I've come home from the game tonight so disheartened.
For the last 18 months, we have tolerated (barely) a constant of sub-standard performances, intermingled with a couple of great escapes and the very odd genius performance (Brisbane 2003).
Injuries were given as a major reason, and to an extent, I accepted that.
Should not have depth overcome that though?
The changing nature of the game, that B. Smith willingly and honestly admitted we had not been able to keep up with, was also thrust forward as a reason for our falling behind other clubs.
To an extent, I could understand that.
The salary cap was another reason thrown at us. We had developed so many top line players in the preceeding two or three years, that to keep them all would have sent us soaring over our legal budget. Some had to be let go.
All legitimate reasons if put into context.
I also fully understand that 1 game does not make a season.
But, having claimed all of the above, the Parramatta club tonight put their credibility on the line.
They have been quite happy to pump through the press over the last couple of weeks the "big, strong and ugly" concept that has been put on the line by Brian Smith as the 'WAY FORWARD".
On top of that, if ever the Bulldogs were there for the taking, if ever a team needed no motivation to bury a mortal enemy, tonight was the night.
And what did our "team of the present and future" dish up for us loyal suckers. A performance lacking so much in passion and motivation, you'd think that Hansie Cronje was captain and had a buck or two on the opposition.
I've said it before, and I will say it again. Ever since Vella put his name on a contract that saw his eyes ticking over like a cash register, he has performed like a man possessed - possessed of a lot of money and happy to accept it for nicks.
Can someone PLEASE tell me how many times Wagon actually got the ball wide to either his left or right centre?
Blah blah blah Wagon got players player last year. Well, if he isn't played out of position again this season, he may well be in the running again.
Five eighth my arse.
Thorman. Why in the hell do we bring someone out from England who comes with high raps, has played a deal of Super League, and performed admirably against the Aussies for England B, has a genuine passion and desire to succeed for the Eels in the NRL, and we give him sweet F.A. time in the trials and stick him on the bench for Premier League. I'm not saying that l he is the answer to our prayers, but at least give him a half reasonable shot at it.
It is time.
Tonight, injuries weren't an excuse. We were as close to full strength as we possibly could be.
Salary cap bollocks. We got rid off who we thought weren't cutting it and bought who we thought would.
And we bought BIG. to counter the way the game is now being played.
To play the way Brian Smith said is the way the game has gone.
Well, sadly, tonight, I saw neither big nor strong. But I saw plenty of ugly.
Ugly skills.
Ugly organisation
Ugly passion.
Ugly, ugly defence.
And an ugly scoreboard as a reward for all the ugliness.
As i started this with, it just left me so disheartened.
And to think I went to the game with money on our boys and a confidence and belief that the propaganda thrown at us all had a healthy and believeable realism to it.
Silly me. And people wonder why I am cynical.
Sad Suit
For the last 18 months, we have tolerated (barely) a constant of sub-standard performances, intermingled with a couple of great escapes and the very odd genius performance (Brisbane 2003).
Injuries were given as a major reason, and to an extent, I accepted that.
Should not have depth overcome that though?
The changing nature of the game, that B. Smith willingly and honestly admitted we had not been able to keep up with, was also thrust forward as a reason for our falling behind other clubs.
To an extent, I could understand that.
The salary cap was another reason thrown at us. We had developed so many top line players in the preceeding two or three years, that to keep them all would have sent us soaring over our legal budget. Some had to be let go.
All legitimate reasons if put into context.
I also fully understand that 1 game does not make a season.
But, having claimed all of the above, the Parramatta club tonight put their credibility on the line.
They have been quite happy to pump through the press over the last couple of weeks the "big, strong and ugly" concept that has been put on the line by Brian Smith as the 'WAY FORWARD".
On top of that, if ever the Bulldogs were there for the taking, if ever a team needed no motivation to bury a mortal enemy, tonight was the night.
And what did our "team of the present and future" dish up for us loyal suckers. A performance lacking so much in passion and motivation, you'd think that Hansie Cronje was captain and had a buck or two on the opposition.
I've said it before, and I will say it again. Ever since Vella put his name on a contract that saw his eyes ticking over like a cash register, he has performed like a man possessed - possessed of a lot of money and happy to accept it for nicks.
Can someone PLEASE tell me how many times Wagon actually got the ball wide to either his left or right centre?
Blah blah blah Wagon got players player last year. Well, if he isn't played out of position again this season, he may well be in the running again.
Five eighth my arse.
Thorman. Why in the hell do we bring someone out from England who comes with high raps, has played a deal of Super League, and performed admirably against the Aussies for England B, has a genuine passion and desire to succeed for the Eels in the NRL, and we give him sweet F.A. time in the trials and stick him on the bench for Premier League. I'm not saying that l he is the answer to our prayers, but at least give him a half reasonable shot at it.
It is time.
Tonight, injuries weren't an excuse. We were as close to full strength as we possibly could be.
Salary cap bollocks. We got rid off who we thought weren't cutting it and bought who we thought would.
And we bought BIG. to counter the way the game is now being played.
To play the way Brian Smith said is the way the game has gone.
Well, sadly, tonight, I saw neither big nor strong. But I saw plenty of ugly.
Ugly skills.
Ugly organisation
Ugly passion.
Ugly, ugly defence.
And an ugly scoreboard as a reward for all the ugliness.
As i started this with, it just left me so disheartened.
And to think I went to the game with money on our boys and a confidence and belief that the propaganda thrown at us all had a healthy and believeable realism to it.
Silly me. And people wonder why I am cynical.
Sad Suit
