No no no - don't pull that taking a dig/inflame ****. That's not happening at all. I just don't get "Kind of sad really, and really hard to get attached to players anymore."
Of that list, who were you attached to? You say quite a few. Ballin? Sure, but you've also said his time has come and gone. Foz no way - you've been as vocal as me or anyone else in wishing he'd have ****ed off earlier. Gutho? He didn't really play enough for anyone to get attached to him. The rest are just filler. Some toilers and some good clubmen on their day but nothing to cry over.
Manly have a long history of letting guys go. Even when we destroyed the comp in 2008, it didn't take long to move on the captain of that team.
A culture of winning requires a constant, maintained level of talent. I've been as big a fan of some of the guys that have left recently as anyone but I'm a bigger fan of a strong Manly team that every other fan hates.
Well, honestly, I absolutely loved JSL. I loved his enthusiasm, demeanour, attitude and playing style. I'd met him quite a few times and found him to be an amazing family man and person.
Dunamis Lui was a very good player in my opinion. I thought he added a lot of aggression and value.
Gutherson I was a massive fan of, and had quite a few interactions with the young fellow. I think he'll be a huge loss, and honestly, think he was at least a match quality wise with Trbojevic.
Ballin, I am completely gutted over.
Justin Horo I really loved. Unlike most here, I rated him. I thought he added quite a bit. I loved it when he got angry. That's when he excelled.
Everyone knows I wanted Willie mason re-signed - what a character.
Ligi Sao and Chee Kam are so young, and have so much potential. I thought Chee Kam was a work in progress, and that there was a family thing here. I believe in my heart of hearts he'll be back in 2017.
Yeah, I got attached to these players. As much as people say it's a business nowadays - I disagree. I love our players (those that want to be here), and there is attachment.
Don't get me wrong, I agree with you that we had to change, but how does that mean I can't be gutted to see some of our players go, else that makes me bipolar?