It’s the longest fall in NRL history, or so it could be argued. How unprecedented it was, that a club that was a month out from winning a trophy, seemingly self-imploded by losing their multi-premiership winning coach.
And this was off the back of a circumstance that could have been quite easily avoided.
I would like to know who it was in the hierarchy of the Manly Sea Eagles that allowed their sour grapes over Des Hasler’s decision to head to Bankstown to cloud their judgment, and as a result, condemn the near impeccable condition of the club?
Much like a number of other NRL clubs, Manly cannot afford to allow such pointless dilemmas to rear their ugly head, and it was indeed pointless, as proven by the Dragons much more sensible handling of an extremely similar situation in Wayne Bennett deciding to leave for Newcastle, with Darius Boyd in tow as usual.
How can it be that Manly were so intimidated by leaving Hasler as their coach for the remainder of his contract, with the success of the Dragons still very much raw in everyone’s minds post-Bennett’s decision?
The Dragons made it to the semi finals, despite wavering form late in their season, to go on to be beaten in golden point extra-time off the back of a kick from arguably the greatest player to ever lace on a boot.
This example, in my view, leaves the Manly board of directors without an excuse. They can be defended by raising the point of Hasler’s destructive behaviour, but that only came post their decision to suspend him.
Much to my personal chagrin, loyalty can no longer be such a massive issue in the NRL. Clubs cannot help what they cannot prevent, and that is successful coaches being offered big bucks.
Loyalty amongst the fans, however, is crucial, and I would not blame Manly’s devoted members and fans for being more then a little annoyed by the outcome of this controversy.
The board of directors at the Manly Sea Eagles had best think harder about their decisions in future to avoid another outrage of this magnitude.
Bearfax
Guest
Easy to say when some clubs including Canterbury have access to the stadium and big payouts to keep them there and Manly has only to rely on their home ground. Check your figures because Manly's crowds are pretty decent and not much different from Canterbury's home ground games. Only difference is that Canterbury, West etc get paid big bigs for playing their games at the Stadium.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Goddy said "Clubs cannot help what they cannot prevent, and that is successful coaches being offered big bucks." On the other hand, if Manly fans turned up and they got good crowds, then they would have had the big bucks to offer their successful coach. But they didnt, so the club didnt.
Bearfax
Guest
Totally agree that Manly bungled the Hasler matter big time and some executive members should be looking for alternative jobs on Macquarie Island. T'was a very foolish thing to do and one wonders if the Hopoate family defection was related to this incompetence. However having blundered and allowed Hasler to sign elsewhere, I do believe that they then made the right decision to terminate the contract for 2012. You cite St George and Bennett. I personally think St George erred in not letting Bennett go earlier because St George were not a shadow of the side they were in 2010 and didnt look contenders. The stuffing had been kicked out of them and Bennett quite frankly didnt seem interested. Given the bad blood between Management and Hasler. the situation would have been untenable at Manly if he had stayed and it would have been far more likely that he would have not only taken the coaching staff but several of the players. Instead Toovey, who might I add was ear marked for the job several years ago (just happened a little quicker than expected) has a chance now to display his skills with a fresh start and win over the playing group. Note already several of the younger potential stars have re-signed or extended their contracts. Time will tell if Toovey is up to the task and can repair the damage in time. So in answer to your comments GoddyofOz. Yes you are right that Manly Management blundered big time in their negotiations with Hasler, and the fall out is testimony to that blunder. But I totally disagree with you that their next step in cancelling his contract for 2012 and installing Toovey was further mistake. In my mind it was the only sensible thing they could then do. It was the great George Piggins whoonce said ' If they want togo, show them the door'. In other words dont let the poison continue to affect the team.
Todd Slater
Guest
How about, small mindedness, insularity, petulance, & way too much ego for starters.