We are NOT done

[tloos1999]

I went to the game last night, and with everything that went on, the loss compounded by the horrific injuries, it really did feel rock bottom. Keary out with the ACL, that was what rocked me the most. I would have accepted a larger loss and put it down to not turning up on the night, if that meant we didn’t lose integral players.

In saying that, you have to think on the positive side, or at least I am. We have the best player in the league at our disposal. Our backline is still world class. We have very very good forwards; Crichton, Sitili, TKO, Collins, JWH (although I questioned this last night). Add in the mix we get Radley and Verrils to come back within the next 1-2 weeks, Keighran back in a few as well (I rate this kid). You’ve got Walker and Suaalli, two young marvels who can now debut without as much pressure due to the lower expectations on us as a team with what has happened over the last 24 hours. Mix in the fact we could (injuries aside) have a full strength squad at our disposal come the end of the season bar Keary. The plan was the top 4, the top 2. The plan is now, by default the top 8. But I’m still optimistic and shall I say confident we can get there. Then anything can happen come finals time. Keary is a massive loss. I don’t underestimate that. But s##t happens and what can we do. We move on. We grind out wins. The squad we have can still put a number on the low tier sides. We can still compete with some of the “good” sides. Maybe I’m being too optimistic. But maybe I’m just talking sense. Don’t pot us yet, we’re not done. The wins will taste sweeter now.

[roosterchook]

Great optimism But a little unrealistic I think. Players like JWH and Fifita just lack common sense and continually let the side down with penalties, sin bins and suspensions. Plus no goal kicker. Lussick made stupid plays and mistakes giving away possession. We just have way too many players who don’t think about their footy but instead do really impulsive, stupid things which result in penalties, 6 agains, and loss of momentum, field position and possession.

How are we supposed to win without possession? Possession is key to building pressure and momentum. You can’t build pressure if you’re continually struggling to get out of your own half. We need to keep possession, complete sets and get a good kick away. That’s basically all south’s did. Dump stupid players and let’s move forward with the intelligent ones who put the team first not their own impulses.

[zac]

no, we're not done if only cos you don't know what injuries other teams will get

[Disco Stu]

I agree there is hope. The game is different now so it is a good opportunity to reinvent the team and experiment a bit. Whether Joey, Teddy or Rads can change the role of a 5/8 to suit the modern game will be a challenge for Robbo. From the little I have seen of Walker I like his vision and the fact he seems to back himself. We will need to play more conservatively and direct until we find our feet and after the rabble of last night may be what the team needs to reset and gain momentum.

After the game I was sure the season was gone, but am now looking forward to the challenge and supporting the team no matter how it works out. I doubt we can do top 4, but I think we can still be one of the best teams by seasons end with a bit of luck.

[takethe 2]

Agree that we aren’t done yet, if your expectations were that we make the 8. I still think we can. But going for the title in 2021, I don’t think we can get there.

with the younger players we will now be relying on, they will have their moments and make us proud and jump for joy...... but they don’t take sustained pressure that the best teams put you under. Only for that reason I think we can win enough games to make the 8 but not press for a premiership.

as for expectations...... as fans I hope we don’t expect miracles

[Spirit of 66]

The last time I felt like this was 1975 when our superstar fullback Russell Fairfax broke his leg. Things looked pretty grim but an 18 year old Ian Schubert, in his first year in first grade, filled his shoes. Then, during the finals, we lost another attacking weapon, Mark Harris. To replace him, a kid named Reg Clough made his first grade debut in the preliminary final but he got injured too. So, in the Grand Final, another kid made his first grade debut - John Rheinberger - and we won the comp.

So yes, miracles can happen! But even if they don't, let's enjoy the ride. As Robbo said, once we get over the disappointment, there'll be a lot of excitement in watching the young talent get its chance.

[MCMLXVI]

Great post tloos1999! I never believe that we are done. I went through every season of the 80s and 90s believing that we would win the GF (until mathematically impossible). We will win this year, and if we don't I will have spent a whole season feeling good about us. Go Easts!

[Intercept]

Great to see some positivity in this moment. The young guns will get minutes and we will find ways to win. Our depth next year, as a result, will be superb. Go Easts!

[Kelby]

Great optimism But a little unrealistic I think. Players like JWH and Fifita just lack common sense and continually let the side down with penalties, sin bins and suspensions. Plus no goal kicker. Lussick made stupid plays and mistakes giving away possession. We just have way too many players who don’t think about their footy but instead do really impulsive, stupid things which result in penalties, 6 agains, and loss of momentum, field position and possession.

