What's the point? : Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:45 pm  

It's clear there's nothing to play for next year. We've given up. I'm leaving this board because life is crap enough without this making it worse. You won't hear from me anytime soon. Goodbye to all of the great people on this board. Bye.

Re: What's the point? : Fri Oct 22, 2021 9:05 pm  

Exactly, there is no point. Three of the best players gone and probably not the last. And why have they left now as opposed to the end of the previous season. The reason in my opinion is that just like the supporters they are sick of failure and the talk of promotion season after season. The powers at be are just intent on running a business and keeping it afloat without any intention of investing in success. Just look at the plight of the Rovers and the fiasco of this pre season. Considering the money that Bramhall has at his disposal it is a disgrace that sport at the Keepmoat is dying on its feet.

Re: What's the point? : Fri Oct 22, 2021 10:08 pm  

Rob Nash wrote:

It's clear there's nothing to play for next year. We've given up. I'm leaving this board because life is crap enough without this making it worse. You won't hear from me anytime soon. Goodbye to all of the great people on this board. Bye.

I know you've had some tough stuff in your personal life, Rob. For what it's worth, I've had some bad news in mine in recent weeks too, nothing affecting my own health but grim news nevertheless.

Over the last few months I've been considering whether I should leave rugby behind but I feel part of our group and I can't let go.

Players currently leaving, the lack of progress for the Dons over the last five years, the generally poor communications with fans, the mess that the RFL has got the game in are all serious negatives and bring no good cheer. I do understand how you feel.

Please keep posting on here, Rob, even if it's just to have your say or get things off your chest. I think we all need each other more than ever right now.

Re: What's the point? : Fri Oct 22, 2021 10:42 pm  

Tatty Feeld wrote:

Exactly, there is no point. Three of the best players gone and probably not the last. And why have they left now as opposed to the end of the previous season. The reason in my opinion is that just like the supporters they are sick of failure and the talk of promotion season after season. The powers at be are just intent on running a business and keeping it afloat without any intention of investing in success. Just look at the plight of the Rovers and the fiasco of this pre season. Considering the money that Bramhall has at his disposal it is a disgrace that sport at the Keepmoat is dying on its feet.

Not sure but I think Matty and Ross Peltier were on two year contracts that ended this season.

The players are in a tight spot at the moment with all the uncertainties about the future of the game. There may only be 20 pro clubs at the end of next season so it's only right they should be doing everything they can to preserve their careers. Moving to the Championship has got to be a sensible move, regardless of what they think or feel about the Dons.

The Dons are now in a difficult position because it'll both be hard to replace the players that are leaving (due to their quality) and because other players may be reluctant to drop down to this league as the pay will no doubt be lower than it was previously, due to funding cuts, coupled with the fact there may be nothing to play for in 2022.

Whilst I have some sympathy with the Dons for the current situation (due to poor RFL leadership), the Dons problems haven't just been caused by not getting promoted this season, they have come about through five years of not getting promoted.

Whilst some view success as 'survival' others expect the club to have more ambitious aims. After the club declared its interest in reaching Super League with the Five Year plan, it doesn't feel as though the levels of investment needed to reach that target have ever been invested.

So where do we stand now? Do we still have ambitious aims or is survival the name of the game?

Re: What's the point? : Sat Oct 23, 2021 8:00 am  

Rob and Mike I fully understand where you are with happenings in your unit. Not going into details but this past year has been crap on a personal front. Time will give you strength and I sincerely hope that the sun comes back into your life. Take care Rob been good to communicate, stay strong.

As for the rugby side, good luck to the lads that have left and to those who will also leave shortly. Been a pleasure to have watched them.

Re: What's the point? : Sat Oct 23, 2021 8:08 am  

Thanks for the good wishes, Wilf. Wife Carol has been diagnosed with cancer of the duodenum and that's weighing heavily on us at the moment.

I too wish all the lads who are moving on the very best for the future.

[Wanderer]

Re: What's the point? : Sat Oct 23, 2021 11:17 am  

Double Movement wrote:

Not sure but I think Matty and Ross Peltier were on two year contracts that ended this season.

Based on historical announcements from the Club, Matty had a two year deal, now expired and Ross had a one year extension to a previous one year contract, also now expired.

Plenty of work to be done with only three players currently contracted, pending further announcements from the Club.

Re: What's the point? : Sat Oct 23, 2021 5:34 pm  

Double Movement wrote:

Thanks for the good wishes, Wilf. Wife Carol has been diagnosed with cancer of the duodenum and that's weighing heavily on us at the moment.

I too wish all the lads who are moving on the very best for the future.

So sorry to hear the news Mike. I’m afraid I’ve been there and got the T shirt. My missus was as strong as an ox and always 100% positive, stay strong.
Good luck to you and the family.

Re: What's the point? : Sat Oct 23, 2021 7:04 pm  

Well you never know in sport....
We had some great players at the end of the season and they nearly made my day and got promotion, but let's face it they were poorly led.
Minutes away from losing at South Wales, struggling to a draw at London, getting thrashed at home to Hunslet, poor at Keighley and Rochdale and Barrow.
Brilliant results too as at North Wales.
Play offs...nearly blowing it against North Wales, nearly losing to Keighley and then being out organised at Workington.
Really gritty wins at home vs Barrow and Workington.
But not consistent enough through the season and lost the important play off positions of 2 or 3 and that was our undoing.
So great players who could improvise and play entertaining rugby but too brittle in defence as a unit and not punchy enough as a unit of forwards.
But great individuals like Douglas, Tali, Matty, Sweeting, Johnston, Johnson, Cockayne, Greensmith, Halliday etc etc.
So why did we not get promoted...it wasn't the players...we had them...
We will see what comes next...but we underachieved and are still in with the great unwashed...the unwanted clubs.
Nobody else to blame..
But in a world where only being NICE is allowed and analysis is seen as somehow nasty I am like a dinosaur...and social media is not a nice place.
So COYD...