Good post highlighting some factors that frequently get overlooked and we are on the same page in most respects.
If I may offer some respectful counterpoints in the spirit that reasonable people can disagree.
I hear what you say with regards to exculpating Benji but my own view, at this time, is that it’s his job is to reign in the Ill-discipline and he’s proven that he’s simply not up to the task.
Its not the same player getting into trouble, it’s a veritable conga line of miscreants waiting for the next fellow to grab the waist in front.
I imagine that he’s spent a disproportionate amount of the season in passionate refrain of such uncouth behaviour, only for his earnest representations to fall on deaf ears.
Therefore, I conclude that his communication skills and indeed his consequences for such unsavoury behaviour need serious revision and upgrade.
At the moment there seems to be a rush to get the impugned player back into the side asap and I think it’s because Benji is desperate for results to beat last year’s horrifying season that (thankfully) brought down an entire clubs heirachy.
He was “anointed” as coach and didn’t face a competitive process, eagerly grasping the poisoned chalice with both hands. I don’t buy this “rookie coach” excuse for a second and I don’t think it serves him well. Every NRL coach is a rookie at one point and most of them don’t come last in their first year or use their inexperience to conjure up sympathy. It’s a brutal sport, a sporting monstrosity, only the tough succeed.
Another failure is the general decline or lack of enthusiasm from some of the senior players. It worries me because when the kids get older and talent arrives, I don’t want to see the same decay.
Now obviously, we share a similar high view of Richo, but I think if that platform is laid, there is no harm in questioning some of his decisions. I think it’s healthy if the respect is there, especially as a member.
He’s at our service he says. He’s right.
Thanks again for your insights, both enigmatic and well argued.