Which is the best club in the NRL, off the field?
Roar Guru By Curtis Woodward, 12 Jul 2012 Curtis Woodward is a Roar Guru & Live Blogger
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Ben Te'o in action during the NRL Round 26, Brisbane Broncos v Manly Sea Eagles. AAP Image/Action Photographics/Charles Knight
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There is more to the National Rugby League than just winning games of football. A professionally run head office is just as important as anything else in the NRL.
Not surprisingly, the best run clubs in the Premiership are killing it on the field too.
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are at the top of the class and a lot of their success can be attributed to Chief Executive Officer Todd Greenberg.
Greenberg has turned the Bulldogs from a basket case, back to the family club it once was. Canterbury might have been successful in the early 2000s, but scandal after scandal hurt the club and an exodus of players and staff continued to hamper the once mighty Bulldogs.
There was the salary cap scandal of 2003, gang rape allegations and Sonny Bill Williams’ sudden departure. This all culminated with the Bulldogs finishing the 2008 season with the wooden spoon.
Enter Greenberg.
The Bulldogs are proactive on the open market, have a very successful partnership with Camp Quality and have built themselves a Centre of Excellence at Belmore.
Most importantly though, the Bulldogs are once again respected by all.
Just behind the Bulldogs are the powerhouse that is the Brisbane Broncos.
The Broncos have become more than just a football club in Australia, they are a brand. A franchise that continues to grow and develop.
Brisbane have the highest annual revenue of any club in the NRL and are the only sporting club publicly listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Unfortunately for Sydneysiders, three local clubs are at the bottom of the list.
Parramatta Eels are in 16th spot and are in the darkest stage of their long and illustrious history. Poor player retention, mismanagement and a laundry list of other problems continue to hinder the Eels.
Just above them are the Penrith Panthers and the Sydney Roosters.
Here is my list of the best run clubs in the NRL:
1 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
2 Brisbane Broncos
3 North Queensland Cowboys
4 New Zealand Warriors
5 Wests Tigers
6 Cronulla Sharks
7 South Sydney Rabbitohs
8 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
9 Melbourne Storm
10 St George Illawarra Dragons
11 Newcastle Knights
12 Canberra Raiders
13 Gold Coast Titans
14 Penrith Panthers
15 Sydney Roosters
16 Parramatta Eels
What do you think, Roarers? Do you agree with the final placings?
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July 12th 2012 @ 2:12am
NF said | July 12th 2012 @ 2:12am | Report comment
Overall, the Sydney clubs should pick up there act if anything there crowds & membership should be higher than they are now considering the various degrees of success, history, & premierships resided with those clubs. Sadly, the membership/attendance club only become relevant in the mid 2000′s when it should of being pushed in the 80′s/90′s which show how backwards thinking RL administration has being.
July 12th 2012 @ 9:12am
Curtis Woodward said | July 12th 2012 @ 9:12am | Report comment
@nf didn’t need membership when they had leagues clubs.. A smart man would have still started membership back then though.. That’s rugby league for u
July 12th 2012 @ 3:42am
llieno said | July 12th 2012 @ 3:42am | Report comment
I have no qualms with the Dogs being at the top of the list. Considering their position in the crowded Sydney sporting market and still able to do what they’re doing is testament to how good Greenberg and his organisation really is.
I would say the Titans are 16th. A big, dark cloud still hangs over their future, despite Searle looking like he will step down. They are drowning in debt and their future is anything but assured. This has to impact player performance.
Parra have a huge fan base and eventually this club will turn things around. Cows were in a similar position a couple of years ago and now they’re seemingly starting to right the ship. Get the management right and the rest will take care of itself.
July 12th 2012 @ 7:07am
Gremlin said | July 12th 2012 @ 7:07am | Report comment
Agree with most of what you have wrote Curtis, the only real issue is Manly @ 8, the place seems to be in continual turmoil. This dosn’t seemed to have affected their on field preformances to much, but as you said, onfield results are not the only thing to be taken into account when your looking for susstained success.
July 12th 2012 @ 10:52am
Mals said | July 12th 2012 @ 10:52am | Report comment
A lot of what you read in the press about Manly is rubbish Gremlin. Rothfield, Lord & co have had an agenda against Manly since their mate Zorba was retrenched.
July 12th 2012 @ 6:41pm
seanmaguire said | July 12th 2012 @ 6:41pm | Report comment
The trouble is Zorba is an in-law of the Penns and they aren’t telling him to shut up so there are still frictions at the club. Private ownership has been great for Manly financially but the owners want to have more control than the board structure allows. Not that I have a problem with that but I probably would if I was putting a million a year into the club.
