If you read between the lines, there was a massive culture issue at the Panthers. Up to and over the last couple of seasons they have let go:
Te-Maire Martin
Moylan
Peachey
Campbell-Gillard
Blake
DWZ
Merrin
Maloney
Katoa
Crichton
Latu
Cartwright
Hiku
Harawira-Naera
Maybe I have forgotten more, but geez that is a lot of players and some of them were considered elite class at one point or another.
To hear that Campbell-Gillard was on a 5 year deal is concerning so I guess it sounds monetary as well as cultural.
Cleary obviously wants to start all over again with the team he wants. That is all well and good but geez when one considers the list of talent above and the players they currently have on their books, you have to say something has gone terribly wrong out west. I am surprised more is not said about it.
Moylan
Mansour
Peachey
Blake
DWZ
Luia
Cleary
Campbell-Gillard
Katoa
Tamou
Kikau
Harawira-Naera
Fisher-Harris
Martin
Latu
Leota
Yeo
That is a much better roster than the garbage they trotted out this year. It could be cap compliant if done properly too. It is not as if it is chock full of stars.