Yo, long time reader, lifetime Tiger and first time poster…
Mase would have been cheap, and invaluable in my opinion. He's experienced and hard-hitting, thrives on being the underdog and even having him in the squad puts pressure on the younger forwards to keep performing. Never pass up a good thing, especially for the lame reasons that have filtered out in regards to a possible fan and sponsor backlash. Fans want to see winning. Sponsors, although important, should have no say in who the team signs. That is the coach's job. That we passed up a good opportunity in order to keep our "squeaky-clean" image intact is the signifier of the problem.
This team is suffering from an identity crisis. This is rugby league, not choir singing or volunteer work at the nursing home. It is the most brutal team sport there is. We need, as a team, to be willing to offend a few mothers. What man here hasn't had a piss outside? What's wrong with getting drunk on the weekend? Over the last two years we have come oh so close, but twice have failed because we aren't dirty and desperate enough. We are trying to be the leagues good guys, but who is winning? Melbourne, who cheat the purseman and try to wrestle the arms from their opponents. Manly, who smash into ball carriers three-at-a-time and ruthlessly control territory. We need men like Mason because he is not afraid to be cut down like your neighbours cannabis plantation. He has seen the highs and the lows and has come through smiling and looking to pull on a black and gold jersey.
Mase would have been cheap, and invaluable in my opinion. He's experienced and hard-hitting, thrives on being the underdog and even having him in the squad puts pressure on the younger forwards to keep performing. Never pass up a good thing, especially for the lame reasons that have filtered out in regards to a possible fan and sponsor backlash. Fans want to see winning. Sponsors, although important, should have no say in who the team signs. That is the coach's job. That we passed up a good opportunity in order to keep our "squeaky-clean" image intact is the signifier of the problem.
This team is suffering from an identity crisis. This is rugby league, not choir singing or volunteer work at the nursing home. It is the most brutal team sport there is. We need, as a team, to be willing to offend a few mothers. What man here hasn't had a piss outside? What's wrong with getting drunk on the weekend? Over the last two years we have come oh so close, but twice have failed because we aren't dirty and desperate enough. We are trying to be the leagues good guys, but who is winning? Melbourne, who cheat the purseman and try to wrestle the arms from their opponents. Manly, who smash into ball carriers three-at-a-time and ruthlessly control territory. We need men like Mason because he is not afraid to be cut down like your neighbours cannabis plantation. He has seen the highs and the lows and has come through smiling and looking to pull on a black and gold jersey.
