Discard Campbell still missing the Shire

[King of the Hill]

From the Sydney Yawning Herald:

By Steve Mascord
October 4, 2003

Even as he prepared for his first grand final, Penrith five-eighth Preston Campbell admitted he missed Cronulla.

Campbell watched Sharks fullback David Peachey receive the Ken Stephen Medal for community service at Thursday's grand final breakfast and forgot, for a few moments, about tomorrow night's appointment with the Sydney Roosters.

"Looking at him, up there talking - that's the old Peach that I know," the 2001 Dally M Medal winner said.

But while the club he left struggles through another internal crisis, 26-year-old Campbell is headed for the biggest night of his life at Telstra Stadium. It's a life that could have been snuffed out in an off-season car crash, a career that almost came to an end when he was in dispute with Sharks coach Chris Anderson midway through last season.

"There were times when . . . there were a lot of people talking about what was going on," Campbell said, not flinching at the subject. "I couldn't really handle it.

"I'm a boy from the bush, I'm not really used to that sort of thing. I just wanted to get home, away from all the hassles and havoc. I was never going to sit the season out. If anything, I wouldn't have played at all - not come back for anyone."

"Presto" said he was over his depression when his car careered off the road late last year. "I was feeling pretty good at the time," he insisted.

Panthers officials helped nurse him back to health, he got a place to live at the foot of the mountains, and there he is.

"It's been a real . . . I wouldn't call it a dream but it's been a real thrill ride, coming into a team that was struggling," he said, grinning. "I'm happy for the experience the boys have been gaining, blokes like Scott Sattler and Girds [Ryan Girdler], who've been around for years.

"This will be Scotty's first grand final . . . we played together on the Gold Coast and we didn't go too well up that way."

Campbell is, without doubt, the buy of the season.

"It was a big move for me but I think it had to be made and it's been a bloody good move, as you can see," he said.

"But yeah, I still miss the boys from over that way . . . you've got blokes like Peach that I really got close to. I see them every now and then. I haven't had a drink with him in a while. Maybe I'll have a chance after the grand final."

Preston, if you win, you'll have the chance to drink with everyone in Sydney.
---------

 

[King of the Hill]

Buy of the season, yes.

I cant believe how he went from 2001 Dally M player of the year to absolutely nothing.

But I suppose CA wasnt going to be told by the player, or the media, or anyone for that matter, where -or indeed IF- Preston was going to play.

Can we document the ego clashes that have occurred since Opes arrived and also document the ego clashes, if any, that occurred in John Lang's 8 years? It would be interesting to note the corresponding results too.

It's a clash of petty egomaniac (CA) vs respected and respectful people-person (JL). With all Ando's egotistical talk of ridding the club of a losing culture, it will be an irony beyond words if Langy's Penrith manage to win the grand final on Sunday.

 

[cheese]

it will be an irony beyond words if Langy's Penrith manage to win the grand final on Sunday.

It'll also make me feel like my heart has been ripped out and stamped upon ........I wont be able to accept ............Lang was with us for a decade and didnt bring the bacon ......yet in his second year at penrith he could be about to bring home the cup......

It'd f**king kill me .....

 

[The Popper]

Just goes to show our then player roster was not up to the job, Cheese, albeit by a fraction. They had enough chances.

 

[shadowboxer]

someone get out the violin. You cant dwell on the past - it will kill you.

 

[Special K]

He can always come back ;-)

 

[Frenzy]

Just goes to show our then player roster was not up to the job, Cheese, albeit by a fraction. They had enough chances.

Touché Popper!

 

[Aries]

it will be an irony beyond words if Langy's Penrith manage to win the grand final on Sunday.

It'll also make me feel like my heart has been ripped out and stamped upon ........I wont be able to accept ............Lang was with us for a decade and didnt bring the bacon ......yet in his second year at penrith he could be about to bring home the cup......

It'd f**king kill me .....

All it will prove is that the "losing culture" thing is a load of crap and was an excuse for CA, at the time, when we were struggling and he was clueless as to what to do and persisting with his moronic flat attack.

The reason why the Sharks have not won a Premiership yet are many and varied and ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with a so called LOSING CULTURE.

Quoted is the real reason for your paranoid and unrealistic comments about the Panthers this week...

Get over it cheese ;-)

 

[Jimbo]

Aww, poor Preston :roll:

If he had've tried a bit harder a year and a half ago, he'd still be here...

