Anyone watch Backchat last night. Steveo said there is a split amongst the Aussies in the camp.

When TR is talking about thinking and attitude issues between trg and playing it would seem this is it. Worryingly this is the big area he is working on.

Wasn't our strenght in the past our unity of the field

If this is true then maybe the aussies would do well to remember they are getting paid big money to produce their best and start doing what they are paid to do. London is a great club with no room for prima donnas. As a club unlike other clubs we do not realisitcally expect a win every game but we do expect effort and commitment every game and we have not seen that for a long, long time. Maybe some do earn their keep and are on the backs of those who don't. Come on team, you have a new coach it's the start of a new era - get your act together and start doing what you are paid to. Show up or ship out. Loyal fans have put up with enough over the last few seasons, start considering them and DH before you bite the hand that feeds you.

I'm sure it is true as Stevo has definitely got the inside track on what goes on at the Broncos. It would be interesting to know if the split is a performance based one or just personality based clashes, either way let's hope Rea puts a rocket up their backsides - something Powell was obviously not equipped to deal with.
Stevo also said a major problem was lack of fitness and the amount of work the new Aussies had put in by the start of the season.

I wonder whether the split is between Powell's 'Leadership Group' and everyone who was excluded?

I can't help thinking that the huge former Manly contingent would also be a natural group also.

The final obvious split is the old guard signed prior to 2008 v the newe signings.

Or just those who sided with Powell versus those who didn't?

Lord of the Tries!

I had been told the Aussies turned up in Jan unfit. They had been training with Manly etc but what that really meant was they had been using Manlys facilities but were not training with the Manly team-which is reasonable.

I’ve always wondered why Aussies were allowed to turn up late for pre season trg. For me it’s all in on day one unless you’ve played for England in the off season or you are getting treatment post an off season op.

You can’t chase fitness back once the season is up and running. If it’s not in the bank you are goosed

To add to back chat comments, the next coach will be an Aussie. TR is not staying but it would seem he will have some link to the club.

Wouldn't suprise me if the club already had the new coach lined up, but wasn't prepared to make an announcement until it was certain that there weren't going to be any problems with visas and work permits.

TR in his interview on the main site suggests they have ideas of who they want.

Interestingly TR asked Wayne Bennett for advice on coming back to the Broncos. I wonder if he is advising on recruitment.

and his response was.........?

a/ but Tony, I have already applied for the post.

b/ ok as a stop gap, go see the Olympics, but would not touch it with a barge pole in the long term.

You decide

TR made some quality signings with his contacts - and some clangers. We dont have many spots but i hope if he has some inputs he gets it right as we must put right what is wrong asap.

If there's a schism and I'd be shocked if there wasn't due to the poor results, then a new broom is just the right way to deal with this.

The club needs to get the players together on a jolly one night, sink a few beers, let off steam and then find some enjoyment in being together as this season will have been soul destroying for many of them.

TR is the right man to do this and whilst we might not get the results we want in the remainder of the season, this should ebenfit us going forward.

What I would suggest is a very short recess before pre season starts though as these blokes owe the Club and themselves a lot of work before next year.

it will be interesting to see his team selection for this weekend

3 coaches at the club since I started to follow them....the current one has by far the best win/loss record.
He is also responsible for signing all of the "names" that I associate with the club and doing well {enjoying being a fan}
I have no doubt he will do what can to get at least 2 more wins out of the squad he has inherited....if he can do that before the last day of the season, then the HKA game could possibly be a wooden spoon decider....



Sorry for the pessimistic attidude in this post...normal service will be resumed shortly

Stevo does talk a lot of bollox at times.

This business about players not turning up 'til January relates to Robbo and Rodney. You can't tell me that that is the reason why the team have been awful all year. Everyone else was on board really early. Seem to remember Nobby only got the Crusaders team together just before the season started and look how well they did.

Ditto the split in the camp scenario. There are bound to be people that don't get on with each other but I cannot believe that is the reason for our team being so consistently poor.

Couldn't agree more. However rather than have TR around just lock them up in a room with a few crates and let them have a "frank exchange of views" with each other and move on from there.

Agree with you, Simon and Lambeth.

What I also wonder is,do our players know the importance of this club in the whole RL scheme of things? Do they just see our mickey poor crowds and not buy into the idea that we are part of a bigger picture?

Any new players coming to this club should get a lecture on what it means to the people that have fought for it and paid a huge price on keeping it in existence.

I would give them a copy of The Fulham Dream and Fulham to Wembley and maybe they would have a bit more respect for this club and all the people that have put so much effort in past and present (I'm not joking either).