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Graham Lowe’s resignation last July due to ill-health is what triggered the current Manly Sea Eagles implosion. Lowe (65), the Manly coach from 1990-1992, was the ideal chief exec: passionate about everything rugby league, and especially Manly.
The events since winning the grand final would never have happened on Lowe’s watch.
As of last night, the Manly board is gunning for its coach Des Hasler. He’s been accused a breaching his contract, and will appear before the board to answer the allegations.
The charge is the height of hypocrisy.
Manly chairman Scott Penn told a media conference last night of the charge, but didn’t elaborate Penn should look in the mirror before he starts ripping into one of Manly’s favourite sons.
The board had any number of chances during last season to lock away Hasler for another three years.
But by sitting on their hands and dithering, the board blew it. As they blew it because Graham Lowe wasn’t at the coal-face directing traffic.
There’s no doubt in the world Hasler would have far preferred to stay in the northern seaside suburb. But he must also look after himself.
When the Bulldogs surfaced with an offer too good to refuse, Hasler signed on the dotted line. The Manly board should never have allowed that to happen.
It set up a chain of events that has cut the club in two.
The sacking of club stalwart Peter Peters for twice calling Sky News sports reporter Megan Barnard “a good sort”, started the free-fall.
Peters, a close friend of Hasler, and crack recruiter Noel Cleal, is still an institution at Manly. There’s every chance he’ll win a place on the board at the next annual general meeting,
Too late. By then Des Hasler, Noel Cleal, and assistant coach Kelly Egan, will all be entrenched in Bulldog territory.
Now the board is spitting dummies to cover their tracks. It won’t cut the mustard with the devoted Manly fans who haven’t really enjoyed the premiership-winning celebrations once the Hasler mess-up hit the fan.
But a big-time bonus for the army of league fans who hate Manly, They are having a picnic.