If we retained Merritt people would only be pissing and moaning that it resulted in us letting another winger go who was performing well at his new club. Fact is we can't keep everyone, and players aren't just gonna perform sh!tty elsewhere - if they did, they wouldn't be in first grade. If we let a first grader, or fringe first grader go, don't be surprised when he's playing first grade elsewhere next season.
While I agree Weston would have been handy to have on board in case injury or suspension struck our back row, the fact is if it didn't happen, he'd get fed up with playing PL and end up leaving. I wouldn't be surprised if he actually summed up his situation at the Sharks, realised he has more opportunities at first grade in Nth.QLD and run with that. The same reason we got Anthony Watts. At the time he was behind Wing, Anasta, Pearce, Lewis and Soward for a halves spot at the Chooks, so come on board with us for the opportunities.