As others have said, someone has to come last. Premature retirements, numerous long-term injuries, contract negotiations, sackings, a suspended head coach and the ongoing spectre of ASADA. That’s more than enough reasons to come last and any other Club who went through it would be in the same situation.
But here’s the rub: it hasn’t happened to any other Club. Only us.
We’re the only Club to extend their Head Coach’s contract while he was under investigation by ASADA.
Only Club to have its star playmaker try to piss in his own mouth. Some will argue that this isn’t under our control. Bull****. Todd was a huge part of this Club and he should have acted in a way that reflected that responsibility.
And (apparently) the only Club to let Dank run rogue with its players.
Even the injuries and contracts could have been handled better. If we had better depth in the backs then we wouldn’t have seen so many cringeworthy efforts on the right wing. Ryan did the injury late last year so we knew it was there. Retention is complicated but surely at least one of Fifita, Graham and Lichaa could have been done in the off season.
Almost all of those challenges were under the control of the Club at some point/in some form. And they weren’t dealt with well enough.
That’s the simple truth: we have to be better. Much, much, much better. In every department.
And when we think we’re going well - this time last year for instance - we need to get better again. We all know football goes in cycles, but our good years don’t come very often and when they do they aren’t good enough to win. I find that more frustrating than a wooden spoon.
Those running the Club - and many supporters - will look at those reasons and go: “Year from hell! But we did our best and we’ll come out the other side. Things will be better next year.” But will it be better? Fundamentally?
Will we have a Football Department that competes with our rivals? Will the team be playing a brand of football that can not only get to the finals but win them? Will friggen membership packs get out on time and represent any value for money? Will Club stand for something that supporters near and far can be proud of? Will there be a plan for the game day experience to be the best in Australia?
As it happens, I don’t even think we’ll get the cutlery. But I don’t think it matters either way. Until the Club - including supporters - get focused on building a Club that is fundamentally strong then it won’t matter. 2nd, 16th… who cares. Its not first. And its not something that we can be proud of.
