As I suggested elsewhere, surely a good manager knows how to deal with those personal issues so that they don't interfere with how they play on the field, because that's all its about.
All businesses have varying personalities. Its the talent in melding them into a whole that makes a good manager. And that requires a manager to work through the issues in a logical, not emotional manner. Be receptive, but only to find a way to get the best out of the individual to the benefit of both. Its not unrealistic, but he does take good people skills.
I'm hoping Des remembers he has those skills, but not only for those in his first selected team. Surely he cant ignore the desires of his young reserves to show their skills. The fact there is no Reggies actually exacerbates their frustration at not playing all year, doing something they have trained so hard to do.
Imagine being a potentially top footballer and sitting on the side line for a full year uninjured. Frustrating enough to be injured and wanting to play. Being trained up and ready and then being treated like a third wheel will naturally be frustrating especially for young rising talent anxious to get a chance to show their wares by playing first grade Rugby League. They are in the 36 for that reason.
A good player manager surely should get into the head of youngsters, get to know what they are feeling. He's got to find some way of offering opportunity, especially this year. Imagine for one moment you are in those young players' situation. Don't make judgement calls about it suggesting they should be patient, mature etc. These are young kids, something like we were when we were 18 and gung ho. Think how you would feel, and perhaps them we can see why some are angry..
