Ned Ryerson
Future Captain
Now compare it to who we've picked up over the years and I'd say our culture of treating our players well is working for us.
It's a simple thought. A person who loves something or being somewhere will put in a lot more work than someone who doesn't. It's why armies for almost the entirety of human history have focused on boosting the morale of their soldiers. It's why nationalist propaganda was such a massive tool used by all nations in the World War Era to try and create a bond between citizen and nation.
Treat people well and they will do well.
Precisely. And the go-home factor will always be an issue when you draft blokes from across the Nullarbor. The fact that Hill will be the first young developing player to potentially go home as a result of this (and I dare say his off-field issues in 15/16 are a massive influence on this - not so much the club itself) speaks volumes. If our club starts treating players like crap and put in Hartung in place of Hill for the hell of it - then it would have a ripple effect and would cause damage in the long-term.
Players should be picked on merit - plain and simple.