July 12th 2012 @ 7:37am
Billy Bronco said | July 12th 2012 @ 7:37am | Report comment
“Who”? Your heading doesn’t make sense. Sounds like something my 5 year old would ask.
July 12th 2012 @ 9:14am
Curtis Woodward said | July 12th 2012 @ 9:14am | Report comment
I don’t make the headings champion
July 12th 2012 @ 9:15am
MemberforDobell/PLANKO said | July 12th 2012 @ 9:15am | Report comment
Curtis Bronco’s supporters dont like coming second.
July 12th 2012 @ 9:23am
Curtis Woodward said | July 12th 2012 @ 9:23am | Report comment
I don’t care lol
July 12th 2012 @ 11:24am
oikee said | July 12th 2012 @ 11:24am | Report comment
I would not mind coming last being a Bronco supporter, at least then i would know the other clubs were performing very well.
Curtis has got the Bulldogs in First place, which i myself think is right. The Broncos were let down a bit when Brunno Cullen was in charge, he did not promote memberships real good.
This is changing now under Paul Whitey.
Brisbane is well on the way to being number 1.
I have never heard a Queensland player ,,who has played for the dogs,, to say anything bad about this club.
Plus i also know local fans from where i live, who have been to the club and are very, very impressed by the Bulldogs club and set-up.
July 12th 2012 @ 2:41pm
Billy Bronco said | July 12th 2012 @ 2:41pm | Report comment
Much better heading Curtis, Kudos!
July 12th 2012 @ 7:59am
solly said | July 12th 2012 @ 7:59am | Report comment
Personally, I don’t think that Parramatta have a “long and illustrious history”.
They had some of the best players ever during their 80s heyday but before that and after that, what?
With the resources they have, Parramatta ought to be the number one club in the league. Instead, they have bumbled their way from nothing to nothing for almost 30 years.
Getting rid of Fitzgerald was the first step in being the best thing that has happened to the Eels. Alas, they haven’t taken any second steps…
July 12th 2012 @ 8:03am
steve b said | July 12th 2012 @ 8:03am | Report comment
Parra have a long way to go before we see any improvement on the feild,,off the feild they do a lot for the jnr community and most players give up their time to any needy cause..But we need new decision makers and until this happens we will be also ran for a long while to come..and we first have to fix bad decisions that we made in the past before we see any success in the future..A new broom sweeps cleanist,,and we have absoulute Bozo’s at the top…..
July 12th 2012 @ 11:22am
solly said | July 12th 2012 @ 11:22am | Report comment
Steve b,
Parramatta have the junior base, the community support and the marketability of their 80s success in their favour. Their stadium is one of the better stadiums going around, they have a successful league’s club and are located in the Sydney’s largest CBD outside of the City of Sydney itself.
Clearly, the club has everything going for it.
Except for it’s management….
July 12th 2012 @ 11:43am
oikee said | July 12th 2012 @ 11:43am | Report comment
Mate, i think Parramatta is a absolute powerhouse, it is simply a stunning city and should be up with the best in Australia, but , now it’s time to sink the boot in, not into this city as a wonderful place, but as a hopeless league powerhouse.
Brisbane and Parramatta could be twins, no really.
Parramatta is so down to earth, and you only have to watch the footy show and Beau Ryan to understand how fantastic Parra really is, it reminds me of the down to earth Brisbane attitude. Which happens to be a bonus, not a minus.
The problem i see, well, firstly that Statue of Pricey, mate, get some ropes and pull that sucker down, like they did with Saddam.
It is hideous, plain awful. I have never seen anything so ugly or empty. While you are at it, give Pricey a dinner and put him out to pasture, the guy cant help this club, you need a Gus Gould who was willing to have a look at the Brisbane Bronco setup to find out how a club should be run,. The Pathers will, and are looking light years ahead of the Eels, everyone can see this, not just me.
I think the Panthers are sexy, the Eels, well they are slimey, and this is how they come across, as slimey.
I am just being honest.
Having said this, i also think the Eels have the most potentail, they really could be the biggest and best club in Australia, but lets be honest, they are not, and it would take a massive change to right this broken ship.
July 12th 2012 @ 12:28pm
Jimmy said | July 12th 2012 @ 12:28pm | Report comment
oikee
Mate, sometimes your grip on reality is a little on the flimsy side…..
July 12th 2012 @ 8:46am
turbodewd said | July 12th 2012 @ 8:46am | Report comment
How on earth can the basket case of Cronulla not be in the bottom 2? This is the outfit that has had all sorts of financial issues.
Parra are another basket base off the field, theyve had unstable boards and coaching merry-go-rounds for a few seasons.