 

[Frenzy]

All it will prove is that the "losing culture" thing is a load of crap and was an excuse for CA, at the time, when we were struggling and he was clueless as to what to do and persisting with his moronic flat attack.

The reason why the Sharks have not won a Premiership yet are many and varied and ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with a so called LOSING CULTURE.

Quoted lies the real reason for your paranoid and unrealistic comments about the Panthers this week...

Get over it cheese ;-)

Actually it proves the Losing Culture is not a load of crap.

If Lang can win tomorrow with a team he's had for 2 years but couldn't win with a team he had for 8 years with 6 semi appearances it reflects exactly that those Sharks teams had losing in their veins.

At this minute the jury is out. Did Cronulla not win because Lang couldn't get them there or becuase the players didn't have it in them?

A win to J Lang tomorrow proves he can do it with the right players and that he obviously didn't have them at the Sharks.

 

[Aries]

All it will prove is that the "losing culture" thing is a load of crap and was an excuse for CA, at the time, when we were struggling and he was clueless as to what to do and persisting with his moronic flat attack.

The reason why the Sharks have not won a Premiership yet are many and varied and ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with a so called LOSING CULTURE.

Quoted lies the real reason for your paranoid and unrealistic comments about the Panthers this week...

Get over it cheese ;-)

Actually it proves the Losing Culture is not a load of crap.

If Lang can win tomorrow with a team he's had for 2 years but couldn't win with a team he had for 8 years with 6 semi appearances it reflects exactly that those Sharks teams had losing in their veins.

At this minute the jury is out. Did Cronulla not win because Lang couldn't get them there or becuase the players didn't have it in them?

A win to J Lang tomorrow proves he can do it with the right players and that he obviously didn't have them at the Sharks.

but is that a reflection on JL or on the Sharks and its board.

Also, was JL alowed the players he always wanted? That I doubt due to money issues the Sharks had. Also what about reffereeing performances, changes to the rules of the game, etc, etc, etc... Like I said the reasons are many and varied!! i was also talking about "EVER" like in our history as to why we hadn't won a GF. CA refered to the WHOLE of our history, not just the Lang era, when he made his "losing Culture" comment!

 

[cheese]

thats right frenzy .......

Im still not convinced that JL has it in him to build a succesful side with strengths right across the park ........Imo he's to nicer bloke to make the 'hard' decisions.....Im not doubting his game plan, and im not doubting his ability to bring players together .......I just think him and our management were always on the back foot when it came to recruiting top class players(particulary halves)

But ...........he walked into the biggest rugby league nursery in the world, and he's reaking the rewards ...........*mumbles - lucky bastard*

Good on him .....ive got no beef with Lang .....Ive got beef with people that think penrith is cronulla

 

[Frenzy]

but is that a reflection on JL or on the Sharks and its board.

Also, was JL alowed the players he always wanted? That I doubt due to money issues the Sharks had. Also what about reffereeing performances, changes to the rules of the game, etc, etc, etc... Like I said the reasons are many and varied!! i was also talking about "EVER" like in our history as to why we hadn't won a GF. CA refered to the WHOLE of our history, not just the Lang era, when he made his "losing Culture" comment!

What he had and what he didn't have is a nothing argument though Aries. Can't change history. He certainly didn't have a BK or a Joey or a Sherwin or a Gower but that still goes further to prove the players he did have couldn't cut it. Especially if he wins the thing tomorrow.

The other reasons you mention are all valid to a degree but again they point to players lack of ability to adapt. All teams have the same squabbles with refs etc whether we like it or not, the better teams work around it. We never could in the Lang or any other era.

Good on him .....ive got no beef with Lang .....Ive got beef with people that think penrith is cronull

Same here. WE are not THEM, we are not a rudimentary appendage or long lost brother of them either. Manly of late have more players from us than Penrith but do we call them Manly-Sutherland or Cronulla-Warringah?

No we don't - because they are like us - losers and people have a need to be attached to winners. Sad really.

 

[Aries]

thats right frenzy .......

