Yeah Crusher is the best in the business.
And Des was brilliant for us and left us in excellent shape. Having a solid core of great and experienced players allows for succession planning because there aren't mass vacancies and stop gap solutions.
Looking at Whare is a case in point - plenty of clubs would have burned him out by now but with his build and dependence on his footballing instincts and developing skills we have done the right thing by not rushing him into first grade and creating a one dimensional speed merchant finisher. It's a luxury we are lucky to have.
Just on succession planning the coaching ranks seem to be in a similarly healthy position.
I will all ways be grateful for what Des and Crusher did for Manly, all ways.
Watching last night's game, even though I had tipped them, I just wanted the dogs to fail. I don't care that they signed Des Hasler - they are entitled to that, it's the smarmy way in which they have paraded his signing with Greenburg out the front acting like he has won his team a premiership already.
Why do the dogs fans love Greenburg so much? Shouldn't it be the players and the coach you look up to? The Kennel is full of messianic images of the bloke it's cringe-worthy. As much as I think Perry is doing a good job it's our star players who show the character and determination that I admire.
Anyway just serves to reinforce how lucky we are to hold the best team in the game in our own hearts.