Biggest letdown in 2009, by far

[_Johnsy]

For mine it has to be the cowboys, finishing 3rd in 2007, 2nd last in 2008. Exceptional squad, a couple of injuries (like all NRL squads). WTF is going on up there.


2007 - 2008
Melbourne - Melbourne
Manly - Manly
NQ - Cronulla
Warriors - Roosters
Eels - Brisbane
Bulldogs - Raiders
Rabbitohs - Dragons
Broncos Warriors


Tigers - Knights
Roosters - Tigers
Sharks - Eels
Titans - Panthers
Dragons - Titans
Raiders - Rabbitohs
Knights - NQ
Panthers - Bulldogs

 

[bartman]

It's still 2008 mate ;-)

 

[Eels Dude]

2008 or 2009 as per your headline??? I don't think it's fair to comment on a 'letdown' on 2009. That's like saying biggest underachiever in 2009 now...

Parra were far more disappointing than the Cowboys if you're talking about this season. Nth Qld lost their two best players for most of the season and a few more, as well as having to deal with coaching dramas etc.

Eels had a full roster all season and few injuries, as well as younger players who were expected to step up and only the loss of a couple of players in the off season.

 

[DJShaksta]

Bulldogs went from 6th last year to the spoon this year.
They sacked their coach, lost the best played to French Rugby.
I think over there at Canterbury they'd be calling it a complete disaster.

 

[attila_the_gorilla]

It just goes to show how much of a two-man team the Cowboys are. And with Bowen out all season, and Thurston on-and-off, plus a rubbish forward pack, trouble.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

willie mason

 

[bulos01]

Bulldogs went from 6th last year to the spoon this year.
They sacked their coach, lost the best played to French Rugby.
I think over there at Canterbury they'd be calling it a complete disaster.

dont forget losing their major sponsor

 

[DangerMouse_007]

Ranking the teams outside the 8 in terms of disappointing seasons (from least disappointing to most disappointing) I'd go:

8. Titans - Should have been in the 8 this year if not for a horrible injury toll.
7. Knights - Not sure why Brian Smith is suddenly a hero yet Matt Elliot is the worst coach in the world. There was 3 points between their sides.
6. Panthers - Didn't make the 8 and therefore it wasn't a great year but wasn't as bad as some people are saying.
5. Cowboys - Can be excused partly because of injuries and coaching dramas. Still it wasn't good.
4. Wests - Where are they going? The premiership honeymoon is well and truly over. Time for something new at the Tigers.
3. Souths - Things should have got better for them this year not worse. A really bad year for them.
2. Eels - The biggest underachievers in the competition.
1. Dogs - The Eels may have underachieved more but ask Dogs fans if they'd like their roster for next year.

 

[Rovelli]

Three of the teams that made the finals in 2007 were all let-downs in 2008

Bulldogs lost a lot of talent, had injuries, SBW left, had nothing at the end

Eels were sh*t all season, but somehow they would've made the finals had they won their last two games....so bad, but others weren't much better. Still, after arguably being the 2nd best team in the finals series, it was disappointing for them.

Cowboys - are they a two-man team? Had nothing without JT (Joe E effect), and without Bowen, they were crap too. Injuries hurt, but the signs were there last year - bad F/A despite finishing 3rd.

Rabbitohs - well, the first half was awful. Second-half, thanks to us gift-wrapping them two wins, they played quite well. Things looking up, but Wing's signing is going to turn out rather badly I'm afraid. Still, Sandow is a good player

 

[Tommy Smith]

For mine it has to be the cowboys, finishing 3rd in 2007, 2nd last in 2008. Exceptional squad, a couple of injuries (like all NRL squads). WTF is going on up there.


2007 - 2008
Melbourne - Melbourne
Manly - Manly
NQ - Cronulla
Warriors - Roosters
Eels - Brisbane
Bulldogs - Raiders
Rabbitohs - Dragons
Broncos Warriors


Tigers - Knights
Roosters - Tigers
Sharks - Eels
Titans - Panthers
Dragons - Titans
Raiders - Rabbitohs
Knights - NQ
Panthers - Bulldogs

I dont think the Cowboys have an exceptional squad. They have a crap front row, a crap three-quarter line, and the two key players which hold them together missed a huge chunk of the season. Bowen hasn't played for about 4 months and Thurston missed over a moth as well.

 

[EvolutionUber]

I have mail on whats happened up there that I can't say on the fourm

 

[Eels Dude]

I have mail on whats happened up there that I can't say on the fourm

Then what's the point of saying anything at all Mr Weidler :roll:

 

[wittyfan]

Gods of Football competition.

