Junior Paulo's attempt to placate Eels fans backfires

Open letters to fans from losing teams are nice and warm and fuzzy, delivered with a smile and promise of better days ahead.

They mean jack sh*t.

Believe me, I've been behind a few of them in my time.

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It's basically the same message repeated 15 different ways in an attempt to appease aggravated fans.

It goes down like Tabasco sauce on ice cream.

Parramatta's Junior Paulo is the latest to put his fingers – or, more likely, the media team's digits - to the keyboard to assure fans the 2021 campaign is not sliding into an abyss so wide the Ever Given could sail through it.

He wrote: "We are the same Parramatta team we were at the start of the season.

"We want to be able to give back to you, our supporters, and show we are a top four team and up for the challenge each and every week.

"We want to give you something to enjoy, something to believe in and look forward to.

"Yes we've had a rough patch of footy, but we do still have that fighting spirit."

The Eels have lost their last three games, conceding a total of 68 points in their past two defeats.

They will drop out of the top four for the first time this year if they can’t beat Manly on Saturday night and risk finishing as low as sixth.

Parramatta fans have been waiting 35 years for a premiership.

They're a patient lot but are at breaking point as another season threatens to slip by.

As one fan wrote after reading Paulo's message: "Awesome!! That's going to improve our attack and right side defence........"

Another added: "We want action not sweet or pitiful letters."

The only letter that matters is the W.

Hoppa's the one that got away

Will Hopoate made his NRL debut just a month after turning 18, playing on the wing for boyhood club Manly in a loss to Brisbane in 2010.

By June of 2011 he was part of an Origin-winning NSW side, touching down on debut to help the Blues to a series-levelling 18-8 victory in game two.

He ended the year with a premiership ring after playing in the Sea Eagles' win over the Warriors.

A few weeks later he was gone from the game, leaving for a two-year Mormon mission before returning in Parramatta colours in 2014.

As we reflect on Hopoate's NRL career in the wake of news he is leaving for a Super League contract at St Helens, it's fair to ask whether things would have turned out differently had he stayed at Manly all those years ago?

Don't get us wrong.

Hoppa has been a more than solid and dependable player for Parramatta and Canterbury over more than 150 first grade games.

He represented Tonga 11 times, NSW five times and has been a model citizen and a wonderful influence wherever he's played.

He's a great pick-up for St Helens and will do well in Super League.

But Hopoate was such a good fit for Manly – and vice-versa- it's hard not to think what might have been had things taken a different path a decade ago.

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