FWIW I’ve given this a lot of thought. Let me say straight away that the majority of it is pure speculation so no need to argue with me because I’m not suggesting I’m in any way certain.
First You need to look at Dave for what he is. A larger than life person, a maverick, unorthodox and emotional.
His history as a player confirms this, he was always a gamble, this bit I’m certain of. We’ve been hugely lucky with this player, we have imho had the two best seasons that I feel he has to offer as a player. I’m happy with that to be honest.
A fair few sportsman are not what most people would call stable. We all know of Dave’s off field issues, he lives like he plays, on the edge. That’s what makes him what he is.
I like him or at least I think I do but it doesn’t take much imagination to realise that he is probably a very difficult player to manage. He has a strong personality, a lot of players don’t. Due to this I always suspected it might end this way.
Personally I think Dave is making a huge error, he is a big fish at Wakefield and much loved but he probably no longer feels the same. At 31 and not the fittest I seriously doubt he will find the same status elsewhere. But I’m not him, I don’t take big risks and I’m not able to just glide through life, so if it’s what he wants who am I to complain.
Fifita as I say is a huge character, one who I suspect dominates the team both in humour and opinions. However that team is getting older and is perhaps less willing to go along with him. Just human nature, we all assume Dave is a laugh but maybe the jokes gone stale to some. This bit I must add is pure speculation.
We knew what we were getting with this lad and luckily it’s worked out well for the most part, now is the time to move on I suspect. I think we’ve seen his last performance in a Trinity shirt, I don’t see how the club can really allow him back.
We need to let him go ASAP, before what was once a very positive presence becomes an incredibly negative one. A fee would be nice but considering his attitude I can’t see many teams willing to go that far. His pay reduction will help all the same.
Also on a more mercenary note this season is dead, the only players to whom it has any meaning are the youngsters and those trying to cement a place. Realistically Fifita has nothing to motivate him until next season now and a player like him needs motivation! With the best will in the world he won’t be fit and on form until May time imho as it will be the best part of two years since he played anything like well. That’s a long break and takes him to 32. That’s a big ask for a player who’s hardly in the Gareth Ellis mould of self discipline.
So, to see TJ go will be an utter tragedy to me, I get it but it will sting. Where Dave is concerned, it’s more thanks for the memories whilst they are still mostly good ones. I wish him well in whatever he does and he will do well in his own unique way, he’s that kind of bloke.
