Anderson given third warning

[Jimbo]

Anderson given third warning
October 10, 2003

CRONULLA and their out-of-favour coach Chris Anderson could be heading for the courts after Anderson was today given his third warning letter by the National Rugby League club.

Cronulla president Barry Pierce confirmed he had a brief meeting with Anderson this afternoon where he passed on the letter.

Anderson, who leaves on the Kangaroo tour as Australian coach on Tuesday, has at least another year to run on his lucrative deal with the club.

However, he is at long odds to be there in 2004 following today's latest instalment.

"We had a brief meeting," Pierce said.

"I handed him a third letter on behalf of the board. We did not discuss the letter. He probably wants to get advice.

"I said to him, and it's in the letter, that if he wants to come back to us at the end of the tour it's his prerogative.

"If he wants to do anything while he's on the tour that's up to him. I don't want to say anything more for legal reasons."

Anderson, who is on a contract believed to be worth $400,000 per season, has an option in his deal for a further two seasons should the Sharks make the finals in 2004.

That means the club could be liable for a payout of more than $1 million if it terminates Anderson's services without due cause.

It's understood the club has issued the high-profile coach with warning letters as a means of curtailing any payout.

Anderson has been on thin ice at the Sharks since falling out with senior officials over their decision to not offer his son Jarrad a contract next season.

He responded by refusing to work with his former assistant Greg Pierce – Barry's son – and Theo Burgess.

It was the latest in a series of spats between Anderson and Sharks officials.

The premiership-winning coach earlier this year issued the club a "back me or sack me" ultimatum following his decision to axe stalwarts Dean Treister and Nick Graham and a series of poor results.

He also forced 2001 Dally M Medallist Preston Campbell out of the club last season.

Campbell responded by helping Penrith win this year's NRL grand final under coach John Lang, Anderson's predecessor at the Sharks.

AAP

 

[wittyfan]

It's all so very messy. :?

 

[Anonymous]

"I said to him, and it's in the letter, that if he wants to come back to us at the end of the tour it's his prerogative.

"If he wants to do anything while he's on the tour that's up to him. I don't want to say anything more for legal reasons."

Now what the hell is that supposed to mean?

 

[wittyfan]

Now what the hell is that supposed to mean?

Not sure. Perhaps an offer of other work at the club? Hmmm. :?

 

[Frenzy]

"I said to him, and it's in the letter, that if he wants to come back to us at the end of the tour it's his prerogative.

"If he wants to do anything while he's on the tour that's up to him. I don't want to say anything more for legal reasons."

Now what the hell is that supposed to mean?

Probably refers to Ando's right of appeal. The third letter only means dismissal if Ando accepts it as such. If he doesn't accept it there's a couple of ways he can go. One is straight to court. The other is to appeal the content of the letter in the Industrial Relations Tribunal. A winning appeal makes the letter null and void and he still has the job.

My guess is he has to go via the IRT. If he accepts the third letter as dismissal he accepts the letter is accurate and that dismissal is warranted - and therefore gets no cash.

I don't think he can go straight to court without running the appeal process out as he'd be giving the Sharks an "out" by setting it up for them to say he didn't follow grievance resolution procedures.

If he fails in appeal before the IRT that's when I can see it ending up in court with the whole gamut of the game coming out. Bullying, harrassing, discrimination - you name it, it'll be all thrown at the Sharks.

That's how it's always happened at the joint I manage and the fact the Sharks are going the 3 letter route suggests this may follow an at least similar path.

Yes sully - it's a frucking mess. Was always going to be. And this is all costing us money as it unfolds.

 

[Special K]

Someone help us simpletons.

Anderson isn't coach next year and we are going to court? :?

 

[Anonymous]

I've received interesting word that we 'shouldn't be surprised' if Dean Treister is back at the club in 2004 should Anderson not be retained.

 

[wittyfan]

I've received interesting word that we 'shouldn't be surprised' if Dean Treister is back at the club in 2004 should Anderson not be retained.

