D'Arcy Waldegrave: I want what the Melbourne Storm are having

The All Sport Breakfast

I want what you’re having.

The Melbourne Storm that is. Penrith Panthers too. Regardless of the result in next week's NRL final, which in all likelihood will be a barnburner versus Penrith, we've been shown that the idea of a rebuilding phase in high end professional sport is a tired and broken concept.

The best teams in the world don’t spend a couple of seasons rebuilding. They do it on the run. They make difficult selection calls, they understand why moving people on before their talent drops off a cliff, maybe brutal, but in the wider and more important picture is essential.

No hanging onto players out of sentiment. Knowing how to handle talent transition. Repaying long-time hardworking juniors when they have served their apprenticeship, not waiting until the elder statesmen is dribbling into a cup.

This starts at the top.

Consistency at a boardroom level with coaching appointments. Almost the antithesis of playing staff, coaches and their philosophies shouldn’t be discarded on a whim, their positions need longevity and ultimate trust. Their ability to identify talent and work it into the team from a junior level needs time to breathe. Faith in their process from the head office needs solidity.

The Panthers, regardless of tonight’s result as they attempt to make a liquid dorsal delicacy out of Cronulla, has shown the importance of consistency of coaching values and growth, which is essential for a team to rebuild as they go. It’s the same for one of the great NRL dynasties, the Melbourne Storm.

NRL teams desire for sugar hits will invariably pay poor dividends, whereas trust in the turtle over the hare has shown to be the best way to secure long term club success.

Andrew Webster’s Warriors were rotten this season, hopefully lessons around knowing when to hold senior players or fold them, will be taken on board and the Wahs too can build a club in the image of the Storm or the Panthers.

Imagine if the Penrose fish heads had shown that required faith in Ivan Cleary all those years ago.

Imagine.

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