We need to be up for the fight - every game, every week.
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Unfortunately for ourselves and our fans, we fell well short in that department against the Bulldogs last weekend and paid a really heavy price.
We started the game well enough and had plenty of opportunities but if anything, we were probably a little too ad-lib at times and when we didn't generate the points we should have, it was downhill from there. They never stopped coming and disappointingly, we failed to match their hunger.
No excuses. That performance is on us. But if there is a lesson to be learned from it, we know where we need to be physically and mentally leading into a huge game like Saturday's showdown with the Roosters.
The distraction of the Origin period is done and dusted. It's something the club hasn't really had to deal with in the past and probably, in some ways, our last two defeats are a by-product of that.
It's no excuse mind you but now that it is over, a bit of normality returns and the standards that the senior players drive, not only in games but just as importantly at training during the week, become a real focal point again. We need that steely resolve back.
I've got no doubt the next month of footy will make or break our season. It's in our hands and the outcome will be on us.
We've done a lot of good ground work to get ourselves in a reasonable position as we start the run home. We have learnt plenty of lessons along the way and it's now about getting everybody back on board, together on the same page again.
The way to do that is by settling back into the routine of training and getting the preparation spot on. We need to re-establish the identity we created when we worked super hard for each other and went on that winning run when we were basically setting a benchmark for the competition.
When we were winning all those consecutive games, the whole group was driving it. No-one was game to miss a standard at training, corners weren't being cut. It was one in, all in.
What I'll be driving home this week and for the remainder of the season is everyone needs to be bunkered down and focused. When we were winning all those consecutive games, the whole group was driving it. No-one was game to miss a standard at training, corners weren't being cut. It was one in, all in.
Like I said, the Origin period has disrupted that and so have a few key injuries and some discipline issues we need to tidy up. But there is absolutely no reason why we can't quickly get back to where we need to be.
We've still got some key players in Lachie Fitz and Edrick out which is a big loss but having Kalyn and Barney [Mitch Barnett] returning will give us a real boost going into the Roosters game.
We know we are going to have to be somewhere near our best against them to be in it at the death. I've got no doubt they will be extra motivated after what happened when we last met so they will be up for it big time.
Cooper [Cronk] will be playing this time, Luke Keary is back and their rep players, Boyd [Cordner] and Teddy [James Tedesco] will be fresh after getting last weekend off.
They are also in a similar boat to us to be honest because they have lost three of their past five games and they're trying to find their mojo again as well. They will be desperate and hungry so it's going to be a hell of a game. We have to match them physically, first and foremost. If we do that, I know we have the firepower in attack to be right in the fight for the 80 minutes.
# Finally, a big thanks for all the support I received from Newcastle for my Origin return. I've said it a few times already but I'll make the point again that I owe the club and the town for my recall and to be able to play a part in a winning team and Origin series was very special and something I'll never forget.
