I definitely think coaching has been the issue in recent times. Price wasn’t up to the job, and most fans called it before he was given his extension. The history is also a factor though. We all feel the weight of it but I suspect Simon Moran as much as anyone. This has led to us going for the quick fix, often in desperation hence Greg Inglis. We were all willing him to succeed but we all felt it was a massive gamble. Of course the nature of fandom is that generally we don’t admit things like this to the opposition but just go with “my club right or wrong” which strangles debate.
Our youth history is well documented and it’s not enough to cling onto Harris and Sculthorpe. Having said that we are making progress. This year Thewliss is making progress and I think Longstaff is one to watch. So on the coaching front why when moving Ratchford to hooker(!) did he not switch Thewliss to fullback and Ashton to the wing because for all his strengths Ashton is totally frail under the high ball (for now).
Still there’s always next year…