Ok so we have certainly had a see saw of a season but fark what do you expect from our beloved Eels.
Our boys just don't like playing from in front for some stupid reason and basically the difference between where we currently sit and where we could be sitting is consistency.
When we don't need to win we don't. When we need to win we don't always win but you can expect a better performance.
With all of the dramas of players leaving, whos coming into the side next year, development of our youngsters and probably the biggest issue with finding a halves pairing to settle on i really don't query why we are just out of the 8.
No excuses though because I like many other Eels fans have been prepared at times to give up on the season but to date i haven't and neither has anybody else.
Can we replicate 2009? That is the million dollar question. What i can say is that the team thinks they can otherwise they would have played with more desparation and determination and won at least another 2-3 games more than what we have which would have placed us on 22-24 points = around 4th and this is where we thought we would be.
I am sick of the crap surrounding next year, whos coming, whos going blah blah blah we still have a season on our hands and it ain't over yet.
One win against the Cowboys does not mean, "We are back" hell it was our first win in a month and we couldn't surely have gone on much longer without one but i was impressed with the attacking flair and confidence that we would have built from the game. Simply put, "HAYNE WAS KING" and he is the backbone of why we are still in the race. There is no secret that when he fires the team fires easy equation.
The big game comes Saturday night against a surprisingly quality opposition in Penrith. They are sitting 2nd because of consistency and they are gelling this season, nothing else really. They aren't a scary team to be afraid of but you have to respect them especially at CUA and it will be a very tough game. One that will certainly define our run home.
Its a must win game for us for two reason;
1. We need the win = 2 points
2. We need to show we can beat the 2nd best side in the comp
If / When we beat the Panthers the boys will lift and make the 8 i have no doubt about that. Once we are there i have little doubt we can go all the way.
I just want us fans to back our boys as we always do and get behind them to make the finals and then its a new competition.
We shouldn't be sitting here saying we need 5 from 8 to make the 8 but we are and these are the facts. If we can get this done it wilol be good preparation for finals footy and winning the way we did last year prepared us for the knockout faze as we were doing it for the last 8 games of the regular season so what was new.
Last year we won 7 from 8 to make 8th, that is near impossible but 5 from 8 is no issue especially if we beat the Panthers that will leave us with 4 from 7 and i could seriously seeing us winning 5 from 7 after gaining confidence and momentum and pushing for 6th.
This is where we need to get to and the boys are well aware of the mission ahead, they put themselves there now they need to find their way out.
Well ladies and gents here we go again. If we find out feet and our form there is no doubt in anyones minds we can get to the finals and take it out. Its a long hard path ahead but would we have it any other way.
I would love nothing more than to win the premiership this year after last years effort, all of the on field and off field controversy, drama, bullshit, our captain retiring with Mateo, Inu, KK and most likely Grothe departing, second year syndrome for Morts and an unsung unconventional 7 in Robbo who we bag for lack of talent but has the heart of farlap, Mannah for having an outstanding season and showing huge promise and of course.......................
Our Golden Boy Mr Hayne who i wouldn't swap for any other player in the NRL history.
How good would it be to do it this year when again everyone including sometimes us has written off the possibility.
ITS NOT OVER TIL ITS OVER..................
FIRE THE FARK UP EVERYONE WE CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Replies
Hayne needs to shoulder the expectations and pressure as the team thrives on his confidence and agression!!
The team can do it but they need Hayne to keep up the attitude and hopefully like last year it can inspire the rest of the side to greatness again!!!
We need Hayne to be full of confidence and convey that to the team so the team can get their own cofidence up and take pressure off Hayne.
Hayne has looked good for 2nd half SOO III and against the Cowboys.
The team did lift in response to that, so heres hoping the wheel keeps turning.
Although Hayne has not had the best of seasons so far I don't think he has ever stopped trying.