Being three and five after round eight is not the end of the NRL world, but in 2024 it sure feels that way for Eels supporters.
Sure, we can look at Souths and the Titans and think, “glad that’s not us”, but in truth we probably look at the Panthers and wonder, “why isn’t that us?”.
Quite simply, we believe that the Eels aren’t as good as they should be, though the reality could be that they probably aren’t as good as we hoped they’d be.
Have they been set up for success? I’d argue that they haven’t.
This week’s column is probably a reflection of these times. There’s quite a lot about the problems, but also just enough of the hope to keep my circulatory system functioning.
Bumpers Up!
Stop The Presses!
This article from Rugby League Eye Test hit yesterday, and I didn’t read it until after I published this issue of Bumpers Up. I feel it’s essential to make it a late inclusion to this column, and to have it as the lead section.
The statistics used are damning, and the author points to the structure of the Eels roster as the basis for the Eels sitting worst in the NRL on key metrics. I raised similar concerns in my series of season autopsy posts last year, and in part three I noted the players by position, their age, and length of contract.
Rugby League Eye Test is not an Eels supporter website. It produces deep dives into performance metrics for all clubs to analyse what’s going right or wrong in their season. There is no bias in this high quality website.
I won’t delve into the other conclusions or opinions of the author here. I’ll leave that to you. All I can do is to highly recommend it.
Predictable Media Narrative
Unlike the abysmal effort in Darwin, there was no second half capitulation against the Sea Eagles on Friday night.
I understand that critics will look at the scoreboard and suggest that I’m ignoring the obvious. I’d argue that a capitulation headline is lazy as it fails to recognise what transpired.
Don’t get me wrong, there must be dissatisfaction whenever the Eels are defeated, and a “better loss” is not a standard that any team should accept.
However, putting aside a ridiculously lopsided second half penalty count, and dubious decisions, the Eels still had the opportunity to win against the odds.
With ten minutes remaining, they had navigated poor defence from a couple of players and the sin-binning of Penisini. Though two points behind on the scoreboard, the Eels had registered four tries to Manly’s three.
Sivo is sent
Then the Sivo brain snap removed any chance. The big winger wasn’t on his own for mistakes, but his actions were completely avoidable.
I can’t remember ever pointing the finger at an individual player for a loss. It’s totally unfair, especially when the person concerned is the featured image for this column.
But it’s undeniable that Sivo’s decision to attack the head of Garrick went a long way towards determining the result.
The Immediate Future
Moving forward, results will be difficult to achieve unless the quality and quantity issues of the roster are addressed.
Selection options have been limited due to both the number of players signed or available in particular positions, and the form of players across the roster.
Injuries and suspensions presented a tough challenge to the Eels in 2023, especially given the well documented shortfalls in the squad. They continued to be my fear moving into this season.
Now, in 2024, we must also be respectfully blunt about the performances of key players.
I suspect that there are genuine reasons as to why some individuals are no longer performing anywhere near their best, or are having moments in games that are simply dumbfounding.
For that reason, I’m not going to stick the boot in. None of us are privy to all of the factors that could be affecting their form. There are probably issues which require support, not criticism.
But the problem is that the NRL is a results driven business and underperforming players are proving costly to the Eels in games where victory is thrown away – see the Tigers and Sea Eagles matches.
Arthur & Gutho front the media in Darwin
In the lead up to last weekend, Brad Arthur declared that some players were fortunate to keep their place in the team following the loss to the Dolphins.
There has been an obvious problem.
To drop a player, you must usually be confident that you have better options to call on. For much of this season, the Eels have had a winless NSW Cup side.
Perhaps it’s now time for a leap of faith.
The NSW Cup team has won two of their last three games. Only a 9 to 1 penalty count, and a couple of untimely errors, prevented their recent record from being three victories in succession.
Maybe some selection calls might only provide a short term solution. Maybe any players elevated might not be ready to play regular NRL football. But I suspect the talent exists in the options and at some point, the line has to be drawn in the sand.
For mine, that line is currently of the flashing, fluorescent variety.
It’s time for a couple more debuts.
Preparation
It’s been impossible for me to get to many Eels training sessions this season. However, after the Darwin match, I wanted to see what was going on and how the coaches and players would respond.
Accordingly, I found a way to attend both field sessions in the lead up to the Manly game.