How are we supposed to win without possession? Possession is key to building pressure and momentum. You can’t build pressure if you’re continually struggling to get out of your own half. We need to keep possession, complete sets and get a good kick away. That’s basically all south’s did. Dump stupid players and let’s move forward with the intelligent ones who put the team first not their own impulses.

Yes.

Lussick aint good.
JWH is dumb
We needed a goal kicker this year
Lam is a myth

Dumb players, no kicking game, no possession and no momentum......


But hey, theres always next week.

[Teddy]

I went to the game last night, and with everything that went on, the loss compounded by the horrific injuries, it really did feel rock bottom. Keary out with the ACL, that was what rocked me the most. I would have accepted a larger loss and put it down to not turning up on the night, if that meant we didn’t lose integral players.

In saying that, you have to think on the positive side, or at least I am. We have the best player in the league at our disposal. Our backline is still world class. We have very very good forwards; Crichton, Sitili, TKO, Collins, JWH (although I questioned this last night). Add in the mix we get Radley and Verrils to come back within the next 1-2 weeks, Keighran back in a few as well (I rate this kid). You’ve got Walker and Suaalli, two young marvels who can now debut without as much pressure due to the lower expectations on us as a team with what has happened over the last 24 hours. Mix in the fact we could (injuries aside) have a full strength squad at our disposal come the end of the season bar Keary. The plan was the top 4, the top 2. The plan is now, by default the top 8. But I’m still optimistic and shall I say confident we can get there. Then anything can happen come finals time. Keary is a massive loss. I don’t underestimate that. But s##t happens and what can we do. We move on. We grind out wins. The squad we have can still put a number on the low tier sides. We can still compete with some of the “good” sides. Maybe I’m being too optimistic. But maybe I’m just talking sense. Don’t pot us yet, we’re not done. The wins will taste sweeter now.

Yeah well said top 8 right now sounds like a decent enough achievement considering everything you have mentioned.

Winning the competition is a stretch too far now, but playing finals is a different competition anything can happen, Souffs finished 6th last season played a bog average Knights side that had more holes in their defence then Swiss cheese, then played a pathetic Eels team that got bashed the week before by Melbourne, Canberra played Sharks team that by all rights wouldn’t beat our reserve grade team then played us where we beat ourselves.

5th and 6th made 3rd week of the finals, with a little bit of luck come finals and anything can happen, Cowboys made the GF without Thurston, anyway looking forward to the new kids on the block.

Onwards and Upwards.

Go Easts...

[Jarlicho]

Jared needs to start, he can’t have time to get wound up if things aren’t going well. Radley back at lock, Verills at hooker (if not next week then soon), Walker at 7, Manu to 6 & Suaalii at right centre. Radley will help Walker like he did with Flanagan last year before he got hurt. Liu can slot into the prop rotation until Collins is back. Hutch on the bench until the new guy with the wrist injury gets back.
Thats still a team better than most with Friend & Cordner to return at some point as well.
Premiers will be a huge ask without Keary but there’s no reason to think this season is a total write off yet.
Robbo will need to adjust his approach, we have the talent there to compete still

[Tommy Smith]

Have a look at the injury toll to the Raiders today. There'll be no one left on the field come finals time.

[Rooster_6]

I think we have to strip it back and play a very simple game plan that revolves around field position and defence. That's easier said that done but there is 100% enough quality and experience in the squad to deliver on that.

If you're looking for a road map and a little bit of inspiration the Cowboys of 2017 made the Grand Final after losing Jonathan Thurston from Round 7 onwards and Matt Scott from Round 2 onwards.

They did it with a battle hardened forward pack, a very simple kicking game and superb defence.

We need to get comfortable with believing 2 or 3 tries will be enough to win us games because we can hold the opposition to less. Players like Cordner, Morris bros, Hargreaves, Friend and Teddy who are all super experienced at all levels need to rally the younger guys who have experienced nothing but 3 seasons of just out-attacking our opponents and demand better in defence.

In 2013 we won our qualifying final 4 - 0, I want to see that desperation, that desire and hunger back. Bring back the real Bondi wall, not the imitations we have seen since. Bring back the Bondi wall of 2013.

Defence wins premierships. That has to be the underlying belief of everything we do from here on out.

[DP1990]

We're still in the fight ! Let's experiment and see what the young guns coming thru can offer ... who cares who we play and where we finish.


We have plenty of strike and firepower on our roster.... last night was just an ugly night for plenty of reasons but that's in the past... time to move forward !




WIN, LOSE OR DRAW ... ROOSTERS THEN, NOW AND FOREVER !

[Jacks Fur Coat]

No one is done in Round 3.

Every team will probably get down to player 25/26 across the season. There will be ebbs and flows during the year.

Depth and smart Coaching will rule.