TS, we are all entitled to our opinions. Most people here would agree on that (except Bring back choc).
Given what you said re your 52 years of support, we both saw Langlands play. I trust we can agree that, by 1976, he was in a far worst state than Hornby is in 2012. Of course Chang had a lot more riding on him, he pretty much carried the team for so many years that he found himself playing beyond the busted legs.
IMO, Langlands should have retired at the end of 1974, but he kept on due to the insistence of the club.
1975 was to be his last year, but the grand final changed that.
The reason why Langlands played on in 1976 was because Frank Facer insisted. Chang's reputation came to grief in the 1975 grand final and Facer wanted him to play one more season and get one more 'Man of the Match' award so he could could retire on a high note. It didn't work out that way.
Changa's greatest moment in his twilight years was in 1974 when he was captain-coach of Australia and we won the Ashes. He was held aloft by team mates as the crowd chanted his name. Perhaps he should have retired then, but he was needed and kept on playing. Being the champion he was, Langlands was the top point scorer (again) and got us to the '75 grand final. But he was on pain killers, as we know.
Billy Smith was a little different. He found himself on the outer for disciplinary reasons. Hornby hasn't given the club any reason like that to drop him.
But like Changa, I can't help but feel that the club needs Hornby. While we don't have a good alternative halfback, Hornby has to keep on playing. Yes, when I watch him, he looks to have lost the edge. But he tries his heart out. And it's hard to dump a player who has done nothing wrong off the field, and on the field he is working overtime to inspire his team mates.
