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http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...s/news-story/ff0807f553ba553f62a446df612d54bf
NRL on the nose with Eels fans
The NRL has been warned that their support could scupper the hopes of any group looking to take control of Parramatta. In finalising sanctions against the club for salary cap breaches, NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said he would look to work with one of the three groups attempting to unseat the board at an extraordinary general meeting next month.
However, there are genuine fears the club’s supporters could take out their frustration on the game’s governing body and Greenberg in particular by voting against any NRL-backed group.
At least two of the groups have already reached out to Greenberg and the NRL as they look to garner the game’s backing. The third, led by long-time supporter, Andrew Eagleston, is expected to do the same tomorrow.
The fear is that Eels supporters are so disenfranchised by the NRL’s decision — and more particularly Greenberg because of his former job at Canterbury and his relationship with ex-Parramatta chief executive Scott Seward — that they may deliberately vote against any group with the game’s backing when the extraordinary general meeting is held late next month.
“To be frank, the NRL is a bit on the nose with the membership — not necessarily the NRL, but Greenberg in terms of where he has come from and also his association with Seward,” one source close to the groups told The Australian. “There is not many people who trust him at Parramatta. It’s almost as if the NRL endorses a process, or faction, or candidate, it might be a kiss of death with a lot of the members.
“We’re hoping they can all see through that. I think they will in the end. I think it is at a point where everyone can see it is now or never.”
Chris Losco, who has proposed a merit-based board of high-profile members, reached out to Greenberg over the weekend as he looks to forge an alliance with the game. “I would absolutely be looking for the NRL to support our process,” Losco said. “And if they don’t support us I would be questioning whether we go ahead. We need support not just from the members but the game. That’s the only way forward here. ’’
It is understood lawyer Brendon Noney, who now has the backing of former Macquarie Bank boss Bill Moss, has also made contact with the NRL.
Moss was backing a group led by Eagleston but confirmed to The Australian yesterday that he had switched because he believed Noney presented a better way forward for the club.
It is understood Noney has spoken to the NRL and outlined his plans, which would include Moss as part of an advisory group, which would be formed to advise the new directors.
“Right at the start I said I would help Brendon Noney,” Moss said.
“We then went around and met everyone. For a while Andrew wanted to work with Brendon. Basically what happened there was when we got into it and did a whole lot of due diligence, Brendon and I decided that was not the way to go.
“Brendon is a very, very smart guy. He is very well connected; he is articulate; he is smart and he understands the breadth of the problem. He understands all the issues that are going to need to be addressed going in. It’s a big issue this. This is about putting the right structures in.”
As part of their response to the NRL allegations, the Eels focused on the relationship between Greenberg and Seward, requesting the NRL chief executive excuse himself from making a decision on the club’s future.
Greenberg ultimately decided to ignore that request as he fined the club $1 million and docked them 12 premiership points. The Eels are set to reiterate their issues with Greenberg and Seward when they appeal the decision.
NRL on the nose with Eels fans
- The Australian
- 12:00AM July 11, 2016
- Brent Read
The NRL has been warned that their support could scupper the hopes of any group looking to take control of Parramatta. In finalising sanctions against the club for salary cap breaches, NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said he would look to work with one of the three groups attempting to unseat the board at an extraordinary general meeting next month.
However, there are genuine fears the club’s supporters could take out their frustration on the game’s governing body and Greenberg in particular by voting against any NRL-backed group.
At least two of the groups have already reached out to Greenberg and the NRL as they look to garner the game’s backing. The third, led by long-time supporter, Andrew Eagleston, is expected to do the same tomorrow.
The fear is that Eels supporters are so disenfranchised by the NRL’s decision — and more particularly Greenberg because of his former job at Canterbury and his relationship with ex-Parramatta chief executive Scott Seward — that they may deliberately vote against any group with the game’s backing when the extraordinary general meeting is held late next month.
“To be frank, the NRL is a bit on the nose with the membership — not necessarily the NRL, but Greenberg in terms of where he has come from and also his association with Seward,” one source close to the groups told The Australian. “There is not many people who trust him at Parramatta. It’s almost as if the NRL endorses a process, or faction, or candidate, it might be a kiss of death with a lot of the members.
“We’re hoping they can all see through that. I think they will in the end. I think it is at a point where everyone can see it is now or never.”
Chris Losco, who has proposed a merit-based board of high-profile members, reached out to Greenberg over the weekend as he looks to forge an alliance with the game. “I would absolutely be looking for the NRL to support our process,” Losco said. “And if they don’t support us I would be questioning whether we go ahead. We need support not just from the members but the game. That’s the only way forward here. ’’
It is understood lawyer Brendon Noney, who now has the backing of former Macquarie Bank boss Bill Moss, has also made contact with the NRL.
Moss was backing a group led by Eagleston but confirmed to The Australian yesterday that he had switched because he believed Noney presented a better way forward for the club.
It is understood Noney has spoken to the NRL and outlined his plans, which would include Moss as part of an advisory group, which would be formed to advise the new directors.
“Right at the start I said I would help Brendon Noney,” Moss said.
“We then went around and met everyone. For a while Andrew wanted to work with Brendon. Basically what happened there was when we got into it and did a whole lot of due diligence, Brendon and I decided that was not the way to go.
“Brendon is a very, very smart guy. He is very well connected; he is articulate; he is smart and he understands the breadth of the problem. He understands all the issues that are going to need to be addressed going in. It’s a big issue this. This is about putting the right structures in.”
As part of their response to the NRL allegations, the Eels focused on the relationship between Greenberg and Seward, requesting the NRL chief executive excuse himself from making a decision on the club’s future.
Greenberg ultimately decided to ignore that request as he fined the club $1 million and docked them 12 premiership points. The Eels are set to reiterate their issues with Greenberg and Seward when they appeal the decision.