What I witnessed was a focussed group being put through what was arguably amongst the best preparations I’ve seen over the last decade.
Remember, the context was a team coming off a humiliating loss in conditions that exerted an unavoidable physical toll. I wasn’t sure how the team would recover, both mentally and physically.
There were team changes, including a rookie on debut.
The field sessions last week were incredibly precise. All players had their game faces on, and the on-field communication was strong.
Hopgood at last week’s training
Of course, the big test was always going to come on game day, and the first half at Brookie was a terrific representation of what the team had worked towards.
Six Eels line breaks to none from Manly. Three tries to one. Defensive systems were spot on. The attack was asking questions that Manly found difficult to answer.
Unfortunately, some players missed their assignments in the second half. Those moments were costly, including that well-documented indiscretion from Sivo.
The result wasn’t what we wanted, but the preparation could not be faulted.
Gutho
If there are any Eels who need to look in the mirror regarding their efforts this season, I’d suggest looking at their captain instead.
When it comes to competitiveness and the desire to win, Clint Gutherson is deserving of all of the praise which comes his way.
The King is busted up. It’s evident to anyone, especially when he starts bashing at his knee to get it functioning. He probably needs an extended break, but with regularly draining of the fluid on his knee, he’s battling through.
And despite the significant incapacity he’s still close to the best on field every week.
Gutho, Lussick and Reg against the Cows
I’ve long sung Gutho’s praises when it comes to the preseason.
The bloke is a freak. Every year it looks like another player will take his mantle as the supreme athlete on the training track. Many have tried. Dylan Brown was famously transported to hospital a few years back after he tried to match his captain.
Gutho spent the early part of this last preseason in rehab. When he couldn’t run, he took that competitiveness to the exercise bike that he positioned on the Eels HQ verandah as he watched the squad go through their paces.
When it comes to match day, Gutherson is omnipresence draped in Blue and Gold.
The time may well be approaching when the King is better suited to a role other than fullback.
But when we reflect on the history of the Eels, his exploits in the number one jersey should be remembered with similar reverence to that of the legendary Ken Thornett.
Anzac Day Ceremonies
I’m almost prepared to put the ANZAC Day match in Melbourne on my bucket list. Every year, the presentation captured by the broadcasters is stunning, and being there in person during the ceremony must be an emotional experience.
The Eels held their captains run on ANZAC Day, and it was pleasing to witness the acknowledgement given on the training track.
After both the NRL and NSW Cup teams had completed their warm ups, the session came to a halt and The Last Post was played.
All players and staff stood in silent reflection.
There was no crowd to witness it. It was quite simply a way for the group to show their respects on the day itself.
I must also give credit to the Blacktown Workers Club for the ceremony that they staged before the NSW Cup clash between the Eels and the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles.
Anzac Day at Blacktown
Past and present service personnel were in attendance, along with an army vehicle containing three wreaths in honour of recently fallen servicemen. It was a moving ceremony in its own right.
As a child, I remember watching Boer War veterans in the marches. The Vietnam War was dividing the nation, and the prospect of conscription was frightening. Time has moved on. Wars have not.
In a world where conflicts sadly continue, I’m grateful that there are those who have served and continue to serve our country, and that we get such opportunities to express our gratitude.
Darwin
#EndDarwin.
That is all.
Kellyville Centre Of Excellence
I mentioned earlier that I hadn’t been able to get to Kellyville too often this season. So it was a surprise to see how construction had progressed with the Centre of Excellence.
If you are a follower of our Instagram account, you’d know that I’ve been posting videos of the project. Most have been about the excavation.
Now the main building, grandstand and community centre are actually taking shape.
Whether the construction is ahead of schedule or not, the impressive new facility should become a reality within 12 months.
Lower Grades Find The Winning Feeling
Finally, a shout out to both of the Eels lower grades.
On Sunday, the NSW Cup team recorded a 36 to 22 victory over the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles. It was a continuation of their recent improved form which included a fighting win over Melbourne’s feeder team, the Bears, and an unlucky loss to the Roosters.
Amongst a host of strong performers, the best on field was a battle between Sean Russell, Kelma Tuilagi, Makahesi Makatoa and Daejarn Asi.
