The inconsistency is something that strikes close to home for the Parramatta Eels.
Despite securing the victories of top-tier teams Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers, the Eels have repeatedly fallen short against teams below them on the ladder.
Saturday night was the Rabbitohs as the eels were hammered 30-12.
Eels coach Brad Arthur believed that the game was not a reflection of the effort of his team and that the players did not raise their hand when necessary.
“We’re not playing well as a team every week,” he said.
“I feel like we need 17 players with their work and we don’t get it every week.
“It has to be individual responsibility. You have to want to do it.
“I don’t see any shortcuts during the week in training. We have to work together,” he added.
“We have to work together and try to win the game together and make sure our effort is for someone around you.”
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Arthur believed that field position throughout the match was an important factor, which resulted in easy points for the Rabbitohs.
“Every set of the second half we started with our own rehearsal line,” he said.
“I think we made nine mistakes outside our red zone, so we gave them opportunities.
“From our mistakes, we gave them good ball kicks or attack kicks, while ours were just trying to get them out of trouble.”
“When they start their sets, they are starting at 30, 40 outside or in our half when they suffer, they are putting them on the rehearsal line or we start the tackle three meters from our test line.
Maroons legend Cooper Cronk agreed with Arthur’s point about the lack of responsibility, but also noted the Eels’ lack of consistency that could cost them to reach the final.
“The thing is, they know it’s there, it’s literally on the Parramatta football team that performance to beat the Roosters last week,” Cronk said.
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“To win against the Melbourne Storm and the Penrith Panthers.
“Performances like this are within the Parramatta Eels and it really comes down to individual responsibility.
“Because what happens is Parramatta, they have always done well in different stages throughout the year and the biggest question is whether they can do it in a preliminary final to enter this grand final and have a opportunity.
“I think Brad Arthur takes that into account, it depends on the individual, but they have to bring their best game every week because that’s what good teams do.”
While the inconsistency was a common theme among Parramatta’s problems, kiwi legend Benji Marshall suggested that eels might be complacent.
“It looks like the Eels showed up and are just waiting for things to happen,” Marshall said.
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“When the Roosters and the good teams played, their line speed suddenly reached its peak.
“They came out of the line and they want to crush people, they want to impose themselves physically.
“Where tonight the Souths found them beyond the lead line, the Souths dominated them across the line and that’s an option.
“His coach spoke well of individual responsibility, this is where he is.
“You get these performances by choosing not to take those options, which they had in the past.”
The Eels will be eager to leave that defeat behind when they face the Tigers next Saturday at Leichhardt Oval.
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