Wins Change Life For Brian
Sun Herald
Sunday September 25, 2005
BY his own players' admission, Parramatta coach Brian Smith is someone you either love or hate. And not so long ago, there was a lot of hate for the head Eel.
After securing just nine wins last season to slump to 12th on the ladder, Smith was feeling the heat. It must have felt like a blowtorch when the Eels began 2005 just as disastrously despite being armed with star recruits Timana Tahu, Mark Riddell and Glenn Morrison. The alarm bells were ringing when Parramatta were thumped 54-14 at Brisbane in round five their third loss in four games, including a 49-26 spanking by South Sydney. The inevitable calls for Smith's head began something his players haven't forgotten as the minor premiers prepare for their grand final qualifier against North Queensland today.Former Test forward Michael Vella said no matter what the result this weekend, his coach had already enjoyed the last laugh."When he's not going well people call for his head, but I guess he has got his own back," Vella said. Eels fans hungry for results resorted to booing their team off the field last year as Smith's men hit rock bottom. Smith vividly remembers a Parramatta Stadium groundsman quipping "hope you still have job after today" as the coach walked through the car park to a game. But skipper Nathan Cayless said their 2005 success had made up for those "dark days". "It's tough going through that but this makes it all worthwhile," he said.
© 2005 Sun Herald