July 12th 2012 @ 8:29pm
Crosscoder said | July 12th 2012 @ 8:29pm | Report comment
The Sharks are operating well within the salary cap,and operating on a tight budget.The first Dept of planning stage of their development has been approved in every aspect.They now await the PAC on the recommendations of the DOP.
If thePAC gives the go ahead,their land will be revalued upwards to a UCV figure of $21.5m,they will receive within one month $10m to reduce their debt to about $3m,from the developers.How many other Sydney clubs will be in that position,and not having to rely on poker machine money.
The football club receives SFA from the licensed club,therefore no where near as dependent as just about every other club in Sydney.
Oh and their position on the ladder currently is…….(fill in the blanks). It’s called astute buying.This so called basket case of a club,is the only one to have gotten off their backsides to try and own their own ground.They get 13,000 plus on monday night against the Roosters who brought very few.
July 12th 2012 @ 9:03am
MemberforDobell/PLANKO said | July 12th 2012 @ 9:03am | Report comment
Curtis lets start up another list the bulldogs will win. The list of clubs that would be financial basket cases without one armed bandits. Leagues Club for Canterbury puts in 5 mil per year. These clubs are a complete disgrace and the families that get broken up to keep the football team alive is a joke. What should happen is that the salary cap should remain at current levels plus 200k for the next 2 years to allow all the clubs take a deep breath. Every club except Brisbane & to some extent Canberra has been going backwards for decades.
July 12th 2012 @ 9:21am
Curtis Woodward said | July 12th 2012 @ 9:21am | Report comment
Im sick of saying it but clearly there are too many clubs in Sydney and until someone has the balls to do something about it.. There will always be Sydney clubs at the bottom of the list.. Justifiable homicide
July 12th 2012 @ 9:27am
MemberforDobell/PLANKO said | July 12th 2012 @ 9:27am | Report comment
I don’t disagree but you will loose their fans if you turn the light off. Which is why It is question of acceptable loss ? Are you willing to loose these fans altogether. I believe in promotion and relegation for this reason. Clubs can comeback and fall away ?
July 12th 2012 @ 11:53am
oikee said | July 12th 2012 @ 11:53am | Report comment
Sydney is a world class city. The league clubs are what, 8-9 for this city, i can see Sydney growing to a city of 8 million over the next 50 years. So having 8-9 teams in such a brilliant city is justifiable.
And further, someone has to lose, at the moment it is our heartland powerhouse clubs, Panthers and Eels, this will turn soon enoughm and we will be saying the Dragons and Tigers are hopeless, which they are not as we all know.
I think league is strong, really strong in Sydney.
The game has huge support from the Queensland clubs, to be honest, we really cant get enough of the game, the Commission needs to increase the media profile now, the time is right.
July 12th 2012 @ 9:14am
JD said | July 12th 2012 @ 9:14am | Report comment
Could you please explain why you rate Melbourne as 9th.
Wouldnt mind a little blurb on why the clubs are rated where they are. All that is provided is the tope couple and bottom couple.
July 12th 2012 @ 9:21am
MemberforDobell/PLANKO said | July 12th 2012 @ 9:21am | Report comment
Cause they are a complete financal disaster … Curtis was being generous as he may want a job with NEWS one day LOL. But on a serious note melbourne are a joke off the field..
@Ken Manly on the edge oblivion in your dreams buddy they are struggling but are closer to breaking even than any other club in Sydney. Melbourne is the bigest Basket case in the league. Melbourne are the NRL’s GWS
July 12th 2012 @ 9:53am
Ken said | July 12th 2012 @ 9:53am | Report comment
Manly are constantly embroiled in board-room dramas and are heavily dependant on their private owners who are at each other’s throats. I’m not sure why you’re so insulted by my comment, I’m not denying they have had good recent on-field success, but they’ve got big problems in back-of-house.
A couple of examples just from the last year:
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/manly-board-tells-penn-to-quit-as-chairman-20120607-1zz2a.html
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/david-perry-contract-extension-inflames-manly-sea-eagles-board-meeting/story-e6frfgbo-1226412666495
http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/news/story/the-manly-board-has-to-explain-this-to-fans/
http://tensport.com.au/news/theroar/Rugby-League-More-Lowe-blows-from-dithering-Manly-board.htm
None of these even directly address the losing of Hasler last year straight after a GF win…..
I’m no fan of Melbourne’s salary cap issues, actually I think they got off very lightly, but in all other areas across a decade they have been poster boys for good management. In an uncaring city they have built a dedicated following, great coach, great processes for talent-spotting and retention and, probably hardest of all, engendered huge loyalty from their playing group when they could easily have been a transit stop for players that were always looking to head back north.
