Last week I was asked if I wanted to write something about the upcoming season opener between the Rabbitohs and the team from Bondi Junction which is, coincidentally, one of Sydney’s biggest shopping destinations.
It was the week before the first round, and I declined because when it comes to opining on the intricacies of the game of rugby league there are hundreds, perhaps thousands, better positioned than I am to comment.
I didn’t want to talk up the prospects of a Sonny Bill William and Sam Burgess clash, nor question whether Nathan Merritt is the best winger never to be selected for his state or country, nor ask who should be frontrunner for the NSW halfback position.
I thought I’d let the coaches and the players do the talking.
Cheap shots aside, nobody doubts that the Sydney Roosters will get a lot better this season, and their talent will learn from the opening round and make others pay for it.
So while I won’t ever give my opinion on on-field issues, I am a bit more qualified to write about the organisation of clubs and crisis management, which is what we inherited at the Rabbitohs.
We made it look like a turnaround but at times it felt like a bailout – a good old-fashioned all hands on deck, plug the leaks, keep the vessel afloat type of rescue.
Which is why I wanted share my personal thoughts about the situation at Cronulla.
(Note: the Rabbitohs family is full of people with their own strong opinions who voice them as friends of the game, and in no way is this an official South Sydney position.)
With regards to any medical improprieties, God knows what happened, (and possibly the wise folks at ASADA do as well.)
It will be sorted out and the sooner the better, as has been well articulated by the NRL CEO, David Smith.
It is said the allegations threaten the existence of the Cronulla Sharks. No club deserves to be brought down by the actions, alleged actions, of any one group of people.
A club is more than any set of administrators, coaches or players.
A club belongs to its community, and that community extends to all clubs in the NRL and to all the fans of our game.
While we talk in ruthless terms about winning this weekend’s game, we don’t go to a game to put another club out of business. We go to beat them on the scoreboard.
We love their passionate fans, we love their singing, we love their pride and their colours (Ok we hate the Roosters, but that’s a different matter).
In truth, no club sensibly wishes the demise of another club.
I would love the Roosters to stay around for another century and be great combatants every time we face them. There is no victory sweeter than a hard-fought victory.
So I send my support to the Cronulla board, to its fans and its players. I know your club can make it if every member of your community works together.
I hope you rebuild yourself quickly, I hope you address whatever happened and that your club comes out stronger.
I also hope the Rabbitohs beat you on Monday night, but that’s another matter entirely!
Bazzio
Roar Guru
. . . .& perhaps not . . . .
Bazzio
Roar Guru
Keith for PM
Symbolsoup
Roar Rookie
AndyMack, if you read what I posted, I was talking about a club's loyalty to their players which is then repaid back to the club by the whole playing roster. Unlike the roosters who dump players every year.
Von Neumann
Roar Guru
1. this is not the nswrl anymore. any hereditary right you had to existing in the comp is over. 2. you are being irrational and overly emotional. 3. we should not allow irrational and overly emotional people to call the shots. 4. I have no affinity with the central coast. Its purely a reasoned choice. The central coast has been around for a loooong time too, and its about time they get representation, dont you think? Oh but you wouldn't. My opinion does matter. As a sharks supporter, dear boy, you are in the minority and your team will never grow. This is another reason why the sharks are yesterdays idea.
AndyMack
Guest
hey von N. how long u been supporting the central coast or any other part of the country to show up last minute and want a piece of the action?? I have been following sharks forever, and dont think ur opinion matters a jot on this issue. it doesnt sound like u have a rational argument. so not sure what ur point it. incompetence? maybe that should be ur middle name Von Incompetence Neumann.....
AndyMack
Guest
haha, u mean asotasi and crocker, who both "showed loyalty to their team" by leaving and moving to the rabbitohs. give me a break. loyalty only counts when you are knocking back big dollars to stay, something that very rarely happens.
AndyMack
Guest
haha, gold.
AndyMack
Guest
+1
Von Neumann
Roar Guru
Peter: Your sentiments are very well said and noted. Though, I am sorry, for I must speak out. I am only sending my support to the Central Coast Bears. Its over for Cronulla to my mind. I can’t tolerate them anymore, and I can’t accept them, and I do not believe in what they stand for, and I do not appreciate their dire predicament and I do not want other areas of Australia to miss out because Cronulla wrongly believe they deserve to survive through all their ineptitude and incompetence.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Is this the same Oikee who was quite happy a couple of weeks ago, to sell the Sharks to the highest bidder, or let the gypsies take them? A tycoon pledges some moral support, and all of a sudden, you get all warm & fuzzy about Cronulla?!! Astonishing hypocrisy.
Hard Core
Guest
Haven't heard much lately out of those who wanted Souths to merge with Cronulla back at the run of the century..
Chris Hardiman
Roar Rookie
Hey Peter, Since you're "a bit more qualified to write about the organisation of clubs and crisis management", what's the john dory with the Souths Leagues Club?
eagleJack
Guest
You are right SymbolSoup being able to keep a core group of players is essential for continued success. But I think the Roosters have a pretty solid group who they can now build their future around (sans SBW who will be gone at the end of the year). I expect the next 3-4 years to be quite successful for them.
Symbolsoup
Roar Rookie
EagleJack, your team is another fine example of retaining core playing groups (where they can afford to do so) which builds a culture of loyalty. Cowboys, Storm, Broncos, doggies, Manly, Souths all do a decent job at it (with some question marks occasionally due to the cap). I guess it's no coincidence these are all regular finals campaigners. And yet the roosters wonder why they are a dogs breakfast considering the talent they keep getting and losing or generally under performing as a group.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
I think he was referring to thats thats where the money is becuase the bunnies are about to go broke again
Symbolsoup
Roar Rookie
Bought three years ago… Still there, still performing, still a rep… Your point?
Australian Rules
Guest
Ah...it clearly went soaring over my head!
Dave
Guest
Same here oikee. I hate the broncos guts but still want them in the comp. nothing better than beating a full strength broncos side at their home ground on a Friday night. Just like last week.
Symbolsoup
Roar Rookie
I'm a bronco supporter, I don't even care for souths, but I appreciate the way they look after there roster. Asotasi and Crocker are great examples of loyalty shown to players even though they have spent so much time on the sidelines. Now that loyalty is coming back to souths with a roster who play for each other.
Symbolsoup
Roar Rookie
Bought three years ago... Still there, still performing, still a rep... Your point?