Matt Arthur and Charlie Guymer continue to push for an NRL debut. Arthur has been a shining light since the opening round and consistently gets the team on the front foot with intelligent dummy half play. Guymer is tough as nails, and though I’ve long thought he’s best suited on an edge, he’s ripping it up at lock.
On Saturday, the Eels Jersey Flegg side secured their first win of the season when they defeated the Sea Eagles by 26 to 16.
Hooray!
Parra was more dominant than the score indicated, leading 26 to nil until late in the game. Three late Manly tries, two from kicks, narrowed the margin.
Despite being winless, the Eels got around each other to celebrate every winning moment throughout the game, and to that end they reminded me of the SG Ball and Flegg teams of last season.
The side has been working towards this win and will look to build on it when they travel to Fiji to take on the Silktails next Saturday.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Good write up.
I agree the time for some more debuts is approaching, not just because there are regulars underperforming but also to see what we have in our younger players. Guymer and MA are genuine chances and I’d like to see them debut this year, but extending from that I think a few flegg forwards should be brought up to cup as prep for 2025. Brazel, Tuivaiti come to mind. The club has talked about investing in pathways, now is the time to make some bold and decisive calls. This includes some players in our top 30 under contract that should be on notice that they will be free to leave if current performances continue (or in some cases should already be looking).
BP, both Saxon Pryke and Jock Brazel have had small tastes of Cup and I suspect that they will get more time later this season. In fact Jock was listed in both teams on the weekend, and I’d say played Flegg after the decision was made to get more minutes in both Makahesi and Kelma. Saxon is a machine at prop and is one of the fittest players in the club. This is despite adding quite a few kgs to his frame since last year.
I’d also like to get another look at Sam in Cup. He had one game last year and did well.
Thanks 60s good stuff here, particularly liked the Gutho write up. Hard to fault the bloke – he had an average patch of games at the start of last season (I think?) but that’s about all I can remember over the last 4-5 years. He’s the smartest footballer in the league, and if had two real knees and his natural speed, he’d be close to if not the best player in the comp.
I’m sure you read the analysis by the guy who does the Rugby League Eye Test. Sobering stuff to be honest. Quantifies a lot of what all us arm chair coaches think, and pretty clearly to me highlights that BA is not the source of all our current woes. He may not be perfect, but he lacks the cattle to do the job. Aside from the fairly dire picture it paints, the question to me is how our professional club with all its resources hasn’t self-identified the issue as crisply as a one-man amateur did? I mean no offence to the guy who does the Rugby League Eye Test (he does a great job, and he may not actually be one man, nor an amateur) but still …..
I fear over the next few years the only real improvement for Eels fans will be that the gap between expectations and reality will merge, just unfortunately not in the right direction.
On an entirely separate note – I hope the Tigers find their future footy home in C’town with the occasional game at Leichhardt. They should completely walk away from using Commbank or Accor.
Well put. Certain people at parra make a lot of money to oversee nrl squad construction, nrl squad planning for future and pathways but as that article points out – those people have failed the fans and the coach for many years now. We have not adapted to the modern game and frustratingly suffer from same problems (re: lack of line speed, high metres conceded in middle, lack of agility in middle, lack of athleticism and speed) that we suffered from since 2019.
In truth there are two options. 1) the club knew all this and stuffed up anyway and nonetheless only brought in two scraps from manly in offseason. or 2) the club didn’t know this and are fools who still pat themselves on the back because the team overachieved one year, got to gf and got pumped by playing a style that never would have beaten Penrith anyway. The latter is obviously worse and less likely given the resources involved in nrl team but the former is almost as egregious.
Also, If you look at the resigning of matto lane and sivo + junior it beggars belief the length of the contracts handed out and the options involved after a 2023 he were we got pumped. We need to get rid of lane and sivo asap and promote guymer, Talagi and arthur into top 30. There’s young wing/centres at sharks and other clubs (look at how Armstrong went for knights, trai fuller for dolphins etc) that we should be sniffing round to fill out our backline depth. There’s young props like Pryke and tuivati that need to be resigned and groomed to take over rcg and Paulo. Instead we signed ann aging player in ofa and a not young tualagi. We have older players in cup (lemulemu, cini) who are average and blocking younger players. Where are the good youth players? Why do so many of them fall away or get poached? The few spine or backline youth players that might make it through to nrl don’t seem to be blue chip players either (other than Arthur) so what’s going wrong with talent ID?
