Parramatta toss form guide aside
FREYA GRANT
The Early Games
July 12, 2004
PARRAMATTA players were last night riding a victory wave as tall as it was low last week.
The Eels managed an upset defeat of the top-of-the-table Roosters on Saturday night after suffering a loss to the cellar-dwelling Warriors just last week.
Eels players were unable to explain the inconsistencies of their season but remained determined to make the finals.
"I don't really know why [we've been inconsistent] and I think if I knew or if the coach knew, we'd be fixing it," said veteran Michael Vella.
"It's very frustrating because we keep putting in the effort and in some weeks it comes off and others it doesn't."
Eels goalkicker Michael Witt said the team would "go back to the drawing board" as they readied themselves for next weekend's clash against the Cowboys.
"We have to look at what we did this weekend and not get too far ahead of ourselves," Witt said.
"We're at a stage where we are taking each game week-by-week.
"Everyone realised how good the Roosters were going.
"We knew it was going to be a tough night to beat a class side but we did it."
The Eels have been buzzing after a number of key signings last week, with Glenn Morrison, Timana Tahu and Chad Robinson all joining Mark Riddell at the club next year.
"There has been a lot of media and all my mates are talking about the signings but we are just thinking about this year at the moment," Vella said.
"We are still playing for the semis and our jobs are to play well, we're not going to go out the back door."
The Roosters are hoping to have injured second-rower Michael Crocker back on Friday night against the Dragons.
Crocker, who suffered rib cartilage damage during the deciding Origin game, will have to pass a fitness test this week.
PARRAMATTA 26 (L Burt 3, M Petersen 2 tries; M Witt 3 goals) SYDNEY ROOSTERS 12 (A Minichiello, S Webb tries; C Fitzgibbon 2 goals). Referee: J Robinson. Crowd: 10,188.
