Dave Smith and John Grant facing a rebellion over the direction of the NRL

[insert.pause]

its Ok for the QRL to dismiss the rumblings.



It's not just the clubs agitating for a change, it's a grass roots movement from club members and fans who see Smith as a reactionary and an under achiever and Grant as a limp blancmange. Both are achieving less than the proverbial Drovers Dog, have not expressed any vision and their communication skills are breathtakingly lacking.
Smiths shellacking by a Federal Court Judge, by a Prominent SC, by the Chairman of the NSWRL and by the Head of the Law Society demonstrate how foolish, irresponsible and incompetent he is, that men of such calibre are lost to the game or ashamed of its leaders, is a disgrace and requires Smiths immediate resignation.



The code needs men of vision, strong communicators who know and love the game but have the necessary commercial acumen to lead us forward.


These blokes wouldn't get on my short list of candidates.

Conlon is a NSW District Court judge, not a Federal Court judge. Fowler is the president of the St George-Sutherland Law Society, not the head of the Law Society.

The game is being run free of self-interest and a couple old dinosaurs in Sydney still want to be relevant, Smith is ensuring that the game will out live them.

 

[insert.pause]

Well some people can get fooled some of the time.

In case you forgot, we had a thing called a Super League War back over 15 years ago. Thats right when the Australian Rugby League was running the game and a decade after the NSWRL stopped running the comp.

So don't give me NSWRL twaddle. It was the Sydney clubs that implemented the expansion by bringing in Cronulla and Penrith in 1967, then later Newcaslte and Canberra, followed by Brisbane, after the Super League war, some rationalisation happened and Auckland, North Queensland, Gold Coast and Melbourne were established. So the present format has been in place for nearly twenty years.

There are a thousand Redcliffs. They can't all be given just because they bleat a bit.

No this is not about Sydney clubs, thats just a weak Qld excuse.

I didn't see a code run into the ground, David Gallop and John Quale before him did an OK job. It was Gallop who commenced the negotiations for the TV rights, not Smith.

I don't think the press (and I'm not a fan) have done anything but asked questions of Smith and ARLC and they haven't received adequate answers.

The problem is not glasses being rose coloured, but the lenses, north of the border, being covered in mud and some of that mud is being slung indiscriminately.

There is a huge grass roots uprising against Smith and Grant. They're just incompetent and missing in action when it counts. See my previous post.

Gallop was iced out of broadcast negotiations from the moment the commission were ratified, and for the first time in the NRL era the game achieved market value, funny that.

 

[Through the Lens]

Not sure if you're recalling history too well. The last NSWRL grand final was in 1994. In 1995 ARL took over the game, the same year that the superleague war started. Canberra entered in 1982 with Illawarra. Brisbane, Newcastle, and Gold Coast joined the NSWRL in 1988. 1995, under the ARL saw NQ Cowboys, SQ Crushers, Perth Reds, and Auckland Warriors join the comp. Rationalisation didn't commence until after 1997, as a part of the peace deal to bring the ARL and Superleague comps back together. I don't know if that alters your argument, but its helpful to be factual to make your case stronger. Not sure about your thousand Redcliffe point either, I'd be interested to hear some of them if you're so sure thats the case.

You are pretty well agreeing with me Johnny. It has been twenty years since the NSWRL ran the comp. There was rationalisation after the Super league War. I didn't mention the Crushers nor the rams or the Reds or Mariners, it would just confuse the littlees. Redcliffe, Wyong, Wagga Wagga, Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Central Coast, the list goes on. All teams want a slice of the pie. Putting up some argument about a $12mill grant is fallacious.

The point I'm making is that the game has been run by both Qld and NSW clubs in the form of ARL or the ARLC for over twenty years. There has been great changes. I don't see the so called influence of the old boys club of NSW being relevant any longer, but so what if there is, 11 teams come from NSW, 1 from Canberra, 1 from Victoria and a mere 3 from Queensland. Brisbane can support at least one more team but the Bronkos scream and kick when that is mentioned. So. yes the majority of the clubs, influence and money come from Sydney and NSW. thats not anything but reality. And its only the ones outside the major support base that complain about the Sydney influence.

 

[Through the Lens]

Gallop was iced out of broadcast negotiations from the moment the commission were ratified, and for the first time in the NRL era the game achieved market value, funny that.

