Do I think the board have done a good job? I think they've managed to keep our noses clean since the Barry Russel catastrophe. We also seem to be heading in the right direction with a full sponsor kit and looking good financially, although there appears to be a bit of smoke an mirrors there.
I was concerned when I heard how the board kyboshed most of the positive changes that Munro was trying to usher in but since Dino took the role, the CEO and board seem to be on the same page. That said, the delay in construction with the leagues club is a bit disappointing. Yes, covid and all that but I've seen plenty of projects start and finish in that same time. It clearly won't be finished by the start of next years season.
So I'm for the board and I won't be charging down with my membership card and pitchfork trying to oust them any time soon. That said, I do not understand, nor do I agree with their decision to dump Morris. It is an inane direction and I am yet to see any evidence that will change my mind.
Morris has had to operate without a home ground for half of his tenure nor any cap. He's had to nurse overpaid, underperforming players and hasn't had any money to spend in the football department lacking any real assistance throughout his rookie journey.
Regarding the ability to sign big name players, who was the last big name player Bellamy, the guy we all want, signed? Morris signed Hunt, Talakai and Tracey all on next to nothing and they have been some of our better performing players. He then brought through Nikora, Kennedy, Mulitano and Brailey among others. That's how Melbourne works and it's how the Sharks should work, Identify talent, develop and fill in the gaps. Not spend big on the shiny thing.
First year he took over, the Sharks were predictable and robotic, he fixed it so that we were different and trying new things. second year, he fixed the attack, third year he fixed the defence... who knows, year four he fixes the ability to close out games? We wont get to find out. We don't get to find out what kind of broom he would have used, we don't get to find out who he would have brought in, we don't get to find out where he could have taken us.
What we do get to find out, is if it was a good idea replacing a coach who has found his feet, with a rookie coach who has NO experience in running a team. None. Morris at least worked as head coach for the lower grades. Other promising assistant coaches cut their teeth doing the same or coaching in the UK. Fitzgibbon has 2 games of NSW Country for 2 losses. He hasn't had to manage a roster, he hasn't had to manage salary cap, he hasn't had to manage media, or sponsors, or staff or resources. It's all a different kettle of fish compared to just focusing on video sessions, or teaching someone a good line to run.
Fitzgibbon has been with the Roosters for 20 years. What adversity has he had to face? What limited resources has he had to deal with? The worst they've had to put up with was Pierce going too far with a puppy... and they nearly got the wooden spoon. He's going to come here with none of the resources at his disposal. Is he going to roll his sleeves up or is he going to demand we spend and spend big?
If he came with Ciraldo who we didn't get and/or Bellamy, who we likely wont get, then great. But why couldn't we have given these resources to Morris? For that matter, Ciraldo and Fitzgibbon are both defensive coaches, why not keep Morris as an attacking ac?
Jason Taylor, Adam O'Brian, Stephen Kearny, Brad Arthur, all touted as the next supercoach thanks to the systems they came from and none of them have done squat.
Anderson was brought in to shake up the club and change culture, we went backwards. Ricky was brought in to shake up the club and change culture, we went backwards. I just really hope this isn't another one of those scenarios. Good luck to Fitz and his team, I just feel we were in an envious position to at least half the league and now we are in an unknown position.
Random Rants to follow:
For everyone who is praising this direction... I'm pretty sure most of you were against us approaching Phil Gould. Gould would have been a great get. in one short offseason report he got Flanagan's ban altered and into the club. He has connection's, he knows how the game works off the field and he knows how to use it to the clubs advantage. Not entirely sure Bellamy has the same media connections.
In saying that, our first year we turn a "profit" I don't think we should be going and spending millions on coaching directors. We don't have rich benefactors and we haven't proven that our operating model can generate money year on year.
With Morris gone, can we get Ennis back? Gee I'm sick of him sticking up for the Raiders on Fox. I'd much rather him sticking up for us.
None of you ingrates stuck up for me or fought for me to come back when I got the boot nearly 2 years ago, maybe that's cause I don't pick fights with anyone, but I been lurkin' and I don't like the direction the forum has gone without me. I'm particularly disappointed in "voice of the people" Quigs... what a quigs that bloke is. Not once did he seek my reinstatement. Can a f**king mod get me my old account back - I did nothing wrong!!
