Can we sign this guy??

[LeagueNut]

From the SMH:

The man who turned around the fortunes of the North Queensland Cowboys will quit the NRL club at the end of the season.

Cowboys CEO Denis Keeffe today announced his resignation after overseeing the transformation of the club from cellar-dwellers to premiership contenders in the space of four seasons.

The former Townsville Crocodiles boss took on the role at the end of 2001 at the behest of owners News Limited following their third-successive finish in the bottom two.

He took North Queensland to within a whisker of qualifying for last year's grand final before eventual runners-up, the Roosters, knocked them out of contention.

Keeffe, who extended his contract for 12 months at the end of last season, said he would stay on until the end of the year to give the club's board enough time to appoint a successor.

"It is (a hard decision) but most people know when it's time and honestly, with all due modesty, if anyone was going to leave this sort of position at this sort of club, now would be the time to do it," he said.

"The club has come a long way in my opinion in the last couple of years and it's strong now, on and off the football field.
"We're some way to go, of course, but the transition won't be anywhere near as onerous as it might have been earlier."

Keeffe's appointment as CEO was immediately felt around the Cowboys when he wasted little time in punting then coach Murray Hurst for Graham Murray.

His efforts in uniting local business groups, rugby league clubs and fans, as well as the development of a local rugby league academy, were also pivotal in putting the Cowboys on the NRL success map.

Fellow club boss, Brisbane managing director Bruno Cullen, said Keeffe's legacy would be felt at the club for the next decade.

"Denis was able to lead the revival I suppose," Cullen said.

"Ever since 2001 the place has been on the up, who knows where they'll end up this year, but they certainly finished on a high last year.

"Their corporate support, their sponsorship, their crowds and their team are all up there (with the best in the NRL) so he'll leave a great legacy for the Cowboys and whoever takes his job will come into a lot better position than Denis came into."

I'm sure we could find a spot for him somewhere ...

 

[Humphrey]

Is that when Mick falls on his sword ?

 

[LeagueNut]

Falls, gets pushed, has it thrust into him by an angry mob ... any way will do!

 

[mahanga]

His C.V. is excellent.

Lets wait awhile and see who else is available.

 

[Iafeta]

Why quit the Cowboys for the Warriors?

No chance.

 

[Dr Crane]

Maybe the man likes a challenge.

 

[Gipper]

Why quit the Cowboys for the Warriors?

No chance.

Fien?

 

[Johns Magic]

lol

 

[Ari Gold]

Why quit the Cowboys for the Warriors?

No chance.

Dezolt :lol: :lol:

 

[Humphrey]

Missed the news this morning Has Mick resigned yet??

 

[LeagueNut]

From the SMH:

Warriors coach Tony Kemp last night admitted he did not know if he would be sacked after Melbourne celebrated their 100th home game by knocking his team out of finals contention.

And while club chairman Maurice Kidd was quoted last Sunday saying Kemp and others were safe, disconsolate chief executive Mick Watson said the Warriors had fallen short of their goals for 2005 and every position would be reviewed.

A try to halfback Matt Orford with five minutes left assured the Storm a 22-10 victory, turning the top eight into a near-closed shop and adding to the celebrations after league officials announced on Friday a $23 million injection for the code in Victoria.

"We have to wait and see at the end of the year what unfolds," said Kemp, whose side have won nine from 22 games.

"But I'd like to think that the improvement we've made over the past 12 months has been enough for me to keep my job.

"I'm sitting with some pretty illustrious coaches at the back end of the [competition] table."

A visibly distraught Watson boarded the team bus with one other official and they sat there alone after the game.
Interviewed on board, Watson told The Sun-Herald: "Our aims were to make the eight . . . everyone in the club will be under a performance review that will be linked to the overall club performance this year.

"From the CEO, the board themselves, coaching staff, front office management and the players themselves . . . when you fail to hit your goals, that's what happens."

The Storm led 10-4 at half-time.

Storm centre Matt King's second touchdown in the 52nd minute seemed to settle the result but the home side fell into a period of lethargy and Warriors five-eighth Nathan Fien crossed from close range to make it 16-10 until Orford's Olympic Park match-winner.

Storm No.1 Billy Slater suffered a hip injury but is expected to be fit for their next game, against Wests Tigers in two weeks.

 

[shaneh]

two people to go WATSON AND KEMP!!!! the front office dont allienate players,the ceo does, the administraiters dont demotavate or teach the players how not to play. do us all a favour and get rid of (im looking staunch in my shades and black suit ) tony kemp get someone the knows that the top 2 means brains not a spikey haircut.

 

[Iafeta]

I'd say Maurice Kidd is sharpening the meat cleaver as we speak. I'd say Mick Watson, by sitting on the bus (and I understand how he feels in some ways I feel sorry for him) is sort of fully aware of whats about to happen.

I'd be highly surprised if Maurice doesn't terminate Mick Watson, and I'd say Tony Kemp is in a fair deal of trouble too.

If I were the Warriors, I wouldn't go to Ivan Cleary yet either, given the backs have basically gone backwards under him, I'd give him a couple more years as assistant coach, but I'd try to sign a true pro to be the helmsman. Someone who knows how to mould premiership success. Warren Ryan. If he's not available, then Chris Anderson. Perhaps even think about John Monie for a second time?

 

[playdaball]

I'd say Maurice Kidd is sharpening the meat cleaver as we speak. I'd say Mick Watson, by sitting on the bus (and I understand how he feels in some ways I feel sorry for him) is sort of fully aware of whats about to happen.

I'd be highly surprised if Maurice doesn't terminate Mick Watson, and I'd say Tony Kemp is in a fair deal of trouble too.

If I were the Warriors, I wouldn't go to Ivan Cleary yet either, given the backs have basically gone backwards under him, I'd give him a couple more years as assistant coach, but I'd try to sign a true pro to be the helmsman. Someone who knows how to mould premiership success. Warren Ryan. If he's not available, then Chris Anderson. Perhaps even think about John Monie for a second time?

I'd suggest that Mick Watson still has a lot of 'pull' at Cullen. Perhaps he'll move on from CEO to over see the total Cullen business?

I'd like to see Cleary or somebody else appointed with a mentor such as Anderson/Gould maybe Ryan offering advise/structure etc. At the moment within the Warriors there is no experienced football brains. Guys such as Kemp, Campion, Iro, Cleary etc have only recently stopped playing.

 

[mahanga]

Mick ought to leave gracefully and take his coaching staff with him.

Eric must have some idea who the next CEO is going to be if he decides to tell Mick to step down.

Or are they leaving together?

 

[Iafeta]

I'd hope Eric doesn't. Eric means ching ching and bling bling.

I just can't figure whats gone so horribly wrong, this Mick Watson was one of the very best things to happen to the Warriors. Are we cursed? Is the tongue on the emblem still stuffed?!