Newcastle Knights.

“I am really looking forward to it [training]” Ben Roberts told The Sunday Telegraph on the weekend.

“It will give us a taste of what life will be like under Ricky and allow us to think about that over the off-season and prepare.

“We didn’t have a great season and we want to do everything we can to turn it around. I honestly think we did pretty well towards the end of the season and we stuck together as a group.

“We want to make amends for the season and we are looking forward to getting stuck into it with Sticky.”

Don’t get too comfortable, Ben. You’re on the chopping block too.

Playmakers under Stuart

Roosters 2002-2006

Paul Green 2002:  Injured knee Round 1 and did not return at the Roosters

Justin Holbrook 2002: 4 games and never seen again

Sam Obst 2002: 7 games over 2 years before leaving for the UK

Craig Wing 2002-2007: Returned to Souths in 2007

Brett Finch 2003-2007: Asked for a release to join Parramatta

Luke Dorn 2004: 1 game before leaving for the UK

Brett Firman 2005: Released after 4 games to join North Queensland

Jamie Soward 2005-2007: 22 games before being released

Josh Lewis 2006: 12 games before being released

Sharks 2007-2010

Adam Dykes 2007: 1 year under Stuart before leaving for the UK

Brett Kimmorley 2007-2008: Left for the Bulldogs after plenty of issues with Stuart

Brett Seymour 2007-2009: Sacked after a string of alcohol fuelled incidents

Anthony Watts 2007: 5 games before being released for disciplinary reasons

Blake Green 2008-2009: Joined the Bulldogs after only 19 games

Brett Kearney 2008-2009: Suffered injury Round 1 2009 before leaving for the UK

Trent Barrett 2009-2010: Retired in 2010 despite pleas from the Sharks to play on

Scott Porter 2009-2010: Released in 2011 after 22 games

Albert Kelly 2010: Released from both the Sharks and the Knights

Tim Smith 2010: Axed to NSW Cup shortly after signing

Parramatta Eels Season 2012

Parramatta Eels

Growth: 7%

Respect: 12%

　

The Eels have had yet another disastrous season with poor form leading to the sacking of coach Stephen Kearney, recruits underperforming and another wooden spoon for the trophy cabinet.

There is light at the end of the tunnel though with plenty of youth getting a chance in 2012.

Cheyse Blair, Ken Sio, Joseph Paulo and Ryan Morgan are just a few of the rookies that have been blooded this year. Can new coach Ricky Stuart get the best out of these kids?

　

Player of the Year: Nathan Hindmarsh

When the tough times hit, which is quite a lot for the Eels, Nathan Hindmarsh is there toiling away. The legendary backrower might be retiring this season, but his performance or work rate haven’t dropped whatsoever.

The Eels will be hoping to send Nathan out on a victory this coming Sunday against the Saints. Whether they will or not is an entirely different story.

　

Disappointment of the Year: Stephen Kearney/Chris Sandow

The young coach came to Parramatta with fantastic credentials and a reputation as the next big thing in coaching circles. Unfortunately for both Kearney and the Eels, things didn’t work out.

The relationship simply didn’t work. Kearney wanted to play a certain style and the players refused. 

Plenty has been said of Chris Sandow this year and its fair enough considering the coin the little halfback is on. 2013 is make or break for Sandow and if he doesn’t deliver, Ricky Stuart will show him the door. 

　

FootySocial.com.au Player of the Year Points (With a round to play):

Nathan Hindmarsh 35

Jarryd Hayne 18

Chris Sandow 14

Reni Maitua 14

Tim Mannah 11

Fui Fui Moi Moi 9

Cheyse Blair 4

Matt Ryan 4

Luke Kelly 2

Jake Mullaney 2

Ben Roberts 2

Mitchell Allgood 1

Ryan Morgan 1

Joseph Paulo 1

　

Rookie of the Year: Cheyse Blair

Win of the Year: Eels 42 def. Broncos 22 @ Suncorp Stadium, Round 21

2012 Team of the Year

1 Jarryd Hayne

2 Ken Sio

3 Cheyse Blair

4 Ryan Morgan

5 Luke Burt

6 Ben Roberts

7 Chris Sandow

8 Tim Mannah

9 Kris Keating

10 Fui Fui Moi Moi

11 Nathan Hindmarsh

12 Joseph Paulo

13 Reni Maitua

Stalling Is Hurting The Blues

New South Wales Rugby League general manager Geoff Carr is now prepared to do a back flip and allow a club coach to lead the NSW Blues State of Origin side.

Everyday this thing lingers, the further away Paul Gallen is from holding up the shield in 2013.

So why hasn’t he already re-signed new Parramatta Eels mentor Ricky Stuart?

“I’m contacting everybody that has been speculated on in the media or otherwise as a prospective NSW coach” Carr told AAP on Thursday.

“So then I can come up with a definitive list of who the board should be considering.

“Before the board can consider any of these people, they’ve at least got to know whether they’re interested in the job.

“So I’m trying to work through all those people and contact them in person about issues around Origin coaching.”

Stuart has already laid the groundwork and has the Blues on the brink of an historic series victory.

With the pressures and time needed to turn Parramatta’s fortunes around, people might wonder if Ricky can do both successfully.

Indigenous All-Stars and Country Origin coach Laurie Daley has firmed as a favourite for the job if it was to be given to someone outside of club land.

Canterbury Bulldogs assistant Jim Dymock, City coach Brad Fittler and Blues assistant Trent Barrett have also been bandied around.

The fact is the Blues start again if they go away from Stuart.

Blues icon Phil Gould believes club coaches are the best choice.

“I’m not telling the NSW Rugby League who to pick, I’m just saying if the current model excludes coaches like Ricky Stuart, Des Hasler and John Cartwright, then I suggest the model needs to be looked at” Gould told the media on Thursday.

”The model was created to get Ricky into the job … they did a study and decided it had to be a non-club coach. [But] I don’t know if the model is right if those blokes can’t be considered.

”The other three or four candidates they’ve got – Laurie Daley, Brad Fittler, Trent Barrett, Jim Dymock – these are all non-NRL coaches.

“I’m just saying it’s a huge ask on those boys, to be thrown into that sort of arena. It’s a pretty daunting exercise.”

Realistically, Stuart should be able to come into camp prior to the games and have everything waiting for him. The youth camps, bonding sessions and everything else that comes with this great concept can be handled by the other candidates. Make them all assistants.

None of those men will turn down an assistants position to help the cause. Stuart can give them notes and off they go. When game time comes around, Ricky wouldn’t have a worry about preparations. He can simply coach.

The decision needs to be made now and give Stuart the chance to concentrate on Parramatta until the time comes to bring the shield back to New South Wales in 2013.