We certainly didn't see this coming. There have been the odd comments saying we needed to change the team but the the majority of comments have alluded to the wonderful harmony and togetherness of the WT's players.
Now, seemingly out of nowhere the club has decimated the squad with major player changes.
Payton was the catalyst for all this with his injury alluding to his retirement and it seems to have exploded since then.
Whether he was the catalyst for the club to delve into the playing strength, decide it wasn't where we wanted to be and then decided to do something about it.
Payton, McKinnon, Fifita, Gibbs, Moltzen, with possibly Ryan, maybe Heighington as well, thats 7 starting players out of the starting squad of 17\. Throw in a few other players out of the 25 and we could well be looking to replace 12 out of our top 25.
That leaves the club with enormous scope to add established players as well as bringing up some of our talented juniors.
If we can add 2-3 top players and fill the rest with our up and comers we will be looking stronger for 2012.
Ironically the downside to all this is that I find myself more interested in the comings and goings of the players than I do about the games. It certainly detracts interest.
Will be interesting to see the mental toughness of the players if, aware they are not wanted by Sheens and the club, can stand up and play some good footy to show their ability to both us and their new employers.
I believe all this is a plan, not a replacement for Blair, which will all come to light in the next week or so. Would still have loved the club to come out and say that they were looking to take the club in a different direction rather than have it alluded to that there is major player discontent.
There may be discontent as no one likes to be told they are not wanted but that is part of professional sport.
So the next stage must be the announcement of the players we have signed to the club .
Lets hope they are players that are going to help us to a premiership in 2012 (after we have won this year also !) !!!
Now, seemingly out of nowhere the club has decimated the squad with major player changes.
Payton was the catalyst for all this with his injury alluding to his retirement and it seems to have exploded since then.
Whether he was the catalyst for the club to delve into the playing strength, decide it wasn't where we wanted to be and then decided to do something about it.
Payton, McKinnon, Fifita, Gibbs, Moltzen, with possibly Ryan, maybe Heighington as well, thats 7 starting players out of the starting squad of 17\. Throw in a few other players out of the 25 and we could well be looking to replace 12 out of our top 25.
That leaves the club with enormous scope to add established players as well as bringing up some of our talented juniors.
If we can add 2-3 top players and fill the rest with our up and comers we will be looking stronger for 2012.
Ironically the downside to all this is that I find myself more interested in the comings and goings of the players than I do about the games. It certainly detracts interest.
Will be interesting to see the mental toughness of the players if, aware they are not wanted by Sheens and the club, can stand up and play some good footy to show their ability to both us and their new employers.
I believe all this is a plan, not a replacement for Blair, which will all come to light in the next week or so. Would still have loved the club to come out and say that they were looking to take the club in a different direction rather than have it alluded to that there is major player discontent.
There may be discontent as no one likes to be told they are not wanted but that is part of professional sport.
So the next stage must be the announcement of the players we have signed to the club .
Lets hope they are players that are going to help us to a premiership in 2012 (after we have won this year also !) !!!
