Edition 1 - StateSUN 11 SEP 2005, Page 051
I am absolutely filthy about the lack of respect - * CEO Malcolm Noad slams his players - BULLDOGS MAD MONDAY DISGRACE
By PETER BADEL
A DRUNKEN Mad Monday incident in the football club offices has a furious Bulldogs boss Malcolm Noad declaring there will
be a major overhaul of disciplinary procedures.
Players upturned office equipment and there were allegations some urinated on desks -- which was denied by Noad -- as the end-of-season bonding session got out of control. A gift to Noad from his daughter was also damaged.
Noad warned that a tough new disciplinary regime would be introduced at Belmore next season amid allegations players also made abusive phone calls. Noad said their actions showed no respect to office staff who support the club and in turn the players.
Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph, Noad confirmed he called a crisis meeting of the squad last Wednesday.
It came 48 hours after a dozen players were allowed into the football office by assistant coach Kevin Moore at around 6am on Monday.
The Sunday Telegraph understands that Sonny Bill Williams, Roy Asotasi and Reni Maitua were the chief protagonists.
When staff walked in the next morning, they thought the office had been robbed.
The Bulldogs boss said that while the damage was not excessive, he was angered by the lack of respect shown by players.
``Essentially it was a practical joke which I've taken extreme offence to because I don't think it shows the appropriate respect for the office staff that support them 24 hours a day,'' Noad said. ``There was no urination, no atrocities, there were no breakages. Still, I am filthy about the incident because of the lack of respect they showed for the staff.
``We're talking two or three guys by the way. They would have thought in the early hours of the morning it was a practical joke.
``They have put a whole lot of paperwork on the table, they've got masking tape and strapped papers to tables, they've taken stuff out of draws, they tied chairs to tables. That's the extent of it, but I took exception to it because that's the working environment of people who support the club.
``I am absolutely filthy about it and I did unload on the players. I talked to them about respect, and the lack of it for people who support them.''
Noad said he would not sack players but warned of a more ruthless regime in 2006.
``I wouldn't sack the players but what will come out of this is an expectation of everyone, from administration to the coaching staff and players, that there will be a far higher regime of discipline in the club next year,'' he said.
``I'm not just talking about discipline for how they conduct themselves in the work environment. I'm talking about discipline towards training, towards the game, all the aspects of the football club.
``I'm not saying the place is undisciplined or the players are terribly undisciplined, but our discipline has slipped.''
Kevin Moore, who had a key to the club and let the players in, defended his decision last night.
``The plan was to keep the guys together and away from the public,'' Moore said, ``The last thing we wanted was another big drama.''
THE REACTION
GEORGE PEPONIS:
"To be honest the whole thing pisses me off. There won't be too many more warnings - the club simply can't and will not tolerate this behaviour. I'm not concerned about the culture of the club but I am concerned about the attitude of certain individuals."
STEVE MORTIMER:
"It's not my role to care anymore. I care about the club but it's up to the current management to address what's going on.
There were some great opportunities to get things right, but they are gone."
GRAEME HUGHES:
"There is some hard work to be done at the club and the only bloke who call pull the place together again is Steve Folkes (coach). I know his character and inner-strength and he is the answer. There is trouble there. I fear for the history and tradition of the Bulldogs unless Folkes does more than just coach the team."
