David Gallop is the toughest man in league
Roar Rookie By Liam Howitt, 14 May 2009 Liam Howitt is a Roar Rookie
- Tagged:
- ABC Four Corners, Clive Churchill, David Gallop, John Sattler, NRL, Paul Harragon, Rugby League
The debate about who is the toughest man in rugby league triggers passionate debate amongst fans. Names such as Clive Churchill, John Sattler, and Paul Harragon inevitably surface.
One candidate sure to raise a few eyebrows is David Gallop. David Gallop is without question the toughest man in modern day rugby league.
As the rugby league community close ranks after the airing of the ABC’s Four Corners program, the luckless CEO was again forced to face the scrutiny of an unforgiving media.
Since assuming the position of NRL CEO in February 2002, Gallop has presided over the most tumultuous period in the history of the code outside the Super League War of 1997.
His most frequent role has been in front of a camera expressing his disappointment at yet another off-field indiscretion.
Indeed, in his seven years in the position, Gallop has appeared on Australian television screens more times then South Sydney co-owner Russell Crowe. If Gallop were an NRL player, he would have already broken the 200 game barrier.
His is a record of endurance and strength, a career outlasting some of the game’s finest.
His involvement dates back to 1995, meaning he is now in his fifteenth season in rugby league, an admirable record for an administrator.
Gallop has never been afraid to make the tough decisions, which at times have alienated him from figures, both within and outside the game.
He docked the Bulldogs 37 premiership points in his first season in the top job, when it was revealed they were flouting the salary cap. He answered questions about the 2004 sex scandal, has dealt with numerous alcohol related incidents, and, with Brett Stewart, stood down the current face of the game.
Now Gallop faces his toughest decision yet. Should he step down from his position of CEO? He may be controversial and make mistakes, but he is a man of integrity.
He has acted always with the best interests of the game at heart. For his own health and wellbeing he should step down. The gaunt face that appeared on television in the last few days is not the face of a 43 year old.
Like the players who play the code he administers, the game has extracted a heavy price from its highest-ranking official. How much longer can Gallop tolerate the strain that the game is taking on his honour, reputation and intellect?
In the words of Jack Gibson, David, “you’ve played strong, done fine.”
Recommend this story.
- Explore:
- ABC Four Corners, Clive Churchill, David Gallop, John Sattler, NRL, Paul Harragon, Rugby League
May 14th 2009 @ 11:44am
LIam Howitt said | May 14th 2009 @ 11:44am | Report comment
RE Gruffalo
Your concerns about News Limited are valid. If News were to pull out their investment of rugby league the code would collapse or else become nothing other then a glorified Sydney or Brisbane Club competition. Then there definitely would not be a team on the Central Coast. Rugby League has got itself into this position and there appears to be no simple solution.
May 14th 2009 @ 12:06pm
oikee said | May 14th 2009 @ 12:06pm | Report comment
May 14th 2009 @ 2:22pm
Liam Howitt said | May 14th 2009 @ 2:22pm | Report comment
Oikee, I can see you are a Gallop fan, that is my point he has taken many hits for the game in his career NRL CEO, a lesser person would have called it quits by now. To all those people ready to bag Gallop, I don’t see the players taking responsibility for the image of the game. Some do but those who accept responsibility for their actions often do so as a result of getting caught. Gallop has introduced many educational programs and is trying to change the culture of the game. Although sadly judging by the comments of the U20s players, the message is still trying to get through. The game needs strong leadership, Gallop has provided it. However there comes a time when enough is enough, I believe Gallop is rapidly reaching that point.
May 14th 2009 @ 2:43pm
Gruffalo said | May 14th 2009 @ 2:43pm | Report comment
Liam
You say he’s strong – based purely on his wors. Nathan Rees is a tough talker – but similarly full of shit and having his strings pulled from above.
As for the Bears, the NRL needs to try something different – it’s called integrity, honesty, righting a wrong.
The Bears instigated the building of the Gosford stadium and contributed $4 million havinhg been told that they had to leave North Sydney. The Bears were the only team that actively worked to cement its future – but they were done over. The “administration” was a fraud. Over $12 million was put into the Bears AFTER the Northern Eagles was formed i.e they were never broke, quite the opposite. Manly put in nothing because they were broke – but still ended up with the NRL licence.
