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Willie Mason celebrates. South Sydney Rabbitohs V Sydney Roosters. AAP Image/Action Photographics, Jonathan Ng
If you were a club CEO, coach or recruitment manager would you be tempted to sign a noted “bad boy?” With the competition so close, many of these guys have rare talent and could be the difference. Or that’s the justification, anyway.
The downside is the prospect of a bad apple impacting the crop, a poor attitude at training, and parties at night, perhaps trouble with the NRL and possible fines, and supporter backlash.
It is all part of the equation.
One of the reasons why John Ribot will be remembered as one the most successful administrators is because he puts the person before talent.
Ribot was the foundation CEO of the Brisbane Broncos and also founded the Melbourne Storm and between them have won nine Premierships in the last 17 years. The secret is in the recruitment of not only the players but the coach.
Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy are regarded as two of the best coaches of all time and were little known before Ribot signed them.
I suggested to him once that he should sign this fullback, as he had the potential to be the best in the country. “No way”, he said. “We don’t want guys who get drunk and hit women”.
He was, of course, correct and still managed to win the comp that year with Chris Anderson at the helm. I could see where he was coming from when I met the players over dinner a few weeks later.
They were all so down to earth and well mannered. So tight.
Each club thinks that they can turn the player around and get the best out of them. Not many do.
So, you have just got a call from a player manager about Willie Mason or Greg Bird or Todd Carney or Tim Smith or Reni Maitua and if you don’t make the semis you may be out of a job.
What would you do?
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