It’s been a long time between drinks since the Eels last won a premiership. The same could be said for club hooker Mark Riddell and his goal kicking.
Exclusive research conducted by a GRL staff member with lots of time on their hands has revealed that Eels hooker Mark Riddell has not kicked a goal since July 23, 2006.
Involved in a round 20 clash with the Wests Tigers – which the Eels won 34-6 – the man who made goal kicking an interactive art with fans at St George-Illawarra, kicked 4 goals that day but has yet to return for another crack between the uprights ever since.
Before signing with the Eels, Riddell had played 92 first grade games and kicked 198 goals for the Dragons.
Since switching clubs he’s only booted 28 goals and last season didn’t even score one.
That role has since been dominated by Luke Burt and Krisnan Inu who kicked 96 of the Eels 97 goals in 2007.
As a result of this absence in front of the kicking tee, Eels fans are no longer privileged to mimic the famous ‘raised arm’ motion Riddell used before taking the kick.
While Riddell has also proven to be handy post-try dancer, it's his goal-kicking that fans are waiting for the return of.
Today the Eels meet the Dragons at ANZ Stadium but don’t expect to see Parramatta fans get the chance to raise their arm.
Nor will St George supporters get to gesture their former number 9 with the alternative yet less kind salute they came up with after he left the club at the end of 2004.
According to Eels officials there are no plans to make Riddell no.1 kicker any time soon and the only way fans are going to get the chance to mimic the famous ‘raised arm’ motion again is if Luke Burt gets injured.
