BigBlog

It was a very good win last weekend against the Roosters and we knew we had it in us. It was a game we thought we could win and we did. We got the game plan right and the attitude was good.

When you’re written off by everyone it always fires you up a bit more. It was a Sunday afternoon game, there was a decent crowd there and everyone was really looking forward to it. I even managed to get over for a try! I don’t mind scoring them that’s for sure so I’ll take it, no dramas.

I don’t think the Roosters played that badly but I think they looked a bit flat simply because we made them play that way. We didn’t give them time to kick the ball like they normally do and we concentrated well on defending their wingers and fullback Sammy Perrett in particular. So I don’t think they played badly, I just think we played better.

Roosters winger Amos Roberts was injured pretty early on in the game so that kept him a bit quiet, but we did want to concentrate on him as well.  He’s been killing it for the Roosters this year so we wanted to make sure he didn’t get it all his own way.

We had a chat during last week about how we can improve our game and how we can improve as individuals. We sorted a few things out that were not necessarily dividing the team but that lacked clarity. We looked at how we could work as one and I think that really had an impact.

To be honest I don’t exactly know the numbers for us to make the semis but I think we pretty much have to win every game. That’s definitely how we’re looking at it. We want to win every game and whatever works out works out. So if we do make the semis after that we’ll be on a bit of a roll.

We’ve got the Tigers on Monday night at Parra Stadium. The Tigers are starting to show some form and I think it could be a great game. I’m not a huge fan of playing the last game of the round on Monday nights, but that’s just the way it goes. I prefer to play early on and then watch the other teams bash each other.

Leading up to this game, we had a bit of a hit of golf on Thursday. On Friday we trained in the morning, Saturday we have off and then we train again on Sunday.

The golf game was a team activity, something that players officially have to attend. But those kind of things aren’t a hassle, they’re good for the team. A few of us do enjoy having a hit of golf in general. We played at Parramatta this week and it’s good to be out there having a hit. Nathan Cayless goes alright, but Eric Grothe would have to be the worst. I don’t think he’s cut out to be a golfer.

Following on from last week’s blog I was stoked to get an email from some guys on the Central Coast of NSW who offered me some drum lessons after I mentioned I was looking for a teacher. It’s a bit far for me to travel but I certainly appreciate the offer and am still keen to learn how to play the kit properly. So if there anyone a bit closer to home, don’t hesitate to get in touch through the Eels. I mean it.

I’ve been loving the Olympics on TV all week. I’m a big fan of the hockey actually. It’s a really tough game, they really have to be fit and the obviously play to a game plan. In some senses it’s a bit like league.

In the swimming, the thing I can’t believe is how many world records are being broken! It’s got me beat how those swim suits they’re all wearing can actually make you go faster. How can it be faster to have something on rather than just have your bare skin? It’s amazing.

Something else on the agenda is we’re involved with the Bandaged Bear Cup next weekend against the Bulldogs. It’s for the Children’s Hospital at Westmead so we’ll be doing a few things for that, going to the hospital and stuff. That’s a good cause and is something I’m glad we can be involved in. Those things are important to do I reckon.

See you next week!
Hindy

It was a very poor game from us on Monday night against the Knights. We started the game very slowly and we finished the same way. It was a shocker. A very disappointing effort mostly across the board from us, except for maybe Nathan Cayless and Jarryd Hayne. So it's back to the drawing board again, unfortunately.

Newcastle aren't a shabby side by any means. Danny Buderus and Kurt Gidley are two of the most consistent players in the comp, but it really was a one-sided game. We were prepared for a hard game and knew it would be a fight, but we started slowly and paid the price for it.

Before some games I get the sense that the team is not up for it, particularly when you are expected to beat the opposition, but I didn't have that feeling the other night.

We’re now in a hard position. From what I've heard we've got to win every game from now on to make the eight, starting Sunday against the Roosters. We've had discussions all through the season about how we're going and to try and fix things but it's just one of those things. If you're not on, you're not on. It's very frustrating however. Why we're not clicking is a hard question to answer and I would love to be able to answer it!

If you look at us on paper, across the board we look very strong, so I sometimes just don't know what's going on. We're just not putting it together as a team

Sunday is a big game for us. The Roosters pretty much embarrassed us the first time we met this season, so we'll be looking to make amends. We're playing for the Jack Gibson Cup this time, something that's going to be ongoing between the two clubs, so it would be nice to pick up a bit of silverware there.

We know again that this is another game that's not going to be easy. The Roosters are up near the top of the table so we're expecting a very hard game, plus there's always a good rivalry between us so it could be a solid match. There's a bit of the Westies vs the Easties about this match and it will just be interesting to see if those Rooster fans actually get out to the game. Hopefully the rain stays away and there's a big crowd but you never know with Roosters games! Sometimes people turn up and sometimes they don't.

There's been a heap of talk this week of course about the Sonny Bill Williams matter and I'll just say a couple of things. What I can’t understand is why he couldn't just play out seven more weeks and then go to France if he wanted to? He could surely have waited that time and then gone over. It's just amazing that he'd let his mates down like that. I can totally understand the money issue. If you're being offered money like that of course you are going to consider it. But if you sign a five-year contract and then just walk out on it like that, it's hard to believe.

