What now? Heading into day 2 of the 9s.

So there you have it. We lost to an extremely understrength bulldogs team. Some teams came to this competition to win it. We were one of those teams. The bulldogs, whom we struggled against, were not one of those teams. Laughable perhaps, it's only 9s afterall, but any true fan would like to win everything and doesn't like when we lose regardless of whether it's 9s or 13s.

Certainly injuries are a concern and 100% of Parramatta fans would (should) agree they'd prefer to win round 1. But again, as I say, it's disapointing losing to a team that didn't play their top players. There sure are other teams that have come to win, we aren't the only team with NRL players. But for what ever reason we were favourites. Perhaps this was, at least in part, because we are known for trying to win these 9s comps. But alas it does not appear, for what ever reason, we are good enough.

So what now? I think we change our mentality and drop Gutherson, Moses, Ferguson, and Paulo. Obviously this means bringing in Smith, Gower, Dunster, and Utoikamanu. But so what? Even if we manage to beat the dragons, with this year's format there is no guarantee we go further anyway, so let's just acknowledge we made a mistake thinking we could win. Acknowledge we failed, and focus on round 1. Thoughts?

"Who remembers the constant refrain on 1EE that the club is hopeless because they pay overs? My bet is the same folks who played worlds greatest contract and cap manager in lampooning the club for paying overs, are now hoping we buy their sincerity…"

"Though if you are to overpay it's for players that can make more of a difference. Keaon I didn't mind paying slight overs for as middles are so important today. But you also do not want to go too over the top as it puts your cap out of wrack and you…"

Just wondering what others think. I know im only an old bloke but have watched the game grow and change so mych over the years. But is it going to far . The reasons is it the speed of the Athletes of today or the rule changes like the 6agains and…

Replies

Wile E. Coyote February 15, 2020 at 8:42am

If Sharks beet Dogs then Dragons are in the QF
Therefore they would probably use that opportunity to give their lower players a good run
This reply was deleted.
- Driza February 15, 2020 at 10:22am
  
  Yes lets support Sharks to win but not flog Bulldogs. That gives us best chance of progression as minimum winning margin against Saints is required . I am confident.
fishbulb February 15, 2020 at 12:24pm

By my calcs if sharks beat the bulldogs by six, we just need to beat the dragons to stay alive.
- This reply was deleted.
  - fishbulb February 15, 2020 at 12:51pm
    
    All good HKF.
    
    But of course you realise if we don't win the tournament the entire season is lost and rugby league itself will die.
- Rabz S > fishbulb February 15, 2020 at 2:37pm
  
  Unless we beat the dragqueens by 13+
  
  Then we are definitely in and only rely on the sharks to win to finish top of the pool.
Muttman February 15, 2020 at 1:17pm

As I've always said, once you start relying on other results you're screwed.
- fishbulb > Muttman February 15, 2020 at 4:04pm
  
  We relied on other results, got hit on the arse with a rainbow and lucked our way out of the pool. We're now in the finals portion where it's down to our own results.
  
  In these circumstances do we remain screwed, or have we unscrewed ourselves lol?
  - Clintorian > fishbulb February 15, 2020 at 6:26pm
    
    What do you always say in this circumstance Muttman?? Hahaha
    
    It’s good to see we’re starting to play some footy either way.