Troubleshooter Greenberg saved the Bulldogs, now for the NRL
by: Stuart Honeysett
From: The Australian
July 27, 2013 12:00AM
TODD Greenberg doesn't necessarily agree the NRL is in trouble but his reputation as a troubleshooter is certain to come in handy when he starts his role as the new head of football on Thursday.
When the highly respected sports administrator took on the top job at Canterbury in 2008, the Bulldogs were damaged goods. Things were so bad that children's cancer charity Camp Quality wanted nothing to do with them. Greenberg spent the next five years working hard to turn that and several other things around.
The NRL might not be in as dire straits as the Bulldogs were in 2008 -- the club ran last that year, Sonny Bill Williams walked out and coach Steve Folkes moved on at the end of the season -- but the game is going through a flat spot.
Television ratings are sliding. Fans aren't turning up like they used to. The referees are in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. The salary cap, particularly the second tier model, remains an issue, as does State of Origin scheduling. Crackdowns on fighting and shoulder charges are being condemned as knee-jerk reactions made by a governing body which is out of touch.
Greenberg is meant to change all that. It is hoped he can build a bridge between head office and clubland. In Todd we trust.
"The game always has its ups and downs, whether it's video referees' decisions or match scheduling or crowds, but my take on it is that rugby league is in great shape and we've got some huge opportunities in front of us," Greenberg told The Weekend Australian.
"I think the product is absolutely wonderful and we're heading in the right direction there."
Greenberg officially completed his duties as Bulldogs chief executive at last night's match against Parramatta at ANZ Stadium and will move into Rugby League Central to take on the role as the right-hand man of NRL chief executive Dave Smith on August 1. He was reluctant to delve into any issues until he gets his feet under the desk but was happy to share his thoughts on some of the game's issues with The Weekend Australian.
On poor TV ratings and crowds this season: "You've got to wait and let the season run its course because there's a huge number of blockbuster games that have yet to be played. This is the first time we've run under the fixed draw model under the broadcast deal and the research from fans and members is they wanted to know when their team was playing. It might not be perfect but I think we're working to the right model."
On State of Origin scheduling following complaints it should be a stand-alone fixture: "Everyone has lots of opinions can outline the difficulties but no one can outline a bulletproof solution.
"When you take your best 34 players out to play in a different game of course it's going to have an impact on the competition. But State of Origin is a showpiece event for the game in the middle part of the season and every other sport in the country sits awake at night trying to think how they can have their own State of Origin.
"We have it so we've got to embrace that but we've also got to try and keep the balance of our competition."
On referees: "We're naive to think we're not going to get mistakes from time to time.
"I really like what they've done this year of giving more power to on-field match officials and allowing them to make decisions. That has resonated with the fans, the players and the coaches I talk to."
On using players under the second tier cap: "I know (NRL chief operating officer) Jim Doyle is in the middle of doing a review on this and in his words the salary cap will evolve and it probably needs to modernise.
"The salary cap is one of our great strengths but that doesn't mean we can't look at it to make it better."
On calls to overturn the shoulder charge ban: "Let's stop debating the merits and let's accept the decisions that have been made."
On Israel Folau -- who looks likely to stay with the Waratahs -- and a proposal to make rugby union players salary cap exempt: "We've got to try and find ways to ensure we get the very best athletes playing the game.
"I would love nothing more than to see Israel Folau playing rugby league next year but athletes have got to make commercial decisions because the life spans of their careers are very short."
Greenberg leaves the Bulldogs in good shape. The club posted a $1 million loss when he took charge in 2008 but is on track this year to record a small profit for the first time ever during his reign (not including the leagues club grant).
The Canterbury boss said he was confident his successor, former New Zealand netball chief executive Raelene Castle would capitalise on the next phase of growth for the club -- making it sustainable off its own steam in the next five years.
He said: "Raelene will come in now to take it to that next level, and continue to grow the revenue and the club, and that includes on-field performance as well. That's one of the things that attracted her to the role: to continue the Bulldogs' evolution."
The only issue that remains unresolved is whether Dally M medallist Ben Barba will still be part of the landscape at Belmore.
Barba has battled personal demons this season which has left his relationship with his partner Ainslie Currie in a precarious state. She could return home to Brisbane at any moment and Barba could follow. The Broncos are already circling for his signature.
"I'd like to see Ben become a one-club player with the Bulldogs," Greenberg said.
"The Bulldogs have been very cognisant of family and of the sort of issues that players face but we'll deal with that if and when the time comes.
