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When should certain roosters be given EXTRA leeway/love by the chookpenners?
I want to start by saying that I believe no one is bigger than the club. From uncle Nick down to the players on development contracts, or Robbo down to the administration staff. People are also entitled to their opinions and no one is immune from criticism. This thread is really about how much criticism is warranted and when should we back off?
This season there has been at least a dozen different roosters players or members of the coaching staff that have been bagged with calls for their heads. Sometimes this has been justified (I mean we are underachieving thus far). And sometimes its been an over the top reaction to a poor performance (which admittedly I myself have been guilty of).
But this got me thinking, as passionate fans, with high expectations, who live and die by the success or failure of our great footy club every weekend, which players/coaches should be cut a little slack? Is there a CRITERIA that we can agree on to say, a slight drop in form for this particular player is okay? Should we be more loyal to players that are loyal to us, regardless of injuries and suspensions? Or this player deserves a longer rope?
Passion, loyalty, love for a team are qualities in players that are hard to measure, but these are attributes that us fans admire. And so when we talk about loyalty and passion for the club, for example, multiple players or coaches (both current and former) tick many of the below:
1. Long service to the club: Playing 95-100% of their careers for Easts. If they want another year should the club give it to them. Or are we okay with them playing less minutes to prolong their careers even if it affects the salary cap, team balance or means we can't re-sign others? For example JWH, Mini, Ricko or Aubo. Could you imagine them in any other colours?
2. Staying for less: Should we be okay with a slight drop in form or long term injuries? For example Toops, Manu, Mini. These players have taken less even though they could have earnt more elsewhere. Again could you imagine them.playing for another club?
3. Local juniors/sons of legends: Rads like Ricko before him was a local junior and also played lock. Both are/were tough and put their bodies on the line. Both guilty of the odd brain snap. Let's not forget how costly it was not having Ricko in the 04 GF. Or young Lam or Jacko Hastings as the sons of club legends. Should we be more patient with their shortcomings?
4. Fans growing up: Even though they weren't locals players, LOD, Flash Gordan and more recently Coops, Teddy and Sammy Walker, have openly said they were roosters fans growing up and dreamt of playing for the RWB. Like us they obviously love and are passionate about the club. Should these true fans that go onto become players be given a longer rope?
5. Multiple premiership winners: Should players/coaches who have had proven success and are capable of future success be persisted with? For example Keary, Rads, Toops, Manu, JWH, Teddy, Robbo or cut loose once their best is behind them?
6. Genuine Champions: Do we allow them to decide when or how long they play for and cop it if they don't deliver up to our chookpen standards? For example Freddy, Teddy, Cronk, SBW, Robbo:
7. Potential of future stars: JS obviously comes to mind. But is it worth being loyal to.players who could walk away at anytime such like RTS and Fatrell.
8. Leaders: If they are current, past or future leaders do they warrant extra support? For example Cords, Friend or Freddy in playing or coaching positions
My question is, for players and coaches that meet some of the above do we, the chookpen, need to cut them some slack or give them a longer rope than we would the average player/coach when they impact the club negatively? Or do we treat every player/coach the same and stop showing them love if they are not delivering?
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