So, obviously the Parramatta Rugby League Team is a work in progress. A situation that has been brought about by Brian Smith`s bloody-minded and stubborn approach to player recruitment and retention. If you don`t believe me, just watch what happens at Newcastle in the next few years.
Just don`t trundle out the old "It`s all Michael Hagan`s fault" bullsh*t. He had f**k-all to do with it. Remember it was Hagan - not Smith - who brought Reddy, Inu and Hayne into first grade. Smith was too stubborn to give them a go. And he wanted to get rid of Mateo as well. The guy was a micro-managing control freak, who couldn`t handle listening to any suggestions unless they were his own. I`m sorry, but I am so over this blaming of Michael Hagan. He`s one of the few good guys, it seems to me.
You're a complete, absolute and utter goose.
I actually do remember who brought Reddy, Inu and Hayne into first grade.
Jason Taylor brought Hayne into first grade the week after he replaced Smith. Smith then came out in the media and said "well I wasn't allowed to pick him" - Smith
claimed he would have chosen Hayne but wasn't allowed.
How does that stack up with his record of bringing juniors into first grade? Hm - lets see, off the top of my head:
He brought this Hindmarsh kid (and his brother) into first grade. The same story for Cayless (and his brother).
Then there's this Tim Smith kid.
Ben Smith
Luke Burt
Eric Grothe jr
Joel Reddy
David Vaealiki
Jamie Lyon
Willie Tonga
Ashley Graham
Chad Robinson
Fui Fui Moi Moi
Michael Hodgson
That's just 2 seconds worth of thinking - there's definitely others (Dallas Weston, Paul Carige etc) - they weren't all good players, but Smith
clearly brought them from our junior ranks into the first grade squad.
We were a complete joke, Smith turned us professional and we won 2 minor premierships and made the final 4 teams 6 times in the 10 years he was here. And we did that because he brought through juniors and recruited where he didn't see a junior capable of filling a spot.
Looking at his history it's not unfair to believe his claim that he 'wasn't allowed' to bring Hayne into first grade.
You may have noticed on my list there that it was actually Smith who gave Reddy his first crack at the top grade. In fact he picked him at fullback and
replaced Burt with Reddy until Reddy broke his hip - a shame, because Reddy was fantastic back in 2005 (didn't look so crash hot in 2006 on his return from injury, hence his reserve grade status.)
As for Inu - well, yes, brought him in - but it wasn't a bold selection or anything, you or I would've made that choice...
There's some mysterious theory that Brian Smith doesn't bring through juniors... just look at the Knights squad for this weekend?!?! Junior Sau; James McManus; Mark Tauafa; Akuila Uate; Scott Dureau; Marvin Karawana. 6 guys in that team that he has
already brought through from the junior ranks.
And there were plenty of others in the last couple of years up there.
Just check Hagan's history of taking a club in strong position and running it into the dirt - he did it at Newie, and luckily he only had 2 seasons here!
You're a goose.
/end rant.
