The Dyldam Parramatta Eels suffered a 32-16 loss to the North Queensland Cowboys last week, and Blue and Gold fullback Michael Gordon says it was their own performance that saw the game, and the two points, slip away.
Up against the competition benchmarks, the North Queensland Cowboys, Gordon says that after going down because of their own doing, the Eels are not far off the frontrunners of the competition.
“We have played them [the Cowboys] twice and we will play the Bulldogs twice within the first nine weeks, so we have played many other teams yet, but if they are the benchmark, I don’t think we are very far from it,” Gordon said.
“There were times in that game where we were well on top of the Cowboys and it was a poor game on our behalf on discipline, dropping the ball, and fundamental errors.”
With refereeing at the forefront of media reports after the Round Eight weekend, Gordon stressed the side was not focussed on those issues, but rather their Round Nine opponents this Friday night.
“We have gotten a lot of our wins off the back of playing patient and grinding teams out so we shot ourselves in the foot and a team like that, you can’t do that.” Gordon said.
“The result is what it was and that was probably our own doing.”
“It was disappointing the way we lost up there, but there is not much we can do about it now. Move on to this Friday night when we take on the Bulldogs.” Gordon added.
Gordon knows the clash will be a big, physical contest.
After coming away with a 20-6 victory over the Bulldogs in Round Three, the fullback expects an extremely motivated opposition this week.
“They had a pretty close game on the weekend, and after last time we played them, I am sure they will be disappointed with that.” Gordon said.
“I am sure they will have plenty of motivation coming into it,”
“They are a big physical team, so it will be a hard game.”
And with fellow Blue and Gold teammates Semi Radradra and Michael Jennings named in the Australian Kangaroos side to take on the New Zealand Kiwis on Friday, May 6, Gordon said the side was thrilled for the Eels winger who is set to make his Green and Gold debut.
“We don’t know who Semi is anymore. It’s Sam now!” Gordon joked.
“We are thrilled for him. He has been playing fantastic for the last couple of years and we are really happy for him.”
