As an NRL fan with a keen interest in corporate governance, and in particular the way our clubs are administered, I have always watched with fascination as boardroom bickering eventually affect on-field results.
The old saying ‘a fish rots from its head’ is absolutely true, but the one exception to that rule is the Manly Sea Eagles.
A club that knows the impact of boardroom bickering is the Parramatta Eels. Last year was a real turning point both on and off the field for the club as they finally began to see some stability in the back office. Combined with a new coach, Parramatta fans finally began to see results on the field. I hope this drives the club to an even better position both on and off the field in 2015.
In 2013 it was a different story. Parramatta had been politically unstable for several years. In the space of five years Parramatta saw the board change twice, the role of Parramatta Leagues Club CEO change multiple times, and coach changes almost annually.
When a new person comes into an office, there is always a period of reshuffling and rebuilding as they seek to implement their ideas and their methods, as well as separating themselves from the previous regime. Parramatta’s results on the field reflected a turbulent and unstable environment both on and off the field, and most Eels fans wish they could forget about 2010-2013.
What this illustrated to me was that a club cannot be successful in the long term until the front office is in order. Over the past couple of years, it has been no coincidence that some of the poorest performing teams have had issues at a management level (think the Titans, Tigers and Eels).
Since 2011, I would lump the Sea Eagles in with those clubs that have experienced political instability.
Throughout last year calm had to be called for several times between opposing factions on the Sea Eagles board. This created disquiet among the players, particularly because one of the key areas affected was retention and recruitment, leading to Glenn Stewart’s departure. Tension continued to mount throughout the year.
However, despite backroom shenanigans, the Sea Eagles have consistently been able to hold it together on the field. In 2012 they made the preliminary final, in 2013 they were defeated in the grand final, and last year they bowed out in the second week of the finals. Pretty impressive.
However as we approach the 2015 season the cracks are beginning to show.
They have had some crucial departures, with Stewart and Anthony Watmough leaving the Club. Both have been crucial to Manly’s success over the last couple of years and both left in turbulent circumstances. Many Manly players and fans expressed their disappointment that Stewart had not been offered a new contract, Watmough requested a release to join Parramatta out of frustration that retaining Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran were the club’s main priority.
Yet at this stage Manly retaining their halves looks unlikely. A number of clubs are trying to woo Daly Cherry-Evans, including the Cronulla Sharks and the Gold Coast Titans, while Foran’s suitors include Parramatta and the Canterbury Bulldogs. There is also speculation Brett Stewart will join his brother Glenn at the Rabbitohs.
These players have been the heart of Manly for several years and their departure will lead to the club entering a rebuilding phase.
Yet Manly thrive on being outsiders. They have an ‘us versus them’ mentality and have always been very successful at maintaining team cohesion and togetherness, despite the happenings outside the football playing group. I certainly wouldn’t write them off just yet.
I look forward to their first hit-out this year against the Eels. It will be Watmough’s first hit out against his former club, and will see Foran getting up close and personal with some of his potential new teammates. And with rumours Manly are keen to lure Eels coach Brad Arthur to the Sea Eagles, this game has the makings of a blockbuster.
I hope Pirtek Stadium is bursting at the seams.
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