People say "he's under pressure", but what NRL player isn't under pressure? I mean we play the game, we want to play first grade and the pressure is just part of it. We all experience it and as a kid it's the sort of exposure that you grow up wanting. If you don't want that exposure, don't do it in the first place. It really annoys me when people complain about pressure.

I mean you do have to get some space away from the game at times, but we play the game because we love it and the pressure is part of it. Having said that, one of the ways I've been relaxing a bit lately has been that I've been trying to learn the drums. I've got a couple of kits at home and I give them a fairly solid workout. I'm pretty terrible but I really love it and I really want to learn. And this is a dead serious suggestion, if there's anyone out there who's a drum teacher and would be willing to give me a few lessons, I'm up for it! I'm serious, I really enjoy it, so if there's anyone who can teach me a bit, please contact the Parramatta club.

I've been trying to learn for probably the past five years but I've decided that now is the time to stop mucking around. So someone, give us a call! But I guess one of the problems is the moment I start having a bash, my kids come down and take over. They're into it! In general, the boys are going great guns. They're growing up fast and I just love watching them enjoy themselves and learn new things. Maybe they can watch their dad learn something new!

I wrote earlier in the season that league is going soft. Well this weekend did absolutely nothing to dispel that theory after Jason Ryles was sent off for playing footsies with Jeff Lima.

When a front rower is sent off for something like that I wonder what the game is coming to?

Now I have got over that it’s time to look at our game from the weekend.

Things were looking good until after Tony Williams scored in the second half. After that try it seemed like we simply forgot how to attack and pushed too hard trying to create something out of nothing.

We certainly didn’t benefit from any of the referee’s decisions on the night and I am adamant Chad Robinson scored a try. I thought the attacking team was supposed to get the benefit of the doubt?

I also thought there were a couple of other things which went against us including Brett Stewart not being penalised after Jarryd Hayne had stripped him and Snake held Haynesy down for a while. There were a couple of other calls as well.

But at the end of the day we can’t blame the ref and have to look in the mirror. The truth is we lost another game we should have won.

When Manly lost Matt Orford before the game we were licking our lips and then they lost Jamie Lyon early on. With the loss of Orford and Killer we should have been able to dominate them. It became even clearer when big Jason King did his ankle later on in the game but we failed in our task.

I may sound frustrated in this post, but it’s hard not to be.

Despite being able to knock us over I don’t feel like Manly are a genuine premiership contender. I think they lack that X-factor teams need to win the comp. If Michael Monaghan was still there I don’t think I would feel that way.

Manly are a very good team but that is as far as I think it goes. I have no doubt they can make the Grand Final but I don’t believe they can win it.

As for what we need to do, well I have said to the media we need to improve on our goal line defence and I stand by it. You can’t stand on your goal line and expect to be able to stop the opposition.

That try Anthony Watmough scored against us was just about the worst try a team I have played in has conceded. Tries from dummy half are bad enough but that one was atrocious!

With tries being scored from dummy half mentioned I am hoping Mark Ridell can snag one this week. I think Piggy is on the bench to provide an impact and I look forward to seeing some trademark Piggy runs.

I really hope we can get a huge crowd of the Eels faithful out to Parramatta Stadium for our clash with North Queensland on Friday night. I know 13th v 16th doesn’t look great on paper, but we need the support.

The Cowboys will be motivated as well. No team wants the wooden spoon and with the finals now out of their reach they will be looking to shed the kitchenware. Even without Thurston they showed last week they still know how to attack.

I’m off to St Josephs College this arvo to give their union side a hand, but there is no hint of a code switch, unless I get offered a contract a la Gaz!

Back at home and we took the kids down to Robertson for the weekend. They loved it but with the whole family there and seven kids it was a bit of a headache.

Hindy

I can’t say the mood at Parramatta is great at the moment. The boys are down and after two losses in games we should have won it’s not hard to see why.

So now tonight we take on Manly in what may be close to a season defining game. Nothing would give us more of a boost than beating the competition leading silvertails at Brooky and, with no one giving us a chance, who knows.

As a player I love it when you get given no chance in a game as that backs to the wall mentality really kicks in. We saw it last weekend with the Titans and hopefully we can replicate their result, although it won’t be easy.

The thing about games like this where nobody gives you a chance is it takes some of the pressure off. Obviously there is still pressure to win but the pressure of expectation is lessened.

A few things have happened this week. One is we have lost Feleti Mateo and there is no hiding it. It’s a huge loss for us. Feleti has been our best week-in-week-out and in my opinion has been close to the best player in the game this year. Not Greg Inglis, no disrespect there but I don’t know how Johnathan Thurston didn’t win best player in the Player’s Poll.

With the losses mounting up and the pressure being put on us I want to clarify that the weight of expectation early in the season hasn’t affected us. The media can write what they want, and do, but it doesn’t really affect us.

Of course the other big change is Jarryd Hayne is in the fullback jersey with Luke Burt having a rest.

