I believe that you are close to the true circumstances with your assessment of the situation Wolfgang.
The man may had been ‘ shackled ‘ to an extent as to just what he could and could not do .
So if we go back to see when we had the best years these past two and almost a half decades ago we know that it was in 2009-2011 when we had Bennett and the guy to get him was Doust who only wanted him for 3 years. Doust was the CEO at that time and somehow I sense that because of his long standing at the club and with his father also involved over many years at the club, Doust had possibly all the say on league matters for the Joint Venture Club. I think the Board at that time, whoever were the Directors then, just let Doust run his own race.
I can recall Doust standing in front of a camera and talking about issues involving the Dragons many times while guys like Brian Johnston and Ryan Webb hardly ever.
Doust in a way had more control but his decision to only sign Bennett for 3 years was a monumental mistake as far as I am concerned for reasons we all know. Why didn't he sign Bennett for 5 years which is what Bennett wanted? Surely he would have wanted success to continue infinitum for the Dragons and having Bennett as head coach for two more years would have brought about more success I am certain of that. I am still puzzled why FDoust only wanted him for 3 years. I don't think Doust gave any reason, maybe he did but I cannot recall that.
Maybe at the beginning, Doust had some reservations and just wanted to be safe rather than sorry if things didn't pan out too well under Bennett. Just like we shudder when we sign a player longer than what we deem necessary just in case his form drops badly and we have him for a couple of years too long (Lawrie for example). But, in saying that, after we won the minor premiership in 2009, maybe Doust should have extended Bennett with the additional 2 years.
So that didn't happen as we know and the decline of the Dragons followed and continued for what seems an eternity. Doust was still the CEO when Price was the new head coach and Doust kept him on even though the reults were appalling. At that point, why didn't Doust give Price the bullet as surely he would have wanted success to continue?
We know how the story lingers on and on and now that Ryan Webb will be gone, will Doust take the position again particularly if those that they have been head hunting decline and they are left with also rans to fill the CEO position?
Am I clutching at anything here or am I losing a grip on my fortune telling?