The next challenge for Flanagan is how he approaches rebuilding the squad. Does he try to keep the premiership window open for another season or two or does he refresh the team with a view to contending again in two or three seasons.
Ricky Stuart at Easts tried to keep the window open a season too long and paid the penalty when forced to rebuild and the results suffered.
Tough calls will have to be made managing the transition.
Clubs need players like Carney, Fergo, Barba, Fifita.
They are superstars but can derail your campaign.
Clubs talk about no-dickhead policies, but it can leave you with a team without stars.
We need to source another Ennis.
Replacing him with Farrah wasn't the most exciting idea but I can see Flannos thinking. You're paying for what's between the ears as well.
Corey Parker? Obviously didn't want to retire as had a 2 year contract on the table one day and was retiring the next. As Hodges - he wanted to go around again, but Bennett is king of tapping guys on the shoulder when he wants to free up money to bring in new blood. He wants Ryan James and GI and Parker was in the way. Thaiday will be next.
Parker would have been good for us to replace Heighno. Offloads and smart.
But the trade off for keeping his mouth shut and retiring will be White's job in a couple years.
