Goalies dominate top of table tussle
Review to cover all aspects of Cowboys
halftime, all looked to be going to script for Saints however a rejuvenated Brothers, led by Australian Schoolboys representative Jaden Atkinson raised the bar to ensure a tight finish.
Although possible, it is highly unlikely Brothers, now seven points adrift in fourth position, will make the playoffs in 2018. Brothers will need to win all remaining games and rely on Saints to drop the next three, which is unlikely.
Saints’ structure is holding them together against the top two teams and will be a threat moving forward.
Brothers, the 2017 Premiers, are unquestionably missing the “imports” from last year however, have a great base of junior talent coming through that will no doubt assist their rebuild.
In the women’s competition, Saints had to come from behind twice to secure a 2-2 draw with a very determined Brothers who are improving week by week.
“I thought we played well enough to win but we just don’t seem to be able to put teams away at the moment,” Saints stalwart Rhylee Pendrigh said.
“Constant player absences, which I am aware all clubs experience, seems to prevent us from form consistency but I am sure it will all come together in the coming weeks. Our coach is constantly reminding us about energy and attitude so when we settle as a group I am sure we will be good to go”.
In the remaining game, Souths wrapped up the minor premiership with a solid win over Stingers 3-2. With Saints, Brothers and Stingers all within five points of each other, the battle for finals remains hotly contested.
Meanwhile, the two Saints B-grade mens sides played off in deciding Saints of Origin game on Saturday afternoon.
The red Saints beat the blue boys 2-1.
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Parr is expected to cast a critical eye on staff and players during his review.
He said retirements would already mean some changes to the playing group and wouldn’t rule out other players and staff being shown the door.
“We might make some changes but I don’t think that will necessarily be the case, you have to look deeper than personnel,” he said.
“We have been very successful over the last seven years and don’t want to have an over-reaction to one poor season.
“I think for a lot of people given some of the predictions at the start of the year this season has come out of the blue for a lot of people who are now being critical of the club.
“It’s professional sport and at the end of the day it come downs to winning and losing.”
Despite labelling the new role as ‘not a big change’ Parr said he would relinquish some of his operational and logistic duties and focus on the club’s overarching strategy moving into its post Johnathan Thurston era.
As far as players are concerned, Parr said young talent like Michael Morgan, Jason Taumalolo and Jordan McLean were among the men who would be looked at to step up and be the best versions of themselves for season 2019 and beyond.
Parr said his strategic focus would be on multiple areas both on and off field, building on what has been a significant period of growth for the club in recent years.
“We are a way bigger club, we employ a lot more people and we have bigger revenue streams than we ever have before,” he said.