In last weekend’s Australian newspaper, hidden deep in the back pages of the sports section, was a small five-paragraph article under the headline “ARU takes over the reins at Western Force”.
The silence here in the west from the club, the supporters and the media has been deafening.
Make no mistake, this is akin to an ailing business being put into administration. Were it a public company, the board and senior executives would be held to task, as this is the culmination of a catalogue of errors which started on day one.
Recall the promise under which the club started in 2005. Riding a wave of emotion to bring rugby to Western Australia, the ARU could not ignore the passionate voices from the west demanding the 12th team be awarded to Perth over a bid from Melbourne.
The start was promising. Let’s not forget by the second season the team included the likes of Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Nathan Sharpe, Brendan Cannon and a future leader in the 17-year-old David Pocock. Coached by John Mitchell and with the backing of major sponsor Emirates, the future looked bright.
But cracks began to appear.
A lack of due diligence and rush for cash and signings saw a side-deal done with Firepower to lure Giteau to Perth. The promised cash evaporated almost as soon as the ink was dry.
We the supporters were never clearly told what occurred, but Giteau got burnt. His mate Mitchell also decided something didn’t smell right.
Our reputation for the wild west, with deals done over a few beers, was enhanced. Firepower was found to be nothing but a scam. The Force claimed they had nothing to do with a third-party deal, but the perception became reality.
Culture and people again led to the first major issues in the late-2000s, with simmering tensions between coach and players resulted in John Mitchell leaving. Who knows what happened, as supporters we were simply not told, but something was wrong.
Richard Graham was then appointed in yet another mistake, as he left for a better offer at Queensland halfway through the 2012 season. The players were furious, deciding they would coach themselves rather than have Graham, and so they did.
It was while sitting on hot, temporary, metal seats in a stadium still under construction, watching a player-coached team lose miserably to the new Melbourne Rebels, that I decided I’d had enough and resigned my membership in protest. But we hadn’t hit rock bottom.
Pocock was doing his best to get high-profile players, and the Force should have got Will Genia but the deal was botched – or Genia was concerned enough about the lack of strategy, direction and coach not to come.
Pocock then left and with him the future of the club, for here was a man who embodied everything a club would want: courage, integrity, teamwork and absolute determination walked out the door.
After seven years of blood, sweat and tears, Pocock worked out the club had no future. The major financial backer Emirates had also seen enough and no longer wanted their name associated with the club.
A new naming sponsor could not be found, and the Force faced the embarrassment of having a different sponsor on each player’s jersey. Cash was now critical.
Michael Foley was appointed coach under yet further controversial circumstances, as an unsuccessful run at the head coach’s job for NSW saw the manager and chairman of the Waratahs resign before Foley jumped ship.
Why they chased a coach who was in the middle of an unseemly mess no one explained, but by now we were left picking up players who could not get starting positions with other countries or states.
The gameplan had to keep up with the lack of talent, and so the style of play during the 2015 season was simple: kick the ball down the field and hope something happens. The result? Three wins, a wooden spoon, and pissed-off supporters.
The side had one win from nine games in 2016 before the ARU stepped in and took control. Rumours circulated that Perth may even lose the team for a move to Western Sydney.
The loyal supporters and players who give their all deserve an apology and explanation from all who have served on the board and management since the club’s inception.
Nothing less is acceptable.
Hannes
Guest
I think they need to be remain two separate franchises to provide an avenue for local players to develop. However I think they need to consider a partnership to facilitate player development, sharing players to cover injuries/lack of depth in local competitions and to counter ARU decisions that continue to favour the Reds and Waratahs.
