I Bleed Green
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Fans call for Elliott's head
Doug MacDougall
Tuesday, 28 March 2006
Canberra Raiders coach Matt Elliott is under fire from club supporters in the wake of the worst on-field two-week period in the Raiders' 25-year history.
Members of various Raiders supporters groups called for Elliott's head yesterday after the club conceded 126 points in its past two games.
But the coach refused to weigh in on debate about his future yesterday after fans called on the club to appoint a caretaker coach for the rest of the season. Elliott will leave Canberra at the end of the season to lead Penrith.
When asked of how he would respond to such a call, Elliott's answer was blunt.
"I don't," Elliott said.
But the embattled coach didn't blame the supporters for their anger.
"The fans are going to make their assessment based on what they see, and any criticism that I get and the team gets over the last two weeks is more than well deserved," Elliott said.
"We need to not only cop that on the chin but understand that it's justifiable.
"What we've done as a group in the last two weeks wasn't good enough and I have no doubt we're testing the fans loyalty.
"What we need to make sure of is we reward their loyalty by giving them the type of effort and performance that fans of this club deserve."
Paul Henson and Simon Rohan are founding members of the decade-old 'Raiders Army' supporters group.
Henson, 25, urged the club to dump Elliott as coach after the Sydney Roosters thrashed the Raiders 56-20 on Sunday.
That same suggestion was echoed online, as Raiders fans vented their anger at Elliott on web-based bulletin boards. Henson suggested the club appoint assistant coach Wayne Collins or Premier League coach David Furner in Elliott's place.
"We're getting embarrassed," he said.
"It's a pretty proud club and to be subjected to this is pretty ordinary.
"I think there's a lot going on at the club and perhaps it's time to move on and look at putting David Furner or Wayne Collins in as caretaker coach.
"They need to change something up, and perhaps that would be a good thing to put those guys in charge until they find the new coach."
Furner laughed off the suggestion he take over until the start of the 2007 season.
"I wouldn't contemplate anything like that," Furner said.
"I can understand the fans are disappointed but the players and the coaching staff, we're bitterly disappointed.
"We're facing adversity right now but the worst thing you could do is hit the panic button and punt someone. We're all in this together and Matt's got my full support."
Henson believed the club was losing supporters to rival football codes after an unacceptable start to the 2006 season.
Raiders Army supporters are quickly recognisable at every home game and most away games, dressed in bright green and holding oversized banners.
But Henson said even the most loyal supporters were disillusioned at the team's performances.
"Basically we feel there's a lot of pride in that green jumper and it's not being put on the field - we don't expect them to win the grand final every year but we expect them to leave everything on the field, and we don't think that's happening," Henson said.
Rohan, 26, said the supporter group would always be behind the team regardless of the season results. But he agreed it was time for Elliott to step aside.
"My honest opinion is I think its time for fresh blood," Rohan said.
http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=sport&subclass=local&story_id=468912&category=General%20Sport&m=3&y=2006
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Well done guys. It's good to see someone doing something about it and getting the awareness up.
Doug MacDougall
Tuesday, 28 March 2006
Canberra Raiders coach Matt Elliott is under fire from club supporters in the wake of the worst on-field two-week period in the Raiders' 25-year history.
Members of various Raiders supporters groups called for Elliott's head yesterday after the club conceded 126 points in its past two games.
But the coach refused to weigh in on debate about his future yesterday after fans called on the club to appoint a caretaker coach for the rest of the season. Elliott will leave Canberra at the end of the season to lead Penrith.
When asked of how he would respond to such a call, Elliott's answer was blunt.
"I don't," Elliott said.
But the embattled coach didn't blame the supporters for their anger.
"The fans are going to make their assessment based on what they see, and any criticism that I get and the team gets over the last two weeks is more than well deserved," Elliott said.
"We need to not only cop that on the chin but understand that it's justifiable.
"What we've done as a group in the last two weeks wasn't good enough and I have no doubt we're testing the fans loyalty.
"What we need to make sure of is we reward their loyalty by giving them the type of effort and performance that fans of this club deserve."
Paul Henson and Simon Rohan are founding members of the decade-old 'Raiders Army' supporters group.
Henson, 25, urged the club to dump Elliott as coach after the Sydney Roosters thrashed the Raiders 56-20 on Sunday.
That same suggestion was echoed online, as Raiders fans vented their anger at Elliott on web-based bulletin boards. Henson suggested the club appoint assistant coach Wayne Collins or Premier League coach David Furner in Elliott's place.
"We're getting embarrassed," he said.
"It's a pretty proud club and to be subjected to this is pretty ordinary.
"I think there's a lot going on at the club and perhaps it's time to move on and look at putting David Furner or Wayne Collins in as caretaker coach.
"They need to change something up, and perhaps that would be a good thing to put those guys in charge until they find the new coach."
Furner laughed off the suggestion he take over until the start of the 2007 season.
"I wouldn't contemplate anything like that," Furner said.
"I can understand the fans are disappointed but the players and the coaching staff, we're bitterly disappointed.
"We're facing adversity right now but the worst thing you could do is hit the panic button and punt someone. We're all in this together and Matt's got my full support."
Henson believed the club was losing supporters to rival football codes after an unacceptable start to the 2006 season.
Raiders Army supporters are quickly recognisable at every home game and most away games, dressed in bright green and holding oversized banners.
But Henson said even the most loyal supporters were disillusioned at the team's performances.
"Basically we feel there's a lot of pride in that green jumper and it's not being put on the field - we don't expect them to win the grand final every year but we expect them to leave everything on the field, and we don't think that's happening," Henson said.
Rohan, 26, said the supporter group would always be behind the team regardless of the season results. But he agreed it was time for Elliott to step aside.
"My honest opinion is I think its time for fresh blood," Rohan said.
http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=sport&subclass=local&story_id=468912&category=General%20Sport&m=3&y=2006
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Well done guys. It's good to see someone doing something about it and getting the awareness up.
