The turnaround came not through the flashy red boots of fullback Jarryd Hayne, which
stepped through a tired Dragons defence late, or the bright blue numbers sported by
winger Luke Burt, which slapped the 42 metre field goal so sweetly.
It came via some boring two toned Puma sneakers; black and grey in colour and curiously
matched with a suit and tie. You cant wear those shoes, Nathan Hindmarsh said. Theyre
not black shoes. Theyre walking shoes.
The shoes that were made for walking were worn by the man who spent the afternoon in
the coachs box, doing mostly talking. The same man behind two of the greatest turnarounds
in recent memory; from 150~1 outsiders to win the competition midway through the year
to second favourites this morning, via their achievement yesterday in turning a 37-0 thrashing into a 25-12 win in nine days.
When Daniel Anderson walked those same sneakers into the Kogarah dressing room after
that final round loss, he was reasoned rather than ranting. He spoke calmly. He
didn’t get personal, save for at one stage blaming himself.
Anderson made the point yesterday that he didnt see anyone with their heads down after
last weeks game, and he can take much of the credit for that. We expected a blast, five
eighth Daniel Mortimer said. But he just said hold your heads up, were not a bad team,
weve won seven from eight.
Anderson, as he generally prefers, would not take any credit for the form reversals. It
comes down to attitude of the players, and effort of the players, he said. We had to put
in across the board, 17 people. Simple as that.
And they certainly did that. But their performance yesterday reinforced what many ignored
after defeat; they werent themselves the previous weekend.
There is something to the logic that they didnt quite put in last Friday week because of
what was at stake, namely very little.
When they were secure in the top eight heading into the match, they let the Dragons
monster them. When it was all on the line again yesterday, the Dragons could not match
them. We knew it was do or die footy for us, said Hindmarsh, who missed the previous
encounter. Maybe last week, there were a few blokes who were a bit relaxed, didnt take
it as seriously as what they needed to.
From where we were sitting, to make the semi finals and beat the minor premiers, its good.
But we havent got anywhere yet. Were one step closer to the grand final. Everyone here
wants to win the grand final. To finish eighth or whatever, it doesnt mean shit.
