It was a very good win last weekend against the Roosters and we knew we had it in us. It was a game we thought we could win and we did. We got the game plan right and the attitude was good.

When you’re written off by everyone it always fires you up a bit more. It was a Sunday afternoon game, there was a decent crowd there and everyone was really looking forward to it. I even managed to get over for a try! I don’t mind scoring them that’s for sure so I’ll take it, no dramas.

I don’t think the Roosters played that badly but I think they looked a bit flat simply because we made them play that way. We didn’t give them time to kick the ball like they normally do and we concentrated well on defending their wingers and fullback Sammy Perrett in particular. So I don’t think they played badly, I just think we played better.

Roosters winger Amos Roberts was injured pretty early on in the game so that kept him a bit quiet, but we did want to concentrate on him as well.  He’s been killing it for the Roosters this year so we wanted to make sure he didn’t get it all his own way.

We had a chat during last week about how we can improve our game and how we can improve as individuals. We sorted a few things out that were not necessarily dividing the team but that lacked clarity. We looked at how we could work as one and I think that really had an impact.

To be honest I don’t exactly know the numbers for us to make the semis but I think we pretty much have to win every game. That’s definitely how we’re looking at it. We want to win every game and whatever works out works out. So if we do make the semis after that we’ll be on a bit of a roll.

We’ve got the Tigers on Monday night at Parra Stadium. The Tigers are starting to show some form and I think it could be a great game. I’m not a huge fan of playing the last game of the round on Monday nights, but that’s just the way it goes. I prefer to play early on and then watch the other teams bash each other.

Leading up to this game, we had a bit of a hit of golf on Thursday. On Friday we trained in the morning, Saturday we have off and then we train again on Sunday.

The golf game was a team activity, something that players officially have to attend. But those kind of things aren’t a hassle, they’re good for the team. A few of us do enjoy having a hit of golf in general. We played at Parramatta this week and it’s good to be out there having a hit. Nathan Cayless goes alright, but Eric Grothe would have to be the worst. I don’t think he’s cut out to be a golfer.

Following on from last week’s blog I was stoked to get an email from some guys on the Central Coast of NSW who offered me some drum lessons after I mentioned I was looking for a teacher. It’s a bit far for me to travel but I certainly appreciate the offer and am still keen to learn how to play the kit properly. So if there anyone a bit closer to home, don’t hesitate to get in touch through the Eels. I mean it.

I’ve been loving the Olympics on TV all week. I’m a big fan of the hockey actually. It’s a really tough game, they really have to be fit and the obviously play to a game plan. In some senses it’s a bit like league.

In the swimming, the thing I can’t believe is how many world records are being broken! It’s got me beat how those swim suits they’re all wearing can actually make you go faster. How can it be faster to have something on rather than just have your bare skin? It’s amazing.

Something else on the agenda is we’re involved with the Bandaged Bear Cup next weekend against the Bulldogs. It’s for the Children’s Hospital at Westmead so we’ll be doing a few things for that, going to the hospital and stuff. That’s a good cause and is something I’m glad we can be involved in. Those things are important to do I reckon.

See you next week!
Hindy

It was a very poor game from us on Monday night against the Knights. We started the game very slowly and we finished the same way. It was a shocker. A very disappointing effort mostly across the board from us, except for maybe Nathan Cayless and Jarryd Hayne. So it’s back to the drawing board [...]