Exact same trend as 'several' prior big names.
1. Manager sees if we are interested.
2. We jump at the chance / we have cap room etc...
3. Manager puts it out there he may join the Tigers...i.e. any other clubs want to come in right now / would prefer to go anywhere but Tigers.
4. Player goes cold on the idea / every man and his dog says 'go anywhere but there mate'.
5. Player ends up at another club. TPJ was with Sonny Bill at the boxing sat night. We all know where he will end up...
It is fairly clear we are merely a pawn in play...used to drum up interest.
Lodge was also meant to be on his way to Newcastle - it's not just us. This is more like the decision about who goes and stays being taken out of the hands of Kevin Walters before the mid year cut off date. The issue in this case us the Broncos in damage control.
It is not just us, yes. But we really need a 'win'.
Knights past few years have landed Klemmer, Ponga, Pearce etc. They don't need to show they can do it.
We had a clearly open window re TPJ...even Chairman Lee got up on his soap box again and uttered his name...these things 'happen' when you have the right people closing deals.
Fairly or unfairly, we have a long, long history now of not being able to get big names across the line.
I will point out to you that since Knights signed Ponga and Pearce they have finished 11th, 11th, 7th and currently 12th. I understand your point is about a "win" in recruitment, but I don't think Knights are a good illustration of what happens when you start "winning" recruitment battles for name players.
I'd love to sign a prominent player for all the reasons, but really I'd prefer we go the Storm route where we develop a winning system and bring the talent in at a young age and upskill them ourselves. Big dream but that's the way to be consistently good - it's what Storm, Penrith and Roosters are doing, except Roosters also excel in the odd big-name signing.
Good points, and I agree re the Storm route.
They are an aberration though...no club has done what they have in the modern era, though most have tried. I.e. it is highly unlikely we would pull it off. That route really needs some top line senior players who establish the culture and then keep it going. I don't see us with those players any time soon. Our senior guys are largely low footy IQ, inconsistent, players. That makes 'building' a culture very hard.
We probably need a Finucane to start it off.
