I love this stuff.
The Panther plan was to recruit Elliot and give him a free reign ( so said Elliot in 2006) on football matters.
Having safely guided the team through to the greatest of all premierships, god retired and tried to leave a dynasty that would rule for another hundred years.
The Panthers used to be an old corragated iron shed with a footy team annexed. Now look at them, a multi-million dollar business with a footy team annexed.
The rot set in soon after 2004 when it became apparent that the "old guard" 2003 players were terminally and chronically fatigued. Their bodies in tatters. No Girds, Sats and Marty Lang to rely upon for the go-forward. They were gone or on the way out.
And the footy club stumbled like a drunken sailor. Marquee players such as Franze and Hookey bought in a mad rush of blood to the head. Franze was paid a kings ransom for 3 or 4 good games ( maybe thats an exageration).
One day when it became apparent that the kingdom was in trouble, "god" summoned the board with a please explain.
A couple got together and decided that it would be easier if they brought in someone else who could have a go and if the team failed, he would take the blame and they would be exonerated.
Thus a spy was sent to have secret talks with likely candidates and Elliot charmed his way through to interview level. Initial secret talks commenced in late 2004 I am led to believe.
Elliot had a robust 2005 season with the Raiders and in a stunning manner was signed right under John Langs nose in 2006. Langy was upset as was son Marty who despite his appearance and slurring of words, was actually a quite a good footballer.
It is believed that Elliot was actually planning 2008 as far back as 2005 and thats not to hard to believe in this day and age. He worked hard for two clubs in 2006. That was a remarkable and no doubt difficult effort.
Now Wallace was always seen as one of the Panthers best prospects, but its hard to break into a squad which in those days boasted numerous internationals and one Craig Gower.
The Panthers cuddled Wallace for ages and told him he'd be wonder-lad and the closest he got was in the match against the Broncos last year when he scored a field goal 45 metres out in extra time. Some say it was the greatest feild goal ever kicked. It was pretty damn close. The rest of the year, for a player of his class, well it was a little ho-hum.
But Wallace gets a bit uppity with his own ability and begins to believe his own media which makes Elliot and co a bit nervous and reserved.
When the staggering Bronco offer is announced, the panthers adopt a hard-nose policy to set an example to other promising youth including Jennings and Blair who were already creeping into firsts with a lad called Aiton who has that special something.
And Wallace wouldnt worship the ground Elliot walked on and egged on my Clinton whom Elliot insulted on the first day he arrived...he accepted the Bronco's generous offer.
Fact or fiction?
It has to be understood, deep in the dark dungeon of the Panther board, they go at each other blow for blow and then instruct their media to tell the villagers that everything is OK or is going to be OK.
But when under attack, the cadre are quick to join forces and put the revolutionaries in their place.
The heart and soul of the Panthers is conflict, it makes them tough and strong. But unlike other clubs, they dont have to play out their differences in the open. The machine that god left them, stills ticks like an atomic clock.
Rob Weaver was one of the best machinests the Panthers ever had. He turned black into teal, and teal into black. He has recently retired and will be undoubtedly, a hard act to follow.
