Another year and another losing season. This year we have played well beyond the skills of our roster and whether we finish 9 or 10 this is probably above where we should be. I think everyone can agree our roster is second worst or worst on paper. We've exceeded expectations of everyone outside of tigers supporters, who have zero expectations of us.
We are so far off the pace it is not funny. We have no speed, creativity, strength, goal kicker, or depth in our squad. Melbourne let go of a fullback during the year because they have too much depth. Would Momo have even trained at fullback just in case something like this happened? I doubt it. Add professionalism and money to the list as well. Sorry, I forgot our Achilles heel, mental toughness.
f**k, this is a sad state of affairs. I cannot see us getting a sniff of the finals for at least another 5 years. And that's just making the bottom part of the 8 where you have no chance of winning the comp. I can really see a spoon or two on the horizon.
We really need to start thinking outside the square and trying things no one else is. Yes a lot of these will crash and burn spectacularly but we don't have the money, professionalism in our front office, or talent on the field to try and copy what the successful clubs are doing and expecting it to work.
We need to look at doing something different with recruitment and retention. Why we are signing players like Corey Thompson to multi-year contracts has got me stuffed. I'd be giving the vast majority of our players 1 year contracts, year on year. If this creates more work for an employee to do, so be it. It's not like most of our players would be playing first grade at any other club. I'd also pay them the minimum wage but with generous incentives for making the semis (depends on how deep we go, there's more money.)
I would never bring anyone to the club again on a big money long term contract. If you want the overs you get a very short term contract and have to keep proving yourself. That way the Blair or Packer can be moved on at the end of the year. If you want a long contract and are an established first grader then the money side of things has to have incentives placed in the contract before the big money kicks in.
As far as finding the next bunch of stars we need someone full time in the pacific islands looking for the next Semi or Sivo. There are thousands of college and high school football players in the US every year who just can't take it the the next level but are supremely gifted athletes that we might want to have a look bringing over and chucking in country footy to see if they can transition.
Losing hurts and I can't see any light at the end of the tunnel if we keep doing what we are doing. Anyone from the old tigers side prior to the merger will remember it was 15 years without finals. We are more than half way there.