There seems to be no real plan from the club and they are happy to let ba cop the blame to deflect from themselves and their own incompetence. I hope if you ever me get the pretender who calls himself HOF on again you put some tough questions to him. Actually, hopefully he won’t still be in a job at parra by then.
Some questions for anyone in the know.
Does anyone receive bonuses for underspending salary cap each year? ( meeting budget bonus)
What happens to unspent salary cap money? (is this reported anywhere?)
We are known as too rigid, slow and constantly lowballing on contracts and always going for the bargin basement player. This approach has destroyed any credibility in the player market. Making Signings almost impossible unless the player is desperate.
Is someone is profiting from underspending salary cap ?
Pete, as I understand it all clubs have to spend 95% of their cap. I can’t recall what you are allowed to do with that other 5% but essentially clubs can’t stash money away to overspend in following years, and no club is allowed to pocket money that should be spent on players.
So what can happen when a club doesn’t buy players is that they upgrade development players or those outside the top 30. They can also spend more on the contracts of players already in the top 30. All they have to do is spend the money. As far as completing the top 30, if they don’t intend buying anyone, there are probably a range of solutions to declare that they have had a top 30 already – eg – both Rodwell and Momoisea were still listed when the season started.
Thanks Sixties,
Just wondering if something was built in after the salary cap problems.
Accountants are notorious for giving bonuses for coming in under budget. i.e. Head of the football department could receive a bonus if coming in under budget. That could be a motivation that drives the lack of recruitment.
We are known for lowballing and being very rigid in negotiations.
Just speculation. But someone might know if this happens?
Can’t do that. Every team spends every last cent they can under the cap. If there’s cap space at the of the season teams bring forward future salary to fill up the cap. The salary floor, which no one talks about btw, is set at 95% of the cap. That is the absolute minimum you’re allowed to spend on player salaries. But as I said, every club spends right up to the limit every year.
Mick, I’ve read through the eye test and Im hoping that there are those who have a greater say that also read it. If you recall, I wrote about the Eels roster last year, identifying the players in each position, their age and when their contract expired. I was buoyed by the preseason and the energy provided by the younger brigade. I reality, the target for them was 2025 and beyond. We are feeling the impact of an ageing, skinny roster in 2024.
Tks sixties. Had that same feeling about the Manly game. It was events not intent that just seemed to nail us. Penalties 8-1 against and 12 men for 50% of second half is never going to be winning formula, but as you say, take the Sivo ‘event’ out of the equation and we were a deadset chance.(And the 2nd half penalties were 8-0 until we got one late when it didn’t matter).
BDon, the media narrative isn’t interested in diving into that. Many fans aren’t either because to them the scoreboard ultimately tells the story. I get that, and the team has done themselves no favours with abysmal second halves against the Dolphins and Raiders. But you can see the specific moments and the failures of individuals that let the rest of the team down on Friday night (I’m not even getting into the penalties and calls). Quite simply, the team should have won. They were prepared superbly and now tough calls need to be made about individual players.
You know sixties, nothing is ever simple, there were so many factors to that game. I like the way if you read TCT you get everything from Jack Gibson’s front office to the forward pass that cost a game. And today I’m reading the ‘Eye test’ stuff because I read about it here.
You mentioned the media, what about the Ch9 ex-players chorus who whitewashed the Lane tackle, ‘he landed on his shoulder, all OK’. Countless replays right in front of them showed the shoulder only came into it because he was tilted that way, the impact drove straight through the shoulder into the neck and lower side of head. Eventually, I think it was Joey Johns who backed off a bit. Great players, flaky commentators.
Just read the Eye Test. Compelling reading. Stats don’t always arrive at valid conclusions, but I reckon this is data not stats, and the conclusions are pretty sound. Geez, say no more.
BDon,
I just read it too.
I was already in a bad way…now much much worse.
We haven’t adapted game plans. We haven’t refreshed the roster. No strategic planning.
We hit our high watermark in 2022 and the tide has been going out rapidly ever since.
The commentators feed off each other. I reckon there’s a round table discussion to create a tip sheet of what they will be looking at and talking on in the game. Then they start parroting it during the call, despite what might be unfolding in front of their eyes.
