Interesting Laids still seemed very popular with the group. Could that be the reason he was treated so shabbily, Mick felt threatened by his popularity? Not suggesting I know this for one moment but it's certainly a situation that remains open to interpretation.
Didn't catch the game but from all reports the end result was predictable (sigh) so I didn't miss much!
Re Laidler I did catch the pre-game on 7Mate though and they were interviewing Laidler. He said he didn't really get a chance under MM and that MM had wanted to clean out a few players last year and that he didn't fit into MMs plans. He said players knew MM intended to have another clean out this year. Laidler observed that the Blues didn't seem to be playing with any confidence and weren't gelling as a team - he said it was sad to see. He also mentioned he had a lot of friends back at CFC.
The way Laidler spoke his mind I wondered if this is why he fell out with MM. I think he has quite strong opinions where MM is concerned and whether you want to call it sour grapes or not, he appeared genuinely concerned about what has/is going on at CFC and the effect it is having on the players.
Looks like "push in the back" is not a rule any more
Umpiring is the worst it has EVER been. They will not pay the obvious frees, and you can break the rules and not be penalized, There is no excuse for what they dish up every week because there are three of them to supposedly see everything. THEY are destroying the game more than anything, because if they paid the frees that they should, then the game would open up as players leave the pack situation and run to where the ball is going to be kicked.
Maybe if the umpires blew their whistle more quickly once packs develop over the ball, we wouldn't have this unsightly rolling rugby maul that goes on too
I'm convinced that this team does not play for their coach.
Well it either that or MM cannot get us up which is his bloody job.
Even when we were crap we seemed to give our all in these games.
Not anymore. Look disinterested.
What what worried me was last weeks presser after the GWS game when MM said he had no idea why the Blues don't put in the same effort against lower placed opponents vs top 8 sides. After 18 months surely he should have found out by now and put appropriate strategies and resources into place to address the issue?
