Kearney: We need right attitude

Parramatta coach Stephen Kearney wants a change in his attitude from his players when they turn up to face rivals Penrith on Friday.

The Eels slipped to a heavy 42-6 defeat at the hands of North Queensland on Saturday and faced with taking on the Panthers without injured star Jarryd Hayne, Kearney wants the players to turn up with the right mindset.

“We start with making sure we turn up with the right attitude,” said Kearney.

“We get an opportunity to play in front of our home crowd which again will show us what they mean to us, what the jumper means to us… that’s where you start.”

Kearney likened the performance in Townsville to the 56-6 crushing suffered against South Sydney in round 22 last year.

“In my time at the footy club it was on one occasion that I saw that last year and it was during a tough period for the footy club also,” Kearney said.

“Saturday was uncharacteristic in terms of the attitude the lads turned up with, and they’ve been made well aware of how disappointed i was and everyone else at the club was.”

Kearney said the Eels are preparing to be without full-back Jarryd Hayne, who is still recovering from a knee injury suffered in the round two loss to the New Zealand Warriors.