Thats true, however most of the leg work has been done. Grant was keen to make his mark quickly and saw Gallop as 1) A threat and 2) A remnant of the News Limited era, and so was, in my opinion, shafted. He's done a great job with the A League in the meantime, hasn't he?

Would he have done a better job than Smith, well no, not with Grant there.
The NRL had been talking about a billion dollar game for at least 5 years before the commission, but couldn't act until the contracts expired.

So no, it's not funny but predictable and expected and exactly what Gallop was working on.

 

[Through the Lens]

Conlon is a NSW District Court judge, not a Federal Court judge. Fowler is the president of the St George-Sutherland Law Society, not the head of the Law Society.

The game is being run free of self-interest and a couple old dinosaurs in Sydney still want to be relevant, Smith is ensuring that the game will out live them.

You are correct Mr Justice Paul Conlon is a Member of the District Court.

Peter Fowler is the head of the Law Society St George and Sutherland Branch. Thank you for my major factual irregularity. I guess then that you agree with my proposition that they are esteemed gentlemen and have embarrassed Smith and shown him up for his incompetency?

Oh, and 11 clubs come from NSW and only 5 from two other states. And of course a minority of only 9 clubs come from Sydney, so why would they want any influence. After all they are paying Smith and Grants substantial wages.

 

[Perth Red]

or maybe they had a difference of opinion and instead of being professional they spat the dummy?

I'd rate the ARLC/Smith development of the game in last 2 years around 6.5/10. Compared to Gallop who barely rated more than 3/10 most years that is a big improvement!

Now just need to sort out national growth, schools and jnr footy development, get serious about Int RL, sort out the stadium and schedule mess in Sydney, get more fans engaged and attending NRL games and support the NZRL better.

 

[El Diablo]

have a drink Phil

 

[Through the Lens]

haha you're such a dribbler.

seems like he's lacking in vision and communication skills here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2n1GoGkbg4

especially compared to gallop and our esteemed PM tone.

Yes I have seen that. A lot a platitudes and feel good stuff, but no real engagement with the fan base. And certainly from what i have heard, no communication internally with NRL staff. Incidentally, NRL staff have quadrupled in twelve months as have staff churn. Its said there is a blame mentality and scapegoats are always sought. A lot of senior figures are unhappy and are looking elsewhere.

So, no communication is not a strong point. Classic example is his deliberate avoidance of NSW Captains series of text messages, voice mail messages and a relayed message from the COO.

A leader steps on the front foot and leads. He should have been on the phone to gallen immediately he heard of the gaff and said, "Paul, what the hell are you up to?" Instead of shufffling off and hiding in a corner for days. That's what leaders do. they speak man to man.

Sorry this bloke is just not up to it.

He has to go.

Tell your friends.

 

[insert.pause]

You are correct Mr Justice Paul Conlon is a Member of the District Court.

Peter Fowler is the head of the Law Society St George and Sutherland Branch. Thank you for my major factual irregularity. I guess then that you agree with my proposition that they are esteemed gentlemen and have embarrassed Smith and shown him up for his incompetency?

Oh, and 11 clubs come from NSW and only 5 from two other states. And of course a minority of only 9 clubs come from Sydney, so why would they want any influence. After all they are paying Smith and Grants substantial wages.

Conlon's reasons for resigning had nothing to do with gallen getting fined, it was an opportunist attempt to embarrass Smith for a completely separate incident that left Conlon with an axe to grind, his resignation was bizarre to say the least and speaks volumes for his sense of self worth and maturity. The judiciary is better off without him as far as I'm concerned.

The ARLC and Smith are responsible for running the game, the clubs are responsible for running themselves, they don't pay Smith's wages anymore than Smith pays their wages. Clubs that embrace the changes will benefit and those more interested in petty squabbling and sabotage will be left behind.

 

[insert.pause]

Yes I have seen that. A lot a platitudes and feel good stuff, but no real engagement with the fan base. And certainly from what i have heard, no communication internally with NRL staff. Incidentally, NRL staff have quadrupled in twelve months as have staff churn. Its said there is a blame mentality and scapegoats are always sought. A lot of senior figures are unhappy and are looking elsewhere.

So, no communication is not a strong point. Classic example is his deliberate avoidance of NSW Captains series of text messages, voice mail messages and a relayed message from the COO.

