Can We Go Back To Back

Boundos

Boundos

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Ok so everyones quick to mention "We acheived the goal of the first premiership, will be hard to replicate that hunger" which is a valid point.

No one has mentioned however the flipside of that coin. This team (a lot of which are young blokes) will have the confidence knowing that we've done it before, we are good enough if we put the work in.
 
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ABshark

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Of course can. We're entered in the comp. Realistically I think it's unlikely.

Id be half inclined to be thinking rebuild if I was in charge of the footy department. I'm not enamoured with the "just play the kids" line of thinking because I dont think it's suited to the NRL and I don't want to see us go back to accepting mediocrity, but I'd be focusing on bringing through a new generation given how old our leaders were on the weekend. I feel like we've squeezed that group so hard for so long and they gave us one last huge effort but there's nothing left - Gal for instance looks done and I wouldn't be shocked if he called it quits now after being left out of the Kangas squad.

Regardless, we need to develop Brown, Brailey, Capewell and perhaps the likes of Nisbet and some other youngsters to get there again so I'd be looking to get games into them.
 
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ABshark

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Boundos said:
Ok so everyones quick to mention "We acheived the goal of the first premiership, will be hard to replicate that hunger" which is a valid point.

No one has mentioned however the flipside of that coin. This team (a lot of which are young blokes) will have the confidence knowing that we've done it before, we are good enough if we put the work in.
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It's a fair point. There's one line of belief that says once a battler reaches the top he's damn keen to stay there because he knows how bad it is down the bottom. If you've struggled for long enough the hunger never dies. We should cultivate that hunger now, embrace it. There's lots of evening up to do.
 
BlackWhiteBlue

BlackWhiteBlue

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To be honest, I havent given next season any thought yet.

We've just had what can only be described as the best season in the clubs history. Even if we didnt win the grand final, it was still that. We equalled or better multiple club records.

equal biggest winning margin (biggest win while holding opposition to zero
biggest winning streak
Im not sure if only dropping 1 game at home is a club record but im sure it is (plus undefeated in the finals)
Val equalling the club tries scored record
3 players i think (or was it 4, Lewis being the 4th) in double digits for tries scored


Oh and the grand final win really was what cemented this season in not only our history, but the NRL's. How many clubs have good seasons that are forgotten about cos they have nothing to show for it. We showed up to play from round 1.

I said it weeks ago that if we win the grand final I dont care what happens next year. Im sure come round 1 ill feel differently but right now, it just doesnt matter to me.

Hopefully the boys dont feel that way though.
 
slide rule

slide rule

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Yes we can. You really need a lot to go right to win though. If we get a decent run with injuries and make the finals it is possible.

Some of our older players are probably nudging over the hill but we've also got a decent core of younger and middle aged players that can probably get a bit better or at least stay the same. Wade, Fifita, Bird, Val, Barba, Townsend, Bukuya, Prior, Nu, Ricky, Maloney and Capewell are still in the good age group. Confidence would be sky high. They have done it before so mentally they know what is required.
 
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With the mass confidence we got from beating the 3 best teams in the finals, we only need to limp into the top 4, by the end of the season, and like this year hit the turbo button, we really did have a dream run with injuries and suspensions I wonder and hope we can get that fortune again.
 
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sharkgaz

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ABshark said:
It's a fair point. There's one line of belief that says once a battler reaches the top he's damn keen to stay there because he knows how bad it is down the bottom. If you've struggled for long enough the hunger never dies. We should cultivate that hunger now, embrace it. There's lots of evening up to do.
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I think for sure the younger guys will be able to maintain that hunger and desire next year. Just not sure if some of the older bodies are going to be physically and mentally up to it, after all the energy burned from getting this first premiership. If we can manage our playing roster sensibly and blood a couple of younger guys on the bench, it will go a long way in injecting fresh enthusiasm. It's possible!

Capewell has to have a bench spot from the start of the year.
Brailey would be worth a gamble on the bench at some stage despite his young age.
 
slide rule

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Our older guys are really professional though. Gal, Lewis and Heino always do everything in their power to win. Considering it will (probably) be their last season, they'll probably want to give it a good crack again. So I think mentally they'll be up to it.

Also, regarding the hooker, it's the perfect situation for a young guy to come in to. He'll be slotting into an established premiership winning side and will be getting mentoring from Ennis. That's not to say he'll be perfect but it'll be great for his development.
 
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sharkgaz

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slide rule said:
Our older guys are really professional though. Gal, Lewis and Heino always do everything in their power to win. Considering it will (probably) be their last season, they'll probably want to give it a good crack again. So I think mentally they'll be up to it.
Click to expand...

Can't argue with that. Maybe these guy's tickers are even bigger than I thought.
 
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