At least he didn't say 'barf' :crazy:
I've always been a huge fan of Danny and what he's done for the club, NSW, and Australia. I don't doubt that this year's been particularly trying for him. But if he's such a phenomenal club man, he wouldn't have gone crying to the media over Smith's methods. It's only damaged the club and the club's credibility. He should have known that would be the case.
Now we're in a situation where the man the board hired to do a job is under fire from all corners of the media, the players, and the fans - and might be thrown upon the pyre as a way to placate the players' egos. If that occurs, we'll get another bonehead like Hagan at the helm, and the club will continue to falter under the weight of players who think that it's their God given right to pull on the red and blue.
It used to be enough that our players were passionate about the club and their team-mates, but the days when that won premierships died with the introduction of the salary cap, third party player payments, and the rise of the English Super League. Loyalty in rugby league is all but dead when it comes to players sticking with their clubs - yet when a club shows a bit of mercenary attitude with regards to retention and recruitment - the players are up in arms as if somebody defecated on the pope's doorstep.
Players like Danny Buderus and Clint Newton may have bled for the club when it was mates first and results second - but now that people are being called to answer for their performances, they show they were loyal to an atmosphere and not a club.
Frankly, this year has seen my interest in all facets of rugby league dwindle considerably. It's no fun supporting the only club in the competition that still clings to the pre professional days as if they are somehow worthy of idolisation. Just because Newcastle's attitude to football is 'different' doesn't make it better.
Ted Bundy was different too.
