Lauitiiti

[Skinner]

The story has always pretty much been as it's told here as far as I recall, the only bit new to me is about Watson having him escorted off the premises.

Yes, I certainly didn't know that piece.

 

[butchmcdick]

What is Watson up to these days ?

You guys have had some colourful owners

Remember the Tainui tribe

 

[SpaceMonkey]

What is Watson up to these days ?

You guys have had some colourful owners

Remember the Tainui tribe

Mick Watson wasn't an owner, he was just the CEO. Eric Watson was and still is the owner. Tainui were a disaster. If it had been Ngai Tahu things might've been better- but they're too smart to buy football teams in the first place.

 

[Mighty Ape Man]

Letting Ali go would have to be in the Top 5 WTF Warriors moments.

My #1 would be letting Ivan Cleary go (I think he should have been a long time coach for the Warriors)

My reasons? Tony Kemp was sacked as head coach and Ivan took over during the 2005 season.

2006 placed 10th (salary cap breach - deducted 4 competition points)
2007 placed 4th
2008 placed 8th
2009 placed 14th (lost Sonny Fai before start of season - surprised we didn't get the wooden spoon - most disappointing part of that year was Stacy's return in a team that was never going to do well after losing Sonny - Stacy deserved a better finish than what he got)
2010 placed 5th
2011 placed 6th (made the GF against Manly and also the last time we made the Top 8)

Ivan replaced by Bluey: 2012 placed 14th

Bluey replaced by Matt Elliott: 2013 placed 11th

and so on...

Thought we should have held on to him long term. I didn't always agree with a lot of his selections but his record as Warriors coach stands