Sometimes class is more readily shown in defeat than it is in victory. I had lost count of how many consecutive games we had won prior to Friday night other than the obvious GF loss.
I never took any of our wins for granted. I’ve supported our club since 1970 so obviously I have much enjoyed the ride we have been on without ever once being condescending to the sides we have beaten during our winning run.
This current season is at the half way point, we have been fortunate to put ourselves in a position to perhaps secure a top four spot. I don’t read into it any more than that, any suggestion we are a sure in for a GF rematch with the Storm is just ridiculous, given how much footy there is yet to be played.
I appreciate your lack of smug and acknowledge your overall courtesy.
But as we have seen, Ivan is an especially divisive figure owing to his lack of consideration for those he made promises to.
The facts are that he was in secret discussions with the Panthers ( despite denials) and those accelerated once Nate was signed.
He made full admissions as to his desire to coach his son and insodoing forsook other people’s sons.
There’s a certain lack of social responsibility in his actions, a high degree of selfishness and dysfunctional righteousness.
This is why he doesn’t mention character or loyalty in his press releases or conferences. He cannot. And as we are seeing, most Panther players have minimum commitment to loyalty and it’s generally a “what’s in it for me” approach.
The requisite underpinning loyalty and sacrifice from players to keep up this fine and historic run isnt there.
There’s a general cheapening of the brand and a kind of betrayal to the chocolate soldier origins, the black out and the likes of Priddis and Franze.
After the window shuts say end of 2022, I’d be looking to release Ivan and stop the erosion.
Rebuild the DNA.
Those are my thoughts.