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What are you proposing? Delete the thread, lock it?
But nay doesn’t rhyme with close like no’s does
So this author doesn't think the fan response had any influence.The three reasons the Dragons aborted the signing of Folau
Andrew Webster
Chief Sports Writer
There are three reasons why the St George Illawarra board was spooked about pursuing Israel Folau. The really frightening part is it didn’t see them coming.
First, the board sensed an ugly, protracted war with the NRL, which never really had an appetite for bringing back the controversial code-hopping 31-year-old despite head office’s public comments about “due process” and “natural justice”.
It has been suggested to this column the NRL wanted the Dragons to indemnify the game against any potential sponsorship losses if Folau did return, although both the NRL and club deny this.
But the Dragons certainly believed the NRL was throwing up enough prohibitive obstacles to ensure the path to signing Folau was long and costly.
It is understood the NRL wanted to see copies of Folau’s contracts with Rugby Australia and Catalans, as well as relevant reports from human resources. The Dragons felt they were being buried in paperwork.
Just how far were they prepared to go? The past two years of backing Jack de Belin has been tough enough. Would they now do the same for Folau, who wasn’t even on their books?
Israel Folau wanted to return to the NRL via the Dragons.CREDIT:GETTY IMAGES
The second reason was pride, which some at the embattled joint venture still have, thankfully.
They baulked when they realised Folau’s manager, Wayne Beavis, who also represents coach Anthony Griffin, had first shopped Folau to the Broncos and Titans.
That makes sense: Folau returned to Australia just before Christmas because his mother-in-law, who lives in Brisbane, has fallen ill.
But some at the Dragons are old enough to remember a time when their club would never allow itself to be third cab off the rank, especially for a player who left the Wallabies high and dry on the eve of the World Cup.
The third reason came down to football, which was once a critical factor in signing a footballer.
When some of the experienced football people at the Dragons saw vision of Folau playing in the Super League for Catalans, they were dismayed.
Sure, Folau still moves like the wind, but defensively he looked out of place playing rugby league for the first time in a decade. The coaches at Catalans were concerned about his inclination to tackle low, a hangover from his time in rugby union.
The Dragons board weeks ago green-lighted the pursuit of Folau but, at an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday night, shelved the idea a day after the Herald broke the story about the negotiations.
What did it honestly expect? For it to be all rainbows and unicorns as the most divisive figure in Australian sport quietly slipped into a Red V jumper and popped up on the team sheet?
Chief executive Ryan Webb seems like a good operator, but he’s inexperienced in rugby league matters and allowed the coach to take the running on Folau, although Griffin was ultimately over-ruled by the board. Perhaps the coach was trying to make a point about something in pursuing Folau.
At the very least, the events of this week stirred up the same old tired debate about why Folau should be allowed to play in the NRL.
This next line will be unpopular but I believe there’s a place for Folau in the game. Nobody deserves a red line through their name forever.
But it can only happen after he shows some genuine understanding of how damaging his views about homosexuality can be. Social media clauses and verbal promises are not enough.
But it’s not being inclusive if you stop him from playing!
“Inclusiveness” does not include letting people into the tent who want to exclude others. Or, in Folau’s case, saying they will burn in hell for something they do not have a choice over. By that reckoning, the game must allow Nazi sympathisers and card-carrying members of the KKK into its competition all in the name of “inclusiveness”.
But we let people with criminal records waltz back into the game!
Players like Matt Lodge spent three years on the sidelines, or in lower grades, as well as undergoing psychological analysis and courses and what not. It might be box-ticking, sure, but he didn’t just walk back into the NRL as the Dragons had hoped with Folau.
Revelations about the Dragons’ interest in Folau predictably sparked interest from other clubs wanting to sign him.
The NRL won’t say it publicly but it hopes the events of this week mean they, too, will quietly drop off.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/th...ted-the-signing-of-folau-20210204-p56ziz.html
Am I to believe what Andrew Webster has to say on this matter. Frankly I don't like the guy.The three reasons the Dragons aborted the signing of Folau
Andrew Webster
Chief Sports Writer
There are three reasons why the St George Illawarra board was spooked about pursuing Israel Folau. The really frightening part is it didn’t see them coming.
First, the board sensed an ugly, protracted war with the NRL, which never really had an appetite for bringing back the controversial code-hopping 31-year-old despite head office’s public comments about “due process” and “natural justice”.
