NRL boss David Gallop embroiled in more drama with Storm fans after appearing on Melbourne radio
COMEDIAN and radio host Mick Molloy ambushed David Gallop this morning - playing canned boos to the NRL boss during a radio interview.
And Gallop's cool response on
MMM's Hot Breakfast to the stunt sent his Melbourne critics in to meltdown.
"Hmm. Playing canned boos to David Gallop didn't seem to garner the response we were hoping for. Tried to lighten the mood. Never mind,'' read a post on the show's
Twitter account after the interview.
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE
Caller Greg said: ''Gallop, fantastic, you don't like booing ... you ain't seen nothing yet bucko'', to which the league boss responded that booing was one thing, but the outrageously offensive language he was subjected to was indefensible.
Molloy, co-host with Eddie McGuire and former Western Bulldogs player Luke Darcy, called on Gallop to repeat his apology over the
clumsy analogy involving terrorists and Storm fans - which the league CEO did.
Molloy asked the toughest questions, pushing Gallop on whether he really wanted "sport without passion".
"There's a pretty simple point, passion is very important in sport. But it shouldn't be an excuse for abuse, or an excuse for some pretty heavy language at what is supposed to be a family event," Gallop replied.
Molloy asked what kind of reception he expected to get, given he had stripped the Storm of premierships and points, and said the passion excuse was a joke.
"When you come down so hard on players and read the riot act, don't you think that the game deserves better from their CEO,'' Molloy asked.
Gallop straight-batted: "Some tough decisions were made down there and they were the right decisions for the game. The great thing is that the club continued to focus ... and they're pretty well ready to take the premiership in 2011 with a different playing roster," Gallop said, adding he would attend tomorrow's Storm match against the Warriors.
"It would have been easy for them to kick cans along the street, particularly last year when they weren't playing for points.
"Hopefully tomorrow will be about what a big game it is for the Storm, the Warriors are a pretty formidable opponent for them. Hopefully we just focus on the footy.
"I wish Melbourne supporters all the best of luck this weekend."
One caller Nathan said he supported Gallop and the penalty for the unprecedented salary cap rorting.
"Melbourne fans need to understand that they did cheat and they did win games they probably shouldn't have,'' he said.
Booing Gallop when he visited the Storm's homeground to present the JJ Giltinan Shield wasn't enough, yesterday feral fans turned to
Twitter to lambast the league's top executive, here is a selection:
- @lachie87 said: "Mick asking the hard questions. Who'd have thunk it?.
- Aastroboy732 said: "it has nothing 2 do with the penalties. It's Gallops attitude 2wards @MelbStormRLC we have a problem with #purplepride".
- @_RinaM_ said: "Well said Darc and Mick...was David Gallop apologizing just then..pathetic attempt...#Gallophatesmelbourne"
- @wemb said: "it's a pity Gallops expectations of Storm supporters doesn't extend to NRL players in general."
