Without sitting on the fence, I feel it's almost been a perfect storm (well perfect for every other team) that has just rocked the living **** out of us. I think pretty much everything listed has contributed to this, the divided and fighting board, which was very publicly was feuding. This then led to people taking sides, which then meant people/players (and perhaps current coaches) getting offside with people who are now back involved (ie Zorba). The circus surrounding Foran/DCE hasn't helped, and of course neither did the Gifty situation. Throw in Watmough and his bs at the end of last year, then throw in bad injuries this year......It tyhasn't helped that the golden generation of the Stewarts, Matai, Lyon, Watmough, King, Kite was coming to end a year or so ago, and then you have a new generation coming through wanting to stamp its authority.
The list just goes on and on and on and on.
Unfortunately I now believe the situation with current personnel is completely unworkable. A clean out is required. Quite simply things just aren't working. I feel desperately sorry for Tooves, because I feel he has been badly let down, but he needs to go. We need a new approach to rectify this situation, and we need it fast. We cannot wait 2 or 3 years and see more player like the Turbos, Gutherson etc leave. Plus I think we are starting to see our recruitment struggle. In previous years players would have jumped to come to Manly, and for less money. They knew they were a big chance of a premiership, not any more. We are going to have to pay overs for run of the mill reserve graders.
