I was thinking overnight what about Benji , and letting AD play , and the holistic view , as I actually think, once I removed my disgust for AD not playing from the picture , that this is what’s going on.
1. There’s issues with standards having deteriorated over the season . Whether it vaping , or general hygiene , maybe it’s dudes sitting in the sauna doing sweet F A when they should be in the hydro pool going through thier recovery programs . ( For those who don’t know , or have never done it , the hydrotherapy pool , is basically a warm pool- I’m not sure if there’s anything chemically different, and you’re giving a stretching and polymeric and low impact minor workout to relive your body’s stress and joint and ligmant issues . Almost heat into muscles helps with recovery etc. ) the reason I say that - is because I don’t think there would be too many eyeballs on that type of session , as it’s easy and person dependant . So very for dudes to take the piss and slack off .
2. Because there’s dudes taking the piss around the joint , others are seeing it , and when guys like luai and Benjis desire to finish the season with him , are amongst a core group of players who appear to getting favouritism , I can imagine how much friction that’s causing .
3. I genuinely believe after seeing ADs presser that it was the being dropped for the heir apparent , that was the straw that broke the camels back . Ie. he’d be seeing the perceived favouritism / standards dropped , would be feeling he is doing his , and now rather than correct the behaviours of those taking the piss, Benji has moved forward the succession plan . ( I don’t agree with this btw conclusion I just genuinely belive this is what ticked AD off ) .
4. After consulting other guys in the team apart of the leadership group , Benji discovered that these things were happening . I personally don’t understand how the leaders couldn’t have called it out earlier , but Reni Maitua made a point today basically after popular kids in the room being able to drown out the leaders and potential friction caused by the leadership group doing something about it . So I can sort understand how guys would have convinced themselves it wasn’t that bad and not worth the drama.
This all of the above has led to Benji yesterday deciding to let AS back in the team .
Which has pissed everyone off right ?
But what if the favouritism perception is true ? What is the best message for the team ? Don’t F with me . I’m the coach do what I say … here’s a 3 week stint at lidcombe oval AD ?
Or … if the favouritism stuff is true , whether perceived or otherwise , is the best message to say … “here’s your first and final chance . This bullshit stops now . You sit the factions down , you have some home truths , everybody sorts thier shit out and you move forward.
I fell like the best outcome is the latter right !
Because if toi say I’m making an example out of AD. Wouldn’t you run the risk further alienating the playing group , as some players would see the AD treatment as injustice.
The more I think about it, the more I think it could be a galvanising thing
