This week, Mary Kaye from Ladies who League looks back at the Dyldam Parramatta Eels from Round 6 against the Gold Coast Titans at Pirtek Stadium.
For all the loyal fans of my weekly column (I do hope there are some of you out there), I know that you are all switched on enough to have worked out that when the Eels lose a game, I often do my very best to avoid talking about the subject. The jig is up, right?
There is good reason for this. It is because, as a fan, even though there are weeks where I am extremely disappointed with the way the team has performed on the field, I know that the players often feel this disappointment much deeper than I do. As clichéd as it sounds 'there is always next week' and I would prefer to be a fan that stays positive.
I am confident that despite the last two weekends, our boys can get things back on track. The season is still young and teams like the Cowboys have shown what a difference a couple of weeks can make.
Positivity does not mean that we, as fans, can't have open and honest dialogue about the way our team and our players are performing.
Saturday at Parramatta Stadium was extremely frustrating. It was extremely disappointing to lose at our fortress, Pirtek Stadium. It was extremely disappointing that the team on the field looked very different to the team that defeated the Rabbitohs two weeks ago. I'm struggling to understand why, but am sure the players and coaching staff are working hard to see us get back to our best.
However, at this point in the season, I am still quietly confident and pleased with the way the side has performed overall.
Before the season started, many experts doubted whether the Eels would even be able to compete without Jarryd Hayne. We have shown them that we can.
We have been absolutely monstered by injuries - Beau Champion, Semi Radradra, Brad Takairangi, Pauli Pauli, Ken Edwards and with Junior Paulo unavailable because of suspension, the side we are fielding is not our best. This means that as our players start to return from injury, we will be a much better side. There is so much to look forward to.
It's time to take a big breath, move past the loss against the Titans and look ahead to our test this Sunday against the Knights. The Knights have had an interesting start to the season. They came out firing and have struggled in recent weeks. The Knights will be looking at this weekend as an opportunity to get their season back on track and so will we.
This weekend, two of our favourite sons will also celebrate big milestones. Massive congratulations to our fearless captain, Tim 'Super' Mannah and our super halfback Chris 'Wow' Sandow who will each reach 150 NRL games this weekend. I will be looking to these two men to lead our team to victory this weekend.
To all the fans travelling to Newcastle, have a safe journey and wear your blue and gold with pride. Hopefully next week, I have a win and a winner's selfie to talk about!
P.S. A special mention to the half time entertainment at the game last weekend - I loved the dancing crocodiles!
