Merritt regards Souths season as failure
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South Sydney stalwart Nathan Merritt says the vastly improved Rabbitohs regard their NRL season as a failure, even though they have exceeded the outside world’s expectations.
The rejuvenated Rabbitohs enjoyed their finest year since readmission to the competition in 2002, finishing third on the ladder with 16 wins from 26 games.
They led the favoured Bulldogs 8-4 on Saturday, but conceded 28 unanswered points after losing halfback Adam Reynolds with a torn hamstring in the first half.
Coach Michael Maguire said he was pleased with the campaign and proud of where the Rabbitohs were headed but they still had a lot to work on.
For outside back Merritt, one of the club’s longest-serving players, the 32-8 loss on Saturday night felt like “being stabbed in the heart”.
“We took it to another level this year, made the top four,” Merritt said.
“It was a great finish by us, a win away from the grand final.
“It can be proven a success but it’s a failure to us, but in the outside world we’ve surpassed expectations this year.”
Souths won just one out of six games against the other top-four sides.
Superstar fullback Greg Inglis pinpointed the elimination of costly lapses as the areas Souths needed to address to consistently beat the best.
“In the end, it’s just an 80-minute performance. We keep saying that each and every week and it’s just those lapses,” Inglis said.
He said Maguire had brought mental toughness to the club, while Merritt wished the new coach had come to Souths several years ago.
“The way we trained, he took it up 10 levels from what we’d done the previous years,” Merritt said.
“He changed the club … the way he controlled the team.
“Most of the team gelled together and the bond is a lot more closer this year.
“I would have loved to have had Madge (Maguire) five, six, 10 years ago at this club.
“The club has been lacking someone like Madge for years. Madge has got so much passion and belief in us and it rubs off on us and as you can see we’ve been competitive all year.”
Merritt recognised there would be raised expectations of the Rabbitohs but expected Souths would respond by being better next year.
“Definitely we are going to be a recognised team now,” Merritt said.
“Everyone knows we’re competitive and this year we’re going to get a lot of experience from the finals series, the atmosphere.
“It’s going to make us a better team for next year.”
© AAP 2013The Crowd Says (7) | Page 1 of Comments
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September 24th 2012 @ 10:58am
Bearfax said | September 24th 2012 @ 10:58am | Report comment
I have much respect for Merrit as a player and often wished he had been playing for Manly. And I understand his feelings of failure and a lost opportunity. Fortunate it is that he is not seemingly wallowing in it, recognises that Souths have made great headways and that they have a team now to be feared. Hopefully this will inspire Souths on to greater achievements in years to come.
Some times in finals football, sheer bad luck can change the course of a game, especially when you lose a crucial member of your side. Souths lost Reynolds when they were on top and I suspect the result would have been much closer and very possibly Souths could have won, had he not been injured and played the full 80 minutes. Same can be said for Manly’s match against the Doggies. The loss of Lyon early was crucial. Dessie has been very lucky up to now that the other side has lost such crucial players while his team has remained intact. Such is the luck factor in these games. Without Barba for example I dont think Canterbury would be a chance of toppling the Storm, and the Storm without Smith it would also be much easier fodder.
Souths will be back next year probably tougher for their experience. The loss of Taylor though I think was a mistake and I hope his departure isnt too great a loss for the bunnies aspirations.
September 24th 2012 @ 2:36pm
Brad said | September 24th 2012 @ 2:36pm | Report comment
I agree Bearfax, except for the Taylor comment… You never know what you are going to get with that guys, one minute he’s making a barnstorming run, the next he’s dropping the ball, missing crucial tackles or giving ‘stupid’ penalties. I think we will get much better us out of Te’o and Lima, with much better heads on their shoulders (Te’o most of the time)…
We will be a better team for the finals experience, and I won’t be surprised if we get to the GF next year.
September 24th 2012 @ 4:01pm
planko said | September 24th 2012 @ 4:01pm | Report comment
Bearfax you were spot on till you mentioned taylor I think it is he who will regret leaving. He is a Jamal Idris waiting to happen. T’eo alone will make up for Taylor.
September 24th 2012 @ 1:56pm
Nathan of Perth said | September 24th 2012 @ 1:56pm | Report comment
Sigh, f@#$%#$% miserable capitulation but making a prelim is still a great result. Good chance for next year, too. Well, it was enjoyable watching them this year.
Since it is looking like WC Pirates may be a half-decade away at least, I might spring for a 2013 inter-state Bunnies membership.
September 24th 2012 @ 4:06pm
planko said | September 24th 2012 @ 4:06pm | Report comment
Nathan the Pirate’s chances I think have improved since the TV deal IMO. If the ARLC wants expansion they don’t need to go for the easy low fruit of the Central Coast. Not to say they won’t but the central coast would not require lots of long term funding. I think perth should happen and is more likely cause money is no longer an issue they could subsidise and afford it.
September 24th 2012 @ 3:41pm
Tony Archers Maroon Underwear said | September 24th 2012 @ 3:41pm | Report comment
As a Parra fan I would offer that Merrit or Souths fans shouldn’t feel too bad about their season
I would also suggest that Taylors move is no great loss for the bunnies, your better off with Lima and Teo, both top players and good buys.
September 24th 2012 @ 7:06pm
oikee said | September 24th 2012 @ 7:06pm | Report comment
Top 8 is a rwesult, the comp is that close and hard fought.
The bunnies were good until the half dropped. I still think they are 2 years away, this is good. I think the Bronx are 5 years away to make a final, then maybe 8 years before they win one. I could be wrong, but the Bunnies look primed to me. Compare their attack to the Broncos, we dont have any.