March 27, 2016
Danny Weidler
This column first questioned the track record of Scott Seward when he left the Bulldogs and joined Parramatta.
We told you how when he was merchandising manager at the Bulldogs there had been $90,000 worth of Bulldogs merchandise that was not properly accounted for. The Nike gear was not in stock and it was not in sales. There was never a question of any criminal activity on his behalf, it was just stock that disappeared under his watch. It turns out a very high-ranking official at the club had questions to answer on that matter.
Then there was Seward's decision to employ his mother, Robin. And his sister Kelly. And his two cousins. And even more bizarre was the way his colleagues said he would deal with the takings from game-day merchandise sales. If there was a crowd of 40,000, the cash sales could be as high as $40,000. The conventional manner of handling that would be to take the cash and place it in the safe at Canterbury Leagues Club and count it on the first weekday after the game. But he apparently had the habit of taking it home and putting it under his bed for safe keeping.
Now his role in the Eel's current cap and third-party sponsor woes will be put under the microscope. The news that the investigation into Parramatta officials would include a forensic examination of computers was supposed to send shivers down the spine of the Parramatta directors. Instead they are overjoyed, because it will include an investigation of former employees, including Seward.
You'll remember that Seward was the chief executive who did a great job in signing Kieran Foran – but he included a clause that allowed him to leave the club and be paid close to a million dollars if there was any "drama" at the club. To say that there is angst surrounding Seward is an understatement.