Major player cuts for the upcoming season are disclosed by Parramatta Eels NRL coach Ricky Stuart.
The victims were unaware of the largest clean-up in Parramatta’s history until they faced their executioner, even though it had been planned for a month.
The victims were unaware of the largest clean-up in Parramatta’s history until they faced their executioner, even though it had been planned for a month.
The squad received this week’s football department schedule last Friday, which contained the lone hint—a “team meeting” with coach Ricky Stuart was scheduled for this morning.
It is believed that thirty or so players showed up; they were divided into three groups: Maybe, No, and Yes.
According to The Daily Telegraph, seven players were informed that Stuart didn’t have them in his plans after this season, but five others might be given a pass if their play significantly improves by the end of 2013.
The most well-known individuals to receive the bad news were hooker Matt Keating, backrower Ben Smith, and co-captain Reni Maitua.
Willie Tonga, Ben Roberts, Luke Kelly, Cheyse Blair, Daniel Harrison, Nathan Smith, Pat O’Hanlon, and Matt Ryan were the other players who were read the riot act.
The Eels staff also saw a few players with red eyes leave the meeting.
Just three months ago, Maitua—who had signed a contract for another season—was chosen to take Jarryd Hayne’s place as the team’s on-field captain after he proved to be a father figure to the younger players.
He was reportedly considered one of the players, along with Keating, Ryan, and Tonga, who Stuart could still consider for 2014.
According to Eels insiders, Maitua was devastated to learn of the news this morning and felt he could miss tomorrow night’s game at home against the Roosters. Last night, he declined to comment.
However, people close to the second rower stated that he would undoubtedly take on the Roosters because he appreciated Stuart’s candor.
Smith was already having early conversations about calling it quits or capping his career in the UK.
Stuart did not answer his phone last night and was scheduled to be the guest of honor at Sony’s State of Origin corporate event at ANZ Stadium.
For several months, he has harbored grave concerns about the caliber of the playing roster that he took over from his predecessor, Steve Kearney.
According to Eels insiders, Stuart was prepared to cut things several times in an effort to start over and give the victims as much time as possible to rebuild their careers somewhere else.
The insider said, “But he kept giving them the benefit of the doubt—until Mudgee.”
At Mudgee, Parramatta played their final match of the season and gave their worst display of the year, losing 42-4 to the Gold Coast.
Stuart claimed that following the loss, a number of players weren’t up to NRL standards, but Eels CEO Ken Edwards was the one to provide an explanation for the exodus in a direct email to members yesterday.
Many of his employees were unaware of the development until shortly after lunch, when the email arrived in their inboxes.
Edwards wrote, “Today the Eels declare enough is enough.” “Some of the players are off-contract at the end of this year and others are contracted until 2014, but have been told they are not part of the club’s plans moving forward and have been offered early releases.”
