For me the biggest question that hasn't really been answered by anyone directly is what would've kept each player here?
What is it exactly that they want?
"To know the direction the club is going and to compete for premierships" is the biggest point they've made. The club has done everything to move forward and show the direction we're heading including bringing in a brilliant coach and getting the house in order. If the board/coach/CEO/receptionist or work experience kid is really causing so many headaches like these guys lead everyone to believe, would someone come out with some hard evidence or stick your thumb in it. I honestly believe that Pascoe and Cleary will lead us into success for the long term either way.
If they didn't want to be here all they had to say was "we didn't like the plan given to us by the club in regards to the direction we're heading and have made the decision to sign elsewhere as we believe it's in our best interests." Fair enough, decision made, their contracts up and their entitled to change clubs, everyone moves on. Why does the Tigers contract dramas seem to always play out like an episode of Days Of Our Lives in comparison to other clubs? That's what I'd love to know.
Even today they're still pushing the wagon of "we don't know, we still haven't made our mind up!" and giving the media more speculation to hammer the club with for a few more weeks instead of celebrating a win. Bunch of pelicans.
If they want premierships, go out there and earn one like everyone else. Do they not realise that forcing the club into making huge offers to individuals causes the club to be unable to spread the money across the squad to complement the team as a whole?
They're supposed to be the ones out there winning games and leading the team to premierships to begin with. Sticking solid and building that dynasty like Slater, Smith and Cronk did at Melbourne, the way Johnson is trying to do for NZ, etc. Instead they took the easy way out and want the club to suffer by putting it back on the club….WELL BOYS WHAT DID THE CLUB DO THAT WAS SO BAD??? Offer the most money compared to other clubs? Support you through your entire junior careers (letting others go to show faith in you)? Support you through injuries and poor form? Poor snookums, maybe we should've tucked you into bed as well?
Tedesco is the only real game-breaker. The 4 collectively haven't been able to deliver so are making the club out as the scapegoat whether it be about the board, coaches, Robbie Farah, club direction. Get on with it and just win some games and play like you're paid.