We’re playing with house money now. The goals for this season should have read:
1. Reconfigure the team’s identity around a different marquee player.
2. Demonstrate the strength of the program to said marquee player.
The style is very different now, totally dictated by a marquee halfback. The key decision points in attack are always on the first layer. This is seen in how like Penrith so many tries from structured play come from how effectively the defence is compressed before the expansive spread play comes. Our best footy is smart, controlled, professional. Frustrating back end of that game but the essentially perfect first half demonstrates what it should look like. Every other player is complimentary and those who don’t buy in will eventually be moved on or replaced. This is Jesse’s team. Georgia is her Luai. If she goes to Brisbane she’ll be a sidekick again. If she wants to be the lead singer she’ll stay.
Losing the best player in the game, on top of other players, and once again plugging gaps with internally developed players & cheaper experienced girls, and still finishing third, shows the strength of the program. Dominating reggies shows the strength of the program. New rookies who look like long term key players shows the strength of the program. We will get her the players she needs.
Couldn’t have done any more to prove that this is a great environment where she’ll play finals and have a shot at a premiership every year, be a great shot at the Dally M every year. If we win the comp she’s almost unbackable odds at the Karyn Murphy Medal.
I don’t think the club could have done any more to demonstrate to Jesse that she should stay. Ball is in her court now.