What you’re saying is wrong though . The thing that doesn’t make sense to me is the best player IMO to wear the Cowboys jersey is Taumalolo , he’s lost a step , but his whole reputation was built on fitness and aggression and pure tenacity . At his best he’s like a freight train that never stops .
I don’t think the “lazy islander” idea , is true anymore . Simply because coach’s arnt picking them because they’re massive anymore . Especially in nsw being massive isn’t anything anymore . It’s a start sure , but where I am , the kids are huge . I watched an u15s game a couple of years ago , and I’m 183cm, an almost all of the 34 players were taller than me , I thought I was watching u19s. And someone corrected me. The kids are simply bigger stronger faster these days , and being massive and lazy doesn’t get you through . No matter what your background is . If it’s an apathy thing re. Islanders are notoriously chill an hard to motivate , I don’t think that’s the case either . Only the most competitive make it through . Especially out of the Penrith system , where a fair chunk of our team come from .
Even Miller the front rower we cut last year or the year before , 10 years ago that kid has a 5-10 year career and bounces around the nrl with shit attitude , and lack of development because everything thinks they can shine a diamond . He hasn’t been even looked at by other clubs since his cutting , and I heard is boxing now . I’ve spent a lot of my childhood around islanders , so I know what you’re talking about re. Motivation and culture , and a desire to be chill above all else , but the same dude who you swear wouldn’t hurt a fly , is also the same dude a lot of the time, who would put you in hospital if given the right motivation .
This is where Benji comes in . And I’m still on the fence / hopeful that he can translate his connection with the team , which is clear as day and inarguable , into wins . I guess the concern is , is he like Stephen Kearney before him , another guy who had the ear of the islander boys but couldn’t get above 500 most seasons . I dunno , but hopefully he has the right islander boys in the team who know how to help him. Because really that’s where 50% of the motivation comes from . The group itself . It’s why the Galvin debacle last year really screwed this team more than most . Because I think the culture is a bit siege mentality , you’re one of us or you’re not . And as we saw last year it just imploded the team when 1 guy or maybe 2 with TDS clearly weren’t .
