Oh yes! Back to being truly “From The Stands”
I wasn’t too sure what a 7000 crowd at Bankwest would feel like. I love the atmosphere of the big matches at Bankwest, and although excited to be going back, I wanted that same feeling from a smaller crowd. Maybe it was the fact that so many fans were simply happy to be back but the atmosphere was wonderful, a real celebration.
On the game itself I liked many things.
Of course the four tries for Sivo and Gutherson’s brilliance were both outstanding to watch. In truth neither surprised me.
Si-Vo
Gutho always does that, he is always involved and sometimes, like last Friday, it just shines a little brighter.
Sivo has improved so much and he looks like a young kid playing in the backyard. A big smile on his face having fun. It’s the way footy should be played.
Our intelligence to keep going to our strengths but taking different options every time because of the brilliant lines run by Shaun Lane and Michael Jennings is outstanding to watch from behind the goalposts.
Without disregarding the brilliance from Gutho and Sivo, the maturity from Dylan Brown or the hard work from Junior and Shaun Lane, a moment as the half time bell sounded and the players were leaving the field showed how great this team could be and why they could get to the top.
Senior player – Michael Jennings
This team has teamwork and a bond that is obvious. As the team was leaving the field I noticed Jai Field walking about two metres behind everyone else. Michael Jennings saw this, slowed up and went over to Jai Field and talked with him all the way to the sheds. Obviously I have no idea what he said but I know that an experienced, representative player noticing and taking the time to walk off with Jai Field, a young man stepping into big shoes, was impressive and demonstrated how this team thinks. They think team first. I am sure this support did not go unnoticed by Jai Field.
I am positive there will be more hurdles along the way and nothing is assured. But I know one thing for sure, our team will turn up, be prepared and all have a real dig. As a supporter I can ask for nothing more.
Newcastle this week will be a test. We normally struggle against them up at Newcastle but I have a feeling we are watching a very different team to those in our recent history. I looked forward to Nathan Brown returning. To think we played so well last week without Brown and Moses was so impressive.
Shelley
I think you hit the nail on the head with the comments around Jai Field and the team supporting him. That is the key difference to what we have seen over the many years past. We could also see the likes of Gutherson, Brown & Mahoney step up to make sure that Field was supported during the game and not thrown into the deep end. Obviously this has come from the coach, but the players are in unison with the coach, and that has to be a very good thing. We don’t see players getting annoyed with each other, or even with the referees. We play the game in front of us as a united team, not a bunch if individuals.
The key now will be to keep this mentality up. It certainly takes a lot of effort to do these little things, but we have seen already that they bring success. There is still a lot to improve in this team and we have not had even a near perfect game yet. If we can get there, anything is possible.
I think our team has started to turn the corner. We are starting to become a genuinely good football team as opposed to one that has potential to play well.
From behind the goalposts our sweeps to the left are brilliant to watch.
To watch our team develop a clear system but not be predictable is wonderful.
Shelley
What a great post. I watched the game on the box, & recorded it, between now and next Sunday I will watch it again, and try to look for the areas I missed.
There is certainly a determination in this years eels squad, even the older players are showing out in so many different ways, when Field scored his try, who were there to lift and congratulate him? the encouragement was huge, your story with MJ & his going up to Jai, and walking with him into the sheds, that is tops to say the least.
Getting older may slow the speed of players but it certainly does not slow their ethics to help the new players, and show they are part of the teams. Even the coaches pressers during the lead in regard to Jai’s selection was all class.
Jennings is so important to this team. He makes Sivo better, especially in defence and his role in our left attacking sweeps in invaluable. Committed+ experienced players are crucial to a team, just look at the Broncos to see what happens when you don’t have it.
Good post Shelley, you always find some details that are missed in the general commentary. Mennings is a key player for us in the lines he runs, his fast footwork keeping teams guessing and making room for Sivo, his team spirit and he is one of the best centres in the game. Quite a different player who played a game of reservice grade in 2018.
Well said Shelley, I also loved the atmosphere of the smaller crowd, but although it looked smaller the feeling was of a normal full house because we were all elated and so many people seemed so animated in their acknowledgment of our success in both defense early and the brilliant attacking football as the game went on. To see the teamwork the boys displayed in both attack and defense was only excelled by their willingness to celebrate with one another over individual events involving two or more players. In that respect the unity of purpose was no better displayed than by some of Fergy’s and Waqa’s efforts with the proviso that it is still a work in progress.