Looking forward
It honestly feels like groundhog day. In last years review, we talked about injury toll, poor results against kiwi teams, and a consistent 80min performance. Sadly, this didn’t improve in 2017, and it hurt us big time.
So, how could this happen again? Clearly, there’s been this little distraction known as “the cut” playing on everyone. Ever since Clyne and Pulicver announced that a team would be cut, it has been a monumental disaster in mismanagement that we would find hard to rival in Australian corporate history. I mean, 48-72 hours to ram through a major transformation? Please, don’t treat us like fools.
For the players to perform at their best on the field, under the pressure of potentially losing their jobs, is a distraction no professional player wants. You only have to read open my brain to get a taste of the pressure professional athletes faces every day. Credit must go to Tom English for showing the courage to talk about this struggle. All sporting codes can learn from this disaster, and make sure it never happens again.
Tom English – opening his brain, and his soul
The Rebels will lose some important players, with Sean McMahon the biggest loss. He’s been injured for most of the year, so expect Colby Faainga’a to take a more prominent role in the team.
The future must be better, because, honestly, can’t be worst: the performance on and off the field has been lacklustre, a record number of injuries has made the rest, for a team that lacked direction and clarity.
But, looking at some of the young players on the roster, the future must be brighter. Young guns like Jack Maddocks, Tyrel Lomax, Harrison Goddard and Jordan Uelese may represent the future of this franchise.
What do we need in 2018
So, what do the team and it;s legion of supporters need in 2018? It needs to believe again.
We need to believe we can witness all 23 players, playing at their peak, for the full 80 minutes. We need to believe in our coaching and support staff, as they will help drive and shape our team into a world-beating success they can be. We need to believe the farcical off-field dramas are now behind us, and Rugby has a home in Melbourne for many decades to come. We need to believe that all fans, be they staunch, wavering due to uncertainty, and new fans, will return to the stockade and support the Rebels.
This isn’t to say that the belief from players and fans wasn’t there in 2017, but it sure would have taken a severe beating. And that’s completely understandable, considering the angst that everyone’s endured.
Yes, we are realistic and the gap is huge, whoever will take the helm of the Rebels after Tony McGahan will have a massive work to do. if the team is not plagued by injuries and finds some clarity off-field, there will be hope.
Many people have tried to put the boot into the Rebels. “Rugby will never work in Melbourne”, they say. “They will never compete against AFL”, they say.
Well, we say you’re wrong. Rugby does work in Melbourne. Rugby will not only survive but flourish in Victoria. Even if certain parties don’t want us, we’re still here.
After all, we are Rebels.
2016 Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby Awards
Player of the Year: Amanaki Mafi
Best Back: Reece Hodge
Best Forward: Amanaki Mafi
Most Improved: Marika Koroibete
Rookie of the Year Tied – Tyrell Lomax / Fereti Sa’aga
Amanaki Mafi – Sweeping the GAGR Melbourne Rebels awards for 2017
