Can I ask you one question... how did you rate Phil Blake as a halfback?
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I am in the camp of Cherry defenders but even I concede he doesn't grab the team by the scruff of the neck and demand they get real, in the manner of a Johns or Thurston.
But both those guys are in discussion as future immortals.
How about this: If he was only on 1 million per year would you be so disappointed in him? How about if he was on 900k? How about 800k? My point being, the failings he has would be pointed out just as bluntly no matter what his pay, because halfback is a key position and even if he was on 250k he would get hammered for his failings.
Hammering him for his pay doesn't make sense to me. Hammer those who offered the contract. Or those who fail to trade him out the door each year.
But all DCE can do is be the best he can be. I'm satisfied he's always given it his best shot. The fact any given player is short of Immortal status is not their fault, unless they have wasted their Darwin-given talents. No?