July 12th 2012 @ 10:15am
MemberforDobell/PLANKO said | July 12th 2012 @ 10:15am | Report comment
Lol only cause the owners care and continue to put their hand in their pockets. Manly has a plan for Hasler left if was Toovey and they have for when he leaves already. How many clubs are doing this ? Manly look forward why you keep looking backwards.
Melbourne are disapointing off the field cause it hurts every team , every years but on the up the TV deal is better for having them.
July 12th 2012 @ 12:01pm
oikee said | July 12th 2012 @ 12:01pm | Report comment
Manly crowds are going backwards not forwards.
Melbourne have a city of 5 million to grow from, Manly are stuck in a area that are more intrigued by what ingredients have gone into their coffee beans to give them a Brazillian flavour.
July 12th 2012 @ 12:05pm
MemberforDobell/PLANKO said | July 12th 2012 @ 12:05pm | Report comment
Oikee did I say anything about crowds ? I was refering to coaching they have a sucession plan…
July 12th 2012 @ 9:22am
Curtis Woodward said | July 12th 2012 @ 9:22am | Report comment
Considering what the storm have been through.. Hello
July 12th 2012 @ 9:53am
MemberforDobell/PLANKO said | July 12th 2012 @ 9:53am | Report comment
They have been loosing money to the turn of 10 mil a year before the salary cap rort !
July 12th 2012 @ 10:05am
NF said | July 12th 2012 @ 10:05am | Report comment
Planko every NRL club is losing money besides the Bronocs. That’s a fact even the ‘heartland’ Sydney teams such as Penrith, Cronulla, etc are going cap on hand for a handout.
July 12th 2012 @ 10:11am
MemberforDobell/PLANKO said | July 12th 2012 @ 10:11am | Report comment
I agree but the NRL is not having to bail out the other clubs in Sydney ?
July 12th 2012 @ 9:18am
Ken said | July 12th 2012 @ 9:18am | Report comment
Looking at the list I get the distinct impression that the top 2-3 picked themselves and the bottom 2-3 picked themselves while the rest were just entered in eeny-miney-moe fashion. Melbourne at 9, St George at 10 – apart from Melbourne’s obvious brain explosion with the salary cap a few years ago (which admittedly is worth a mark down) you’d otherwise have them competing for the number 1 spot. I’m not sure what black marks the Dragons would have against their name and how you’d rate them below the Manly and Cronulla clubs that seem to always be teetering on the edge of oblivion due to finances or board problems. The Tigers have hugely disruptive tension between their factions but get to number 5?
Bulldogs and Broncos are certainly well-run clubs while your cellar dwellars deserve their spots too.
July 12th 2012 @ 4:28pm
JVGO said | July 12th 2012 @ 4:28pm | Report comment
It takes a lot of good management to prevent Manly and Cronulla falling over into oblivion. Cronulla is on the verge of pulling off the development proposal which has been approved by the planning authority and they are running 3rd on the field. From their small base and tiny resources they have been managed very well for the last few years.
With two TV series based on the Shire about to hit the airwaves Cronulla will be hot property over the next few years, a marketers dream. Not only a sporting powerhouse but a cultural one as well. From Puberty blues to Sylvania waters to Lara Bingle Cronulla defines the nation and is an object of fascination. The ABC tried to kill the place off but the commercial networks understand that Cronulla is a goldmine. Who would really prefer to live in Essendon or Geelong or even Parra or Bankstown. The Sharks are on the rise.
July 12th 2012 @ 5:16pm
Ken said | July 12th 2012 @ 5:16pm | Report comment
No dispute the Sharks are playing well on the field this year but without that development proposal, which has been on the verge of being approved for a very long time, being successful they will never have the funds to compete year on year. I get your argument that just still being around means they are doing something right – I guess it depends a lot on definition. Manly is a slightly different story though, they’re benefactors have plenty of money, it just seems they have too many chefs with too many agendas over there.
I’m not sure if you were serious about Cronulla or not so I don’t know how to respond. Sutherland is not exactly a goldmine being the poorest of the three Sydney Shires. It has some nice geography with the national park and some OK beaches but a cultural powerhouse and defining the nation because Lara Bingle and a couple of dodgy TV shows come from there? Satire or serious?
July 12th 2012 @ 5:49pm
JVGO said | July 12th 2012 @ 5:49pm | Report comment
Yes, slightly tongue in cheek Ken. But I think the Shire is bouncing back from the bad publicity of the riot which sent the ABC into a frenzy and had them target the football club as well. Carney is a perfect symbol of the whole process. i think there are a lot of elements in the mix down there at the moment. But it will add up to better sponsorships and survival at the least,…so long as Et behaves himself.