It feels that way doesn't it. Maybe because we have that North Sydney Bears stink about us? Or Maybe because of the average coaching staff we have that many of our players aren't all that impressed with. Not saying they don't like them or even really like them as really nice and caring guys, but they know they are just ok at their jobs and that there are equal or much better options out there? Our coach may not talk to players(joke) but players talk to player from all clubs. So if the price is right, then a move isn't such a bad thing.
I think it is a bit of both. If we had a great coach, then the mood and feel around the place would automatically be different and a lot more optimistic all the time creating a fever of desire to be a part of and something that you may not get at another clubs environment. Same could be said if we have a better history of actually winning a premiership once or twice a decade. The belief and therefore the optimism would be much more tangible and real. When you haven't won a thing in 36+ years it has to have left a negative impact on the psyche of the club and the players that play for it whether its spoken about or not. It's just like an unseen intangible blanket ever so slightly smothering the place that you can't actually put your finger on, but it's there weighing down on everyone just that little bit. That doubt.
Sure the players that are at the club at any given time would love to win it and break the duck egg, but in the back of their mind some would see it as a real issue that may last their whole career and they may never ever(Hindmarsh) win a premiership no matter how many great players or teams they play with or in at the club. The club to some maybe cursed and so sure they enjoy playing there and have some great mates there too, but in the back of their minds it keeps gnawing at them that it may never actually happen and so when a slightly higher offer comes in, one that if they were playing at club with a better record in particular, they think well the money is better and this other club may actually deliver even if it is a lower placed club at the time because at least they have shown they have won it in my lifetime.
Being able to win premierships fosters great loyalty and many players have shown that they will forgo a little cream in a deal to achieve premiership success and to also have a better chance at representative honours. All our club has shown over a hell of a long time is that it can't deliver on the premierships no matter what they have done, and unless you are basically the outright best in your position, will find it very difficult to make consistent rep honours as well. These things matter to a lot of players, no matter what they say publically.
