- Well, it almost went down to the wire. The complete absence of DTTW games in this year's semis was just one strange feature of many in an unorthodox finals series.
- I would have given the Churchill Medal to Fui Fui Moi Moi. Not only was he an absolute inspiration in defence and attack, he scored a great try. Giving him the Churchill would also have provided a much needed silver lining to Eels fans. As it stands, their only consolation is knowing Jeff Robson is leaving next year.
- The selectors should give themselves a chicken wing for giving it to Slater. Yes he attacked the high ball, something Jarryd Hayne perhaps should have done a bit more, but two pivotal BS moments were negatives. First, the dropped bomb that let the Eels score their last try. Second, the dropped ball that he was somehow awarded a penalty for - the only penalty in the game, it felt like. That ended the Eels chances right there.
- The game at least had a few plot twists as the game progressed. Storm to dominate, Eels bounce back, Storm to really dominate, Eels *storm* back, then Storm cruelly put the match out of reach with 5 to go.
- Poor Hayne. You could see that hollow feeling on his face at the end there, knowing that he couldn't carry the team on his shoulders or produce one last flash of brilliance to save the Eels.
- My wife really enjoyed the game, especially when it ended. Her knowledge of league is surprisingly deep, as evidenced by her hawkeyed reading of the awful double entendre in the Eels Pirtek jersey slogan - Fluid Transfer Specialists. That description is likely to be apt for both teams until at least Wednesday morning, in League Blog's opinion.
- LB caught some of the reserve grade games, shockingly the Toyota Cup game appeared faster and of higher quality than the reserve grade game. But the Dogs (aka the Bulls) NSW Cup team got the cookies, and it brought a wave of euphoria to all blue and white supporters to see Ben Barba score three tries. He is a lock to be the Dogs' X factor next year, provided he puts in a good offseason and doesn't punch anyone.
- What will LB do now the season is over? Well, there's the season review to wrap up, but I can reveal we have a few special items planned for the offseason, including a countdown of the real most valuable players in the game.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Off the cuff grand final reflections
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In some ways the game was a bit of a dud. For long periods it had the feel of a foregone conclusion. Storm scoring within the first 5 minutes was predictable (I predicted it) and it was always going to be tough going for the Eels from there.
ReplyDeleteWell done to Parra to come home well, and create some excitement near the finish, but was it ever going to be enough? It wasn't enough.
Looking back, two moments lost it, the Eels' failed defence on Hoffman, and later on Cronk. But it wasn't just those moments that separated the two teams. Storm are simply too clinical.
That's right, clinical. They have been described as clinical, and they are, and over the last few weeks they have been far too clinical for their opponents.
So clinical they have opened their own clinic. They run clinical tests 24/7. They are developing proven acne treatments and will soon release a new nasal congestion remedy. They are going to ditch their traditional purple outfits and run out next year wearing white lab coats.
Seriously though, all the recent talk of 'clinical' had me wondering. But after the last month I now cannot avoid the conclusion that Bellamy is responsible for all this. He worked out a plan so simple that even league players can actually follow it. He broke the game up into little sections. Give him any random player for 12 months, and he will be able to fit them into his machine and they will be able to play their role.
The downside is that the word 'clinical' is often put with the word 'cold', and can have a negative connotation. Lacking in passion, emotion, or human sensitivity. There is a robotic aspect to Bellamy's machine which does not necessarily capture the imagination of the rugby league viewing public.
Speaking as a member of the viewing public, and on behalf of them, I sincerely wish some other team will whop them good next year. Preferably the Eagles, but otherwise any primitive team that retains some human frailty.
Sound a bit like like sour grapes? You bet! (and I agree with Fui for the medal)
Upon further reflection . . .
ReplyDelete1. The match wasn't really a dud, just a bit disappointing for anyone who wanted to see Storm suffer.
2. The moment most Eels players will try to block from their memory? The few seconds it took for approximately 5 of them to each decide (independently, and after due consideration) that That Bomb had nothing to do with them.
3. Human frailty? I retract my earlier comment, Storm proved last year - beyond all reasonable doubt - that they are human.