are we sure andrew webster from australia doesnt have personal problems with the bears? or perth?
this is his 4th article attacking them
he attacked howe, he attacked de ceglie, he attacked mal and now attacking sharpe..
Perth Bears’ David Sharpe under fire after fallout with staff, CEO
Board to discuss Sharpe’s role as GM after clashes with staff, fallout with CEO, and concerns over recruitment and strategy.
Andrew Webster
The tenure of
Perth Bears football boss David Sharpe will be discussed at a board meeting on Friday amid concerns about his performance and a fallout with staff, including chief executive Anthony De Ceglie.
A former Australian Federal Police assistant commissioner and head of Sports Integrity Australia, Sharpe’s appointment in August last year was hailed as a coup for the NRL’s 18th franchise.
He was given the critical role of general manager of football on the insistence of inaugural coach Mal Meninga, who has a longstanding relationship with Sharpe from their playing days at the Canberra Raiders. “I trust him explicitly [sic],” Meninga told SEN Radio at the time.
Since starting in September, however, insiders claim Sharpe has lost the support of Bears staff, who have allegedly become disgruntled with his aggressive style and negativity.
He has also alienated North Sydney, the foundation club with whom Perth was forced to partner as a condition of their entry into the NRL in 2027, it’s alleged.
Adding to the tension is a fallout between Sharpe and De Ceglie, the former Channel 7 news director who was the Bears’ first appointment. Numerous Bears sources have told The Australian that Sharpe has designs on De Ceglie’s job, should it become available.
As reported by The Australian in February, ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys was losing faith in the former Seven news director, although it is understood they are on better terms.
Inaugural coach Mal Meninga backed Sharpe’s appointment, citing a longstanding relationship from their Canberra Raiders days. Picture: Getty Images
The more immediate problem at Perth is Sharpe, who is one of the country’s most decorated police officers but was a curious choice as GM of football for a start-up rugby league club given his lack of experience. He has privately expressed his frustration about the lack of support from the NRL, a complaint that has reached the corridors of power at League Central in Sydney.
It has been made aware of Sharpe’s concerns about the NRL’s other fledgling franchise, the PNG Chiefs, being allowed to offer tax-free contracts to players and staff under a deal hatched between V’landys and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Bears insiders also report that Sharpe has been unhappy with the positive publicity around PNG, who last week appointed Hull Kingston Rovers coach Willie Peters as its inaugural coach.
Their GM of football, former Channel 9 rugby league reporter Michael Chammas, has changed the narrative around the Chiefs by getting on the front foot with the media. Ironically, V’landys sounded out Chammas about taking on the Bears role Sharpe now tenuously holds.
Sharpe’s future will be raised at a scheduled board meeting in Perth on Friday. Directors have told The Australian there is no intention to sack him at this stage, hoping he can soften his approach before it is forced to act.
The ARL, which owns the Perth licence, is aware of the concern around Sharpe but is keeping its distance, saying it wants to give the club autonomy.
Concerns about their football boss could not come at a worse time for the Bears, with an NRL double-header being held at Optus Stadium on Saturday. The club will be selling merchandise and running promotions at the ground throughout the day.
Concerns over Sharpe’s leadership come ahead of the NRL double-header at Optus Stadium this Saturday. Picture: AAP
If Sharpe is moved on, it will be another embarrassing misstep for the franchise less than a year out from their debut season. It will also be a bloodied nose for Meninga, who demanded his appointment.
Meninga was desperate for former Gold Coast recruitment manager Ezra Howe to join him before the NRL denied Howe’s his registration after The Australian revealed he had been planning to gut the Titans rosters following an audit of his work laptop. Soon after, Penrith’s Ben Gardiner was appointed assistant coach – a call in which Meninga had no say.
Despite the internal rumblings, Perth have recruited wisely, refusing to snap up players with inflated contracts, instead focusing on those who will fit into their culture.
Players already secured for 2027 include Tyran Wishart (Melbourne), Nick Meaney (Melbourne), Scott Sorensen (Penrith), Liam Henry (Penrith), Sio Talaki (Cronulla) and Parramatta young gun Sean Russell. On Tuesday, they secured emerging Tigers lock Kit Laulilii.
The club has also been linked to Canterbury five-eighth Matt Burton and South Sydney halfback Jamie Humphreys.
It will this week unveil its new academy with West Australian Premier Roger Cook, a rugby league fan, in attendance. Further, it has secured lucrative commercial deals with Cash Converters and Budget Direct.
Sharpe, De Ceglie, and Bears chairman Ben Morton did not return calls.
www.nrl.com
perthbears.com.au
