Comments on: NRL 2009 finals week 3 preview and tips

By: Stephen Hill

Stephen Hill — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:04:02 +0000

Gee having to purge myself of decades of Eels animosity, being a Bulldogs supporter growing up dead smack in the middle of Parra’s fan base. In Year 4 my teacher (as a joke) tied me up with a tug-a-war rope and put a “Parra to win” badge on my school uniform – luckily a few days later I had the last laugh (and I didn’t half rub it in).

Gee it doesn’t seem that long ago that with schoolfriends their would be the endless bitching over which team was the “Team of the Eighties” – but then Parra went downhill for about a decade, and flattered to deceive early in the new millenium.

Still should I forgive, maybe a short-term truce, in 2011 a young Barba-Mortimer half combination might look good, so for young Daniel Mortimer’s sake I’ll barack for the Eels. And I guess I have to admit the Eels were the better team on Saturday, playing with the open-enterprising spirit of the Tigers of 05 (I think the Dogs lacked an explosive back-rower to seal the deal). But don’t make this a habit, unless you want to give us Mateo to replace Beastwood. Still a lot better than seeing the Roosters, the Broncos or even bloody Manly doing the lap of honour.

Also Hindmarsh probably deserves a GF ring.
The ghost of Paul Carige is laid to rest (not that I won’t bring it up in jest when I’m around Parramatta fans)

By: Mountain Boy

Mountain Boy — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 07:05:37 +0000

1998 lost preliminary final to Bulldogs
1999 lost preliminary final to Storm
2000 lost preliminary final to Broncos
2001 lost grand final to Newcastle
2002 lost semi-final to Broncos
2003 missed top 8
2004 missed top 8
2005 lost preliminary final to Cowboys
2006 lost semi-final to Storm
2007 lost preliminary final to Storm
2008 missed top 8

Not being an Eels fan, I was unaware of the litany of suffering thats taken place even since ’98. I’m sure if they win, lots of suffering and pain will be cured. Else – just more pain and suffering.

By: Mountain Boy

Mountain Boy — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:57:13 +0000

Might sound harsh on Cayless, but he will be a liability if he decides to play – he will have many times more chance of breaking down again than getting through the game. The smallest hamstring tear does not heal in a week – that is a fact. Contradictary statements earlier in the week saying it was only brusing and not a tear, and now saying the test later in the week will be whether it will “re-tear” ??!! – so I’m sure a tear it is. Taking 16 fit and 1 unfit into a Grand Final is not something to be toyed with. Once he broke down last week, it was clear to me, he wouldn’t be there on Sunday. I’m sure Parra are training as if he won’t be there – else they taking a massive gamble playing the sentiment card.

By: Mountain Boy

Mountain Boy — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 04:06:28 +0000

“thing” i think i meaned

By: Mountain Boy

Mountain Boy — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:48:19 +0000

Yes – there is one think guaranteed about weather forecasts, and that is, they offer no guarantees of it being correct.

By: Shaun

Shaun — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 06:52:29 +0000

…and afterwards clear skies of Blue and Gold.

By: Mountain Boy

Mountain Boy — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 06:19:03 +0000

An Omen?
-Weather forecasts predict Storm on Sunday

By: Mountain Boy

Mountain Boy — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:13:37 +0000

tickets to this year’s Grand Final thru ticketek – up to $165 each

tickets to this year’s Grand Final on Ebay – up to $500 or more each

tickets to this year’s Grand Final in the hands of a Golden-Blue blooded fan – priceless

By: Shaun

Shaun — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:15:36 +0000

Just scored two tickets to the GF in the mynrl.com 9:00pm allotment. Only 1000 were released and somehow Ticketek didn’t crash and I got through.

Oh, I’m excited.

By: Shaun

Shaun — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:33:09 +0000

MB, you are right that the Storm have been a nemesis of the Eels over the past few season. 1999 still stick in the mind and they bundled us out in 2006/2007. I’d say plenty of ammunition for us. And if you want to talk about chicken wings, well Cayless will tell you about one from playing the Storm a few years back.

And as for Finch, he is a sook. He was told, as were a few other Eels players, that their spot wasn’t guaranteed. He spat the dummy as he didn’t want to do the hard work. I’d say the Eels have a point to prove to Finch. That in the end, those that work hard and take the knocks will get the reward. Inu and Smith were also given the same ultimatum as Finch. They chose to stay, got dropped to the NSW cup and fought their way back into the side and are in great form. Finch is just lazy leeching off the good work of others.