Obviously I am mates with both guys but Luke and I go way back. It’s hard to put personal feelings aside when someone like Luke gets dropped, but he has known his form has been a little down.

As for Haynesy, well he has got his wish, so we will see how he goes.

As for tonight we have to shut down the likes of the Stewart brothers and Matt Orford, not to mention Steven “the Beaver” Menzies, if for no other reason than to shut the mouth of the most annoying ground announcer in the NRL.

I certainly don’t want to see Steve score a try and then hear “The Beeeaaaaaaverrrrrrrrrr”.

As for us we have to hold the ball and I would say complete 85-90% of our sets. No team completes theirs as well as Manly so to match them we have to be competitive and about 12 of our guys have to play their best footy.

The Player’s Poll came out this week and I can’t believe Willie Mason got voted Most Overrated. I actually penciled Mase down for something else last year as a gee up, but overrated, no way.

The guy has played for Australia and NSW, but he’s in good company with the likes of Braith Anasta and Brad Fittler being nominated for the award in the past. Actually, given that, I want the tag in 2009, so bring on the votes!

Mark Gasnier is off to France and good luck to him. No one can honestly begrudge him for taking the million dollars and running all the way to the bank. Anyone who was offered a new job with that kind of pay would have to take it, no matter what they do.

Yesterday was Buster’s first birthday and what a day he had. He got spoilt but I think he enjoyed his ice cream cake the most, although he and Archie are loving the trampoline. I know I said I would send photos but I have changed phones.

During the week I also got a chance to hoon around Parramatta Stadium on one some awesome bikes. It was a promo for the Super X event to be held at Parramatta at the end of the year.

The most dangerous thing I did was ride up and down the stairs, so no jumping for me, but I had a good time and can’t wait to see the event later in the year when Australia’s US Supercross champion Chad Reed comes out.

Hindy

I wasn’t bouncing around, jumping up and down saying “Hages I’m good to go” last week. I was jogging on the spot telling him “Hages I’m good to go” - journos need to get it right.

The story was I really wasn’t going to play but once Chad Robinson pulled out I felt like I should do everything I could to help. I was due for an injection in my toe on Monday anyway, so I figured I could play and I did.

As for an update on my injured toe I have arthritis in it and a few bone spurs which are increasing the pain. When it gets to the end of the season we will reassess how I should treat it.

Speaking of treatment I cannot believe the rubbish some Parramatta fans directed to Petero Civoniceva.

It was disgusting and it’s just not on. The people involved deserve a life ban. There is no room for racist behaviour in any walk of life, and it’s simply not on.

As a Parramatta player I am disgusted to hear it’s apparently not the first time it has happened with Johnathan Thurston saying it happened to him at Parramatta Stadium in 2006.

I am sure not all Parra fans act this way but the rest of them are being tarred with the same brush as those who made these racist comments. In the wake of the Thurston scenario I have to wonder what is going on with an element of our fan base.

Furthermore it doesn’t send a good message to any of the young kids we have in the Under 20s. A lot of them have Polynesian heritage and these idiots in the crowd are effectively marginalising them as well.

Anyway, on to the actual game and that wasn’t much better as we gave up a 16-0 lead to the Panthers before we decided to have a go. It’s not the first time we have done that and we simply can’t afford to.

No team can, unless you’re South Sydney at the moment!

The team had a good heart to heart after the Panthers game. We have worked on some things this week and need to start implementing them to win games.

Brett Finch said it the other day that it needs to be sooner rather than later or our season will be gone and he was spot on. It’s time to stop talking and start performing. We need to string wins together starting this week and I wouldn’t mind finishing off like we did in 2006, although I think 10 in a row in this competition is unlikely.

I saw Jarryd Hayne come out and say he wants to play fullback during the week and, while I am sure Haynesy could do it, Luke Burt is playing well.

Haynesy has to work for what he wants. You can’t just pick and choose where you play and that goes for everyone across the board. I would like to play five eighth but it’s not going to happen.

For those of you who may have seen my MMS pics of Eric Grothe at training it is not a pointer to anything. Guru is part of the top squad and has continued to train with us, but at this stage he is continuing to work on his game in the Jim Beam Cup and is going well.

As I said before, this week we have South Sydney and the way they are storming home we might need to put 50 or 60 points on them.

Souths have a solid core of players and for years I have disliked playing them. I don’t know why, I just do.

With Craig Wing back they have been given confidence and experience and I know him being there will certainly help their rookie halfback Chris Sandow. I just hope he doesn’t run at me, the kid moves like a greyhound at Sandown!

John Sutton is another one of their players we have to watch out for as he has been playing very well of late, but John has it in him to sometimes not step up and be as dominant as he can be.

Don’t get me wrong he is a very talented player and a game breaker but sometimes he can go quiet.

Back at home Buster is about to turn 1 on July 17 and he has started to walk, while Archie has started a bit of day care so he can socialise with other kids.

I’ve also bought a trampoline which I am about to put together. I’ll post some photos of me attempting to get it ready. I’m sure it will be more difficult than it seems.

Hindy