Parramatta Eels Head Coach Brad Arthur has said his side played tough in their win over the Penrith Panthers at ANZ Stadium tonight (Saturday 22 April) but needed to show better control late in the match.
“We just didn't play smart. We played dumb, real dumb,” Head Coach Brad Arthur said.
“I thought the effort was outstanding. I thought the collision was really good. I don't think our intent dropped we just didn't play smart at all.”
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“It's a real tough effort off the back of a five day turn around.” Arthur added.
“It does take its toll and at the back end of the game there we started to run on some real tired legs, but that was probably more off the back of a 30 per cent completion rate in the second half.”
Arthur said the side was challenged during the week to play the style of football they did last year and grind out the tough matches.
“We challenged ourselves today to really aim up and get back to the way we played last year.” Arthur said.
With five-eighth Brad Takairangi going down during the match Arthur said back-rower Kenny Edwards impressed when called upon to do a job in the halves.
“I thought Kenny Edwards did a good job. Just the whole team performance in the second half in terms of controlling the game wasn't good enough.”
Click through to see the Team Song in the sheds after the game
