The answer is simple....when you don't get the two points, you get fcuk all running second or is there a consolation. I think we have the next best result.
We looked at the individuals for excuses and if reading a summary of those opinions and you didn't know the score and circumstances then you would think we were outclassed.
The reality was we lost 18/10, 12/10 would be a more indicative score. We led twice at important and winnable parts of the game. The game/opposition was led by the worlds best player and 4 other origin players with similar arguments in their respective positions
We had to counter that Moses, who carried a calf injury into the game and was valuable in the first half as he helped create the speed of our attack. He obviously came out worse for wear in the second half wearing a quad ? support, where he acted like, as someone said, an on field coach.
Anyone with half a brain and Moses himself acknowledges Cleary as the best. Doesn't mean he cannot be effective in beating Penrith (he has in the past).
The other experienced players we had were Lomax(obviously) Paulo,Brown (who had a great game) and JAC. Throw in Walker,Hopgood, Matterson (also good).
Our centre pairing showed up Samrani badly and in the forwards Hautonga. The rest of the team rookies alike were solid with Smith outstanding.
My view was that we showed two specific things, Potentionally that we are good enough to match anyone and two they just lack that big match experience, which only comes with a team of experienced winners..... Penrith knows how to win clutch games! if you were thinking they are now not that good, I think you need to look again. The quality of that game last night was universally hailed as finals type speed and quality.
The way some of our supporters turned on the individuals was quite disgusting IMO.
Read the summaries of specific negative posters, during the match day blog, EA's summary and the idiots like Merkin.
Please understand it is fine to be critical if it can be done constructively and in context. Not being outclassed needs to be put into the context I am trying to demonstrate here.
Finally I believe if we could put our top side on the paddock, all injuries aside then I believe we can beat that Penrith side with the experience we have learnt and learning.
Special Note. Watched Sandon Smith from Roosters last night....he is the perfect replacement for Dyllan Brown....I would pay up to what we were prepared to pay for Galvin. Roosters will not be blind to him regardless of who they have coming back (walker) so we need to make an offer too good to refuse! i.e. We probably would have paid 1m to retain DB and 800 to get Galvin. We lose nothing with this guy in comparison, plus he can play half, 5/8 and supposedly hooker.
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This game, Dolphins, were two very winnabel matches and with more guile we would've won them.
I am very happy with how we've developed. Thing is, in every game this year, even our worst losses we had positives to take out, whether its juniors, debutants, players showing improvements, new roles for players, edge defence, etc...
I am just going for the ride this year. Who knows how the season goes. Every team seems to be winning one then losing 2. There are 5 teams leading the pack now (Raiders, Bulldogs, Warriors, Storm and Sharks sorta), and below them it's everybody's game.
Yes agree that 5 look set and I also think Easts will emerge......cowboys, broncos, manly, St George, Souths all possible, thats 11.
We are thereabouts along with Dolphins.................we can leave Wests, Newcastle, Titans out
I am listing that out this way subjectively as we should be hoping those top 5 keep winning and the ones following to falter.
There are maybe 2 spots possible.
In the first 20 minutes when panthers were making mistakes we should have had them .super pissed
Expectations Flowy, they can create all sorts of problems until the mindset is, "we are going win this!"
We played a side who have won 4 premierships in a row, probably the best club performance since the great St George side in the 60's. They had 5 players in the Origin side and we had 2 throw in a NZ International and a top 10 winger in Rugby League History plus Matterson, Paulo and Walker have played origin and you had a hell of game, it turned out that way.
Yes you can focus on our opportunities but experience was tell tale.
With DUE RESPECT to Moses, he cannot control and manage a game the way Cleary did. Reverse the half's and we win.
Doesn't mean that Moses is no good, Cleary at this stage of his career is in GOAT territory. Moses put in under difficult personal injuries. He rates as a very good half, his ability to change direction and tactics within a match, still needs work.
Good blog, Pops. I thought we played with plenty of resilience - something we haven't had for a long time. We used to be a cross between Sybil and Jeckyl-Hyde most weeks.
Moses seemed hampered by his calf niggle or whatever it was, but as you said he was akin to an on-field coach (a tough taskmaster as Jack Williams found out) and backseat ref constantly challenging the ref and players - doing all he could for the Eels.
What I also really like is all the talk in the team, now - not just Moses who obviously is The Man.
If we could nab Sandon Smith, it would be a boon. But isn't he Cows bound or something? Dunno, tbh.
His agent has said he has had no contact with the Cows Hoey.
All said the quality players are going to be hard to get and I think Sandon Smith is a bit special, I would not be surprised that Roosters will not let him go......he is quality with a Capital Q. I would make an offer too good to refuse. He may actually be a step from Dyllan, given DB may have hit his ceiling. This bloke is a lot busier than DB, maybe not as cracking in defence bit much more complimentary to Moses IMO.
At least we are enjoying these moments mate, unlike it looked like being back in March.
My 10 year old summed it up
Last year every game he expected a loss this year he feels we have a chance maybe next year we can expect to win.
The kid can see we are improving we can all see it and I think the media doesn't see it yet and that's a plus I'd rather improve bit by bit under the radar
Yes Offie, the media have either self interest in their own followings or just dumb in footie knowledge.
Not too many astute people around, probably goes through our whole society.
This one hurt as we played well both in defence and attack. Just a few moments in the game we let slip which seems to be the issue every week.
I like the style of footy we are playing on both ends. It is exciting to watch. Just frustrating...can't wait for origin period to be over and Simmonson back who can help Lomax with the yardage...
Onwards and Upwards
Very good write-up again, Pops. A great read.
Love the positivity & belief.
This one did hurt, because we were every bit a chance to win it, and that pain sure beats the empty feeling of watching through 80minutes week to week where players give up around the 55-60th minute mark.
The old saying, 'success is in the journey, not the destination', is very relevant. Every loss & disappointment like this will build character & you can see the confidence bulding in this roster within each other & the coaching.
Too many are too focussed on results & ladder position right now. We aren't starting at the end.
Ryles & co's vision is clearly long term, and they are building the foundations we have lacked for so long, and it's clearly working.
Don't feel the Eels took even a slight step backwards in progress on the weekend, our opposition were excellent - their defence premiership worthy again.
Bulldogs are vulnerable, they've been up a long time with their intensity & the Galvin thing might leave some there distracted.
Another great edition, Pops. Keep 'em coming.
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