This article has been transcribed without permission from The Daily Telegraph-Mirror, Monday, 25th September, 1995, page 35.
Sea Eagles skipper Geoff Toovey copped yesterday's defeat flush on the chin. ``It's a terrible feeling to be out front all year and run second but there's nothing we can do about it now,'' said the halfback general.
``We didn't play all that smart and paid the price. In defence, the Bulldogs were pretty good and they didn't make too many mistakes with the ball. We coughed up the ball repeatedly and made some dumb errors at crucial times. Full marks to them, they deserved it, no matter whether they ran seventh, eighth or whatever after the premiership rounds. I guess it just wasn't to be for us but that doesn't make us feel any better.''
Toovey showed his class and fine sportsmanship in the post-match presentation but also spoke stirringly to his beaten troops behind the closed doors of the dressing room. ``I thanked the boys for their efforts over the whole year which was one of the best the club has ever had,'' Toovey said.
In his second match back from a neck injury, Toovey tried everything he knew to rally his team. His defence was first rate and a couple of darting runs through the rucks had the Bulldogs at full stretch.
Toovey praised the choice of Bulldogs lock Jim Dymock as the Clive Churchill medal winner. ``I thought Jimmy really deserved that today, he played strongly throughout and also had a terrific finals series.''
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