We've had some really tough conversations this week.
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Most of them have centred around what it going on between our ears. We've been working really hard on trying to determine why our mindset can be so good in the first half of last Sunday's big win over St George Illawarra and so poor in the first 20 minutes of the Sydney Roosters clash the week before. About why we turned up and played like we did against the Warriors in Tamworth.
This Titans game on Friday night will be one of the biggest games I've played at club level since I joined the Knights.
Potentially at stake is hosting an elimination semifinal in the first week of the finals. But this game is much more than that. This game is where we get to prove we can mentally get our heads around putting quality performances together back-to-back.
We need some consistency going into the finals. We need to be able to feel confident. We need to know we can stand up to a bit of adversity in games and overcome it. We need to turn up switched on and ready to play because we know the Titans will.
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They have won four in a row, are full of confidence and playing at home in the final game of the season for them. They'll be full of beans and looking for another scalp.
Everything they will be, we have to more than match. Sounds simple enough. Why wouldn't a professional footy team with so much to play for not turn up ready to explode when the whistle signals the kick-off?
If it was as simple as clicking your fingers, we wouldn't have produced some of those really poor performances we are not proud of this season.
It's definitely a mental thing. It's in our heads somewhere between the ears and it's held us back from being the team we are striving to become.
At our best, I'm certain we can foot it with any opposition. But what sets us apart from the premiership heavyweights is our inconsistency. When was the last time the Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm lacked intensity to start a game and struggled to get into the contest.
Like I said, we've had the tough conversations and are doing everything possible to address our shortfalls.
There is no doubt we have improved massively in that area since last season. But we are still a few rungs below where we need to get to and consistency and confidence is what will get us there because we have the players and the talent.
Speaking of talent, it's great to get Bradman Best back for this week.
Braddie has worked his backside off to get himself right. I don't think I've seen a young bloke with more dedication then him. He is just so switched on and wants it so badly and when you have that along with his unbelievable talent, it's a great package.
He just needs some luck.
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