A leader steps on the front foot and leads. He should have been on the phone to gallen immediately he heard of the gaff and said, "Paul, what the hell are you up to?" Instead of shufffling off and hiding in a corner for days. That's what leaders do. they speak man to man.

Sorry this bloke is just not up to it.

He has to go.

Tell your friends.

As soon as Gallen breached the games code of conduct a clear established process began that made communication by Smith with Gallen legally inadvisable until the process had concluded. Hence, why Smith met with Gallen once the process had concluded.

 

[Through the Lens]

Conlon's reasons for resigning had nothing to do with gallen getting fined, it was an opportunist attempt to embarrass Smith for a completely separate incident that left Conlon with an axe to grind, his resignation was bizarre to say the least and speaks volumes for his sense of self worth and maturity. The judiciary is better off without him as far as I'm concerned.

The ARLC and Smith are responsible for running the game, the clubs are responsible for running themselves, they don't pay Smith's wages anymore than Smith pays their wages. Clubs that embrace the changes will benefit and those more interested in petty squabbling and sabotage will be left behind.

So your the official insider spy. Keeping the plebs inline and spreading disinformation.

How do you know what Conlon's reasons were apart from those contained in his official resignation letter?

Why are you deriding a distinguished and respected member of the judiciary and insinuating that he had an agenda other than protecting the legal intregrity of the NRL?

Are you saying that Justice Conlon has no self worth and is immature?

The judiciary has lost a long serving knowledgeable servant because of Smiths impetuous behaviour.

It appears that Smith and Grant are a long way from being able to run the game. Smith came in filibustering and trying to make great changes to a game he had no idea about. He has no concept of the sport. He has no concept of any sport, he is a Norwegian Blue, a dead parrot.

It takes a special person to be a great sports administrator, Smith is an amateur, Grant's skills are in IT. Hardly suited for the task we expect of our leaders in this game.

Both are inept, both well and truly out of their depth and both have lost the respect of the players, fans and club administrators.

Smiths handling of ASADA, Gallen, domestic violence by players, communicating with media and the people that pay his wages, no not the ARLC, but the fans, is abysmal.

The fans pay for these dopes and we expect some performance. These two have not delivered and no amount of propaganda and spin from you will make not one iota of difference to the message that is known by the league fraternity, they must go.

 

[Through the Lens]

As soon as Gallen breached the games code of conduct a clear established process began that made communication by Smith with Gallen legally inadvisable until the process had concluded. Hence, why Smith met with Gallen once the process had concluded.

You know what? I've been in business at the highest level and know how I would respond to my staff if they let me down.

You don't fall back on protocol with your senior employees. Smith should have had a relationship with Gallen, as NSW captain, Cameron Smith as Qld captain and both as Captain and Vice captain of Australia.
If he didn't, then it just reinforces my position that he is a poor leader. His relationship should be one that he gets on the phone and says whats going on. Instead he shuffles into some back room, with a do not disturb sign, and ignors attempts from his State Captain to make amends , if not apologise. So Smith relies on the paltry excuse of Protocol and process or procedure to both avoid communication with a State Captain and with his COO who wanted to relay the message.

Stop with your apologist antics. Stop with your spin. It won't wash mate.

He has to go because he just does not have what it takes. We demand better than this rubbish.

 

[LineBall]

You know what? I've been in business at the highest level and know how I would respond to my staff if they let me down.

You don't fall back on protocol with your senior employees. Smith should have had a relationship with Gallen, as NSW captain, Cameron Smith as Qld captain and both as Captain and Vice captain of Australia.
If he didn't, then it just reinforces my position that he is a poor leader. His relationship should be one that he gets on the phone and says whats going on. Instead he shuffles into some back room, with a do not disturb sign, and ignors attempts from his State Captain to make amends , if not apologise. So Smith relies on the paltry excuse of Protocol and process or procedure to both avoid communication with a State Captain and with his COO who wanted to relay the message.

Stop with your apologist antics. Stop with your spin. It won't wash mate.

He has to go because he just does not have what it takes. We demand better than this rubbish.

What a load of shit.

 

[insert.pause]

So your the official insider spy. Keeping the plebs inline and spreading disinformation.

How do you know what Conlon's reasons were apart from those contained in his official resignation letter?

Why are you deriding a distinguished and respected member of the judiciary and insinuating that he had an agenda other than protecting the legal intregrity of the NRL?