Ive watched NSW Cup these past number of weeks and have been very impressed with Meni Luke. Im sure he deserves more minutes than the minimal he gets each week. His defence has improved considerably and is a big threat out of dummy half.
Thoughts?
Meni is solid at that level, and is a decent running dummy half, but he comes off the bench behind Matt Arthur. Boods could play 80 minutes easy and is a blue chip prospect that I’d be considering for an NRL debut.
With respect to Meni, there are times when I’m actually thinking, “get Arthur back on” because he dismantles defences
Thanks for the write up Sixies. The Rugby League Eye Test, I’ve never heard of thet site, thanks for the introduction. It was an interesting and a depressing read. The article proves how statistically the team is not performing followed by assumptions as to why.
The article reminds of the punter who studies form guides and uses highly safisticated software while sitting in front of three monitors and still does his arse punting. Data and statistics cannot predict the unmeasurable, if they could then I’d be a punter, we all would.
Our forwards are aging but not old, we will need an injection of youth in the near future however right now, our forwards can match it with any pack when in form and fit. Paulo has already shown this season that he can change a game when he’s in the mood, not many front rowers can claim that. The article mentions Cartwright as an aging forward, he was the form edge back rower before he was injured. Matterson has been flat but showed what he can do against Manly, Lane has been out of sorts and Reg, well, he’s had the offseason from hell but he had no problem owning Fisher Harris this season. And to throw Moses in the aging list? Has the writer watched Cherry Evans, does he remember old man Cooper Cronk guiding the Roosters on one leg to a premiership?
I would argue that Moses does have an impact on our defence, I’ll back Forties comments in a previous podcast, unless you watch him live you can’t appreciate how much organising he does defensively, he doesn’t hold back and his MA language keeps lazy defenders on their toes, his long and short kicking game takes pressure off our defence. His speed in cover defence masks our lack of backline speed. The writer also writes our forward heavy salary cap is the reason we don’t have a quality back up half, who does? Seriously, an NRL quality half is not playing Cup.
We comfortable defeated the Dogs, competed well againsts the Premiers away and defeated Manly with our aging roster. Then Moses and Cartwright go down, if I was to pick three players we could least afford to lose, Moses and Cartwright would be two. Everything turned to shit from there.
We have issues and major ones at that, our “aging” roster is the least of our concerns and far from why our season has derailed.
Sixties, before the season began, you claimed we have a premiership winning forward pack and I agree, we do. You also expressed concerns with our outside backs, depth aside, we lack quality starting wingers and a centre.
We don’t have outside backs to take the hard yards or with pace that can counter faster teams both in attack and defence. Our forwards work harder than they need to, the team is over compensating because of the huge holes in our roster. Our game plan is limited to our roster, we don’t have the choice, our forwards can’t redline all season, we win when they do but come horribly unstuck when they cruise, leading to major inconsistencies.
The return Moses will instill belief in the team, at this point I’m just hoping we can salvage something from this season, who knows, we may jag a couple of mid season signings, Lomax could be granted an early release, anything can happen, we can only hope.
Remember the 2009 season? I remember Luke Burt after a loss to the Tigers conceeding our finals hopes were over, the rest is history, the team went from mostly a bunch of nobodies to sort after players. I remember Kevin Kingston signing with the Panthers mid season and nobody cared, everybody cared at the end of the season and players were prepared to take pay cuts to keep him but is was too late. Things can change quickly in the NRL..
Joseph, the names on our forward list are premiership winning – but they are not performing. We discuss it at length in the podcast. Every one of the forwards has still got something to offer, but there are so many of a similar age in the same team and there are too many games where a number of them aren’t getting the job done. In fact, there is always someone playing nowhere near their best and we can’t afford to carry that on a weekly basis. A couple of tough calls need to be made.
I guess I’m finding it hard to accept Sixties. Coming into the season, I didn’t think for a second our forwards would be in question. If anything, I thought we had an over supply of talent.
What’s happening with Woody? I thought he had a breakout season last year, now he can’t get a run. Is he carrying an injury?
Watching different games than me spike , MA streets in front of him , Should debut sooner than later NRL
Just reading Gutho is out due to his chronic knee issues causing surgery. Now a stint on the sidelines. He’s been hobling for weeks.
Zac Cini has been playing fullback in NSW cup.
