Quote: Wistfulwire "Price been far better than TS and has never took us into the middle 8s'"
While you’re correct re middle 8’s, that is not the only barometer of a good job.
Smiths downfall, in my opinion, was a desire to complete projects. This was either a self driven campaign or forced upon him by a board unwilling to invest. This was seen in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
2015 saw players like Wheeler, Russell, Antony England etc. brought in trying to create a ‘Chris Hill’. Who was essentially a bargain superstar. Sandow came in too late to do anything (and was horribly unfit).
In 2016 we got Gidley, plus Hughes, Dodds, Cox, Bailey and Westerman. Gidley aside they were all project players. Patch up jobs or last roll of the dice. Still, won the league leaders shield and got to within a score in both of the major finals.
At this point, Smith either doubled down that he could change and develop players into a champion team - or his hand was forced by lack of money. (Draper era, so may have spend up on fancy lights, new club shop and new badges). So we got Blythe, Crosby and Pomeroy. Only Cooper turned out to be a good signing.
Against 2018 where we got BMM (dream team, huge fee) Roberts (Marquee), Goodwin, Charnley. 2019 Austin, Clark, Mamo on good money and 2020 with Widdop. All of these players are bought in on big money. In addition to the squad fillers, Gelling, Latu, Tasi, Thompson, Davis, Walker etc.
The board have backed Price. They have let him have the same luxury as Smith, to bring in potential talent in younger/project player, plus the added benefit of huge names being brought in from NRL first teams. Starters. Plus, cap-free additions like Charnley and Burrell. He’s brought in his own team (Henderson, Gardner etc) and had a chance for them to settle in. Last year we finished 5th in what was a two horse race in August. And this year we failed to beat Salford and Hull in the big games. He won one trophy in the three years of huge investment, same as Smith on a show string.
I don’t think we’re any further on. We’re essentially in the Cullen era again. Stars, but not good enough to make it count.
