Call me an oddball, while it didn't sound good, I think he was simply trying to take ownership that it was the team's responsibility to improve.
He was trying to say last year wasn't on madge
Totally agree,when does poor performance get laid on the shoulders of the players instead of the coach ....??? I agree that some coaches get poor squads to have to work with at times,but they are very limited at this level...
UNDERSTAND....the players are professional NRL players paid big money in one of the biggest arenas in the sporting world..missed tackles,careless penalties,poor play the ball,poor kicks,simple turnovers all are the responsibility of the players....
BUT THEN AGAIN MOST OF THE LOSSES CAUSED BY POOR PLAYING ARE ALWAYS THE COACHES FAULT.....and on it goes until these players finally wake up and perform to their paychecks and contractual agreements..Something about the saying..''.cant handle the heat in the kitchen....then get out....''
AND Im not saying that Madge is a world beater as a coach,but man he covers for his players instead of arse kicking them and then wonders why the critics come a calling...
sidenote.....as far as the captaincy goes,I would love to give it to Hastings...he has a point to prove in NRL and has had experience at this level,he has matured and hasnt any real mates ties or long time friends to deal with on the field....he has leader written all over him,but lets see what happens....