Really horrific planning if we are going to put blaize in at fullback in light of gutho injury. I suspect brad will put Russell at fullback but Russell is bog average.
Its poor planning and poor player development.
With Cini playing NSW Cup @ fullback- despite knowing Gutho was literally on one leg for majority of this season.
Russell supposedly a fullback was playing in centres on weekend in Cup. But playing NRL wing.
Talagi reportedly a fullback was playing No 6?
It seems the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing. Everyone knew Gutho was injured.
Let me clarify something. Cini has been at fullback the last 2-3 weeks in NSW Cup. That’s all. I expect Talagi to play fullback as he spent the entire preseason there, played there in Cup, and has trained at fullback during the season proper.
I don’t get why blaize hasn’t been playing there in last few weeks. There might be some reason but doesn’t make sense when we all knew gutho was injured and blaize might have to step up. His defence in front line is very ordinary aswell so many they wanted him to harden up a bit. Not sure. But shifting around centre, 5/8, fullback can’t be ideal
Agree Ron,
If Blaize is being thought of as backup fullback he should have been playing there. Knowing full well Gutho was on one leg.
If Cini was playing fullback last 2-3 weeks then we would expect Cini is now preferred in that position… Anyway, I give up trying to see any pattern or reasoning to selections.
The fitness required at fullback is much more than other positions. So whoever is covering Gutho will not be match fit.
With Souths moving forward. The media will now fully focus on Parra.
With the training run and pulling together all the moves before the weekend’s game, I’m wondering whether these are done under stress? ie, are the players immediately held to account if they don’t execute to plan? Are back-up players going through those same motions showing that they are ready to make the step up and therefore putting pressure on the incumbent? Game day is where all the pressure is applied, but this also seems to be when our plans often fall apart? Is that a coincidence? Are our players too comfortable at training?
A left-field thought here – when Gutho and Moses return from their injuries, an option could be to swap Gutho and Brown. Brown is a lot fast than Gutho, and has very good lateral defence. We can then use Gutho’s game smarts better and he’ll be position to set up more tries. Brown will also excel, especially with his running game. This could be something to try mid game, and is something Parra did in the 80s with Sterlo/Taylor and Kenny/Ella.
Dylan is a 5/8. He is best when he controls the left and is probing. His front line D is great. Also, Gutho is not a half. He is better at the back as he is not that quick side to side in defence and has a slender frame + has much better communication skill/defence at back than Dylan ever would. Any tinkering with dyl and gutho is a recipe for disaster. In truth, the suggestion is a symptom of the broader problem at parra – we constantly are trying to fix our attack but it’s our defence that’s the most fatal problem. We leak far too many linebreaks, metered conceded and points and moving Dylan and gutho wont help that – it’ll make it worse. Dylan is our second best player behind Moses and he should never be moved from his best position (5/8). He needs others who support him and Putin half the effort he and gutho do week to week.
Yep fair enough – as I said, a left field thought.
Our problems do go much deeper than just a couple of players. We desperately need some new blood in the team, but I don’t know where that is going to come from. One thing is certain, that if we keep doing the same thing we will get progressively worse results as our key players age.
Longfin, there must be changes/additions to the roster.
What happened to jontay Jr bisan and Mathew koma______.the winger
Jontay went to Melbourne…another one who left us.
Not sure where Matt Komolafe is – I believe it’s rugby Union.
Jontay and Matt K were not offered any contract after their train & trial 2023 ended in Feb.
Were offered nsw cup deals orly
Jontay with Melbourne Storms
Matt with Waratahs Rugby Union
This is how we treat our upcoming juniors
Great article boys.
That article from Rugby League Eye Test was excellent reading and I think spot on. Our line speed in defence is very poor and almost non-existent at times sadly. Lane and Junior (who I can’t believe is on such big money for 2 more years) appear to be well off the pace defensively. Gutho, Cartwright and RCG sicne the season kicked off have all looked like they are carrying injuries.
TBH I question the fitness levels of the team given our continuous second-half fades and lack of line speed in defence. Fatigue makes players look for short cuts, take easy options and make bad decisions. Pretty much sums up where the eels are at the moment.
It i hard to believe that they are full-time professionals watching them at times, makes you wonder what they do at training all year. Makes me wonder if it is similar to the situation being reported at Souths where they seem to think the playing group was dictating things instead of the coach.