The younger players wont be dragged down by the older players, Im not saying that there never will be an instance where a senoir player does an action that would be detrimental to the development of a younger player, but if such an instance presented itself then I would expect the coaching staff and other players themselves including the club, to jump down the throat of that situation very quickly. There is also no doubt that the likes of Brown, Bowden, Campbell, Johnson and even Richo would have an influence on some of the younger players, it is only to be expected really. The only problem I see in that group just mentioned would be Richardson and only in the area of his on ground actions and I'm not talking about his dummy spits either, it's his decision making and mindset in a game that is of concern.
Actually Rodger, this all started because of Richo’s “dummy spit” the other night, because Tambling wasn’t too far away from it all looking on. I’m sure it’s not a big deal and he’s (Tambling) not gonna go out next time and do the same thing, but it’s just not a great example for anyone. Apart from the fact it’s just a plain selfish act in a team situation.
I agree about Richo’s decision making, but I don’t think he’s alone there either. I’ve just never felt that him playing up the ground is going to work. If he was in a well drilled team where teammates have a greater understanding of one another then maybe, but as it is at the moment I just don’t see it working.
Some players have all the time in the world to do something with the footy, but once Richo has the footy in his hands he cannot afford to change his mind about what he’s going to do with it. He’s so unpredictable that he’s become predictable. And sometimes I don’t even look when he hasn’t got rid of it with his first thought, because I know what’s gonna happen next. The roar from opposition supporters generally lets you know.
Talk of senior players running the place has been doing the rounds even before Spud arrived on the scene. Rumours were everywhere about that sort of thing when Geischen was coach. I can't see Wallace putting up with any player, especially a senior player, with a individualistic attitude who thinks he knows it all. With such a high turnover of the list the past 2 years they'll be easily found out. Hopefully as TS said it's all different now.
All we can do is hope MT. I think you’ve mentioned before somewhere, how this sort of thing was an issue more than 10 years ago. And I think that’s right. But hopefully we can now see the end of those times.