Despite copping a string of losses on and off the field, Parramatta CEO Paul Osborne has released a statement to club members today suggesting despite the negative headlines the Eels remain in good spirits.
While outsiders point to the poor form, CEO shoplifting allegations and distractions such as the Tahu situation – Osborne believes its business as usual in Parramatta.
Osborne penned the following letter to club members today:
Dear Members
I wanted to send this note to reassure you that while the team and coaching staff are disappointed at our recent record, the spirit within the camp is very good despite publicity to the contrary this week.
There are certainly no ongoing issues between Coach Daniel Anderson and Dally M winning fullback Jarryd Hayne. The Coach felt Jarryd did not play well against the Broncos and said so in the media conference. Jarryd was not on his own in that regard and Daniel specifically mentioned that he was probably trying too hard to spark something for the team. Unfortunately we are not responsible for how media organisations may interpret such comments or the headlines they put on their stories.
It is often said that the spirit of a team can be gauged by the attitude of its defence. The fact is we have conceded just five tries in the past three matches, despite two losses. The morale, and the closeness, of the team is first class and everyone in the club is united in wanting to turn the season around with better results in the coming weeks. Things will come good and we certainly have a team capable of going all the way this year.
All of us at the club were so appreciative that nearly 16,000 turned out for the 5.30pm clash with the Broncos on Saturday night and we hope that support will continue when we play the Cowboys on Monday week – when we celebrate the milestone of 250 first grade games which will be achieved by co-captain Nathan Cayless this weekend in Auckland.
As always, thanks for your continued support.
PAUL OSBORNE
CEO PIRTEK PARRAMATTA EELS
While the solid defence of the Eels is a positive, perhaps the heat from the media might see them play with more energy when they undertake a tough roadtrip to New Zealand this weekend.