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Should the Roosters re-think their 'Dickheads Policy'?

8th October, 2016
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Mitchell Pearce is back again and this time he's gonna be great. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
Expert
8th October, 2016
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Following recent concerns regarding personnel and recruitment strategy, Roosters fans are now fearing their club has embraced a radical new policy of squad management.

In a move that would contravene one of modern sport’s most popular principles, many are convinced club administration has secretly invoked a controversial ‘Dickheads Policy’.

This has come about following a series of signings and departures that has left the elite playing ranks approximately one-third under warrant.

While yet to be confirmed, such a policy would be a risky move for the Roosters considering the growing popularity of the polar opposite, i.e. the ‘No Dickheads Policy’.

This method is enjoying widespread acclaim after the pro-sports industry eventually discovered the advantages of not associating with dickheads.

As witnessed this week, the No Dickheads ethos has been recently adopted to useful effect by Mal Meninga with Kangaroos selection, while Queensland have claimed to use it for years despite plenty of evidence to the contrary.

But despite its virtues, the Roosters active role in the player market this off-season is the final nail proving they have gone in rogue reverse.

After seemingly scouring the ranks of the NSW Cup and the courthouses, coach Trent Robinson and his recruitment ninjas have acquired Liam Knight, Zane Tetevano and Paul Carter, a trio dodgier than a ponytail on a middle-aged male.

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In addition to a steady 18 months of shedding blue-chip stars and law-abiders – not to mention some of the existing group’s macabre extra-curricular form – it was news that sent the fans in to meltdown.

Tensions were then heightened further following this weekend’s reports of Dylan Napa’s boozy blow-out in international airspace. However, this has reportedly put him in line for the captaincy.

Many supporters are now convinced this behaviour from club hierarchy is no longer coincidental or just a sustained case of derelict governance.

If true, the Dickheads Policy is a bold strategy for a club already known for its long-standing habit for throwing a bone to bad boys and philistines.

Not only does its implementation demand a judicious eye, it also requires shrewd bargaining skills and a state-of-the-art security system. Might want to hide the key to Nick Politis’s safe, too.

However, the recent uproar suggests winning over a sceptical Roosters fan-base will not be easy.

Not only are they grappling with the loss of a number of cleanskins including Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, the uber-holy Sonny Bill Williams and now recently Sam Moa, some are even yearning for a return of the comparable acceptability of James Maloney’s sausage humour.

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One fan was particularly scathing towards Robinson and his role in the strategy, remarking “you know it’s bad when you’re criticising a coach in the immediate aftermath of a grand final and it isn’t Brian Smith.”

However, club supporters are in agreement on one advantage.

They concede the brave plan should, at the very least, see almost none of their side playing representative footy next year.

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