Loobs
Living in the demountable.
You mentioned a bunch of forwards. He's a centre. Being in shape counts a lot more out wide.I know the articles and conditioning that you're referring to and they were terrible 'womans day' style body shaming, unflattering shots of Jamal in pre season training. The guy wasn't born with the genetic make up to have a 6 pack and abs. Same could be said for Kasiano, Eastwood, Rose, Fafita, Lazzo and many other players including Artie Beetson. That doesn't affect their ability to play football at the highest level. If it did I'd suggest bozo is a real bozo for not recruiting the Chippendale/magic mike way.
He was not in the BEST shape mentally or physically at the dogs but he was able to maintain adequate fitness to perform at that level. His career has been picked apart by all types of critics because he showed so much raw potential and promise and he's not the first or last player to struggle to deal with the hype. Our game has given chances to people that have squandered more talent in actual sinister and more repetitive and frustrating ways.
Again, if you read that article which you could of done by now, you would notice Jamal addresses some of the expected scepticism and reservations you appear to have.
And touché it does say a lot about where they're at. Imagine what he would be capable of if he resolved or managed those hurdles that were holding him back from his full potential before and then consider where we are at as a Club. If this was 2009, I wouldn't dare or need to mention a left field recruitment gamble but hey 'says a lot about where WE'RE at'
Hope our recruitment team are never too stubborn, narrow minded, dismissive or arrogant about potential recruits whether we're in a lofty position on the ladder or not..
@Isz the guys we signed are still all around 20. If they were repeating the behaviours into their mid 20's I'd say pass, but they have taken the second chance and had a real dig.
I've got no issue with him having depression or needing time away - I won't knock him or Foz or whoever for that when it is genuinely the case. But Idris has spoken a few times about things like not caring for training etc which just don't cut it.
Look at the game against the Warriors. What won that? Hustle. Digging deep AFTER 80 minutes. Literally throwing yourself at the opposition to stop them winning. That is what our squad has and is rallying around. A lackadaisical attitude does not gel with that.