We have 3 players who could become Marquee players if given the right opportunity, that is definitely not our problem.
1. Laurie
6. Doueihi
9. Simpkins
Is a lock in for the next 10 years if given the right platform.
EVERYONE else needs to go, its as simple as that. From coach to players.
I’m sorry but none of our players cut it.
Nofa, Leilua, Roberts, Talau, Brooks...gone.
Tamau, Twal, Garner, L Leilua...gone.
Ofa & Blore can stay...The rest, cya later.
How sad is it that our side is a string of has beens and reserve grade quality players.
Sadly, I think I’ve seen enough of those three to say marquee player is a stretch, they’re your basic run of the mill first graders, maybe throw in Twal too.
Those 3 are good players. I am pretty sure Laurie will never be marquee. Simpkins might get to that level. Doueihi may as well but he needs to be playing in the halves.
How many 'marquees' has Sheens signed when we won? BTW, Prince, Payton, Hodgson, Whaitura, Richards were all unwanted by their clubs!
IMHO, we need players that fill the holes we have, not necessary 'marquees'!
I personally don't believe in buying marquees as a sure-fire strategy, unless you are an already successful club. I don't think a single player will fix a club's issues if the fundamental issues aren't fixed - whether it be coach, roster, finances, team harmony, admin etc.
Just look around at some "marquees" and whether they turned the club results around, off top of my head: Blair/Tigers = no, RTS/Warriors = no, Ponga/Knights = not really, Klemmer/Knights = no, Pearce/Knights = no, Fifita/Titans = not really, Sharks/Johnson = no, Tedesco = yes (club already successful , plus Cronk), Cotric/Dogs = no, Foran/Dogs = no, Hunt/Dragons = no, Broncos/Milford = initially yes then mostly no, Ellis/Tigers = yes, Burgess/Souths = yes (with Inglis)
Understand your point..
I think we need to get 1 for a few reasons:
It would boost morale of us poor fans
It would create revenue through marketing / memberships etc..
It would assist us in attracting other players even if not Marquee ones
It was also assist in development of our younger players as he would bring that experience with him.
Not saying it would make us a to 4 side but it has a lot of positives to it and we also have the money available. You can only have so many young talented kids (we have a heap) but need guidance.
Sadly experience of a few clubs clearly shows that this is not necessarily the case.:cold_sweat:
As per jirskyr list:
- NZ bought Thompson, RTS ..
- STGS - bought Hunt, Norman, Bird, McColough, Merrin
- GCT - bought Fifita, Proctor, Peachey
- CB - bought Foran, Woods
In all cases they did not attract more 'marquees' and they did not become more successful.
On the other hand Roosters, Souths ..:rage:
Warriors got Tohu Harris who was highly sought after, RTS would have been a good carrot for getting him on board, this year signed the red hot rookie Walsh who was highly credentialled.
Saints have no trouble attracting talent, they just get the wrong ones for their club.
And the Titans, Fifita only went because they had Tino, they can attract talent.
The dogs, you are kidding, they have attracted Burton, JAC, Cotric in the last 12 months, maybe even Smith as well.
Easts and souths cheat, and we neither cheat or attract good players
Not sure on that one, Warriors I guess offer a NZ destination for players keen to go home, Saints paid massive overs for players who have not delivered..similar to us, and the coast offers life style.
On the other hand Dogs and Parra never seem to have problems jagging a signature, even when on struggle street. So I guess we should be trying to find out why