Mark O'Neill

[Suitman]

Don’t get me wrong, I think we’ve set the bar pretty f**king low with this appointment, but I think he spent 7 or 8 years at the NRL. Match Review Committee maybe

Well, that's been successful lately.

 

[Eelogical]

 

[Gronk]

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...e/news-story/f9c29804dfdb10016ba3fccc4a9cb28b

Parramatta are set to begin the overhaul of their football department by appointing former Wests Tigers premiership winner Mark O’Neill as their new head of football.

O’Neill is expected to start on November 1, his appointment designed to ease the load on chief executive Bernie Gurr and coach Brad Arthur as the club looks to improve their fortunes after a below-par season.

O’Neill has been out of rugby league since September 2016 in the wake of allegations of misconduct while working as football general manager at the Tigers. He has spent the intervening period working on personal development and completing an MBA. He was appointed after the Eels conducted an extensive process including the use of psychometric testing.

It is understood the Eels received more than 80 applications for the position before that group was whittled down to 16 and then nine.

O’Neill met with Parramatta officials on five occasions before holding talks with the football department. As part of the process, the Eels also spoke to the NRL and officials at his former club the Wests Tigers. All gave him glowing reports, as did respected Melbourne head of football Frank Ponissi.

Parramatta also spoke to NRL chief operating officer Nick Weeks, who was head of the integrity unit when O’Neill parted ways with the Tigers.

His appointment is the first of several the Eels are expected to make following an extensive review into the club’s operations. It is understood that review confirmed Arthur was the man to take the club forward, at the same time revealing he should be given more help in a beefed-up football department.

 

[Eelogical]

But, BA didn't talk to 71 applicants.

 

[Suitman]

Im not sugar coating anything. Im just not joining the lynch mob literally in the first 5 minutes !

Tbh, I agree with you about the lynch mob comment.
But, wouldn't you think that our management would have much more ambition at the moment?
Mark O'Neil may be perfectly qualified. And so might another dozen people with better credentials than he.
Yes, we need to trust the board and CEO who have made this decision.
But geez, this doesn't set the world on fire re ambition for the club becoming a powerhouse.

 

[Eelogical]

Tbh, I agree with you about the lynch mob comment.
But, wouldn't you think that our management would have much more ambition at the moment?
Mark O'Neil may be perfectly qualified. And so might another dozen people with better credentials than he.
Yes, we need to trust the board and CEO who have made this decision.
But geez, this doesn't set the world on fire re ambition for the club becoming a powerhouse.

He's on holidays, too. I hope he's not in Fiji.

 

[Jake the snake]

Don’t know how they came up with the O’Neil choice. He doesn’t exactly have experience running a club. I would’ve def gone after Phill Moss . Anyway Let’s give the bloke a chance before we hang him.

 

[Gronk]

More from NRL.com

https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/09/27...oint-mark-oneill-as-football-general-manager/

The Eels are well aware he was let go by the Wests Tigers in 2016 after an investigation into alleged misconduct while he was general manager.

However, chairman Sean McElduff spent two hours with him before the interview process to determine the values and characteristics of the former Tigers forward and left convinced he had learned from his mistake.

The character references the Eels used to gain an insight into O'Neill include Tigers chairwoman Marina Go and chief executive Justin Pascoe, NRL chief operating officer Nick Weeks, as well as Melbourne Storm football manager Frank Ponissi.

The Eels also spoke with Shane McCurry, a leadership expert who conducted part of the club's review of which the findings will be released next week, as well as having worked with O'Neill during his brief stint as Tigers general manager of football.

O'Neill is on a holiday with family in Fiji, but he met several members of the Eels board on Monday night for dinner and is expected to sign the contract when he returns in the hope of starting in early November.

Under the structure the Eels will implement, Arthur and O'Neill will report to chief executive Bernie Gurr.

O'Neill's first task will be to implement the recommendations of the review which will be outlined next week. He will be across development, pathways recruitment, retention and specialist coaching.

 

[Delboy]

Just feels this appointment needs a really confident statesmen from Mr Gurr detailing why this was the correct decision.

For someone who was headhunted himself with a hefty salary of a reported $600 k, it doesn't appear to have paid off. Really feels a bit uncomfortable criticising as the club starts its rebuild, but this doesn't inspire the sort of confidence and enthusiasm it should.

 

[El Diablo]

including the use of psychometric testing.

for a HoF lol

what a f**king joke this club is

 

[Gronk]

for a HoF lol

what a f**king joke this club is

You’re out of your depth champ.

 

[Eelogical]

Psychometric tests are a standard and scientific method used to measure individuals' mental capabilities and behavioural style. Psychometric tests are designed to measure candidates' suitability for a role based on the required personality characteristics and aptitude (or cognitive abilities).

 

[JokerEel]

Instant death riding as f**king usual, I must say I’m surprised but maybe he at least deserves a go before all of the forum experts write him off

The Club does have form for delivering absolutely nothing in the front office and they also have hired people lacking experience in these roles apart from the current CEO who has been overseas for the past 10+ years so excuse me for writing this move by the club already...

 

[Wizard Sleeve]

All of a sudden a Denis Fitzgerald and Brian smith combination would be a dream come true .

You couldn’t find a bigger nuffie than this guy even if there was a LinkedIn that specialised in nuffies.

 

[Gronk]

The Club does have form for delivering absolutely nothing in the front office and they also have hired people lacking experience in these roles apart from the current CEO who has been overseas for the past 10+ years so excuse me for writing this move by the club already...

Actually mostly it’s been the members fault for voting in idiots over the past decade.

As you were.

 

[El Diablo]

You’re out of your depth champ.

keep on huggin'

 

[ash411]

for a HoF lol

what a f**king joke this club is

No ones forcing you to support them..

If it's such a horrible club, f**k off and support another club.

 

[eels_fan]

Has my support until he does something to lose it. Plenty of brilliant leaders have been looked down upon when appointed and grown in the position.

Knowledgable about football from both the sheds as a player, and in administration. Knowledgable about business/financial management etc from being a senior manager in Woolies head office. Knowledgable about the NRL and probably has good relationships with many in head office from 7 years on the match review committee.

Passed 5 interviews, vetting and shortlisting by an independent recruitment firm, and came out on top in psychological and cognitive testing. You don’t just fluke those things.

Is he the best option in the country - most likely not, but is he the right person for the club - time will tell that but he was clearly the best person based on those that applied.

Give the bloke a chance...

 

[El Diablo]

No ones forcing you to support them..

If it's such a horrible club, f**k off and support another club.

go hug a nut

 

[JokerEel]

Actually mostly it’s been the members fault for voting in idiots over the past decade.

As you were.

Seward ,Osborne, Kearney, Stuart, AFL guy just to name a few..