- Messages
- 20,281
This is a quote taken from Macko8 in the thread regarding Scotty Logan leaving for greener pastures:
I was going to post this in that thread, but I think it deserves its own thread.
It got me thinking, actually it got me a little angry.
Firstly, Macko, I'm not having a dig at you here, but geez, is this really what's happened to the mentality of Raiders supporters? We have some room under the cap, probably the most of any club in the NRL with the player exodus we're experiencing at the moment, yet still, we think the best we can do is go after other clubs solid toilers?
God. If we lose that much talent we should have 1 million+ to spend.
We should be agressively chasing two genuine star players if we've got that much cash. Not going after 'solid toilers' like Shillington.
I got to thinking today, our best season in recent years was 2003, what was different about that year? 2002 was the first (and so far only) season where we agressively chased quality players for the following year, and nailed Ian Hindmarsh and Brad Drew, who had been guns at Parramatta (and as much as Drew was deathridden in 04 he was fantastic in 03). We also sewed up Adam Mogg (went on to origin) and signed Matt Rua, although he did jump ship.
But we also agressively went after players like John Morris. It was really the only season where management went really hard after established first grade players, who still had the bulk of their career to run (ie not old hands like Jason Smith).
We went into 2003 with a high level of excitement at this club. The feeling was we'd bought well and had a few star players for the first time in a while.
What happened? We led the competition for 18 weeks. We ran 4th. We were a leprechauns testicle away from beating the Warriors and being in the grand final qualifier.
Why did this happen? I honestly think it was because the 'solid first graders' we had lifted upon gaining quality players. Someone like Jamaal Lolesi, who had been at best mediocre for us to that point, positively played out of his skin that season. Woolford looked like a rep quality hooker. And Marty shined that year, unlike he ever had before.
If the players think we're actively out to find better players when we've got the cash to do so, if for no other reason to look after their own contract, they'll play better. And if we're winning, the good players we do have will want to stay instead of leaving.
Everyone always crows about the fact we've got a great junior nursery and we don't need to buy players, but, newsflash guys: they're all leaving. I'm willing to put money on someone like Justin Carney or Josh Dugan, who are going gangbusters in Toyota Cup, leaving to go elsewhere so they can play alongside rep players to help their career.
We've got money to play with. A lot of money to play with, for the first time in a long time. We have two options: Buy another glut of solid toilers, Marshall Chalks and Glenn Turners, or bite the bullet and throw $450-500k at an origin player or two. Whether or not Canberra has sh*tty weather and a non-existant night life, that amount of money should be enough to entice an origin player or two to Canberra. I only hope that signing Furner as coach rather than chasing John Lang or Daniel Anderson doesn't bite us in this regard, as many players only like to play under recognised coaches.
It's time to cut the conservative bullsh*t. It's time to take a risk. Otherwise we'll always be a 'side of solid first graders' rather than a premiership force.
I was going to post this in that thread, but I think it deserves its own thread.
It got me thinking, actually it got me a little angry.
Firstly, Macko, I'm not having a dig at you here, but geez, is this really what's happened to the mentality of Raiders supporters? We have some room under the cap, probably the most of any club in the NRL with the player exodus we're experiencing at the moment, yet still, we think the best we can do is go after other clubs solid toilers?
God. If we lose that much talent we should have 1 million+ to spend.
We should be agressively chasing two genuine star players if we've got that much cash. Not going after 'solid toilers' like Shillington.
I got to thinking today, our best season in recent years was 2003, what was different about that year? 2002 was the first (and so far only) season where we agressively chased quality players for the following year, and nailed Ian Hindmarsh and Brad Drew, who had been guns at Parramatta (and as much as Drew was deathridden in 04 he was fantastic in 03). We also sewed up Adam Mogg (went on to origin) and signed Matt Rua, although he did jump ship.
But we also agressively went after players like John Morris. It was really the only season where management went really hard after established first grade players, who still had the bulk of their career to run (ie not old hands like Jason Smith).
We went into 2003 with a high level of excitement at this club. The feeling was we'd bought well and had a few star players for the first time in a while.
What happened? We led the competition for 18 weeks. We ran 4th. We were a leprechauns testicle away from beating the Warriors and being in the grand final qualifier.
Why did this happen? I honestly think it was because the 'solid first graders' we had lifted upon gaining quality players. Someone like Jamaal Lolesi, who had been at best mediocre for us to that point, positively played out of his skin that season. Woolford looked like a rep quality hooker. And Marty shined that year, unlike he ever had before.
If the players think we're actively out to find better players when we've got the cash to do so, if for no other reason to look after their own contract, they'll play better. And if we're winning, the good players we do have will want to stay instead of leaving.
Everyone always crows about the fact we've got a great junior nursery and we don't need to buy players, but, newsflash guys: they're all leaving. I'm willing to put money on someone like Justin Carney or Josh Dugan, who are going gangbusters in Toyota Cup, leaving to go elsewhere so they can play alongside rep players to help their career.
We've got money to play with. A lot of money to play with, for the first time in a long time. We have two options: Buy another glut of solid toilers, Marshall Chalks and Glenn Turners, or bite the bullet and throw $450-500k at an origin player or two. Whether or not Canberra has sh*tty weather and a non-existant night life, that amount of money should be enough to entice an origin player or two to Canberra. I only hope that signing Furner as coach rather than chasing John Lang or Daniel Anderson doesn't bite us in this regard, as many players only like to play under recognised coaches.
It's time to cut the conservative bullsh*t. It's time to take a risk. Otherwise we'll always be a 'side of solid first graders' rather than a premiership force.
