Mate, I think at the start of the season, Dessie had all intention of having Witty in first grade, and here is why I know:-
I was sitting at Express Advocate Stadium (South West corner) watching the Premier League trial between Newtown and Manly. Witt was selected in Premier League, due to a misdecretion in the final against Parramatta in 2005. Witty basically ran out, and was pretty well calved up by the Newtown Premier League halves. He tried to kick behind the line three times, and it ended up hitting an opposition players on the way through three times. He tried two bombs, one went over the dead ball line on the full, and one went over the sideline on the full.
Half time came, and Dessie ran out on the field, straight to Witt (the players were pretty well sitting directly in front of us), and gave him one on one coaching on where he wanted to see him improve in the 2nd half.
Unfortunately for Witt, Burns came out in the 1st grade trial, all bulked up, and put on some amazing shots, and was pretty creative. The rest is history for Michael, apart from that one game he came back, and again unfortunately had a quiet game as you have agreed with above.
People say that trials don't mean anything in todays society. I think we can see for Burns and Witty - that this isn't the case.
Mate - please don't take this as a Witty bashing, but more that I believe he was given opportunity by Des where you said manly may not have (in treating him badly). If he's meant to be a regular 1st grader, then he should thoroughly dominate in Premier League. As 5/8's go, how do you think:-
Scott Hill
Darren Lockyer
Benji Marshall
Johnathon Thurston
John Sutton
Braith Anasta
Trent Barrett
Jeremy Smith
Adam Dykes
Jason Smith
Preston Campbell
Jerome Ropati
Travis Burns
Daniel Holdsworth
Kurt Gidley
would go?
You see, the bridge between these guys and Witty is just too far. I don't think people are being disrespectful about it, they are probably just dissapointed he didn't do better or live up to expectation.
