They're definitely a better team on paper than they are on the standings. Either the system he was running with that team didn't suit them, or they just tuned him out. I haven't seen heaps of Eels games this year, but it seemed like they just weren't giving it their all (except obviously Hindy).
He is the Kiwi coach isn't he? Not nearly the same as getting the out of non-rep stars week in week out though.
Whoever they get long term needs to foster some kind of relationship between Sandow and Haynes. Its obvious, but those two need to fire for Parra to win. Also a Hindmarsh replacement would be handy. That should be easy right? I mean workhorse forwards just grow on trees don't they?
He ran heavy structure on a team that played excellent ad-lib footy when it was somewhat constrained (unconstrained was 2010). They went from (what i assume were) the most offloads in the comp to the least. You don't put a leash on Hayne and Sandow or you end up with a lot of what was delivered this year. When they played well it was when they pretty much went "fuck it" and did what they wanted.
Kearney is the Kiwi coach, but he's not very good at it. Look at their recent perfomances. The only time they were doing really well was when Kearney had the assistance of Bennett.
I agree that getting the Hayne and Sandow combination going would be ideal, while it is obvious. Kelly will fit in nicely too I think, he's proving to be the organiser that Sandow really isn't. When they all work together and centres Blair and Morgan can be the menace to the opposition as they have been lately, and when Loko returns and improves his defense, I think they can be dangerous. I leave Willie Tonga out of the centres because I think he's overrated and hasn't impressed me at all this year.
The only signings for next year are Darcy Lussick and Daniel Harrison from Manly. I think they could turn out to be some good buys, their best years are ahead of them and they could very likely impress. They won't replace Hindy of course, hell, the only other player with a work-rate like him is Shaun Fensom.
But seriously,
this try and
this try, (both from the same video but time linked) were incredible to say the least. Kelly and Sio were involved in both of them, great vision, great kicks, great catches, great tries.