I am an eternal (deluded) Parra optimist, so I will not get too upset until every available player has been snapped up. I think we need to take a few weeks-off after the season (however it pans-out) and re-assess where we might stand in 2007.
In 1996 Ron Hilditch failed to get the 9 million dollar team into the semi finals. There was a player revolt, underachievement etc. Brian Smith in 1997 managed to get the Eels into the semis and saw us go on a major winning streak (albeit with John Simon coming to the club, but not much beter than Freeman). In 1998 we should have won the Grand Final.
Not a free plug for Smith or a slege for Hilditch, but it IS an example of a new coach coming to a club and making an instant difference. We all know Hagen is a players coach, how do we know that his influence wont bring the best out of some players???
I think JT has done a good job so far, but he would have to be a Smith devotee, and therefore would not be teaching the boys radical new things.
I think we will be pleasantly suprised at the positive impact Hagans coaching has on the boys. On paper, our squad now, and arguably next year is still top 8 material. It is an even comp these days, even more so with Souths and Titans spending hte moolah.
Be positive guys!!!
PS. Welcome to Parra Todd - DONT play too well this weekend!
