Kennedy has joined Manly’s greatest player, Immortal Bob Fulton, and icon Ken Arthurson in giving the Sea Eagles a spray after Peters was made redundant following his gaffe to a Sky News reporter.
‘Zorba’ Peters told journalist Megan Barnard she was “a good sort” as a group of Manly officials and Glenn Stewart left the judiciary last week.
Peters has had a 40-year association with the Sea Eagles as a grand final-winning player and official, and is close with coach Des Hasler and the current playing group.
He played 73 games for Manly and has worked as a commentator of 2GB and 2KY. Peters is also related to chairman Scott Penn.
Club management has denied that Peters’ comment was the sole reason before his departure.
Kennedy told The Daily Telegraph that Peters was the “heart and soul of Manly”, and said the fans and the sponsors “have to stand up here”.
“They must get stuck into the club and these officials and have their say,” he said.
“Some of these pen-pushers behind this are unsighted. They wear their suits and think they own the joint. They lap it up when you win but aren’t anywhere to be seen when times are tough. Do they have any idea about football?
“Not everything is about money. They have to re-think this decision.”
Fulton, a former teammate of Peters, said on Tuesday that the decision “stinks of being agenda-driven”.
“The faceless men should show some guts, put their hands up and not hide behind new chief operating officer David Perry, who has been in the job for five minutes,” he said.
“This issue isn’t needed as the team looks forward to winning another premiership. It will split the side wide open and if David Perry wants to go down this track, he will have to wear the ramifications of getting the supporters, the team and majority of sponsors offside.”
Kennedy, a former NSW and Australia forward who was named in Manly’s team of the century, said “I love Des Hasler and the boys but Manly has lost me forever”.
“One hundred per cent,” Kennedy said.
“I am absolutely heartbroken. Zorba has lived and breathed and bled for Manly over 40 years. This is an absolute disgrace.”
Peters will finish his role at Manly following the NRL grand final on October 2.
Gob Bluth
Guest
How can the game possibly survive?
WTF
Guest
To tell the truth, I couldn't give a rat's about either team. So yes I enjoyed the game. I only care about Manly and just don't like people who say disgusting and random thing things about my team. Disappointed?
Grahame Grundell
Guest
From what I understand Zorba has had his issues with the Sea Eagles Board for some time, and in particular Delmege. At lunchtime boardroom meetings, the order would go out for a super-size serving of chips and a side order of calamari from the local take away shop. Apparently Zorba liked plain sea-salt on his chips, while Max preferred chicken-salt. The two of them never figured out that it was better to leave a seagulls best friend in its unadultarated state, and whip on your own choice of condament after you'd grabbed an oversized handful and placed them on your own plate.
Lost Earthling
Guest
You forgot to mention The Man who moved 1000 miles away from his beloved Manly to QLD to open a Fruit Shop
WilburP
Guest
Enjoy the game?
The Barry
Roar Guru
While I have the typical Sydney-siders dislike for all things Manly I also have a respect that is not at all begrudging. Talk about a club that has built a long standing culture. They've managed great continuity with their club since the 50s, through to their initial premiership success in the early 70s. Fulton played in that tough Manly side and as coach in the 80s and 90s instilled that toughness and attitude in his teams, including Des Hasler. That's continued through to today as Des passes on the lessons to the next generation. I respect that they've always kept everything in house and hope they tread carefully bringing in the neutral corporate types rather than true club men who will maintain and grow the culture they've forged over 40-50 years. Despite everyone "hating" Manly they've built what most clubs (Bulldogs, Dragons, Broncos excepted) have never been able to achieve. Since 72 they've won 9 minor premierships and appeared in 12 GFs, winning 7. This sort of success would be the envy of most clubs and has been built on the back of the strong club culture. If Peters had to go then he had to go but to hatchet him publicly without respect is pardon the pun un-Manly. It's the disruption of the club ethos that I think what's disturbing guys like Kenedy, Arko and Fulton rather than a mate losing his job.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Don't know the man but it seems to me he has outlived his use by date. Simple as that. He should be happy to retire and watch from the side lines. Go play golf in your spare time.
sledgeross
Guest
How is it early retirement? The blokes nudging 70!
WTF
Guest
what is this dribbler talking about? Hope the Saints whip your sorry arses because you are the frauds of the rugby league comp.
