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David Smith unexpectedly called full-time on his three-year NRL career at 11am on Tuesday. The banker-turned-NRL CEO made a few significant marks on the code during his tenure, but he will hardly be remembered as an Immortal.
Speaking personally, I won’t miss him for a moment. I was never entirely comfortable with a businessman in control of the game, especially one who never had an accurate take or appreciation of the code, its nuances, history, and long-held tenets and traditions.
I pretty much saw him as an alien in charge of a football code that has been a huge part of my life, privately and professionally.
Smith’s primary concern always seemed to be the bottom financial line, and that’s understandable given his extensive and impressive background as a banking guru. And, it must be said, rugby league has considerably improved its financial stocks since Smith began.
Well done on that score, sir, but there are other areas that have gone south under your leadership and there are clubs and fans who aren’t fussed by your exit three years into your multi-million dollar, five-year contract.
It is common knowledge that many of the 16 NRL clubs rated Smith’s leadership poorly. Some protested long and loud that he did not understand the game nor their predicaments. They claimed he was the wrong guy from day one as he never could and never would get the big picture.
But at least he wasn’t weak and ultimately saw that a serious rugby league man was needed as his offsider; Todd Greenberg was duly appointed.
There was heavy criticism of Smith’s handling of the billion-dollar-plus TV broadcasting deal. Getting Rupert Murdoch and his powerful company offside in a very public way wasn’t smart darts, but there is a good deal in place, and there is a chance it will get better with new blood at the top.
Under Smith, the game of rugby league lost its punch. Literally.
After Paul Gallen and Nate Myles’ fracas in a State of Origin game, a knee-jerk edict came down that those who threw a punch would be immediately banished to the sin bin. It wasn’t bad in theory, but in practice that law has led to widespread under-handedness on the field. Cynical face slaps, grubby, niggling tactics that might draw a penalty in the heat of battle and hopefully, a sin bin.
That decision by Smith and friends has taken a lot from rugby league (if some idiot is niggling away constantly, a bop on the chin will stop the rot quick-smart and the cheap shot merchants won’t be the stars on a weekly basis).
I will insert here that I am in favour of the NRL’s new head-bin strategy. Players who cop heavy head knocks in games are now placed under serious scrutiny and if their concussions are of a major nature, they take a mandatory week or two off.
I am all for that and, as an initiative under D. Smith’s rule, it warrants a big tick.
Queenslanders will probably be sad that Smith has departed. Many feel that he broke the perceived NSW-centric view taken previously by the NRLC. I won’t go there. Queenslanders can be a funny bunch.
We learnt today that NRL Commission Chairman John Grant will fill Smith’s position as interim CEO when he officially leaves on November 30. I’m unhappy about that.
What has John Grant done since he got his gig? Chaired a few dozen meetings, attended a few hundred functions, handed out trophies, shaken some sweaty footballers’ palms, along with make some outrageous and seriously premature statements about expansion.
I only wish Grant was joining Smith’s farewell party. If he has contributed something positive to rugby league from his lofty position, could somebody please tell me?
The hunt is now on for Smith’s successor. Names to succeed him include Todd Greenberg, Shane Richardson, Mark Coyne, Phil Gould and Jim Doyle.
The company charged with fielding candidates for the CEO job is Signium International, and I am told there will be a worldwide hunt for the new Numero Uno.
I can only hope Signium has been briefed appropriately.
Bean counters are out. Rugby league in this country is craving a shrewd and savvy head administrator who understands the NRL from top to toe.
If I had an early vote, I would be pushing hard for Shane Richardson as CEO, with the talented Greenberg as his right-hand man.
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