https://archive.md/hlKOF#selection-1295.0-1313.244
paywall beaterer for the west above.
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https://archive.md/hlKOF#selection-1295.0-1313.244
paywall beaterer for the west above.
The reality is that we can only recruit players who:
- are available (out of contract) and with the knowledge of their existing club (as per Hamish Stewart where the Rebels acted outside this requirement)
- are prepared to come to the West (and seemingly not many do - hence the pulling power benefit of the profile of a Nic White)
- are affordable under our salary cap (where RAu top-ups help)
- offer something/improvements to the existing skill set within the team (and offer more than a local player in the short term. There are no #10s in the Academy)
- fit into the team culture (honour the no DH policy that Hodgo has worked hard to follow)
- offer something to the game that Cronno is working hard to develop or can be expected to play better under Cronnno.
I'm assuming that the reason why "the player I'd prefer" or is "better than the leaked name" isn't available is that they don't fit into some or all of the above.
It's an interesting time as, based on past years and particularly as Cron has been here for nearly a year, we can expect that probably 10-15 players from the existing named squad will change this year.
There will also be players moving up from the Academy into the Wider Training Group.
Plenty of opportunities for discussion.
Only took him two years... :P
Interesting times here, can't commit to being around too much, but hopefully now a few less tools hanging around bitching at each other than when I went to ground.
It had totally poisoned an experience I used to love.
To those who were part of those early days "TWF heart" (and those who have joined since and share that ethos), greetings to you all :wave:
G'day Jargs,
That would make sense. I think we do need to move to longer commitments as a general rule though. The Pasitoa experience shows how a two year commitment can rapidly dissolve. Was reading/hearing somewhere recently (can't even recall if it was Union) the benefits of longer term contracts.
I agree with you 100%
Personally I'm not a fan of 1 or 2 year deals but I guess it's the environment the Force have to deal with at the moment.
I'd bet that NSW or Qld (Maybe the ACT) aren't constrained by the TV deal length at the moment in terms of offering contracts to players.
Apparently Tahs have signed Fergus. Spewing he isn’t coming here and we need him more than they do but I get it from his point of view, he is from there originally and definitely more chance of getting picked for the wallabies playing for them
https://www.theroar.com.au/2023/05/19/exclusive-lee-warner-to-join-wallabies-duo-at-tahs-star-forward-to-return-to-japan/?fbclid=IwAR0Duk0WXmW6pxJ-Q1WQ1TpEKbtfeH-fhTLvangikuvPFOAZbnFlkz_ohZU&mibextid=Zxz2cZ#lhtp1 vc8ja2oqp3ohad
I guess that means he has finally got an RA top-up :)
So sad about FLW but I am pleased he is back in Oz.. I hope now he will get a look in at the Wallabies..
Could be a while before he gets game time, isn’t he behind at least 3 other players?