I do wonder if our players are switched on, not only during the game but during the season. One would think like us fans, we know and I would expect the players to know, where they were in comparision to other teams on the ladder. This article written by News.com.au quotes Dylan Brown, and him not realising that our team was at the bottom of the table. Have a read - for mine it indicates that our players are in denial, thinking they are playing good footy, In my estimate it points to larger problems with the team culture and their losing ways.
‘I didn’t realise we were last’: Dylan Brown finds out about Parramatta’s horror demise while watching game on TV
It’s been a season to forget for Parramatta, with the extent of their demise revealed on Sunday afternoon while players watched the Tigers carve up Canberra.
Martin Gabor
Dylan Brown knew the Eels were struggling towards the bottom of the table, but it wasn’t until he saw the live ladder flash up during Sunday’s game in Campbelltown that he realised just how bad things really were.
The Eels may have picked up two competition points thanks to the bye, but they slipped two spots to 17th after the Titans and then the Wests Tigers chalked up huge wins to sneak above them on for and against.
It’s the first time since they picked up the wooden spoon in 2018 that Parramatta finds itself in this position, with the 2022 grand finalists desperate to save their season.
I was watching the Tigers game, and the live ladder came up. I knew we were down the bottom, but I didn’t know we were the bottom of the bottom. It sucks,” Brown said.
“I had a fair understanding that we were down the bottom, but I didn’t realise we were last. When that came up, I thought it was pretty crazy.
“Not that it should be an excuse for us to start playing good footy, but the last few weeks it feels like we’ve been playing all right. We just haven’t been defending points.”
The Eels have had some good wins this season and have held second-half leads against the Bulldogs and Roosters this month, but consistency has plagued them all year ahead of a tricky trip to Newcastle this weekend.
“That’s the weird thing,” Brown said.
“I’m not saying there are bad teams in the NRL, but when we play the top eight teams, we play well. When we play the lower teams, it’s not so good.”
The Eels have plenty of attacking talent across the park, but they also boast the worst defence in the NRL this season, which is why they find themselves in this position.
“With the team we have, we definitely shouldn’t be there, especially with the kind of footy we can play. But in saying that, we’ve put ourselves there by playing inconsistently,” offload machine Bryce Cartwright said.
“There are a lot of games there we probably should’ve won. We can’t dwell on that and just focus on this week and improving the little areas that have let us down in the past.”
Parramatta’s season from hell already includes parting ways with long-time coach Brad Arthur, with reports linking him to the Perth job if they’re brought in as the NRL’s latest franchise.
“He’s the best coach I’ve had. He did so much for me. It won’t be long before he’s got another job. I’m excited to see him back in the NRL coaching,” Cartwright said.
“Especially with the things he instils, he’s a really hardworking coach. I think he spent 23 hours a day here at this place.
“For a place that needs to get started up, I think he’d be the ideal type of person. He would leave no stone unturned. He’d give it his all.”
Brown would also love to see Arthur get another chance elsewhere, confident his uncompromising approach would breed instant success at a new club.
“He knows how to pick the soft from the tough, and he likes to weed them out pretty quickly. Some people agree with it and some people don’t, but I feel like that’s what makes him good,” the five-eighth said.
“When I first came in there were a lot of things I’d tiptoe around, but he’d kick me in the butt and say ‘this is rugby league and you’ve got to be tough’.
“That’s always been him. I’m sure you’ve always heard from Brad after games ‘we weren’t tough tonight’ every time we lose. I feel like that’ll be good for a club.”
Replies
We are equal last but doubt the players look at the ladder a lot. Would be best for their mental to avoid looking at that stuff or any media and just focus on each game individually
As long as that paycheque keeps rolling in , Funbags Brown couldn't care less where we are on the table. Yet some will argue to the death that this kid is not a poor contributor. Who here's played a team sport and not known how much each game means to your position on the table each week ? Hes the epitome of poor culture . And how doesn't Gutherson be in these guys ears daily reminding them of where we are sitting and what others wins and losses around the comp can do to our standings ?
what a fucking rabble .
To be fair, if you are last or second last doesn't really matter - it's still a massive failure with ther squad we have. Also with the bye you would normally expect to hold your position at worst - not drop 2 places!
I have a different opinion than you Wiz regarding Brown. I actually think the poor kid is not very smart, dumber than dirt and one fry short of a happy meal.
He said I had a fair understanding that we were down the bottom, but I didn’t realise we were last - LOL who speaks like that unless they're the long lost village idiot from NZ. He needs to go back home and reverse the current migration trends of Kiwis coming over here.
Remember Baldrick didn't get the job for village idiot because he showed up for the interview and the other applicant didn't!!
"the last few weeks it feels like we’ve been playing all right. We just haven’t been defending points."
This sounds far too familiar to me. Remember back to the early 1990s where we were happy if we "played well"? We never really expected to win. I really don't want to go back there. Parra fans expect wins every week, and to be successful in the NRL means 100% comittment. This is a tough ask, but that's what is required.
He's a 100% certified donkey, this kent wouldn't last a offseason with McDermott as coach....I'll delete my blog now lol
I'm now at that point where I couldn't give a flying fuck if this dickhead pissed off to the Warriors.
He has been a major disappointment this year and last year.
I agree with you.
Has good moments every now and then. Not consistent enough
But but but but , he's the clubs future . Some here still think he's some brilliant future megastar that unless we have we will be relegated to group 7 bush football. Hes a fucking moron who could not give a rats arse if he was playing NRL for Parramatta Eels , or badminton for the Claymore Cuntfaces , as long as he was getting 18k per week and not having to do too much for it. Hes not here for the club or its fans.
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