'Cos it ain't gonna happen at Parra. Not for a while.
I've finally bitten the bullet and admitted it - while I (quite rightly) think that we can make the top four next year, that is as far as we will go. Watching the Grand Final yesterday (CONGRATS PENNO!) made me realise a few things:
1.) You don't need extraordinary players to beat the Top Teams. No offense to Penno, but they don't have any HUGE names in their side. But they convincingly won. It's a matter of standing up to your opponents, and giving it a go for 80 minutes. It's also an attitude issue. We here at Parra do NOT have that attitude.
2.) The opening 30 minutes was the most intense football I have ever witnessed. It is that sort of form required to win Premierships, and we do not have that. Watching Lang catch the ball and throw himslef tirelessly at the Roosters defence made me think - would Vella do that? Would even Cayless do that?
I'd like to think we have the talent to win it. But unless our attitude and style of play changes (why are we giving so many hit-ups to our second rowers from the kick-offs? FAir dinkum they're great, but that is the Props' jobs! And why are our wingers and centres trying to run it out of our 20?), we won't witness the greatness we did 2 years ago again.
I am not saying it's time for our coach to go. What I am saying is change. Change whatever it is you tell the boys before a match. Change however it is you coach them. Change your recruitng techniques.
And another thing, could you quit this "rebuilding phase" crap. The job of the coach and players is to win Premierships. AS MANY AS POSSIBLE. Instead of "rebuilding", you should be winning Grand Finals. Bite the bullet and do what you have to to get us there and win it. Otherwise, the Premiership will be dominated by the Roosters, Broncos, Warriors, PAnthers, RAiders and other top 8 teams that does NOT include Parramatta.
I don't know about you guys, but I for one want to see Parramatta win a Premiership in my lifetime.
