Matt Elliots viewpoint

This message has been deleted by the author.

 

[Edwahu]

Ill try again,

Ithought I would re-post a letter Matthew Elliot wrote to one of the many disgruntled fans, explaining his position on the many issues facing the club. Paeter Chappman (the Raiders media manager) posted it in the e-group. I thought it made for interesting reading and its good to see that Elliot at least has some idea about what our problems are.


Dear .......,
I thank you for your comments, as I recognize the underlying thrust of what
you saying is that you want to see this Club experience success and
complete at the top end of the ladder rather than staving off the Wooden
Spoon.

When you inquire as to the policy being adopted to replace the talent that
has exited the organization over the past 12 months, please allow me to
remind that the names that you mentioned (i.e.; Daley, Furner and Mullins))
were all players who were identified and developed by the Club from a young
age.

Unfortunately, for a multitude reasons the Club has taken its eye off the
ball in the very area that was the major contributor to its success over
the past decade.

So the question still remains, for you and I Russell, what needs to be done
to not only restore this Club to the status it and its supporters deserves
but ensure that we do not revisit this end of the competition.
1. One of the primary reasons I was able to secure the position as Head
Coach was down to my demonstrated ability to develop young talented players
through to being elite performers. I firmly believe that this is our path
to long term success and have already implemented strategy and program to
start this process. If you look at the Clubs like Brisbane and Parramatta
who have adopted this approach, it is a strong testimony to follow this
method.
2. However, like the Club and its supporters I'm not prepared, nor can I
afford to wait 3 to 4 years before the climb back towards the top end
begins. So along with the long term strategy we have to adopt an immediate
approach that delivers results and allows pride in the Club and Team to be
engendered. To do this we DO need to recruit personnel capable of aiming up
consistently at the First Grade Level. At this point the pursuit of these
recruits is not only consuming the bulk of my time it is also proving an
extremely difficult task for several reasons.
Primarily; lack of talented players available, wage demands coupled with
salary cap restrictions, the Raiders performances and Canberra's location
and reputation.
Now just because it's difficult certainly doesn't mean that I'm not
optimistic about securing the services of 2/3 players of the ilk required,
I would however liked to have that side of business resolved so supporters
were in the position to see we are taking a pro-active stance.
3. The final and most important part of this equation is to ensure that
the talent that is already here is maximized through elite preparation
techniques. I can assure you there are absolutely no barriers to
overcome to achieve this. The facilities the Club now has are second to
none in any sporting organization in the country and I believe that I can
provide the leadership and the expertise to have the entire organization
pushing as hard as possible in the direction of success.
Russell, if I were you, I would also be considering the worth in
reinvesting in a Season Ticket. In making your considerations please know
that; 1) Your support for this team and Club is valued by me. 2) I assure
you that while I'm at this Great Club that I will not be satisfied until I
have delivered a Premiership and will work my backside off in pursuit that
cause. 3) When that is achieved you'll be able to say "I was there when
they were struggling and I've seen this team grow and develop into the
force they are now".
The disappointment and confusion we are all experiencing now will
certainly make the taste of our future success very sweet and I look
forward to enjoying it with you.
Matt Elliott
Raiders coach

 

[Edwahu]

The Raiderws media manager is acutally called Peter Chapman.

 

[imported_Roopy4246]

I'm a great believer in teams breeding their own talent and I think Elliot is definately going down the right track.
Local talent will play for slightly less money to stay in their home area, they will often keep playing for very little at the end of their career, as Troy Fletcher is doing now for the knights (he gets nothing unless he plays first grade) and they are far more likely to put something back into the game and the club after their playing days are over. An example of that is Paul Harrogan who just about works fulltime for the Knights for nothing, stating that the Knights and the game have been good to him, so he feels he should give something back.

 

[legend]

Interesting read Ed. I'm not one for being sceptical but what else could he say? A negative response would spread through the fanbase like wildfire. Having said that, I have faith in Elliott and I think he realises he has to splash out on and sign one or two high profile players to show the fans big name players are willing to come to Canberra and beleive in the long term success of the club. Schifcofske was the smartest buy the club has made since Meninga and I beleive the club only needs a couple of quality outside backs to climb out of the doldrums and prove they are a force to be reckoned with in the coming years and Elliott is spot on when he say the club can ill-afford to wait three or four years for the fortunes of the club to turn around. Union will have crushed league in the A.C.T if the Raiders took the long term approach. I think he has something up his sleeve and it was reported the club was interested in Mark O'Meley. He would be a great guy but it's the outside backs that need addressing. I am predicting Robert Miles will come to the club. Then we only need a quality centre and we can look to bolster the ranks next year as we have secured the majority of our players beyond next season. Fingers crossed Ed.