Truly shocking.

 

[Monk]

I have mail on whats happened up there that I can't say on the fourm

do tell.:sarcasm:

 

[Tommax25]

Ranking the teams outside the 8 in terms of disappointing seasons (from least disappointing to most disappointing) I'd go:

8. Titans - Should have been in the 8 this year if not for a horrible injury toll.
7. Knights - Not sure why Brian Smith is suddenly a hero yet Matt Elliot is the worst coach in the world. There was 3 points between their sides.
6. Panthers - Didn't make the 8 and therefore it wasn't a great year but wasn't as bad as some people are saying.
5. Cowboys - Can be excused partly because of injuries and coaching dramas. Still it wasn't good.
4. Wests - Where are they going? The premiership honeymoon is well and truly over. Time for something new at the Tigers.
3. Souths - Things should have got better for them this year not worse. A really bad year for them.
2. Eels - The biggest underachievers in the competition.
1. Dogs - The Eels may have underachieved more but ask Dogs fans if they'd like their roster for next year.

well I think it is because smith and elliot started coaching there the same year. smith cleaned out the deadwood at the end of his first season that had failed the past few seasons and has purchased players (apart from a core of senior players) and built a team of his choice and coaching to fall just short.

elliot kept the same deadwood players at penrith that had failed the past three season, made no or poor purchases that didn't add anything to the team (eg: nathan smith=shane rodney, brad tighe=maurice blair) he failed to develop their games to improve thier performances in previous season under different coaches, put in a playing style/system that players didn't agree with/couldn't play with and kept it despite critisicm from them.

you could say penrith had a better team this year as well if you include rookies, but I think the teams are fairly even. smith>>>>>>>>>>>elliot.

 

[Snor]

the public slating of Sonny Bill Williams by professional journos

 

[Shorty]

Ah the two man team thing once again.
People should really just stick with having no idea instead of pretending to have an idea.

Here's a nice little piece of info for you,we were doing crappy with Bowen and Thurston in our side it also might help people to realise that we have actually improved our f/a and don't get racked up by 40 points without Thurston anymore
We got our coach sacked before the freaking season,the dumb management team didn't have even a f**king replacement and we had a crappy strength and conditioner.

The wheels didn't just fall off because Bowen and Thurston got injured,it pays to pay attention!

The Eels have been the biggest letdown,by far.

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

Ah the two man team thing once again.
People should really just stick with having no idea instead of pretending to have an idea.

Here's a nice little piece of info for you,we were doing crappy with Bowen and Thurston in our side it also might help people to realise that we have actually improved our f/a and don't get racked up by 40 points without Thurston anymore
We got our coach sacked before the freaking season,the dumb management team didn't have even a f**king replacement and we had a crappy strength and conditioner.

The wheels didn't just fall off because Bowen and Thurston got injured,it pays to pay attention!

The Eels have been the biggest letdown,by far.

I think the training regime was the biggest factor for you guys. Halfway through the season the Cowboys just looked like they had nothing left in the tank. Sacking the coach early on is also a pretty poor move. Should have sacked him at the end of last year if he had to go. Thurston and Bowen do obviously make a big difference in the team but you can't label them as the reason for a poor year.

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

As for the Bunny's, I think they had a reasonable season considering that the trip to the States basically rooted their pre-season. They looked very under done until about round 5 or 6 and the guys that played for te Kiwis didn't come good until later than that. Settling on a halves combo and sticking with it also did wonders for the team. Imo Paea, Rogers, Smith in the halves in whatever order could have still won us some games but none of them ever had a chance to settle in. Once Wing was out, JT should have just said ok, I'm going with say Rogers and Paea in the halves and I'll stick with them for a couple of months.

Biggest dissapointment for mine has been the eels. They have the troops but just look un-interested. IMO 2009 will see something give in that camp. Either the coach will go or you will start seeing the players go en-masse as is happening at the Panthers atm. If I were one D.Fitzgerald I'd be putting an ad in the Parramatta advertiser for a new coach asap. There are a few guys there that probably need to go but when players like Inu and Hayne start looking un-happy, you need to act fairly quickly.

 

[adamkungl]

Biggest dissapointment for mine has been the eels. They have the troops but just look un-interested. IMO 2009 will see something give in that camp. Either the coach will go or you will start seeing the players go en-masse as is happening at the Panthers atm. If I were one D.Fitzgerald I'd be putting an ad in the Parramatta advertiser for a new coach asap. There are a few guys there that probably need to go but when players like Inu and Hayne start looking un-happy, you need to act fairly quickly.

Personally I'd start looking for a new CEO as well...