The obvious issue from the Vaughan-gate drama is the underlying cultural issues that exist at the Dragons and the lack of leadership off the park from so-called ‘senior’ players.
Paul Vaughan is a senior player, on big money, a veteran of 181 first grade games plus both Origin and international rep honours.
In his last game against the Warriors, Vaughan ran for 262 metres, with an offload that lead to a crucial try.
So, how can a player contribute so well on the field but let themselves down so badly off the field? Leadership, or lack thereof, in this example.
The Dragons are certainly not alone in the NRL with off-field issues affecting on-field performances. A number of clubs immediately come to mind: the Bulldogs, Broncos and the Sharks, to name a few.
It’s hard to imagine this happening if Boyd Cordner or Cameron Smith were the Dragons club captain. The Dragons haven’t had a dominant club captain since Ben Hornby and it’s no coincidence that they won a comp under Ben’s leadership.
In 2010, there was also a very good leadership group including Ben Creagh, Dean Young, Jason Nightingale, Matt Cooper etc. This mass player off-field protest wouldn’t have happened in during the glory days of 2009, 2010 or 2011.
And that’s what this was – a protest against the rules, saying ‘you can’t control what I do after hours!’.
Ben Hunt has done okay as captain but there’s obviously a lack of respect there because the COVID 13 thought they could get away with breaking the rules while Hunt was away for Origin.
So, what makes a great club captain?
He’s usually a one-club player who bleeds the club’s colours and sets the standard at training as well as on game day. He’s usually a rep player and often a captain at rep level.
He’s not afraid to call out poor behaviour and challenge his teammates to be better. He has a very strong relationship with the coach and works hand in glove to get the best out of the team.
The potential future Dragons club captain, Zac Lomax, has completely let himself down by attending the BBQ. Any credibility he had is now gone and that’s a huge loss for the club.
The other issue is player recruitment – signing big money players with established behavioural problems never ends well. Matt Lodge, Corey Norman, Jack De Belin, Josh Dugan are all on big money but play on underperforming teams.
What happened here is a classic ‘while the cat’s away, the mice will play’ scenario.
Zac Lomax and others have shown themselves to be mice, not men.
Andrew
Roar Pro
We can only hope that this was triggered by one or two ringleaders & the other simpletons went along with it out of peer pressure. Need to trust that Hook & Webb have identified the ringleaders and they have been surgically removed.
Paul
Roar Guru
Again though Andrew, if I was the Dragons' CEO. I'd want to know why these guys went ahead with such a bone headed stunt. Completely agree with the bulk of your assessment but if, as I'm guessing, these players ignored instructions because they have little trust or confidence in the CEO & Board, is this simply a problem of players doing the wrong thing, or is it a crisis in confidence for the Club leaders/administration, who have done little to improve the football team in the past 3 or 4 years?
Andrew
Roar Pro
It’s cost Vaughan a small fortune at the back end of his career so he won’t be able to make it up on his next contract. That’s assuming any team would even consider signing him. Off to the UK I think. Of the others, Dufty, Beale, Norman, Ellis & Fuimaono aren’t contracted for next year. Given the golden opportunity we gave Beale I think he should be sent packing immediately. Following players aren’t affected Sims, Hunt, McCullough, Ramsey, Ravalawa, Williame, Clune, Burns, Faamausili & rookies Sloan, Amone, Sullivan & Feagai’s. That leaves; Lomax: who was seen as a future Club Captain should be totally ashamed of himself. How could he captain the Club now? JdB should be embarrassed & ashamed after everything the Club has done for him over the last 2.5yrs he repays the faith with humiliation. Bird, the Club takes an enormous risk bringing him back after all his injuries & again repays the Club with humiliation. McGuire, Club takes a risk bringing him down mid year, already suspended for 5wks & now this! Tear up his contact today! Lowrie, Alvaro & Kerr: all plodders probably just going with the crowd & didn’t want to miss out. Not much expectation for any of these 3.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Reminds me of a Xmas Party I went to at a Bowling club .Blokes were bowling overarm.They were asked to leave before Mr Plod arrived, not sure if they were Saints fans.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Yeah I guess the Broncs would love Rawhide.Can’t work out who would play Minnie the Moocher.
Paul
Roar Guru
agreed. Probably host a barbeque on the ice rink or try to see how far they could throw a curling stone, instead of sliding it.
