Just goes to show...

Quote: JWP "You can have the best player in the world but when he doesn't want to be somewhere, you won't get the best out of him (Cristiano Ronaldo's early season form being the casing point). Gleesons comments & Smiths comments both indicate that Martin Gleeson wasn't looking at staying here longer than the season end, and in fact Gleesons comments insinuate that he'd been looking to move for a while, be it to the NRL etc.

I've had my say on Gleeson earlier in this thread, I don't think there's much else to say, other than to point out that Gleesons last two moves have been money orientated, and I think that tells you enough about him. He's done well for us, he hasn't enhanced his reputation but he certainly hasn't damaged it, all his wingers have scored tries and he's been a real threat, but through all that, he's never really been likeable has he ? He's never wanted to endear himself to the fans has he ? If he's attended events it's looked an effort and such.

I think Smith has another dig at him, maybe dig is the wrong word, but Smith makes his point with the Mathers announcement, about the proffesionalism that Richie brings to training, and the example that he sets to younger players etc. I think that's the key to this transfer, I really do. When Gleeson has his game head on, I don't think Smith has a problem, but something tells you that through the week, he isn't the most committed, and we've got plenty of talented youngster in our squad right now, who'll look upto people like Gleeson, and it's a pretty poor yardstick for these guys to have.

Add to the above, the work of Bastian, and before Bastian, there's some very, very talented kads going to break though in the next year or two, the Reserves & U'18s flying at present, if your going to keep bringing these guys into your setup, their going to be like sponges, and if you set them the right example, and they are introduced to the right environment then it'll be second nature to them, and their standards will be set high from the outset, and this will be passed on & on, Smith obviously felt Gleeson didn't portray the right image, didn't have the right manner of proffesionalism and has been moved on, and I'm sure that there will be others, if they don't meet the requirements, Mathers will know what to expect, and no doubt will be looking forward to it.

I'm sure Smith will use this transfer, and the revival of Lee Briers and say to the squad, here's two examples, ones a GB international, gone, because he didn't have the desire to work hard, day in day out. That could be you, I will make decisions, tough ones, look, here's the proof. Flipside, show enough desire, and look at Lee, I dropped him, he reacted by getting his head down, two vastly improved performances later, he's a big part of the side moving forward.

For two long we've been fed soundbites, like the ones Gleeson has given today. We've had them from Cull, players signing, players at forums, columns, you name it. We want actions, we want tangible, visable differences and Smith has delivered one today, whilst sounding a massively loud warning shot to anybody else thinking that he's another 'all talk, no action' kinda guy.'"

Excellent post.

I agree entirely with what you say about Gleeson. For me, he's been a quality player for us, but it's his seemingly sulky attitude that's always been disappointing and, as you say, has not endeared him to the fans.

To get back half the money we payed for him, plus a very talented and several years younger player in Richie Mathers, represents smart business as far as I can see.

And in response to the earlier 'he might come back to haunt us' comments, well that's a fair point, but you've just got to live with it, I suppose. Players move on - that's life.

My guess, though, is that tries scored against us that are purely down to Martin Gleeson, and wouldn't have been scored anyway with someone else playing in his position, will be few and far between.