I know on paper we have a wooden spoon team, so this result was expected, but I've never felt so sad about footy in my life. Don't know what to do with myself tbh and coming on here feels like reading people suffering from the different stages of grief.
It's a very dark day for the club.
😕 This makes me sadder than the game today!
At the start of every season I look at the squad and often am excited about the year ahead.
The last two though, right from the start I knew I was reading a list of names you just couldn't form a consistently competitive team from.
I'd hoped they'd do a bit better than they have, but it's not all doom and gloom.
I think they are well on their way out of the bad old days of horrific cap management and next season is Brooks' last on crazy money.
There are a lot of young guys I have high hopes for (especially Toa and Pole) who won't cost the earth for a few years and Koroisau and Papali'i are fantastic gains next year.
I really hope they can resign Ofahengaue as well.
There could be signs of a decent core forming.
🤔 Something I haven't had for a while unfortunately...but I digress.
The sad fact is there are too many players who are simply not going to become the premiership winning types needed, and it sounds like the tough calls will be made soon.
I can't think of another club who'd have as much cap room for 2023/4 and paying more than another team for the right player the side really needs (say a top centre, full back, prop) I don't consider "paying overs".
I'm not saying let's grab the next class of Packers, Matulinos and Reynolds' and give them a million a year, but add Munster (to the tigers he'd be worth a LOT), offer Fifita more than the Titans (he's awesome - just not at the right club imo), throw money at Garrick and the team is
vastly better.
For me the cowboys game nearly killed me, but after last week I really wasn't that upset today.
Only one more game this year Lauren!
Let's hope for some good signings and some good decisions by the club in a couple of months' time so we have real optimism for next year and further. 😊