Now before I start I would preface to say if forced to predict a finishing position this year, I would probe lean towards 9th-12th. However I am not a player just a fan, however i think it is important to aim high.
If my memory serves me correct thats what we did last time (Said we wanted to Make the Top 4) we were favoured for the spoon in 2005\. I remember Ben Galea and a few others saying it in pre season and people were laughing at them. Even half way through the year they are repeating their goal. It put pressure on the players as they did not want to look like mugs and they responded in the end.
However maybe it is time we were made accountable and put some pressure on results. I remember in 2010 and 2011 Tim Sheens said the focus had switched from "process" to "getting results at all costs". Now maybe, or I'm sure we did this in other seasons as well which were not quite as successful. Im not that silly by thinking its as simple as setting a high goal and you will reach it.
However everyone including Taylor seems carried away these days with "being competitive", "be in contention for the 8", "worried about performances not results" "Learning from experience". We seem to have built in excuses before the year begins and maybe sub consciously that provides more inconsistent performances. Now you could argue we have an average roster and lack the resources of other clubs. Which would be true, however we are all in the same competition and start at 0-0 on the score board each week.
Probably to be fair to Taylor he needs to angle for a new contract and setting the bar too high could result in him getting chopped early. However If you aim for 10th well that is probably about the best you will do. If you aim for Top 4 maybe that will drive the bar a bit higher.
Whats to be really scared of in this competition this year? Noted power houses Souths, Easts and Canterbury all look worse on paper then previous years. Parra, Sharks, Warriors and Manly do look good but have a heap of new players to bit in.
I would love to see Woods, Farah or Teddy come and say were aiming for the Top 4, people would laugh but maybe it might help. Whilst its a pretty unlikely finishing position I don't think its an impossible goal if we get everyone firing. I don't like all this talk about process and being competitive, why not just try the win at all costs mentality.
If my memory serves me correct thats what we did last time (Said we wanted to Make the Top 4) we were favoured for the spoon in 2005\. I remember Ben Galea and a few others saying it in pre season and people were laughing at them. Even half way through the year they are repeating their goal. It put pressure on the players as they did not want to look like mugs and they responded in the end.
However maybe it is time we were made accountable and put some pressure on results. I remember in 2010 and 2011 Tim Sheens said the focus had switched from "process" to "getting results at all costs". Now maybe, or I'm sure we did this in other seasons as well which were not quite as successful. Im not that silly by thinking its as simple as setting a high goal and you will reach it.
However everyone including Taylor seems carried away these days with "being competitive", "be in contention for the 8", "worried about performances not results" "Learning from experience". We seem to have built in excuses before the year begins and maybe sub consciously that provides more inconsistent performances. Now you could argue we have an average roster and lack the resources of other clubs. Which would be true, however we are all in the same competition and start at 0-0 on the score board each week.
Probably to be fair to Taylor he needs to angle for a new contract and setting the bar too high could result in him getting chopped early. However If you aim for 10th well that is probably about the best you will do. If you aim for Top 4 maybe that will drive the bar a bit higher.
Whats to be really scared of in this competition this year? Noted power houses Souths, Easts and Canterbury all look worse on paper then previous years. Parra, Sharks, Warriors and Manly do look good but have a heap of new players to bit in.
I would love to see Woods, Farah or Teddy come and say were aiming for the Top 4, people would laugh but maybe it might help. Whilst its a pretty unlikely finishing position I don't think its an impossible goal if we get everyone firing. I don't like all this talk about process and being competitive, why not just try the win at all costs mentality.
