while I understand it's frustrating losing players we want to keep, especially given our table positions over the last two years, this is nothing new for us.
I get it, I get as upset and frustrated as anyone seeing some of these guys performances, but losing a player, doesn't necessarily mean the club is "at fault" or wrong about the position they've taken, even if that player happens to excel at their new clubs
while we didn't lose Sam Walker, if what's been said in here is true, then we definitely miscalculated (or botched if you like) our tactics in trying to lure him to our club. we should have played up our connections to his family, rather than excluded them from discussions, although Seibold would have been another obstacle in our way. the other question to ask is would Sam Walker have looked anywhere near as good in our systems, that Kevvie has only had 5 matches and 1 pre-season to rebuild, as opposed to the systems that Robinson has had 7 years to perfect? (remember he also finished as competition easy beats early in his Roosters career)
On Fifita, I maintain that is in no way a botch or a mistake from our management, as much as it is upsetting seeing his form against the middle of the road competition. the mistake would have been getting close enough to the Titans offer to retain him. it would have made it to difficult to recruit/retain players in positions of greater importance (i.e. spine). you only have to look at the Cowboys to see their mistakes and learn from them. Taumololo has been the best forward in the world for 3-5 years at least ... the Cowboys are paying him $1 million a season, and have been propping up the table for the last 3 years (only an incredible purple patch from Morgan in 2017 stopped them from missing the finals 4 years in a row).
In a competition that has a salary cap that is designed to do exactly what PVL said the NRL would never do, it is about prioritising your spending moving forward. it is about cap management; it is about careful allocation of funds, rather that reckless spending.
FYI, there are only 2 types of players i would even consider giving a $1 million+ a year contract to, under the current competition salary structure, both in the spine. they are a game managing halfback or hooker.
so what we need to do is take a deep breathe, and ask ourselves what is the best allocation of our available cap space moving forward:
1. Is it to prioritise investing even more heavily into our forward pack, while neglecting our halves and outside backs?
2. Is it to prioritise investing in even more talented but raw rookies?
3. Is it to make 1 or 2 astute purchases. experienced players in key positions that can help mentor and lead our young side? whether that be a player like Adam Reynolds/Gareth Widdop, or an experienced ISC player that is ready to be given a shot.
after that we just need to sit back, buckle in and get ready for a journey that will lead us back to the promised land, and as fans the end result will be even sweeter, knowing we stuck by our team during the toughest of times.
Remember, our Kevvie is still a rookie coach learning what it takes to succeed at this level when he isn't permitted a team full of superstars like he gets in Origin.
have faith people
p.s. I didn't mean to write an essay, just thought it about time to explain my position a bit more eloquently (hopefully I've done that) rather than resorting to the much easier, snide and snarky comments.