Culture?

[Guest]

Does anyone think we need some personnel changes interms of fixing up the current culture amongst the playing group?

All we have heard in recent months is several incidents & some very serious incidents by our players eg Sa - alleged assault, Cherrington - Domestic violence, Friend - High range drink driving, Myles & Mason - breaking team policy etc etc. Put this together with their form and apparant lack of fitness/intensity and their could be a legitimate concern that needs to be fixed.

Personally I think we need a cleanout of some of these characters to freshen the place up. The only problem is alot of the player have been secured to very long contracts.

For one thing I really believe keeping Fitzgibbon is positive for the team, even if he is only used as a bench player. Hes a professional and a real role model in the squad.

[Guest]

Redrooster,

Yes something has to change.

I reckon Freddy needs a mentor (not that BIG HEAD Gould).

Plus we need a defensive coach we are shocking in this area, absolutely shocking!!

[Guest]

culture change? Not really.

Sa & SKD stood up for themselves against a group of drunken bozos, who tried to steal from them and defended themselves, they werent looking for trouble.

Cherro's issue is a domestic one that needs counselling and he has comitted to that, the club has not cut him adrift. It may yet though. It wasnt an "alcohol fuelled" lapse of judgement, it's an issue in the player that needs to be addressed.

Friend has made a dangerous mistake in drink driving and though he was hammered in the hip pocket the NRL stepped in and its hard to argue against it imo. though I think the club needs to at least do something to see how the boys are travelling later on, especially if his session started as part of a team meeting.

Both Myles and Mason apparently were drinking at home and put thier hands up for it. The club didnt sweep it under the carpet, they stood by their policy despite the players involved and any adverse publicity it may generate. It's a brave decision even if you dont agree with it.

Plus Freddy is giving a number of young players some first grade. Its good, Ben Jones looks alright, Tuigimala? is a flyer and there are probably more to come. We've got some respect back in the engine room. Freddies second season is seeing some young players coming through, and some select talent being recruited. He is moulding his team, i've got no doubt there is a premiership on the way to Bondi within the coming seasons.

[Guest]

wow its so easy to make excuses isnt it?!

[Guest]

That's the way I see it. You're welcome to your own opinion.

[Guest]

wow its so easy to make excuses isnt it?!

You lot have been making them for pearce for 2 1/2 years

why is it any differant now??????

[Rooster_6]

Look at the Bulldogs, they arguably had one of the best cultures from 2002 onwards yet they were all over the press for incidents far worse than many of ours. Now you look at them and they've lost all these players in attempt to create a new culture but they are still getting into trouble. Winning breeds culture, not the other way around and it has nothing to do with incidents off the field imo anyway.

[Guest]

I agree with Bonditz. There is light a the end of the tunnel.

[Guest]

You lot have been making them for pearce for 2 1/2 years

why is it any differant now??????

well i definitely won't be swept up into that!!! pearce can trot off to manly tomorrow for all i care!

[Kingbilly]

Rooster 6, the had a shocking culture at the Bulldogs.
Prior to the passing of Bullfrog Moore the culture was good, but after that it was crap.
They had some fine players but plenty of idiots.
Now they are sorting it all out after a big clean out and that clean out included the administration

[Guest]

That's the way I see it. You're welcome to your own opinion.

WELL since you asked. Willie Mason is 28. Old enough to know the rules. They might be strict but they are very black and white. He knows the consequences. He watched Shillo sit out last year. He owes the club after being out so long with injury.

Nate Myles ditto the above. In addition he owes the club for his indiscretions on the field. Its pretty simple, its called responsibility.

SKD and Sa were involved in a pub brawl. Yes, Sa was allegedy defending himself and SKD, but it wasn't as though it was push and shove. He did severe damage, and is facing criminal charges.

I don't agree with the severity of Jakes fine from the club, but do fully back him being stood down, and him being charged. It wasn't as though he was just a little bit over. He was more than 3 times the legal limit. AND then he got in the car and endangered lives. The club SHOULD NOT have to babysit these guys. The senior players should take some responsibility at team functions to give the younger blokes a little tap on the shoulder, but at the end of the day, they too are all adults. I knew at 18 just as I do now, when I have had too many to drive.

Lastly, Cherro. Sure, its a domestic issue, but he is also a face of our club. He assaulted his girlfriend. He physically and verbally abused her. At least if alcohol fuelled there would be reasoning... but the guy has a VERY serious problem.

I don't necessarily blame the culture of the club, because these blokes would probably be like that no matter where they played. BUT WE STILL HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM. The club has gotta take action, and whilst I'm disappointed to lose 2 guys this week, I can understand the clubs stance. THINGS HAVE GOT TO CHANGE!! Its getting beyond a joke. Making excuses and trying to justify their actions is weak, and whilst admitting the problem is half way there, actions speak louder than words, lets solve them!

[Guest]

SA is innocent. I live in the area and know the staff working that night that seen everything. Drop the SA case already.

[Guest]

are you saying he didn't hit the guy?

[Guest]

are you saying he didn't hit the guy?

No, He absolutely clobbered the prick with ONE punch . Self Defense ....

[Guest]

maybe you don't have the campaign in NSW, but one punch can kill. personally i have never put myself in the situation where i need to defend myself. and don't say they are targets because they are footballers... if thats the case they shouldnt be out in places where idiots hang out, much like as a woman, i wouldnt walk the streets of fortitude valley on my own... these guys need to use their brains a bit more...