Gallop knows this – but chooses to ignore it – whilst whoring out Gosford to any club for $10 million knowing full well this would kill the Bears off.
You should judge him on what he is and does – not what he says. facts are facts.
May 14th 2009 @ 5:56pm
Liam Howitt said | May 14th 2009 @ 5:56pm | Report comment
The Bears situation will be remembered as one of the worst decisions of the code. The Manly administration has a lot to answer for about this issue, particularly in regards to the junior development of the coast. I am not saying Gallop is a saint, nor should he be glorified for all his decisions. I am simply raising the issue that perhaps he should step aside owing to the constant attacks on him.
Gallop has presided over a tough period for rugby league, made worse by the ongoing effects of the economic crisis, yes he is answerable to people above him, but so is everyone in the workforce, even Nathan Rees is answerable to his policy leaders.
Gallop has made a valiant attempt to change the culture of rugby league and this is what he should be judged on. No one ever told him it would be easy.
The introduction of education camps for young players, a zero tolerance towards alcohol related incidents are both positive moves for the games future. Yes he has made mistakes, and I certainly don’t agree with everything he does. Imagine his position however, you go to work on a Monday morning and you have to answer to the press about another incident. He has done wonderfully well just to hold his temper.
As for the Bears, yes the NRL needs to be accountable and they will gain respect for it but that is another issue, perhaps I will write an article on it.
May 14th 2009 @ 8:17pm
Billo said | May 14th 2009 @ 8:17pm | Report comment
David Gallop is a News Limited placeman whose main role, whether intentional or not, seems to be to talk down the value of the game he supposedly runs.
The media knows how Gallop will react to scandal stories, so, led by the News Limited media, it keeps beating him up.
He needs to learn from Richard Scudamore, the chief executive of the FA Premier League, whose players make NRL stars look like choirboys, but who wouldn’t dignify these sort of articles with a response that would give them any credibility.
Gallop needs to realise that, however immoral it may be to engage in group sex and other similar practices (which I would condemn, alongside Gallop and most readers of this website), those things are a matter for the individuals concerned, and, if they are behaving badly while clearly identifiable as members of a particular club, their employer. If they break the law, then it becomes a matter for the police.
The ARU also showed Gallop how he should respond in the way it responded to the Wyclif Palu conviction recently. Don’t make a drama out of a crisis should be the golden rule, but Gallop does the opposite.
As for his role in the demise of the Bears, I feel so angry that I won’t even go there.
May 14th 2009 @ 9:52pm
Skull said | May 14th 2009 @ 9:52pm | Report comment
Excuse me but why should Manly be responsible for junior development of the coast
May 14th 2009 @ 10:05pm
Liam Howitt said | May 14th 2009 @ 10:05pm | Report comment
Skull:
Manly aren’t responsible for the junior development on the coast.I was merely commenting on the promise of the Northern Eagles when they first moved to the area. Manly said they would pour resources into the Coast as long as the locals committed to them, it is a promise heard often on the coast, but rarely delivered. As of 2009 there are a few local juniors from the coast playing in various junior representative teams. Melbourne are the team developing juniors on the coast at the present time.
May 14th 2009 @ 10:10pm
Liam Howitt said | May 14th 2009 @ 10:10pm | Report comment
Gruffalo:
The purpose of this article was not to glorify David Gallop, I certainly don’t agree with everything he has done. This article is looking at the issue from a humanistic side, providing an alternate perspective. I think people sometimes forget the fact that these people are human. Look at Gallop, tell me that league hasn’t taken its toll on him. His health and mental state is obviously being affected by the job he does. He has a family, I’m sure they are affected by seeing him on television all the time having to analyse another scandal. Of course he works for News Limited, that is not in dispute, I agree with all your points on that score.
As for the Bears, well he certainly has made a mistake on that score, and the tribe has spoke, I will write an article on the Bears because I feel it is a very worthwhile issue to discuss.
Thanks for commenting
May 14th 2009 @ 10:14pm
Liam Howitt said | May 14th 2009 @ 10:14pm | Report comment
Billo:
Thanks for commenting, again you raise some valid points. Gallop has made mistakes in the past and he certainly has endured a testing relationship with the media. Administrators from around the globe all have their strengths and weaknesses. I believe there are aspects from the examples you have quoted that Gallop could incorporate into his personality. At the present time I believe he is very grateful he doesn’t have to deal with a Joey Barton.
Cheers