The Dyldam Parramatta Eels suffered a 28-18 defeat to the Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium this afternoon.
Head Coach Brad Arthur said that despite still being proud of his side for their efforts, the side needed to be better after letting a first half lead slip.
"I am still as proud as I was last week and all year. The effort has been outstanding but we probably need to get a bit more for our effort. There were too many points scored against us in the second half, we lacked a little bit of class there in the second half," Arthur said of the Blue and Gold performance.
"We are trying really hard but we just need to get a bit more for the effort we are putting in."
See the Match Highlights from the clash
With the Raiders crossing for five tries in the second half, all down their left edge attack, Arthur refused to point his finger at anybody however did point out the lack of luck the side had with some calls during the game.
"You don't want to single anybody or any edge out, but they got us there with a little bit more experience. They got us there with a couple of bad reads and the bad reads cost us because overall, I thought defensively we were really good." Arthur said.
"Our forwards aimed up, they did a good job through the middle. We are not going to get any luck because I am sure off one of the kicks, he was offside and they regained the ball and that was a back to back try."
"We are just not going to get any luck off the back of that."
And whilst the Eels got the jump on the Raiders, entering the half time sheds with a 18-4 lead, the Head Coach the side needed to be better across the entire 80 minutes.
"We got off to a good start but we got off to a good start against the Broncos too. Our start to the second half, there was a couple of tries scored there, and it's not good enough." Arthur said.
"Next week, we need to make sure we start well and match it in the second half. Sometimes things go against you, but we need to respond better and we can't come up with big errors."
"I thought of forwards did a really good job to handle them. We got beat on the edge a few times through lack of experience, and when you are down a few players, thats what happens. But still, when you come in, you have to do a job." Arthur added.