Tony
Roar Guru
With Hook though, it's more like he prefers the band members from the Broncos
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Tony ,Vaughangate could parallel a Blues Bros. Sequel - PV n JDB on a mission from God ,trying to get the Saints Band back into the Semis.I suggest Hook would play John Candy.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
If they entered a team,I’m pretty sure the Drags would find plenty of trouble down at the Shellharbour Curling Rink
Paul
Roar Guru
"What makes a leader off the park?" That's precisely the right question to be asking at the Dragons right now but this article is pointing the finger at the wrong people. The management of the Dragons have got on their righteous high horse and told all and sundry what they did to make sure players toed the line, but the question they haven't answered is, why did so many players completely ignore them? That has to be down to things like a major lack of respect which in turn has to come from all manner of poor management decisions this Board, the CEO, perhaps the coach and others have made in recent years. Paul Vaughan and the other 12 guys screwed up, no argument, but they were able to do that thanks to a huge disconnection between players and management. If Ryan Webb was any sort of leader, he'd be asking each one why his directions were ignored. I'll bet he won't because I'm sure he won't like the answers.
Paul
Roar Guru
pretty sure curling doesn't have too many fools, John. Or maybe they all are, sliding great chunks of stone down the ice, while blokes frantically sweep with brooms
Albo
Roar Rookie
Certainly not the "sport" of tennis !
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
What about Bernie (I’ll just go & count my money) Tomic? Can you think of any sport that has been completely free of privileged fools?
Tony
Roar Guru
Andrew, sadly, being paid a lot of money (or any money for that matter) doesn't make a player a professional athlete. To move away from league for the moment, just take a look at Kyrgios.
Andrew
Roar Pro
I watched the replay of the Euro semifinal this morning England v Denmark this morning The English are playing against history with the pressure & expectation of an entire nation on their shoulders yet they played awesome & won. Great example of a united team playing with a common purpose.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Thanks for the feedback ???? To succeed in the NRL like anything in life takes an enormous personal sacrifice to achieve greatness. I’ll give the Rep players a pass (Sims, Hunt & McCullough) but the others in the playing group simply aren’t prepared to make the sacrifice. Professional athletes attending a BBQ against the clear instructions of the Club is a joke. No wonder the Dragon’s form has been so hot & cold this year, certain players aren’t putting in every week. Where was Cody Ramsey? How can a kid in his first year of first grade show more common sense than supposed ‘senior players’? Beyond my comprehension. The fallout from this isn’t over I think one or two players will be moved on during the offseason, Fuimaono being one of them. He’s off contract but decided to attend a BBQ rather than look after his future. What a total fool. You can’t make this up you wouldn’t believe professional athletes could be so stupid.
Tony
Roar Guru
John, many of Aretha's songs are relevant here, but the two I'd choose are "Think" and "Chain of Fools". Question, are a Chain of fools capable of thinking?
Danielle Smith
Editor
Gread read Andrew. Some people were just born to lead. Players aspire to be like them. They are able to get the respect from the group because they have earned it and beacuse they also give it. Others seem to have become captain as they have been at the club the longest or there are lack of other options. But its a shame even if they weren’t the best person for the job that they don’t rise to the occasion. You can definitely tell the clubs that have good leadership and those that don’t. But then of course you have that old saying – “You can lead a horse to water”. Sometimes it just doesn’t matter who is in charge, you are always going to have a few who think they are above everyone and everything, and do what they want.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
1. Loved the covid13 part was giggling for a few seconds there 2. For me, a leader at an NRL club is someone who themselves understands what it means to sacrifice a lot as a junior in order to make it in the NRL and understand how one poor decision can destroy all those sacrifices. Playing sport during a pandemic is a privilege not a right. From the actions on Saturday night, those 13 thought playing sport during a pandemic is a right
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Great article Andrew. I have a simple one word answer to your question. Also applies to the general workforce. Aretha Franklin summed it up: RESPECT. An effective leader would be respected & trust between leader & his men (or women) is reciprocated. It’s no coincidence that successful sporting teams not only have good captains but also coaches who possess the same qualities as I have described. Shouldn’t have to reinforce to adults that it’s wrong to misbehave however some people are only “adults in age “however have never really grown up.