I was howled down when I posted this about 2 months ago BUT I'm still of the belief that this is year 1 in a 5 year plan to get to another set of Grand Finals.
Much as we did back in 2005-6, some of those players didn't get to play in our 2007-08 Grand Final appearances, and ditto many of the current players won't when I hope we will make the GF's in about 2020-21 ( just hope I'm alive to see it happen).
I think we all know our key signings this year were Marty and for one with promise Matt Parcell (I'm still of the belief he'll play for QLD one day).
Nate Myles, signed probably to pacify DCE, Brown / Api signed probably on Barrett's say so.
And no doubt many of the players discarded were discarded due to their loyalty to the previous coach, its been part of a very very painful cleaning out that Penn, Bozo, ZtH and co wanted to happen...right or wrong I guess they pay the bills!
Of our 3 aging superstars, 1 has announced that this is his last year, I imagine Brett "might" follow as he's just not keeping up with the pace of the game these days and of course the constant injuries issue, if he doesn't I'd suggest regardless of loyalties there will be a tap on the shoulder and yes possibly we will have to be paying some of his salary in 2017.
Skivvy I think might be moved on as well, (and we might or might not have to pay there as well) so I'm thinking round 25 at Brookvale will see the departure of the last players from the 2007-08 Grand Finals, and naturally a very emotional and sad day regardless of the win/loss on the day itself.
I don't see 2017 being a whole lot better than 2016, when our "big 3" go it will be a hell of a hole to fill (regardless of their current performances), so its still part of the rebuild situation, although a lot will depend on how either our young stars in waiting step up, or how we recruit, salary cap dependant.
I think we will need to wait until 2018 for some consistently better performances, which I know irks you "instant gratification" younger set, but as we have seen with the 2-3 front runners it doesn't just happen overnight.
I'm a bit more patient than many of you, I guess age does that to you, and I never expected instant success in 2016.......a new team, a brand new coach, it was never going to happen.