I see our business model being similar to CCM, no expensive players, emphasis on youth development and growing our own players over expensive recruitment, having a largely cheap squad with the rest of the cap space going to fill gaps and provide some experience and quality from overseas, eventually selling on players probably. Getting a good coach with the right tactics and recruiting to the needs of the game plan, cheap players who will function well in the system.
The whole money ball thing.
Fair enough, but the difference is that CCM are consistency making finals appearances, and have even won the league. I think we should be using youth more than we are now. In saying that, what Merrick has done in the last 12 months has outweighed everything Ricki did in his time at the helm. No youth development system was crazy.
Yeah, Ricki ignored our strongest advantage which is being the only real avenue for Kiwi players, meaning we have a youth system of the entirety of NZ's domestic leagues. For some reason, despite being the national coach and having a vested interest in developing NZ talent, Ricki insisted on employing costly Australian Journeymen. Crazyness in hindsight.