Are you saying that Justice Conlon has no self worth and is immature?

The judiciary has lost a long serving knowledgeable servant because of Smiths impetuous behaviour.

It appears that Smith and Grant are a long way from being able to run the game. Smith came in filibustering and trying to make great changes to a game he had no idea about. He has no concept of the sport. He has no concept of any sport, he is a Norwegian Blue, a dead parrot.

It takes a special person to be a great sports administrator, Smith is an amateur, Grant's skills are in IT. Hardly suited for the task we expect of our leaders in this game.

Both are inept, both well and truly out of their depth and both have lost the respect of the players, fans and club administrators.

Smiths handling of ASADA, Gallen, domestic violence by players, communicating with media and the people that pay his wages, no not the ARLC, but the fans, is abysmal.

The fans pay for these dopes and we expect some performance. These two have not delivered and no amount of propaganda and spin from you will make not one iota of difference to the message that is known by the league fraternity, they must go.

It is in his resignation letter, the second paragraph, thanks to his complete lack of discretion it is publicly available to scrutinize.

No, I'm not saying Conlon has no self-worth, I am saying he has an elevated self-worth for resigning so publicly in an attempt to embarrass Smith and making himself out to be some sort of martyr over what was clearly an existing axe to grind, it was undignified, unprofessional and transparently opportunistic. It had next to nothing to do with Gallen getting fined.

You obviously don't even know what filibuster means because it makes no sense in that context.

 

[insert.pause]

You know what? I've been in business at the highest level and know how I would respond to my staff if they let me down.

You don't fall back on protocol with your senior employees. Smith should have had a relationship with Gallen, as NSW captain, Cameron Smith as Qld captain and both as Captain and Vice captain of Australia.
If he didn't, then it just reinforces my position that he is a poor leader. His relationship should be one that he gets on the phone and says whats going on. Instead he shuffles into some back room, with a do not disturb sign, and ignors attempts from his State Captain to make amends , if not apologise. So Smith relies on the paltry excuse of Protocol and process or procedure to both avoid communication with a State Captain and with his COO who wanted to relay the message.

Stop with your apologist antics. Stop with your spin. It won't wash mate.

He has to go because he just does not have what it takes. We demand better than this rubbish.

You're a fool!

 

[Jubileeboy]

You're a fool!

This...a bitter Cronulla supporting fool with many axes to grind ?

 

[AlwaysGreen]

You know what? I've been in business at the highest level and know how I would respond to my staff if they let me down.

You don't fall back on protocol with your senior employees. Smith should have had a relationship with Gallen, as NSW captain, Cameron Smith as Qld captain and both as Captain and Vice captain of Australia.
If he didn't, then it just reinforces my position that he is a poor leader. His relationship should be one that he gets on the phone and says whats going on. Instead he shuffles into some back room, with a do not disturb sign, and ignors attempts from his State Captain to make amends , if not apologise. So Smith relies on the paltry excuse of Protocol and process or procedure to both avoid communication with a State Captain and with his COO who wanted to relay the message.

Stop with your apologist antics. Stop with your spin. It won't wash mate.

He has to go because he just does not have what it takes. We demand better than this rubbish.

Who's we? Is there more whining delusional dinosaurs where you came from?

 

[thorson1987]

Who's we? Is there more whining delusional dinosaurs where you came from?

News Ltd

 

[IIFrankoII]

Holy shit! Buzz definitely knows how to hold a grudge. Now resorting to bagging out Smith/Grant to anyone that will listen on forums?

Make sure you stop by the Phil Rothfield thread in the Media Watch forum and introduce yourself to your fans.

 

[Phil McGrawhan]

Thats true, however most of the leg work has been done. Grant was keen to make his mark quickly and saw Gallop as 1) A threat and 2) A remnant of the News Limited era, and so was, in my opinion, shafted. He's done a great job with the A League in the meantime, hasn't he?

Would he have done a better job than Smith, well no, not with Grant there.
The NRL had been talking about a billion dollar game for at least 5 years before the commission, but couldn't act until the contracts expired.

So no, it's not funny but predictable and expected and exactly what Gallop was working on.

Horse shit.
Mr umm ahhhh ummm had been in on prelim negotiations.
The real negotiations started after he was gone .

You are praising DG.
If you aren't Slothfield I will be surprised..