I think people (me included) jumped the gun thinking we would start the season in form and as serious top 8 contenders.
A lot of people thought that we'd be top 4 contenders. Deep down I knew we'd struggle but whenever I mentioned that I'd get shouted down. Happens every so often. It's an even comp and we've got a lot of average players. I knew we'd struggle to get into the 8 and I think we will struggle again next year. This is the frustrating bit, being patient and letting the team develop, we did that for 8 years with JL and we laid down and dogged it in 2001. Now we're drifting. I dont know who can fix the rot but I'll be surprised if it's Stuart Raper, particularly with Chris Anderson's team.
Doesnt mean shit about relocation though. The league world learnt a lot about loyalties and tribalism with Souths, Hunter Mariners and the Bears.
1. Souths: you cant just turn away tens of thousands of people from the game and hope they decide to support another team with their hearts and wallets. The league would be very wary of sacrificing all the Sharks fans around here to another sport. I certainly wouldnt take up supporting another team, I'd probably become a lowly union toff.
2. Hunter: you cant expect to create an artificial team and have people support it if there is no passion there
3. Bears: people wont support a relocated team if they feel they deserve their own full time team. The people on the Gold Coast wouldnt want the Cronulla Sharks, they'd want their own GC team.
