I'm holding my ground. You emotionals can't handle it, but no one is saving us from our pickle, besides a forward and a managing halfback. That's next year.
Leadership on the field, in attacking direction, and in attitude, is on the Turbos and DCE.
The coach crafts the plays, the general direction, and develops players. If the players can't execute it, it's on them... DCE has already admitted going against game plans this year. He has no idea when to attack.
It's worth noting that we play nothing like what the Broncos or Rabbitohs did under Seibold. From day one of 2023, he wanted a strong pack to run through. He never got that, and hasn't been able to get one since, so he's developed Paseka into a 140m+ A- class prop. He's gone. He developed Aloiai into averaging 100m+ per game. He's gone.
Squad players in Koula and Saab have improved IMO. The fringe signings have been better than Des's fringe signings. That's what Seibold can control, and IMO has done well. According to Croker that's an area where Seibs was vastly better than Des.
Our key players are dog ****. That's our problem. In 2021 they were our centrepiece. Last year they had a renaissance, two of them Origin captains. It's over for them, and no coach could do better with them. They are cooked, and we gave them stupid backended deals in 2019. We might be paying Tom $1.3 mil right now for all we know.
If it's true that Seibold pissed off DCE into leaving, good move Seibold. Anyone would be stupid to let the Turbos leave, from an ethical perspective, but it needs to happen, if that is them at "full fitness". Key players are the centrepiece of any "system". We cannot build a system around them, and hence we will only be competitive from 2027 onwards ☹️.
For what it's worth, I don't think they'll sack Seibold. Good in my view. I'll stand on that hill. There is literally no one better out there.
BA - second last in NRL after a Grand final
Burgess - 10th in super league
Tooves - carried by key players of that time, he basically showed a roster matters more than a coach.
Hannay, King, whatever other assistants get wagged around - literally same deal.
You cannot rebuild with at least $3 million in three players, who were/are protected by Penn. Don't kid yourselfs with the Gould/Laundy rubbish, we are the poorest club in the NRL. We have no income to afford anything.
It'll be a lean few years before we have some growth. Have faith that we haven't got a gambling addict or a school principal as CEO anymore. Mestrov knows what he's doing. It'll be a while. Patience.