Tim Mannah opens up on his worst year with the Eels: 2013
PARRAMATTA captain Tim Mannah remembers the dark times. The wooden spoons, boardroom unrest and the salary cap scandal. But nothing compares to the 2013 season.
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PARRAMATTA captain Tim Mannah remembers the dark times.
The wooden spoons, boardroom unrest and the salary cap scandal.
But nothing compares to the 2013 season.
“Half our squad got sacked and our coach (Ricky Stuart) walked out,” Mannah said.
“We just didn’t know whether there was any light at the end of the tunnel.
“A lot of the boys were in a bad head space at the time. That was a pretty challenging year.
“We just didn’t know where we were headed. A lot changed when (coach) Brad Arthur took over.”
And now Mannah will end his 2898-day playoff drought when he runs on to AAMI Park on Saturday against Melbourne Storm.
Ironically, it was the Storm who beat Mannah and his Eels in their last match on the NRL’s biggest stage, the 2009 grand final.
“It’s been a while, mate,’’ Mannah said.
“I’m told it’s one of the longest individual droughts.
“There were definitely some dark times and times when I had a few doubts.
“It’s nice to be playing some finals footy.
“We’re usually on Mad Monday right now.
“That grand final (in 2009) was in my first year. I remember thinking, ‘How good is this? We’ll play grand finals every year.’
“But it has been a long time since.
“A lot has gone on in that time, not just missing the finals.
“A lot has happened at the club, a lot of coaches and CEOs have come and gone.
“A lot of players have come and gone.
“Over the last 12 months, the boys have learned a lot of lessons off the field in terms of resilience. It really shaped our playing group.”
Mannah is the only Parramatta player who remains from the 2009 grand final side.
He helped launch the finals series at ANZ Stadium yesterday alongside rival skippers Cameron Smith (Storm), Jake Friend (Roosters), Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos), Paul Gallen (Sharks), Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles), Peter Wallace (Panthers) and Gavin Cooper (Cowboys).
“We’re definitely excited,’’ Mannah said. “I know the boys have enjoyed the season so far.
“Now we have put ourselves in this position, it’s important we make the most of it.
“We’re just excited to be playing footy at this time of the year.”
Mannah had special praise for Arthur.
“Since Brad came on board four years ago, the club has really changed direction,” he said.
“We knew we were headed the right way and that we were going to succeed.
“It was only a matter of time before we ended up where we are now. We have a lot of belief in our squad that we can have a real crack at it.
“There are lessons we have learnt along the way about how to handle big games.
“Brad has transformed the place from the top all the way to the bottom.
“He has the complete trust of the playing group.”
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