It's very easy to blame our poor performances on a guy like Matt Keating, Ben Smith or Reni Maitua but it's a team performance. Practically the entire team has played badly. Sandow has had a relatively good year but he hasn't had the support around him to completely cash in on it.
Hayne is our number 1 weapon but he cops a lot of flack if he doesn't drag us over the line. Some people say he doesn't deserve the pay check that he receives but given he has had to carry this team for the majority of his young career I'd say he more than deserves it.
Nowadays Hayne is almost a certain choice for State of Origin. He is the player Parramatta is based around. He just needs the players around him to show some pride in their jerseys. Yes he is inconsistent but that is due in part to us expecting him to play like he did in 09. Let 2009 go, it ain't happening any time soon.
I can't say that we will be a threat next season. That is, in reality, up to the players to decide. They have to want it. To take some words from motivational speaker Eric Thomas "I gotta eat it, I gotta breathe it, I gotta sleep it. And until you get there you will never be successful in life." Hunger got these guys into first grade. You could have all the talent in the world but if you're unwilling to work at your game you won't make it in the NRL. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.
Unfortunately many of our current players are playing for their paychecks. They turn up, go through the motions and that's it. Very few push themselves to utter exhaustion and then keep going. Why? Because no one is challenging them. We are very short in depth. Next season we may see a change with a number of new recruits arriving and putting pressure on the incumbents.
To steal words from Vince Lombardi "If you are not fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired, with enthusiasm." I'm not asking these players to turn up and play like world beaters. I'd just like to see fire in the belly. For them to be confident in their own ability. I know they can play with pride and passion. I've seen them do it.
Playing away from home is not an excuse. Look at Melbourne. They play well no matter where they go. It's the same with South Sydney. Sure they are more experienced but that experience has to come from somewhere. It's at these times when guys like Reni, Fuifui, Timmy, Jarryd and Sandow need to show the younger players how to play away from home.
Stuart said tough times were ahead. I can accept that if the team turns up and tries their guts out but gets outclassed. I have no issue with it. But when you turn up for 10-15min and then surrender, that's absolute crap.
Hopefully we will see a change next season. Players showing pride and playing for their mate. Based off the half time talk I saw from Stuart a few weeks back he's not lacking in pride and passion. These players have to do everything they can, not for themselves but for their teammates. We will rise, we are the sleeping giants of the NRL but we have been silent for too long. If these players want to see the stands full start showing pride in the jersey and blue and gold will be seen all around.
Replies
Oh rubbish. Enough with this positivity that has no actual base. Hayne is a terrific player, nobody doubts that, but we are not "rising" any time soon. Certainly not with this roster, and certainly not if the club continues to give away local talent to rival clubs.
Did I say we'd rise soon? I said I couldn't say when we'd challenge.
LOL, Super you havnt been on a coke binge over there have you lol...
Nice blog man' I agree with everything you have stated and love the Vince Lombardi quote
Only change you may need to consider is the sleeping giants suggestion, don't get me wrong I love parra have followed them for over 30 years, but in recent times they have shown time and time again, they are no sleeping giants they are more like hibernating fairies.
2010 - written off, 2011 written off, 2012 written off and as of today 2013 written off. We are a joke! And our defensive structure is an epic fail, either in design or execution, but hey there is always 2014!
See a change next season? That's what we've been told forever.
So what happens if we aren't a force next year? Is it the year after? This isn't about our roster or any of that bullshit. Simply, the players gave up today. They weren't interested any more. That's what peeves me off. And that doesn't need to slowly change into next year, that needs to change NOW.
*sneeze (sorry mate im allergic to bullshit) you're out of touch with reality & your optimism is sickening
I don't apologise for being optimistic but I'm not out of touch with reality. I know there are issues with our team and our roster. I haven't said we will win the comp next year. For the sake of the club I hope we're competitive next season.
You are dreaming to believe hayne will pull us out of this hole
The fact is until we dump MATT KEATING AND A FEW OTHERS AND GET SIGNINGS WE ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE
ALSO UNTIL THE FANS MAKE A STAND AND BOYCOTT A GAME THE EELS WONT WAKE UP !!!!
4 YEARS OF ABSOLUTE RUBBISH - 35 LOSSES FROM 38 AWAY GAMES IS UNFORGIVABLE !!!
IM AN EELS FANBUT IM FURIOUS ------- ACTION MUST BE TAKEN BY RICKY STUART BEFORE ALL EELS FANS WALK AWAY .
THE FAITH IS HARD TO KEEPWHEN THEY CONTINUE TO DISH UP SUCH TRASH
ROOSTERS NEXT - WHO ARE WE KIDDING ? THEY WILL DROP 60 ON US
EME
The big problem.. here is... their seems to be only 2 game plans..1.throw the the ball to Fui...or 2.Jarryd...& if something doesn't happen...we are FARKED...add the obvious... which has been stated on far to many occasions.,,paulo & kelly are not up to scratch.....Api to 6...& bring in the ONLY bloke not to go to Mudgee,,,Ryan Morgan....
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