It has been suggested to this column the NRL wanted the Dragons to indemnify the game against any potential sponsorship losses if Folau did return, although both the NRL and club deny this.
But the Dragons certainly believed the NRL was throwing up enough prohibitive obstacles to ensure the path to signing Folau was long and costly.
It is understood the NRL wanted to see copies of Folau’s contracts with Rugby Australia and Catalans, as well as relevant reports from human resources. The Dragons felt they were being buried in paperwork.
Just how far were they prepared to go? The past two years of backing Jack de Belin has been tough enough. Would they now do the same for Folau, who wasn’t even on their books?
Israel Folau wanted to return to the NRL via the Dragons.CREDIT:GETTY IMAGES
The second reason was pride, which some at the embattled joint venture still have, thankfully.
They baulked when they realised Folau’s manager, Wayne Beavis, who also represents coach Anthony Griffin, had first shopped Folau to the Broncos and Titans.
That makes sense: Folau returned to Australia just before Christmas because his mother-in-law, who lives in Brisbane, has fallen ill.
But some at the Dragons are old enough to remember a time when their club would never allow itself to be third cab off the rank, especially for a player who left the Wallabies high and dry on the eve of the World Cup.
The third reason came down to football, which was once a critical factor in signing a footballer.
When some of the experienced football people at the Dragons saw vision of Folau playing in the Super League for Catalans, they were dismayed.
Sure, Folau still moves like the wind, but defensively he looked out of place playing rugby league for the first time in a decade. The coaches at Catalans were concerned about his inclination to tackle low, a hangover from his time in rugby union.
The Dragons board weeks ago green-lighted the pursuit of Folau but, at an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday night, shelved the idea a day after the Herald broke the story about the negotiations.
What did it honestly expect? For it to be all rainbows and unicorns as the most divisive figure in Australian sport quietly slipped into a Red V jumper and popped up on the team sheet?
Chief executive Ryan Webb seems like a good operator, but he’s inexperienced in rugby league matters and allowed the coach to take the running on Folau, although Griffin was ultimately over-ruled by the board. Perhaps the coach was trying to make a point about something in pursuing Folau.
At the very least, the events of this week stirred up the same old tired debate about why Folau should be allowed to play in the NRL.
This next line will be unpopular but I believe there’s a place for Folau in the game. Nobody deserves a red line through their name forever.
But it can only happen after he shows some genuine understanding of how damaging his views about homosexuality can be. Social media clauses and verbal promises are not enough.
But it’s not being inclusive if you stop him from playing!
“Inclusiveness” does not include letting people into the tent who want to exclude others. Or, in Folau’s case, saying they will burn in hell for something they do not have a choice over. By that reckoning, the game must allow Nazi sympathisers and card-carrying members of the KKK into its competition all in the name of “inclusiveness”.
But we let people with criminal records waltz back into the game!
Players like Matt Lodge spent three years on the sidelines, or in lower grades, as well as undergoing psychological analysis and courses and what not. It might be box-ticking, sure, but he didn’t just walk back into the NRL as the Dragons had hoped with Folau.
Revelations about the Dragons’ interest in Folau predictably sparked interest from other clubs wanting to sign him.
The NRL won’t say it publicly but it hopes the events of this week mean they, too, will quietly drop off.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/th...ted-the-signing-of-folau-20210204-p56ziz.html
I wasn’t the only one but carry on chatting.
I will. Thanks for the green light.
You know shit's getting real when Gareth67 starts telling people to f@#k off...i nearly fell off the chair when i read that...my first thought was he must have been hacked or something...
I’m chilled as Willow. Good people on here have been getting a little crazy over the last 48 hours but hey that’s just my opinion. Cheers
You know shit's getting real when Gareth67 starts telling people to f@#k off...i nearly fell off the chair when i read that...my first thought was he must have been hacked or something...
I guess that's what a divisive topic like this can do...it turns the most respectful and pleasant forum member into blood thirsty commoners like the rest of us...
I wouldn't be surprised to see him pop up in the swamp soon....
Just kidding Gareth
Crazy talk is welcomed too.
There was a time when the Club had an uneasy affiliation with the fans. It was sometimes a strained relationship, but at least we were on talking terms.
I guess that's a no from you.
