It is starting to look that way. We wear the predominately red jersey too often. I think it should only be worn at away games, when when playing teams who have a predominately white jersey, such as Canterbury or Nth Qld. The changing of the logo is moving away from the St George brand and history. At the new CEO that new logo is everywhere. At the COE, they only trophy on display was us winning the 2010 premiership. They are not even recognising all the premierships and the midweek cup St George won. I think it is very disrespectful towards St George. Illawarra didn't win anything pre merger for them to display or remember. At the game at Wollongong there was some kind of "red towel" promotion, which looked "Illawarra" to me. It wasn't a red V towel or even a red and white towel. There were people in the crowd holding up that "red towel" when we scored. It seems to me they are moving more and more away from anything that is "St George" and more and more towards anything that represents, signifies, or symbolises Illawarra. The COE being built at Wollongong and the ground upgrade at Wollongong will have us firmly entrenched at Wollongong. If we had been successful based at Wollongong, it would be hard to argue against it, but that hasn't been the case for the last 14 years that we have been based there.
We have not been an attractive destination for recruitment since 2012, long before Flanno took over. It has gotten worse since 2012. First it was Price's, then McGreggor's, then Griffin's fault. Now it if Flanno's fault. I remember saying in 2012 that we could end up as a club that players didn't want to play for, similar to Souths before were bought by Holmes A Court and Russel Crowe and before they signed Roy Asotasi. I am not happy about being correct in that prediction either, but I could see the writing on the wall back then. Since Souths were bought by Holmes A Court and Russell Crowe and signed Asotasi, they have been a much more attractive destination for recruits. They have signed big many marquee players such as Sam Burgess, Greg Inglis, Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighten, David Fifita and probably others I can't think of off the top of my head. Our billionaire half owner, doesn't looked to have done anything to make us a better destination for recruits, or set up TPA's. Is being located/based at Wollongong the problem? Koloamatangi is our biggest name/marquee signing we have made since 2012, with Ben Hunt the only other one who could possibly be in that category. This problem certainly didn't start with Flanno coaching us. Flanno has been trying to fix the problem, but could being located at Wollongong be the problem? Sorry if this is "unpopular" with some on this forum. The lack of success if obviously "unpopular" on this forum. We have been blaming coaches for the last 14 years, but as Phil Gould said, our problems go beyond our coach. As I have pointed out, no teams who are not based in the big cities such as Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne have had much or even any success in the NRL over the last 28 years and chances are none will be winning a comp in the next 5 years or more. Redcliff have come into the only few years ago, but are already looking stronger and to have a better future than any other club no based in Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne. I don't think the WA Bears or Papa New Guinea Chiefs will ever win a comp either, certainly not in their first 15 years in the comp at least. New Zealand is yet to win a comp since entering the comp in 1995. They have played in 2 grand finals, but not since 2011.
I am stating the our problems were there long before Flanno took over. I am saying that I don't think any other coach would have done any better than Flanno has over the last 2 years and 4 games for us. I do think he shouldn't be playing Kyle, but I don't think King Togia is the answer. I would be playing Reed if I was in his position and coaching for my career. I am saying that being located at Wollongong is the problem and has been the problem, since Bennett left. I am saying that our billionaire half owner doesn't look to have done anything to help us win.
Flanno’s not 100% responsible but has certainly contributed to the problem. He’s gotta go
I haven't read it but please, I beg, tell me Frank isn't still banging on about all our ills being due to being based in Wollongong....... Not only is it tedious but it's plain wrong!
Before Flanno was coach, Price, McGreggor and Griffin were all the problem who had to go. The common denominator in the time all the above 4 coaches have coached us is us being based/located at Wollongong. Since 2010 only one team has won a premiership that wasn't located in Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne. That is the common denominator. Does anyone see a team who isn't from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane winning a comp in the next 5 years. I don't and everyone I ask doesn't either. Those teams are just making up the numbers for the TV deal.
Corrrreeeccccttttt. Just saved you half an hour of your life and a migraine to go with it
There’s a massive difference being in the mix for the 8 but sort of just dropping short and being inept, dog shit, rudderless and stone cold last on the ladder.
As I indicated in another post Flanagan is still a no go zone with a number of player managers.
I was there, never ever during that game did I believe that we were going to go on with it even after we hit the lead. We still lack a game manager
Just my 2c worth. As a coach by the time round 1 comes along you have decided with the personnel you have what game plans you can have based on the current team.
Unbelievable! We are on a 8 game losing streak, lose to NQ and Manly in the next two rounds and we'll be in NRL losing streak record territory by the time Origin comes around, well under 40% win ratio, probably worse than Price, McGregor and Griffin and you want to give Flanno until next year. Talk about a losing culture.
I agree that we looked terrible against the Gold Coast. We were leading with not long to go, after playing that badly. I know it was the Gold Coast. I also agree 100% we lack a game manager. That is why I would be playing Reed. He looked excellent in the trial against Souths. He was easily our best player that night.
Reed showed in the one trial game he played that he was prepared to chip and chase and I think he was also prepared to take on the line with a dummy or steps.
Unfortunately in my humble view hes not ready physically for the weekly rigours of 1st grade