Do any of you really think Des would put loyalty ahead of winning? Seriously that is just crazy talk. Des like all coaches is there to win and will always do what he needs to do to win as it is his primary motivation.
I have to believe that if Des sticks with someone who to us lounge chair experts seems past his best then obviously Des sees the player has something more to offer than just dazzling ability etc.
Tell me Lockyer has been his best the last few years and I will laugh at you. But he still starts every game and still gets selected for QLD and Australia. Why does he get selected? Because despite his drop in form his mere presence on the field lifts the confidence of those around him. I would have dropped Lockyer a long time ago but his team mates all tell you why he is still there and they want him to play on forever, much like Beaver the last couple of seasons.
Robbo and Kitey bring that same presence each week when they take the field. They are experienced, reliable, and provide that bit of stability that inspires confidence in those around them. It is that confidence that then enables these young blokes to cut loose and produce the top efforts that now have so many of you wanting to see this oreliable old guard replaced ahead of thier time.
Look at the Raiders a couple of seasons ago, full of youngsters full of flashy brilliance but they got run over every week amid glimpses of that brilliance. But now they have matured a bit look at how they finished last season and how they will probably go when the drop Ox and get a halves combination that works.
Seriously we need a few old stagersin the team, it brings stability and confidence to the team and that is something all teams need in order to fire at the top more consistently.