Im still not convinced that JL has it in him to build a succesful side with strengths right across the park ........Imo he's to nicer bloke to make the 'hard' decisions.....Im not doubting his game plan, and im not doubting his ability to bring players together .......I just think him and our management were always on the back foot when it came to recruiting top class players(particulary halves)

But ...........he walked into the biggest rugby league nursery in the world, and he's reaking the rewards ...........*mumbles - lucky bastard*

Good on him .....ive got no beef with Lang .....Ive got beef with people that think penrith is cronulla

I dont think penrith is cronulla. I just started the Penulla stuff to get reactions from people and cause debate in the forums. I got that, and then just kept "sticking the stick in the nest and twisting it"

I do however like the way they are playing this year. I think Langy is deserved of a GF win and I cant stand goose gould. My parents, as was I, were both born in the Riverstone/Rousehill area and that is another reason why I want the Panthers to win.

Come next year, I will be cheering for the Sharks when we play the Panthers, as I did this year ;-)

But for now... GO PENULLA!!

 

[Aries]

but is that a reflection on JL or on the Sharks and its board.

Also, was JL alowed the players he always wanted? That I doubt due to money issues the Sharks had. Also what about reffereeing performances, changes to the rules of the game, etc, etc, etc... Like I said the reasons are many and varied!! i was also talking about "EVER" like in our history as to why we hadn't won a GF. CA refered to the WHOLE of our history, not just the Lang era, when he made his "losing Culture" comment!

What he had and what he didn't have is a nothing argument though Aries. Can't change history. He certainly didn't have a BK or a Joey or a Sherwin or a Gower but that still goes further to prove the players he did have couldn't cut it. Especially if he wins the thing tomorrow.

The other reasons you mention are all valid to a degree but again they point to players lack of ability to adapt. All teams have the same squabbles with refs etc whether we like it or not, the better teams work around it. We never could in the Lang or any other era.

and how does this tie into a losing culture again? it just agrees with what I said ;-)

 

[Frenzy]

and how does this tie into a losing culture again? it just agrees with what I said

Yes it agrees with what you said but if you can't see how it ties into the theory of a losing culture you are deliberately not looking

 

[blacktip-reefy]

The reason Penrith is completely relevant to the Sharks is because the Sharks must look at them to accept our mistakes.
Players, coaches & admin that should still be at the Sharks are still performing at the premium level they were when they were with the over acheiving Sharks for 8 years.
There is no mistaking the argument now. It is as clear as day.

those people at the panthers that should still be with the sharks have what it takes. All of them. But they were discarded in a panic for a premiership & used as scapegoats for a perceived problem.
That perception was wrong. Clearly.
The real problem is & was DEPTH.
Sharks did not have the money to buy depth.
Lang made us competitive with the players he had at his disposal. But one or two injuries & we were sunk.
The other problem with squad strength was our inability to keep the squad at the premium level.
By that I mean, select the best team from the 8 years lang was there.
that team would be unbeatable. Contrary to popular belief, the turnover rate of players was quite high. Take T for instance. How did we ever let him go????? Money.
To win the club needs to spend money on players & keep them.

 

[PJ]

I thought one of the major reasons T left was a dispute.

But even if it wasn' who were some of the other first graders we lost in this high turnover time? Green left because he was after ridiculous money and hardlk showed it was a mistake letting him go. I really can't think of many others. Bell was held for longer than he should have been.

 

[cheese]

If you cut out the bias they're fair points griefman .....

But i hardly see how the cronulla conection is accountable for penriths massive depth ........

I reckon the reason were unable to buy depth and re-sign players like T was because we were paying well over market value for alot of players that werent much more than average 1st graders .........For example: Colin best signed an initial contract worth about 230k(this is 5years ago mind you...thats heaps) ........you cant tell me he is/was worth that...

If we ever want to get our club heading toward a common goal, we need to clean out the dead wood that is the cronulla board! imo they've offered nothing fresh, and seem to be struggling to keep with the times .......fug them all off and hire a bunch of astute business proffessionals who will actually make a real go of it....instead of just settling for mediocrity

 

[Frenzy]

Another thing is that I don't think the blokes Penrith got are the ones tarred as being part of the losing culture

Campbell - only one semi final series at Sharks
Lang - 4?
Bell - 0
Donato - 1
Howland - 3

It's my opinion that the guys who were there for 6 consecutive losing campaigns are the ones identified as the problem. But that's dragging up old arguments

Of the 5 Penrith got, Campbell had a place if HE wanted it. Lang was signed by the Panthers before his father was or Ando was by us. Howland went for big bux at the 'Dogs and arrived at Penrith from them. Bell had a couple of years at the Cowboys between Sharks and Panthers and Donato, well did Shannon have a realistic future at the Sharks?

John Lang is perhaps the biggest loss but he wanted to leave. He thought he'd been around long enough.