I was prepared to give club management the benefit of the doubt, in particular given our recent success, however that should not be used as a shield against legitimate critisism.
It would seem that our Roster management is starting to go south again. Others have already covered it. The Critta situation was disappointing given that he ended up going for only a little more than we offered but I could cop it because we are rich in outside backs.
But the Leniu situation is a travesty. I keep on hearing about Fish/Leota/Yeo.....this dog does not hunt. Firstly I do not like comparing #13's to props. They are NOT interchangeable and generally are more similar to 2nd rowers than props. Secondly, they are already at their peaks. Good succession planning would be moving either Fish or Leota on in a few years and having Leniu move into that role right as he is entering his peak.
It appears to me that Spencer didn't feel that his potential was going to be fulfilled at the Panthers and has decided elsewhere. That smacks to me of either poor communication or personnel management by the club. The comments made by Critta make more sense now in light of the Leniu situation.
The thought of an excellent Panthers culture where the boys are all tight and want to stay together - for perhaps a little less money has been shattered. This is something that the Roosters and Melbourne seem to do well - along with moving players past their peak on and replacing with something as good or better.
I guess what I am expressing is fear - fear that despite all the signs we were going to build a Storm like Dynasty that we might be headed back to the semi-competent management of the past. Sure what we built will not just fall in a heap in just a season or two - and we will likely never fall to the depths of the mid 90's or post 2005 but it feels as though we have lost our grip on something that should have been close to 'a sure thing'.