Hi Ryan,
I'm fine with people bagging DCE, I am disappointed with his form drop as well, I just think he cops it ALL the time and people expect a little too much of him - especially considering we had half the team injured last year.
I think also people expect more of him cause we all know how bloody good he can be! We have all seen him at the top of his game, and when he plays like we know he can, he is a world beater! I would not want another half playing for manly to be honest. Yes, his form has been down at times and he has been injured, but dam he gives it his all - every game. Sometimes trying too hard. He is one dam tough half and I love his competitiveness and stoked he has committed long term for manly!
My whole point to this article was DCE often gets blamed for Manly's loss cause he is the highest paid player, now that Tom is on near the same (at least back ended contract) will people also rip into Tom just as much.
I dont really care personally, everyone is entitled to their opinion, will just be interesting to see how things go??
We signed DCE on that deal because we know what he can do, same for Tom
Honestly, I think with the additional salary, there will be greater expectation for the Trbojevic's - so yes, I think they'll come under much heavier scrutiny - unfortunately.
Just like GI. I remember when he made his debut in Melbourne, and subsequent year, it was all about potential, how good he could be, how he was the next big thing.
I also remember L Daley saying on Fox once he signed his next huge contract, that he then needs to go to that next level (and consistently) and as we all know, he did.
Cronk, Smith, Thurston, S Burgess & most of the other top end players are pretty consistent. Their worst games not too adrift from their best. Ok, some games they are flat, but they bounce back pretty quick.
I agree with you completely with DCE. When he is good, he is very, very good. But as the saying goes, when he is bad.....(and I also agree to , probably due mitigating circumstance)...well...you know the rest.
I completely understand what you are saying though. I just think you hoped that people were going to state they wouldn't rip the Trbojevic's if their form is down.
I think we are in a day and age now, where you are only as good as your last game, so if their form is down, and they don't bounce back pretty quick (DCE has been pretty flat for 2 years now), I think they'll be under the spot light, which would be a shame, because they are so damned refreshing to me as a fan.
I know that's not the response you probably wanted (and I cringe at the thought of people ripping them - some even did with Tom this past season - which I thought was ridiculous given his output), but I guess their form, and people's opinion's are out of our control.
BUT, I also think they are of a certain quality where their best might not be too adrift from their worst.
We were still in the hunt for the finals with 5 rounds to go. Remember when the opposition did a grubber kick, and Tom attacked the ball (against The Dogs) to grab it, but missed it, basically killing off our season. That hurt, but at the same time, I knew Tom ripped in the whole game, and the whole season, so I forgave it pretty quickly - and that was a defining moment.
Let's just hope this discussion is moot anyway, and they all play like machines next season, and we have nothing to worry about. That's my hope, anyways