PGNEWC
Guest
11 NRL sides 4 A league sides
robel
Guest
The Force started off with one of the biggest memberships in Aust Super Rugby, there is still plenty of support, just disappointment at the results.It is hard to go and watch your team lose to teams they are capable of beating, all that is required is a good coach, a draw that does not have them flying all over the globe with one or two "home games" before taking off to the other side of the world. Rubbish refffing decisions (like the very first games TMO decision not to award the Force try against the Crusaders). Why do the other franchises get given bail outs whilst the Force have to sell their rights. They were hamstrung from the start, no recruiting except during byes, no player concessions, unlike the Rebels. No ARU top ups like the Tahs, Reds, Brums, which amounts to several extra millions per team on top of the salary caps, Rebels given 3-4x the financial support of the Force. Back room deals to scupper potential player movements to the Force and more to encourage good players to leave, insinuations that if they don't play in th east they won't make the Wallabies. Poor choice in coaches can rightly be partly blamed for the poor performance of the Force, but the neglect of the ARU cannot be overlooked. Previous ARU administrations have barely contained their desire to be rid of the Force. As for the rubbish about moving the force, shutting it down, not enough players is Aus for 5 team, etc, if the West suffers this then ARU will never recover from that decision in the west. Raise the salary cap and remove Wallaby top ups so the financial playing field is level. Get more games of free to air, it is the only way to get bums on seats. The ARU needs to stop playing favourites and look after all its responsibilities.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Typo, I meant this combined name: REBEL FORCES
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
pformagg If you are correct, then MH should be appointed Assistant Coach of Perth in NRC (if he was interested) with plan if all well, he takes over in due course. Icon player for many youngsters to die to be coached by for sure. If MH is not a coach in making, then he should have role outside coaching for same Perth NRC team.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Mel R they were called the Brumbies? :-)
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Hannes I think a Perth team in the NRC Comp has far more competitive prospect, than same team in Super Rugby. I'm now support Melbourne Rebels but would think "Rebels Forces" would be great name for aspirant pathway team to Wallabies for all development players both west (NT/SA/WA) and south (VIC/Tas) of the Qld/NSW borders. Based in Melbourne, but option for pre-season trial games etc in Perth. Once Super Rugby season over, WA audience follows Perth in the NRC. ARU gives our 5th team to Argentina; Japan swaps into Australian conference. Sunwolves can fly diirect from Tokyo to Cairns for game against Reds, offering exposure to rugby to audience in northern Queensland.. Cheers KP
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Good call!
Gavin
Guest
Isn't there already a competition called the NRC for these additional teams?
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
Proven to be a graveyard for codes trying to compete with AFL. All the ARU needs to do now to set themselves up for a spectacular collapse is investing in a Gold Coast franchise. On a serious note the Froce is toast and has to go as should the Kings, Jaguars, Sunwolves and the mother of all evils - the dreaded conference system
KTinHK
Roar Pro
Subtle, but largely irrelevant, Paul. And if I recall, the decision to award the franchise to Perth was made largely on the advice of Dr.Brett Robinson. It wasn't the only time he has provided bad advice to the ARU....
Brawlsinmauls
Guest
Personally I would like everything at the top to change, coaches to board level. Even better if we could snag a coach from across the ditch.
Hannes
Guest
Semisi? No! MacCalman definitely should be added! If Jono Lance is not too much of an injury risk, he should be in the mix as well.
RobC
Roar Guru
PerthSlayer, that makes a lot of sense
ethan
Guest
Mitchell had coached the AB's. You can hardly blame the Force for jumping on board there. Graham & Foley were the real worst coaching selections imaginable.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
PF - Agree on your comments. The existing squad will attract a good new coach because there is a backbone of players here already who have WB quality in them (below). He will see that by adding 5 newbies there is very high chance of bringing the results. But the horse has to be bought before the cart, which is where the risks appear. If people are serious about revitalising the Force then this has to be adhered to: New Board - New Coach - New Players. (Supported by ARU funding). Cottrell Coleman Hodgson D Hewlitt P Charles Godwin Morahan Grant Semesi
RobC
Roar Guru
Hi Craig, welcome to the Roar and congrats on your first article On the upside of ARU intervention, there is some improvement. Reds won a championship, Tahs too, Rebs doing a half decent job (though I suspect they will still be in a financial cloud) FYI Tahs were still owned and fueled by the ARU since 2002!
Dave_S
Guest
"Business culture at WF is woeful. My father in law was a founding member. WF called him last year to “process his renewal” but he declined. They did not inquire why or try & dissuade him (discount, better seat or suchlike)." I agree that's pretty damning.
pjm
Roar Rookie
I thought you guys were purple.
pjm
Roar Rookie
More class warfare here than in federal politics at the moment.