A Week Off During Finals Series - Massive Disadvantage

[brokendigit]

Absolute confirmation today.

Who believes the rubbish that clubs spout about it being "great to have a week off to rest up?"

 

[Southernsaint]

Absolute confirmation today.

Who believes the rubbish that clubs spout about it "great having a week off to rest up?"

Swings and Roundabouts...

 

[Big_Bad_Shark_Fan]

not a disadvantage if u ask me
u get fresh
i really dont think u can just loose form olike that
parra and saints werent good enough
so tim smiths pathetic kicking game can be put down to the fact he didnt play last week?
pfft

 

[gregstar]

mate - that's not true

the week off existed under the 5 team semis & minor premiers or winners of the major prelims still won more often than not.

we weren't good enough - tough to bare but it's true.

 

[Big_Bad_Shark_Fan]

mate - that's not true

the week off existed under the 5 team semis & minor premiers or winners of the major prelims still won more often than not.

we weren't good enough - tough to bare but it's true.

ure a great sport mate, truely.

 

[Southernsaint]

not a disadvantage if u ask me
u get fresh
i really dont think u can just loose form olike that
parra and saints werent good enough
so tim smiths pathetic kicking game can be put down to the fact he didnt play last week?
pfft

I DON'T BELIEVE IT!!

I agree with BBSF...

 

[bluenwhite]

that's not true.
in 2004 roosters won off their bye.
2003 panthers & roosters won off their byes

 

[brokendigit]

The final 5 system didn't operate under such an 'even' competition... There was always a gulf between the best & the rest. So, the best teams could play below their best, & still win. Nowadays - that gap just doesn't exist...

However - you're right - The Dragons were not good enough last night, although my gut says the Week off had something to do with it...

 

[Choppies]

It really depends on the attitude of the team that had the week off. I beleive St George and Parramatta came out on the weekend expecting to win.
2003 Penrith had the week off and won the Grand final. Roosters had the week off and made the Grand Final as they did in 2004. Warriors had the week off in 2002 and made the grand final as did the Eels and Knights in 2001, Broncos in 2000 had a week off and won it.

 

[Southern Rooster]

Absolute confirmation today.

Who believes the rubbish that clubs spout about it being "great to have a week off to rest up?"

Actually I think the old saying good teams get to finals but it's the number 7's that win them has never rung truer than this weekend. Prince and Thurston have been in the heat of the Origin cauldron and played in the big matches. Tim Smith was playing his first finals and really had a very poor game today. He's a good player he'll learn from it. Saints lost Matthew Head and Ben Hornby did a great job but at the end of the day he was only a fill in.

 

[brokendigit]

It really depends on the attitude of the team that had the week off. I beleive St George and Parramatta came out on the weekend expecting to win.

I think you're on the money...

 

[aussies1st]

If you are the best teams you should be able to win whether or not you have the bye. The coach should keep the players fresh by having in house games. You shouldn't lose your form in one week. If you do you obviously aren't the best team.

 

[RiotAct]

fact is, two best teams are in the final, top two after regular season were outplayed in every way

 

[Willow]

Give any coach the choice and they'll take the week off every time. What with niggling injuries which are par for the course at this time of year.

If a club has a problem keeping their players focussed, then its not the bye's fault. As professionals, the onus is on the players and coaching staff to adapt.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

I agree with gregstar and SS

The bye can be a plus, can be a minus, it's fairly pointless to try to make a forceful argument either way.

However that doesn't take away from the fact that the Dragons and the Tigers were the two best teams in the comp.....

 

[lockyno1]

Actually I think the old saying good teams get to finals but it's the number 7's that win them has never rung truer than this weekend. Prince and Thurston have been in the heat of the Origin cauldron and played in the big matches. Tim Smith was playing his first finals and really had a very poor game today. He's a good player he'll learn from it. Saints lost Matthew Head and Ben Hornby did a great job but at the end of the day he was only a fill in.

I tend to agree. Smith was always going to struggle but he will learn from this and be better for the run next year. Hornby as you said is just a "fill in". I remember them saying something on Fox that no team in the Post War era has won the premiership without a regular halfback!

 

[aussies1st]

I tend to agree. Smith was always going to struggle but he will learn from this and be better for the run next year. Hornby as you said is just a "fill in". I remember them saying something on Fox that no team in the Post War era has won the premiership without a regular halfback!

Thats not good signs for the Cowboys then. They have been moving their halfbacks around most of the year. Thurston though I feel has what it takes to lead the Cowboys to victory from halfback. He has SOO experience in that spot.