:shock: That would be so incredible!

 

[Special K]

I've received interesting word that we 'shouldn't be surprised' if Dean Treister is back at the club in 2004 should Anderson not be retained.

:shock: !!! Has he got a club yet?

Dead set how awesome would that be!

 

[Anonymous]

I've received interesting word that we 'shouldn't be surprised' if Dean Treister is back at the club in 2004 should Anderson not be retained.

:shock: !!! Has he got a club yet?

Dead set how awesome would that be!

Nope, at the moment he's still a free agent, so it seems a fair guess if Anderson isn't around.

My mail is also that Raper will be appointed for only one year, and we'll be assessing his performance after eight rounds or so...

 

[Frenzy]

Someone help us simpletons.

Anderson isn't coach next year and we are going to court? :?

Dunno. Too soon to say. It's probably fairly likely though.

Geez the potential for ugliness here is enormous!

 

[Frenzy]

I doubt we'll see Triester at the Sharks in 2004.

The Ando thing could take months to resolve and Deano will of missed the boat on a couple of late contract offers from Salford and the London Broncos.

He has attracted no interest at all until 2 days ago when these last minute offers came in. He hasn't even been in the Hull first 13 for months.

 

[Aries]

I doubt we'll see Triester at the Sharks in 2004.

The Ando thing could take months to resolve and Deano will of missed the boat on a couple of late contract offers from Salford and the London Broncos.

He has attracted no interest at all until 2 days ago when these last minute offers came in. He hasn't even been in the Hull first 13 for months.

He could add a clause to his contract that if CA is not there in 2004, then he is going home even if CA leaves/is punted early into next year...

I think the new restrictions on imported players, that comes into effect for 2004 in the ES, has more to do with Deano not being offered anything than any other reason Frenzy!

I would have him back in a second!

EDIT: I just remembered that Deano holds a duel passport, so the import restictions don't come into it! Why he isn't wanted is beyond me then... :?

 

[cheese]

hmmm ......looks like this is the calm before the storm!

this is gonna get real f**king messy me thinks ......

 

[Marty Moose]

Before the club can sack him they will have to prove that they worked with Anderson to rectify the problems of the first 2 letters. and another thing if I was Anderson i wouldn't be too happy about my personal details of my employment being discussed in the media. Barry Pierce is being really unprofessional in this and he could get the club in heaps of trouble the way he is going about it.

In my oppinion the club should shut the f@#k up and let him get on with the job and hope we don't make the 8 in 2004 that is the only way they will get rid of him. otherwise it will cost a heap of $$$$$$

 

[Genius Freak]

My feelings on this matter are well known. Suffice it to say: Yay.

 

[PJ]

They've probably only offered Raper one year so Barry can get a son in to coach.

 

[shadowboxer]

Bravo barry pierce you fat twat. Yeah bag me for that. Remember this day fellow fans, the future of our proud club has just gone to the dogs, and if you thought 2003 was bad, expect the same for the next few years.

Heres a thought........has anyone thought about asking our players about anderson and their feelings..... im not talkin about bailey, BK or stevens, im talkin about the young fellas...

I cant wait till next season, all hail the new murray hirst, stuart raper.

Fall on your sword club board....you can keep my membership for next season, id rather just show up when the sharks are winning, not losing. I am totally gutted right now and feel totally cheated.

 

[RockyShark]

Whatever happens - I just hope the whole thing gets resolved quickly. Although I doubt that will happen

 

[Agro]

Heres a thought........has anyone thought about asking our players about anderson and their feelings..... im not talkin about bailey, BK or stevens, im talkin about the young fellas...

No point in doing this.
Put yourself in their shoes. Becoming a recognised 1st grader is hard enough without bagging the bloke who may be your coach the following season. Just imagine the shit they would cop if CA did stay in and they had spent the previous few months telling everyone how much they wanted him out. Bye bye Career.

It doesnt suprise me that most of the players have been backing him. There probably just doing whatever will keep them on the field if he's still in charge next season.