Raiders refuse to bow to club fans
BY JAMES BUCKLEY, RUGBY LEAGUE
23 Aug, 2011 04:00 AM
Frustrated Canberra Raiders fans hoping an end-of-season review will effect a change to the running of the club are likely to be disappointed.The Raiders, who were high in the premiership betting markets at the start of the season, are contenders for the NRL wooden spoon with just two rounds remaining.
An independent body will review the performance of the Raiders' players, coaches, administration and board of directors but chairman John McIntyre said that procedure was no different to any other year.
McIntyre claims injuries are to blame for the disappointing season and feels that despite calls for change from the fans, no-one at the club should have to shoulder the blame for an unfortunate season.
''It's just an indication of the passion that the supporters have got,'' McIntyre said. ''We've got to accept that but the review in no way will be anything like a witch hunt.
''It'll be an objective assessment of what all of us could've done, and done better.
''I don't think you'd call it [the Raiders' season] unacceptable, nobody's happy about it but it is the toughest rugby league competition in the world.''
Raiders coach David Furner, who is contracted until 2014, has been the target of many angry fans looking for someone to blame, but McIntyre says his job is safe.
No new players have been recruited, with the Raiders happy to again put their faith in the same roster.
The only squad changes will be the departure of a few experienced hands, including retiring captain Alan Tongue, who will make way for some of the club's under-20s squad.
There is no indication of changes to the administration headed by chief executive Don Furner while change to the board of directors is restricted under its rigid structure.
Effectively it is only the board themselves who can appoint or dismiss a director.
McIntyre chairs a seven-man board that includes ActewAGL chairman John Mackay, David Thom, former secretary of the Department of Defence Allan Hawke, former ASIO director general Dennis Richardson, former ACT deputy chief minister Paul Whalan and former deputy secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Michael Lightowler.
Board members are appointed for an indefinite period, and decide each year whether to stay on for another 12 months. The board can have as few as three or as many as nine members. Additions to the board are generally on the recommendation of current directors.
''It's a matter of the right person making themselves available,'' McIntyre said. ''Each year at the AGM they make a decision personally as to whether or not they're available for another year.
''Fortunately with the calibre of people we've got there I'm very happy to say that all of those board members are available for looking into the future.''
During the club's poor run of form this year, Raiders fans have indicated their desire to make the board more accountable.
Brendan Prater of Goulburn believes club members should hold voting rights and directors should be subject to re-election.
''The board should be in place for a fixed term, only say two years,'' Prater said. ''These should be voted on by members much like shareholders of a company.
''As a collective they [everyone at the club] should all shoulder the blame. The coach can only do so much but I think the buck should stop with the players.''
The Raiders host Penrith on Saturday night desperate to snap a four-game run of losses to send retiring captain Alan Tongue out a winner in his last match at home.
Fullback Josh Dugan remains in serious doubt with the groin injury which ruled him out of the weekend's loss to the Gold Coast.
