Realistic finish on the table for 2004

[Misty Bee]

The trouble is that we could finish anywhere from 1st to 12th!

I have always maintained that we have the side to be top 4. We certainly have the leagues club $, the juniors, and the reputation of our coaching staff and topplayers.

hell, we have the best second rower in the world. We have the best centre in the world. The 21st century Price and Cronin. Hindmarsh and Lyon, I luv 'em to death. They are full on non stop damage machines and would hold their head up high with the Eel legends of every era.

But the rest? We now have so many players that have to play themselves back into form it ain't funny. In fact, I'll say ALL OF THEM except:

The new guys - uinfair to label them with the disasters of the past

Mick Witt - young bloke, and has handled halfback as good as any of Brian Smith's halves

John Morris and Lee Hopkins - played like they were new blokes trying to keep their spot in a gun side- and ended up blowing all others away in the effort stakes

Luke Burt - a thorough professionall - all class. I couldn't imagine Burty putting in a half hearted effort, but then I once would have said that about Wagon, Vella, Cayless, Vaialiki, Dykes, Widders, so on so forth.

Yeah, Cayless. He ain't the blood and thunder forward leader that we need. His hit ups are not going tomake an opposition halfback shit his pants. Granted,we did lift when he returned, but I still reckon we can get better out of him.

Vella is a disgrace.

Wagon is an UTTER disgrace

Dykes at least had injuries to blame, and showed a glompse of form late ni last season.

So, if it all gels, then top 4. But I agre with Eelememntarv, if we don't make top 4, heads should roll.

But they should have bloody rolled last season!!!!!

 

[Pazza]

Yeah, Cayless. He ain't the blood and thunder forward leader that we need. His hit ups are not going tomake an opposition halfback sh*t his pants. Granted,we did lift when he returned, but I still reckon we can get better out of him

No Cayless defence makes opposition player shit themselves. Hopefully Cannings hitups with make opposition players quiver in fear.

Cayless at full fitness and form is close to being the best prop in the world. He has just had some rotten luck of late, but Cayless never gets smashed, he always lands on his elbows and knees which allows faster play the balls. Sure i admit that Cayless can be much better, but he is full fit going into the offseason with the understanding that he has to be as tough as he can be for the start of next season, and boy i bet he will be ready to kill round 1 2004.

Same goes for Vella and Wagon, the team goes into the off season with a different group of goals and a whole lot of new players. If they don't improve then i will be very surprised. One off season can make a huge difference, just as Joe Guolvoa.

 

[bartman]

I wouldn't say 1st to 12th at the end of the competition rounds - I'd narrow it to 4th to 9th. That is, we are some chance of making the top 4 (if things go well), some chance of missing the 8 (if things go bad), but more likely to finish 5-8th. And once we're in the semis, it's just about winning 4 in a row...

I think Brisbane and Newcastle are facing a similar battle to us, in that yeah, they made the 8, but their form was slipping badly and they were easily bundled out. Those spots are there for the taking if we are good enough.

I don't think the dogs will be at the same level next year, so I don't see them in the top four either. We should aim to finish the 26 rounds in top 4, failing that we need to stand a good chance (ie be in form and not just making up the numbers) in the semis.

Realistically, I can see us 5th, and a show in the finals, if we get off to a good start. That would be an inprovement on our 2002/3 results.

 

[Eelementary]

Misty, mate, I agree with everything you said.

But perhaps I am a little more optimistic:

I think the injured players (Vella, Cayless, Hindy, Burt, Graham, Dykes and Wags) can HOPEFULLY have a good off season and train hard to get back into form.

I mean don't get me wrong - I love Nathan Cayless, but he doesn't hit as hard in attack as he used to. With a good off season he may be back to his best. I am sure Burt will come back as good as ever. Vella have BETTER return better than ever; we need him.

Dykes and Graham can have great years if they remain un-injured.

But I stress it again: we have the best centres, second rower, front rowers, one of the best 5/8 in the comp when fit and a very under-rated hooker, so we SHOULD make a LEAST the Top Eight. But we need to make the Top 4, or heads should roll.

I mean come on - how many years have we been 'rebuilding the club'? How many Premiershipless years? How many super talents have gone off to other teams?

Pull your head in BS. We need you to fire up the team, and for them to perform.

 

[PB]

I tend to agree withbartman, in terms of a 4th-9th finish. $th would be great, 3rd would probably be an over achievement. 9th would be very disapointing, and anything less would be a massive failure.

But there are so many external factors involved; ie. injuries to us and other teams (and when they occur), the draw, referee decisons in close games), so many things that can change whether you finish 4th or 9th.

One of those factors could come out this week, if A. Johns is forced to retire. As we know with out him and if Kennedy suffers any lenghty injury (and you know he will), the Knights will be lucky to finish 10th.

 

[sportive cupid]

I wonder if this debate is premature.Remembering how the panthers were rated at the beginning of this season I feel that there are far too many variables to consider to be making any confident predictions at this stage

 

[Suitman]

I reckon I could make one strong prediction........we won't come last.

Ah, but then again............maybe you ARE right.

Suity

 

[sportive cupid]

I reckon I could make one strong prediction........we won't come last.

Ah, but then again............maybe you ARE right.

Suity

I'll admit your prediction is solid... as long as Cronulla stick with their current arrangement :roll:

 

[Eelectrica]

Almost go through the season undefeated by either losing every game by 2 points or in extra time ;-)

 

[Ron Jeremy]

I honestly reckon that good luck will get us over the line next year....not the players we have....luck will change for us next year.....Karma!!

 

[The Colonel]

1. Change in logo

2. Change in jersey

and as it always comes in three's

3. Change in luck.....

 

[Maroubra Eel]

3. Change in coach

 

[Eelementary]

4. Change in player and coaching attitude

5. Change in fanbase (that chick who decided to go to the Raiders for undisclosed reasons is not a true fan). My philosopy is this: even if we are coming 12th, if we can get big crowds (about 30 000 or so) to go to their matches, and we are loud, the boys WILL lift.

The average crowd attendance this year was inexcusable.

Hell, even I - and you guys know I have been VERY critical of the team all year - went to EVERY home game and to EVERY Sydney game of the season.

PARRAMATTA FANS, GET OUT THERE AND SUPPORT YOUR TEAM!

 

[Maroubra Eel]

I have to admit I have been a bit piss poor in my attendances this year. Will get to more next year.

 

[Ron Jeremy]

I have to admit I have been a bit piss poor in my attendances this year. Will get to more next year.

Same here!!......only wen't to about 3 games!, i just had so much on when a game was played & everytime i planned to go something else came up!!