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Sydney Roosters coach Brian Smith wants his team to avoid falling from NRL grand finalists to also-rans like Parramatta did last season.
The Eels went from runners-up in 2009 to missing out on the finals in 2010 and Smith says his team must not think just because they went from wooden spooners to grand finalists in 12 months that another successful year lies ahead.
"The obvious thing is that you think that it's all going to happen again just because it did last year rather than thinking about what it was that got us there last year," Smith said on Monday when asked what the biggest challenge was in rebounding from a grand final defeat.
Advertisement: Story continues below "It was the consistent efforts of almost everyone in our club, from our board and our management. We were all one big tight team last year so I hope we can do that again.
"That's the core of why we did well last season."
Having turned the Bondi club around following a clear out of the playing stocks at the end of the disastrous 2009 campaign, Smith believes there's no reason his team shouldn't be better in 2011.
The side hasn't lost any big names in the off-season and certain combinations, such as the halves pairing of Mitchell Pearce and Dally M medallist Todd Carney, will be better for having spent a season together.
"I hope the expectation's a bit higher than at this time last year but I think the expectation grew amongst us all as last season grew itself," Smith said.
"It was a most enjoyable season and with the number of young guys that we've got, almost all returning to us this year and with us all knowing each other a bit better I think we're in for a great opportunity in 2011.
"I think we had a great 2010 and I think we're in a great position to have an even better 2011."
_____________________________
Smith is saying all the right things, I just hope someone is listening.
Chook.
Sydney Roosters coach Brian Smith wants his team to avoid falling from NRL grand finalists to also-rans like Parramatta did last season.
The Eels went from runners-up in 2009 to missing out on the finals in 2010 and Smith says his team must not think just because they went from wooden spooners to grand finalists in 12 months that another successful year lies ahead.
"The obvious thing is that you think that it's all going to happen again just because it did last year rather than thinking about what it was that got us there last year," Smith said on Monday when asked what the biggest challenge was in rebounding from a grand final defeat.
Advertisement: Story continues below "It was the consistent efforts of almost everyone in our club, from our board and our management. We were all one big tight team last year so I hope we can do that again.
"That's the core of why we did well last season."
Having turned the Bondi club around following a clear out of the playing stocks at the end of the disastrous 2009 campaign, Smith believes there's no reason his team shouldn't be better in 2011.
The side hasn't lost any big names in the off-season and certain combinations, such as the halves pairing of Mitchell Pearce and Dally M medallist Todd Carney, will be better for having spent a season together.
"I hope the expectation's a bit higher than at this time last year but I think the expectation grew amongst us all as last season grew itself," Smith said.
"It was a most enjoyable season and with the number of young guys that we've got, almost all returning to us this year and with us all knowing each other a bit better I think we're in for a great opportunity in 2011.
"I think we had a great 2010 and I think we're in a great position to have an even better 2011."
_____________________________
Smith is saying all the right things, I just hope someone is listening.
Chook.