Pado
Guest
Well no matter what manly does we will be hated we love it ,so who gives a rats , Zorba will always be a manly man so he is not lost just into early retirement. Go manly and all the best Zorba see you at brookie for many years to come
Junior
Roar Guru
Sounds like Manly are preparing the world for their excuse if they don't go on and win the premiership in 2011. "Everyone knows off-field we had a few problems heading into the semi-finals. The players focus at such a crucial time of the year should have been on what they could control. Unfortunately such highly publicised off-field issues are hard to ignore and can have a destabilising effect on a team. We saw that today. We simply weren't at the races.The Wests Tigers deserved to win the premiership. 30-2 is pretty comprehensive in anyone's book." Typical Manly filth. Get out of the league. Who needs 'em?
John Ryan
Roar Pro
I think the first thing Peters,Fulton and co should know is it 2011 not 1951,anyway Peters can always join Fulton on the execrable 2GB Continuous call with Hadley,they really do deserve each other,Peters is just another one who don't realise the times they are a changing.
jamesb
Guest
thats a great point world's biggest, with social media like facebook and twitter, Mnaly could use those outlets to their advantage. However, is / was zorba the right man for the job? Could he keep up with the times? My guess is no
mushi
Guest
Let’s just step back from the panic button, put the 2000 ellipses back in the virtual stationary cupboard, realise this is not Custer killing children, and then ask if his treatment is akin to that of any other staff member. When someone releases a coach or player do you see a PR release that goes into a laundry list of their inadequacies, or do you see a diplomatic “different direction” line trotted out? Think from Peters long term perspective for a second - will a tale of failure with every excruciating detail of how the board believes his abilities particularly ill fitting and sub standard give him some kind of inner tranquillity or will it more than likely damage the reputation of him, his staff and the professionalism of the organisation in general. Even then it would be legal nightmare, not to mention perhaps the most petulant and childish public display I’ve heard of by a board in a long time. Judging by the way his media buddies have rallied around him Peters clearly didn’t want to be let go but it appears like there has been more than sufficient due process and he is getting a redundancy which is far more consistent with standing him down after reviewing his role than firing him for inappropriate behaviour. The only people that have made this into an issue are the “objective” media, which a cynic may believe was at the beck and call of Peters, and people’s inability to stop and think
apaway
Guest
Melinda Gainsford-Taylor, a Manly board member, said that Peters' role had been under review for a while and that his comments to the journalist were not the reasons for the ending of his role. If Manly do "come up short" this season, it won't be because Peter Peters is no longer media manager, as his contract runs till the day after the Grand Final.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
From what I understand Zorba has had his issues with the Sea Eagles Board for some time in particular Delmege so this is no real surprise. He has been a great servant both as a player and administrator so well done Zorba. Enjoy retirement and as others have mentioned, go with a younger Media Manager in tune with all the social media streams.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Reminds me of the day Ben Kennedy was replaced on his last game for Canberra when he really spat the dummy and showed his contempt for the then Coach; Mal Meninga right there in front of everybody -history tends to repeat itself on people who don't learn from their mistakes :-)
WTF
Guest
How many times do you need to be told that he wasn't sacked and the reason for his "services" no longer being required had nothing to do with his stupid comment. Who is hiding? The Board made a unanimous decision prior to this whole thing happening. There are seven people on the Board. Two from the Penns (owner), including Scott and a high powered woman lawyer, two from Quantum (owner), two from the Football Club (owner of the Club logo, colours, where they play etc) and one from the Leagues Club who over the decades have put in more money to the team than anyone else. No one is hiding. You are all being fooled by this bloke. He is as cunning as the proverbial rat.
WTF
Guest
Peter Peters hasn't been sacked. He's been made redundant. You know the difference? A great big, fat, greasy, oily payout. He'll probably be given more money than most people earn in three years. And for all the reasons the sensible people who've contributed earlier said - he certainly doesn't deserve it - yet still he squeals like a pig and gets everyone else to squeal on his behalf while he gets his photo taken looking pathetic. The whole Board agreed to this - not one or two people. Don't let Scott Penn wriggle his way out of it like he's had nothing to do with it. How come when the going is good his head is all over the television, but when leadership and strength is required he's nowhere to be found. He's as weak as. As for Ben Kennedy -he can't have it both ways. He's ratted on the Club, the fans and all his mates by going public.
Truth or Dare
Guest
His comment was not even worth a reprimand, especially that he wrapped it quickly and apologized, and especially that everyone knows he is not sexist. To get sacked for such comment is pathetic and to find his sacking justifiable by some the commentators here shows a great level of stupidity. Funny how those who thought it is best to sack him are hiding.. Sniper style management, i.e. you shoot the target from far away where no one can sees you. watch Sea Eagles falling short this season, and don't come crying when that happens.