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Michael Hagan Post Match Media Conference - Round 513 April 2007Q) WHAT DID YOU THINK MICHAEL? A) It was a very tough win. We expected a normal tough Friday night game and we got it. The game was in the balance with about 15 to go and I think our guys did a really good job to hang in. I thought we finished the game pretty strongly. Q) IS THAT THE BEST YOU HAVE PLAYED? A) I think it is the toughest we have played as a group. I think that it is no secret that we have Nathan Cayless and Fui back on deck, along with Brett Finch and Timana so we are pretty strong at the moment across the team which was what we needed tonight. Eric Grothe was outstanding tonight at different times, as was Jarryd Hayne, Timmy Smith had a great game as well. It was a good all round performance. Q) IS THAT TIM'S BEST GAME OF THE YEAR? A) He had a pretty good game last week I thought. I think he is getting a bit more confident out there. I think he is working on probably a few more orthodox things - we all know he can do the other stuff. His game was good - he was patient. Q) IS THAT SOMETHING YOU HAVE WORKED ON WITH HIM? A) He has a good team in front of him at the moment and some good players around him. It is a matter of knowing what to do and when. He is still only young and learning all the time. Q) HIS PERFORMANCES ARE GETTING BETTER? A) The teams performances are getting better. We thought by about week 4 or week 5 we would be getting our best team on the field and start to play some decent football and we are certainly getting there. It was a good win tonight, but we know we are going to have to up a gear against Canterbury next Sunday at Parra. That will be a huge test for us. Q) WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE BURT NO TRY? A) Well I didn't see much wrong with it to be honest. We are getting to the stage now that we are slowing things down so much that it seems to me that we are searching for reasons not to give tries. I think Luke was entitled to have 3 tries tonight. Q) DO YOU THINK YOU LOST YOUR WAY AFTER THAT? A) I think it is a bit typical of Friday Night Football. We had that chance that was disallowed they got a penalty I think and took it up our end and then scored. I still think we hung in really well and when we got behind we fought really hard to get back in the game and we defended really well at times. Q) DID YOU THINK AT HALF TIME YOU WERE IN CONTROL? A) I just thought it was a game that could go right down to the wire so if we could control the footy a bit more we would be OK. We were more patient in the second half, got through our sets a bit better and that gives you enough energy to be able to finish the game off. Q) YOUR FORWARDS SEEMED IN CONTROL? A) Yes I thought they were for a long time. The Panthers roll forward better than any side and are quick in what they do. They have some dangerous players that you need to work hard against and we worked pretty hard to stop that. Q) HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR YOUR SIDE FOR TIM SMITH TO BE PLAYING WELL? A) Obviously it is important for your 7 to be playing well. The better he plays and the more confidence he gets the better off the team is. He is working really hard on his game and preparing well each week and that's a good sign for any player. Q) SOME GREAT STUFF FROM YOUR OUTSIDE BACKS - IT WAS SHADES OF THE OLD BULLDOGS SIDES OUT THERE TONIGHT? A) I just think that we have some very good defenders on the edge and they are making some very good decisions which is making it hard for the opposition attack which is obviously good to have. Blokes like Eric and Timana can force the opposition into errors which is always good. http://www.parraeels.com.au/news/news1505.asp |