Post Match Press Conference: Round 12
The Parramatta Eels suffered a 18-10 defeat to the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in Round 12 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
After a gutsy effort from his side, Blue & Gold Head Coach Brad Arthur said he felt for his players after their effort on the field.
However it came down to the key moments, as has been the case over the past few weeks, that saw the victory swing to the home side.
“They are trying their hearts out for the Club, for the fans and for themselves. We wanted to see them play for each other tonight and they did.” Arthur said in the post match press conference.
“The game comes down to taking your opportunities and your chances and when we are down and out like we are at the moment, whether it be a bit of confidence, we are just not nailing those chances or opportunities."
“The Broncos had a couple of chances and they nailed them because I thought we played really well. I know it sounds silly, but it’s the truth.”
With the Eels languishing at the bottom of the table, Arthur said that moving forward, the sided needed to continue to put in the effort and improve their execution.
“I want to see a win, that would be nice but we just have to make sure that we keep coming and don’t give up.” Arthur said.
“We have to keep coming with the right attitude and make it turn. We just have to hang in the fight and stay there.”
“I am disappointed for the players, disappointed for our fans and all our supporters and sponsors because at the moment the effort is there, the execution needs to tidy up a touch.”
Key Moments: Broncos v Eels, Round 12
The Eels had a reshuffled spine for the clash, with Corey Norman named at fullback and Clint Gutherson at five-eighth, and Arthur confirmed he would move forward with the positional changes.
“I thought Norman was good. About 15 minutes to go he probably should of come off, he has been carrying a foot injury and he wanted to stay out there.” Arthur said.
“I thought he was good and I thought Clint was good at six too.”
“They were busy, they were in the game, and when Normy put a pass on for Tepai early (3-4 minutes into the game) and he got held up over the line, we dropped one over the line, then another one over the line then a forward pass. If we nailed one or two of them, confidence might of kicked in.”
Eels co-captain Clint Gutherson also saw plenty of positives from the positional change.
“It didn’t change too much for me. I just got my hands on the ball more, which I liked, and I had to make a few more tackles so ill be a bit sorer tomorrow but I liked it. It was physical, I could get into the game a bit more and stamp my authority.” Gutherson said.
“Norms is a footy player and he is going to play well wherever he is.” He added.
“I thought he was excellent at the back, he got the ball on the full, be brought it back and he has a silky touch that almost paid off at the end.
Moving forward, Gutherson said the side needed to stick together and improve on capitalizing on the big moments.
“It’s hard but we have to stay together. We feel bad for the staff and everyone that helps us, they put effort into getting us out there to win and we are just not doing it.” Gutherson said.
“We just have to stick together as a playing group and as a Club and just start winning.”
“It sounds easier than it is, but we have to stay together, everyone is against us now so we just have to go out there, put a few things on and keep the effort there and it will start turning.” He continued.
“It’s the moments. We have said it the last 3-4 weeks. We dropped it over the line twice, a couple of forward passes and the teams we are versing are nailing them and it’s costing us.”
“We lost by eight points and if we scored two of them, we are up, so it’s just the moments of the game that we need to stick.”
