We all need some perspective

[Danish]

I think the perennial optimists here are the ones that need some perspective. This year is a write off, as will likely be next year and maybe even the year after that (we should compete, but not be a true threat).

Too many people have their heads in the clouds thinking Hastings, Nikko, and Mitchell are going to be superstars leading us to an immediate premiership in the next couple years, but odds are only 1 of them will still be in our first grade squad by 2018. Either they'll outright fail in the top grade, become an also ran, or if they are all great 1 or 2 will be poached, that's just how it goes. Hell I would be SHOCKED if Robbo is still our coach in 2019 given we haven't had a coach in the top gig for more than 5 years In the history of the club I believe

We just had 3 good years like 02-04, and are now entering the dark ages till the premiership window opens up again much like 05-12.. History says that will take about 10 seasons for our next window to truly open. hopefully with a flukey finals run in the meantime as well to keep things interesting like we got in 2010.

Some won't like this or will call me a "whinger" or "wrist slitter", but that's just the facts.

[Andrew Walker]

I think the perennial optimists here are the ones that need some perspective. This year is a write off, as will likely be next year and maybe even the year after that (we should compete, but not be a true threat).

Too many people have their heads in the clouds thinking Hastings, Nikko, and Mitchell are going to be superstars leading us to an immediate premiership in the next couple years, but odds are only 1 of them will still be in our first grade squad by 2018. Either they'll outright fail in the top grade, become an also ran, or if they are all great 1 or 2 will be poached, that's just how it goes. Hell I would be SHOCKED if Robbo is still our coach in 2019 given we haven't had a coach in the top gig for more than 5 years since the 80s.

We just had 3 good years like 02-04, and are now entering the dark ages till the premiership window opens up again much like 05-12.. History says that will take about 10 seasons for our next window to truly open. hopefully with a flukey finals run in the meantime as well to keep things interesting like we got in 2010.

Some won't like this or will call me a "whinger" or "wrist slitter", but that's just the facts.

You may be right But almost none of what you write is fact This is a subjective opinionated piece of writing by you NOT FACT

[Waerea-Beast!]

Don't put words in my mouth. I was correcting OPs assumption that the personnel decisions were forced upon us. We could have retained Maloney and Jennings if we really wanted to. The decision was ours.

I also understand that we have had some rotten luck with Cordner and Pearce.

Have a read again champ... I haven't assumed anything.

I actually wrote "The Sharks offered Maloney longer terms than we would and the club rightly or wrongly chose to back Hastings." and I also wrote "The clearest indication that a re-build was happening was the punting of Jennings."

Both quotes I have actually stated or implied that the club made the decision. Because of the salary cap the club has decided that funds would be better placed elsewhere in the long term.

Sure we could have kept Maloney and Jennings, but it might have cost the club some of the next generation of players.

It was going to take a 3 year contract to keep Maloney and possibly cost Hastings. The club believe Hastings could be a star for the next 10 years and weren't willing to lose him for 3 more years of Maloney.

Are they correct? Only time will tell...

[LeCoq]

Fair play Warerea-Beast - I think your analysis and conclusions are pretty bang on.

The reality is Maloney was offered a deal the quantum of which was appealing to him but the longevity not and when Cronulla came in with a three year deal at or slightly above the Roosters' offer, he took it and fair play to him. By the time we were concluding negotiations with Maloney, Nikorima had already signed. They also had two junior State of Origin and Kangroos reps in Hastings and Mitchell to consider in the spine. They opted to look after those upcoming youngsters - the return on our investment may not be known for another two or three years but that's life.

Those wanting us to chase another half (ala Norman or, say, Keary) hard this year and should recall what Ricky did in '05 by signing that dud Brett Firman on a three year only to realise him half way into his first season...

[dice]

Fair enough. You threw me off with this statement "I don't recall a time when a club has lost half it's spine due to the salary cap". The decisions are more about succession planning than the salary cap.

I do find the decision to sacrifice a team which were premiership favourites a little odd. As is the decision to pay big money for all our forwards at the expense of the backline. It is the opposite of what Mr Handshake would do but each to their own. As you say, time will tell.

[Half time]

I'm not sure if perspective is the right word but I sure do need something to help get through this season. Maybe something to knock me out and then I wake up when the season is finished.

[Waerea-Beast!]

Fair enough. You threw me off with this statement "I don't recall a time when a club has lost half it's spine due to the salary cap". The decisions are more about succession planning than the salary cap.

I do find the decision to sacrifice a team which were premiership favourites a little odd. As is the decision to pay big money for all our forwards at the expense of the backline. It is the opposite of what Mr Handshake would do but each to their own. As you say, time will tell.

I think ultimately the salary cap is the cause, you simply can't afford to keep both. With no salary cap we could conceivably offer Maloney the same contract value as the Sharks, but over shorter terms. Would be a win win for us, keep the prospect and the veteran. But the salary cap means decisions need to be made and you can't keep both.