I can recall when Parra had half it's team on rep duty, and they would still win handsomly under Gibson!
Parra might have had 13 injuries, but realistically we never had half the first grade side out. Cayless, Vella, Hindmarsh, Burt, Hodgeson and Moodie missing was, from memory, the worst (plus fringe 1st graders). However, this possibly lasted for 2-3 weeks, max. From memory, wasn't that the period from the second Canberra flogging to the Warriors/Cowpats wins?
In that timethe players left, bar Hopkins, Morris and young Witt, were largely useless. The 2 last gasp wins were more miracle than anything else, and the better side lost. Wins over Saints, Brisbane, Manly and Cronulla were more richly deserved, and that's when bloked like Wagon et al decided to fire.
You can blame injuries, but look at the WHOLE picture. Players were out of form. Players did stupid things - remember the first half efforts v Canterbury?
6eams always have injuries - it's a fact of life. tehre has not been a great EEl player that didn't miss large chunks of seasons through injuries. It's not injuries that concern me, so much that the form of uninjured players.
Missing Hindy, Cayless and Burt meant nothing if the rest of the side played below par. The Melbourne and Penrith games showed that, even WITH Hindy and Cayless, players not performing up to scratch is the REAL killer.
That's why I don't blame injuries. had Parra players tries their clakker out all year, and finished 9th, no probs. Fix the problem in other ways (player recruitment etc). But seeing player play below par for so long, and wind up underachieving, means that there is a problem.
You lot say that we would have made the semis if Hindy was around for those close losses (Manly, Melbourne etc). I'm saying that if the players at the time, like Wagon et al, HAD played decent footy, we would have made the semis anyway! So it isn't injuries that cost our season.
It was motivation. Skills. Timing. Confidence. Teamwork. Defence. All the things a coach is responsible for.
