Over the last couple of years, I've changed my outlook on team culture. We had a team full of "cleanskins" and it largely left us feeling disappointed with on field results. Fair enough there were games where they could turn it on, but it developed a culture where the boys were too close and footy almost became an afterthought. Cast back to when Heighington was let go, first thing Benji said was that he was upset because Rhino organised the lunches for the boys. It wasn't about what he offered the team on the field, it was about them away from the field. For Benji it was about playing footy with his mates, not winning games and being competitive. Other teams thought we were a joke and didn't take us seriously. Save maybe Farah, there wasn't a player on the team who wanted to go that little bit further to win the game.
Truth be told, the best players have a grubby streak. Manly are a pack of grubs and they have been the best team by and far for the last decade. Melbourne, cap rorting aside, were a gun side and full of players who had a grubby streak. Brisbane before these two clubs were the team to beat and they were also grubs. No secrets for guessing why these two teams were at the top for so long (again, discounting Melbourne rorting the cap.) The other 15 clubs don't seem to have a problem with picking up the grubby players.
I could handle having Matai here because I want the club to be continually successful. We've suffered for long enough as Magpies, Balmain and jointly as Wests Tigers fans and we deserve a competitive side who will be successful for years to come. To do this you have to make concessions, not take the high road and put yourself at a deliberate disadvantage.
As I said the other day, the only thing I draw the line though on is wife bashers. Not only do they not have a place at our club, they shouldn't have a place in our game. Anyone who smacks their missus is lower than a snakes gut.
