Opinions are highly valued - I can't overly disagree with yours, but this is how I judge that list of players. Perenara is an exceptional junior, Mellars is a good young player, Rangi was one of the hardest workers in Bartercard, Vinnie Anderson was one of our best toilers, Fa'afili did a reasonable job, Marsh was always odds on to make a comeback and possibly seal up a weak area of ours at #6, Lauitiiti was at his peak one of the best backrowers in the world and he was only what 24 when cut so still had plenty of time on his side, Swann was the best forward the year that he got cut, Carlaw offered good depth and experience, something we obviously lacked last year.
Its all well and good, but you have to think of it also this way regardless of their ability - Lautiiti had a valid contract, as did PJ Marsh, as did Vince Mellars, as did Vince Anderson, as did Henry Fa'afili, as did Matt Jobson, as did Marcus Perenara, as did Thomas Leuluai. Regardless of their ability, point taken its a very moot point, thats an AWFUL lot of players to cut short of their contracts coming to a close. Fair enough 2-3, thats EIGHT players. Thats eight players either who were p!ssed off with the joint, or who were punted. Thats got to lead to a lot of distrust, disunity etc. You can't have that sort of them v us, players v management tension at any workplace. Most of us have been through similar joints where there's been sacrilidge lay-offs or basically management are blood hungry hounds who have no concept of reality. And some of us have been to profitable, well organised joints where management are open minded and trustworthy. I used to consider the Warriors to be just that, things were profitable, the group was happy and working together, now they're having to make cuts here there and everywhere so no-one truly deep down trusts the club or has that much loyalty. Most would love to stay, but fairs fair, some of the young guys if they get offers elsewhere are going to go purely because of how insecure the Warriors are, and how tardy they are with contract maintenance.
Then you end up with good kids being elsewhere, and the rest that are staying not believing in the fibre of what should be the club.
A year and a half ago, if I was a young player, there'd be no question where I'd want to play. None whatsoever. Now, if I were a talented young player, and there was an offer from the Warriors, and someone elsewhere, the other club wouldn't have to be too far ahead for me to go there. You also need job security and to be able to trust your superiors and think they have yours and the clubs best interests at heart.
