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Been a great week for us but time to switch our focus as we look towards a bumper clash against the Eels in Round 22 this Friday night. JD talked about levels in his press conference on Saturday and this week is about going through the gears and stepping it up a level in all areas of our game. We do have a tough run home, playing all Premiership and Finals contenders which starts this week, so intensity levels need to rise all across the park. No doubt about it that this is an absolute blockbuster, a huge game.
Parra are one of those Premiership contenders I was talking about. Well, I believe they are anyway. I know they can be a bit up and down over the course of the Season, but I just feel that they too are starting to go through those gears and crank it up. They've shown where they're at in the past couple of weeks, beating Penrith and then Manly so make no mistake, this game on Friday is going to be a huge challenge. Yes, we've had their measure in recent meetings but that means absolutely nothing this week. They'll be primed for a huge game and it's gonna be extremely tough this time around. I know they're missing their halfback which is a huge loss but there's still stars right across the park for the Eels. Gutherson, Sivo, Brown, Paulo, Mahoney, Lane, Matterson, Papali'i; The list just goes on and on. So much strike power that on their day, can beat anyone so we're really up against it this week. I think now more than ever, the key to getting the two points here is going to be the forward battle. Our pack have been going so well through the middle lately and that must continue against one of the best sets of forwards in the game. If we can at the very least hold our own there, or even get on top of them, then the game is there for the taking.
For us, as I keep banging on about, we must lift. We have been going really, really well lately and have passed tests against some of the big sides in recent weeks but now is the time we really need to start going to that next level. JD said it himself that at this time of year, some teams will do that, while some will drop off. We don't want to be one of those teams that drop off. I genuinely believe that this team can go on and do anything in this competition and this week is another big chance to show that against a Premiership contender. Are the boys up for it? Well, they decide that themselves. It's a big challenge, especially at their home ground, but it's a challenge Ii hope they're up for. We have a lot of improvement in our game, and I want to see signs of that improvement on Friday night. Cut the crap out that can sometimes sneak in because we can't give Parra an inch, complete your sets and this will be a big test for our defence this game. We're once again going to find out where we're really at.
So, step it up a gear lads and let's go and get it this week! Big challenge but our destiny is in our own hands. We can do this!!
Parra are one of those Premiership contenders I was talking about. Well, I believe they are anyway. I know they can be a bit up and down over the course of the Season, but I just feel that they too are starting to go through those gears and crank it up. They've shown where they're at in the past couple of weeks, beating Penrith and then Manly so make no mistake, this game on Friday is going to be a huge challenge. Yes, we've had their measure in recent meetings but that means absolutely nothing this week. They'll be primed for a huge game and it's gonna be extremely tough this time around. I know they're missing their halfback which is a huge loss but there's still stars right across the park for the Eels. Gutherson, Sivo, Brown, Paulo, Mahoney, Lane, Matterson, Papali'i; The list just goes on and on. So much strike power that on their day, can beat anyone so we're really up against it this week. I think now more than ever, the key to getting the two points here is going to be the forward battle. Our pack have been going so well through the middle lately and that must continue against one of the best sets of forwards in the game. If we can at the very least hold our own there, or even get on top of them, then the game is there for the taking.
For us, as I keep banging on about, we must lift. We have been going really, really well lately and have passed tests against some of the big sides in recent weeks but now is the time we really need to start going to that next level. JD said it himself that at this time of year, some teams will do that, while some will drop off. We don't want to be one of those teams that drop off. I genuinely believe that this team can go on and do anything in this competition and this week is another big chance to show that against a Premiership contender. Are the boys up for it? Well, they decide that themselves. It's a big challenge, especially at their home ground, but it's a challenge Ii hope they're up for. We have a lot of improvement in our game, and I want to see signs of that improvement on Friday night. Cut the crap out that can sometimes sneak in because we can't give Parra an inch, complete your sets and this will be a big test for our defence this game. We're once again going to find out where we're really at.
So, step it up a gear lads and let's go and get it this week! Big challenge but our destiny is in our own hands. We can do this!!