Todd Greenberg will shine in his new job, so much so that he will be running the NRL outright one day.
I’m not saying that is because Dave Smith will do a bad job as chief executive – although we’ve still got to see what he can do – I just see it as the inevitable natural progression.
People who work at these high levels of administration tend to move on to the next challenge eventually, and when the chief executive’s job becomes vacant, Greenberg will be the obvious choice to fill it.
Greenberg has turned Canterbury around, we all know that.
He came into power in the wake of the salary cap and Coffs Harbour alleged sexual assault scandals and – with the backing of a solid board of directors – built a new image for the club.
Greenberg was only a few months into the role when he had to deal with Sonny Bill Williams walking out on the Bulldogs midway through the 2008 season. Canterbury finished that season in last place.
So they had lost their best player, they were in possession of the wooden spoon and sponsors didn’t want to know them.
But look at the shape the club is in now. OK, on the field they have gone through a struggle to start this season, but that is hardly Greenberg’s fault.
Last season they made the grand final after Greenberg initiated a coup that resulted in Des Hasler joining the club as coach. And they have plenty of sponsorship.
Granted, they could have – and should have – handled the post-grand final drama from Mad Monday better, but Greenberg will have learnt from that.
He made it clear he was the person in charge of the club when the Ben Barba drama erupted before this season kicked off.
When the media demanded to know the full story on Barba, his response was that the intimate details weren’t their business, it was a private matter for Barba and should stay that way.
You might think that should have been a given, but it’s not easy when the media is putting the heat on you.
Greenberg is a strong leader, who trusts his instincts. If he thinks it’s the right thing to do, he will do it, regardless of whether it will make him unpopular in some circles or bring him bad press.
Bad press is only temporary if you’re the genuine article.
At Tuesday’s media conference to announce Greenberg’s appointment as the head of football at the NRL, the subject of the poor crowd at the City-Country match in Coffs Harbour last Sunday was inevitably raised.
Greenberg immediately turned the debate around by declaring his amazement that the City-Country crowd had generated more bad media than the recent huge crowd for the Good Friday match between Canterbury and South Sydney had generated good media.
That was simple, but it was smart.
Not every football administrator will challenge the media’s reasoning for fear of copping a backlash, but they should do it more often if they know their argument is solid.
I can’t believe it has taken the people running the game so long to give the chief executive the support he needs.
David Gallop, when he was the NRL chief executive, had Graham Annesley as his chief operating officer, and Annesley was a cool, calm operator who had a huge influence on the decision-making process.
But he left more than two years ago to enter politics, where he is now performing strongly as the NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation.
First Gallop and then Smith were without a genuine right-hand man until now. There was even that extended period between the two with an interim chief executive in Shane Mattiske.
The AFL would never have allowed a situation like that to continue for so long.
Smith has his right-hand man now, in Greenberg. He’s got his left-hand man now as well, in Jim Doyle, who will be a key man when it comes to assisting Smith in the task of generating revenue.
Smith is still the boss, and he will be visible when the bigger issues are being publicly addressed, but the day-to-day face of the game’s administration from now on will be Greenberg.
And I reckon he’ll do a great job.
Snowmann
Guest
Will be sorley missed at our club, can only think what this says about a person when even a CEO gets praised for leaving a club. When was the last time you ever heard of a CEO being spoken about in thoses terms about his departure. Congratualtions and all the best to TG, you truly have brought our club back from the brink.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Actually Brothers bid said they will play out of multiple locations "The Brothers proposal, which would have the team playing home matches at Suncorp Stadium as well as regional centres" which I think is awesome. 3-4 matches in QLD country area's would really make it the missing piece of the puzzle in QLD.
oikee
Guest
Yes, most of us forgot about Brothers. It will go viral if they bring Brothers into the comp. Everyone loves Brothers, weather they like it or not. hehe.
Jaiden Florimo
Roar Rookie
Greenberg is smart. He answers questions the proper way. When asked if he wanted to be the next NRL leader he didnt give the stock standard 'no thats David Smiths job' and then speculation builds. He said 'yes but not now'. Leaves no room for speculation. Shane Mattiske should listen more to him.
fishes
Guest
I agree, Brothers is the best expansion idea to come out of queensland. you could have a genuine rivalry with the Broncos and they could still comfortably play out of Suncorp Stadium. A win-win. (The Brisbane Bombers is a terrible idea).
Timbosivic
Guest
Why should Greenberg become the face of the NRL day to day? Smith is supposed to be the CEO and he should be able handle this. You don't see Andrew Demetriou taking a back seat to his deputy. Everyone can see Smith is terrible in front of the media and is a nervous wreck. He is out of his depth and can't last and everyone who has half an idea about the game knows this. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
oikee
Guest
I think it is time they expanded the game into Brisbane. Brothers are the best bet, they wont disrupt the Queensland cup but will double the size of rugby league in Queensland. Here is what i would do, and double the size of the game in Queensland, surely Greenberg can do this himself. Add a second team, the Brisbane Brothers have the most sensible bid i have seen so far, from any area anywhere. I ready made support system, with clubs from juniors to seniors, all over the state and more. So, we double the amount of games in Brisbane, straight off, a game every weekend. We also more than Double the amount of Derbies this state plays. Plus we build a unigue Brisbane Derby for the first time under the NRL. I would also add a provision on a team if they add one in Perth. If the TV rights holder refuses to show Perth games, the NRL have the right to give them to another channell, you know, use it or lose it. There you go, i have doubled the game overnight around the country. It is not that hard Todd. Common sense mate. And give queensland some more rep games, internationals or test matches, and a Anzac game please. Why are we treated like mushrooms. If you dont want rugby league to grow, just tell the state, we can then move on and add Rugby union or AFL to our menu. Kicking sand in the face of the ones who feed you is no longer a excuse. Your media killed the chooks dogs game, they killed the city/country game, what next, Origin, you want to kill off Origin, good luck,. Like i said, everyone outside Sydney has had a gutful of the way sydney has run and treated the game, dont Blame Coffs Harbour, its a lovely place with down to earth people who wont be taken for fools with exorborant pricing. Now your sinking the boot in saying they dont deserve another game, talk about cutting the hands that feed you. You have alot of work to do todd, and i have confidence in Jim Doyle, he saved NZ rugby league single handedly, without help from anyone. The NRL was never going to help them.
Worlds biggest
Guest
TG will do a great job, kudos to Smith for appointing him and Doyle. Smith is his own man and had the necessary stones to shake things up and for that he is to be commended. I think everyone in the game should let him do his job.
Greg Prichard
Guest
Great to see a Dragons fan giving someone from Canterbury a wrap!
Dragons Forever
Guest
Fantastic move in my opinion. Well done NRL and good luck Todd