The the nasty deed was done a couple of weeks before magic. I find it hard to believe nobody but the bros knew about this.

Phuzzy there was one incident but captured in 2 separate videos. The incident happened 5 weeks ago on a Sunday evening and not after Magic.

I'm sure they did. However, I'd suggest it's one thing hearing about some drunken shenanigans and an entirely different one seeing the reality and its possible fall out. I'm sure the Cas lads knew about Hardaker's indiscretions before they were announced but look at how that affected them once it was.

SW apparently only told the team of his leaving on the Monday following Magic.

My point is neither incident would have had much bearing on the Magic performance which is what I believe you were asking?

Sorry, I think you misunderstood my post. I meant the story was broke after Magic. The incident itself would have had little effect on the magic performance whereas the potential leaking and fall out from it most certainly would have.

My apologies if I didn't make that clear.

No need for apologies mate, it was my misinterpretation of the comment.

What would we give for some good news right now?

I don't know whether or not any of the player knew before this. But I know for sure that some of the players only found out on the Monday after magic weekend and didn't know anything about his intentions before this day.

You're not wrong mate! None coming on Thursday though if the Flower, Sutton and Tautai all being unavailable is right!

I think he played this one close to his chest as I believe he wanted to leave 'on his own terns'. I'm not sure exactly who might have known but he says himself that the meeting was possibly the hardest of his life. That suggests, as you say, most wouldn't have known beforehand.

The character of a team isn't measured by how they ride but how they respond when they fall off!

But real extent of it only became public knowedge over the weekend of the Cup game.

That would certainly explain why Sam both looked and played like an old man.

....and KR?

Good point.

Answer is I don't know. Maybe they heard that something bad was in the wind.

But it seems difficult to disassociate the sudden downturn in form from all this negativity of late.

FWIW, I don't dismiss the Wane news having an impact too.