The Rumours Thread

[Bin Chicken]

Correct. But if we want our football department to grow and flourish across all parts we need to get the GM of football position right. We need to poach one of the big names who have NRL experience. Haran is holding us back

Curious . How is he holding us back ?

 

[denis preston]

Curious . How is he holding us back ?

He has been head of football operations the past 8 years? How have we gone on his watch? At the very least , as the head man , he has to be responsible for our crap performances during his tenure.

 

[Parko1310]

Curious . How is he holding us back ?

He is an incompetent, jobs for the boys hire who may be a good bloke, but not much else. He has no pulling power in the player market, no respect from managers, frankly isn't qualified for such a high position, and therefore leaves the head coach where he is now doing his job for him. It's an embarrassment that our so called GM of football is basically now just sitting on the sidelines at games running the interchange when Flano tells him to make a change. The Storm for example have Frank Ponnissi who is the complete opposite to Haran in all of these respects. Commands plenty of power in the player market because he looks after the players, has good knowledge of football and business and knows how to play the manager game. Every player in the game knows who Ponissi is. I think you'd be kind to say half of the player pool know who Ben Haran is.

Lets not forget the time Haran submitted the wrong team sheet an hour before kick off either. Or the time he re-sgined Lawrie and Ravalawa on big money, long-term deals and then trumpeted about how they were great retentions, clearly showing a severe lack of football and player market nous. Just amateurish bs that has been let slide for so long at the club. If you continue to let it go, you accept it, and that is one reason amongst others that we are where we are. Another example is the Dargon jersey f**k up and putting the wrong date on Nu Brown's jersey as well. Did this go through Haran's hands directly? Who knows, but it definitely went through the football department which he is supposed to be overseeing. He's not cut out for the job in pretty much every facet, and therefore needs to be removed asap.

 

[BLM01]

Curious . How is he holding us back ?

Think about it the title.. but been answered in part below.
What is his experience before except been given modest jobs like media interviews with players, managing players out of football and game day after Albert moved on from that role about 5-8 years ago
Compare his standing in the market place to deal with recruiting, PM's other GM's and the NRL on behalf of the club around football matters and his limited experience there

he has been catapulted into musical chair jobs by default and by being our BOD in the past who have been known for budget appointments in lieu of $$ for the better ones. They wanted people they could still manipulate by not giving full control or power to. Millward, Mary & Price other classic examples

We had Pete Mullholland but let him go for Millward

Bennett did not even use Haran but he got moved around in the background then climbed his way back to the top football department job

Some names elsewhere like Gus, Ponissi, Richardson, Cameron from Penrith go and get the best staff they can
For a powerhouse club to get back into the fight we need someone with the football acumen and nouse
Hook did not get involved with juniors or did not know most of em..the GM should of pushed that
This is not a character assassination as he could be a top bloke..but so am I

It has taken Flanno to come in and shake the tree for changes starting with Timmo and pathways and controlling recruitment along with others but failed there

 

[BLM01]

He is an incompetent, jobs for the boys hire who may be a good bloke, but not much else. He has no pulling power in the player market, no respect from managers, frankly isn't qualified for such a high position, and therefore leaves the head coach where he is now doing his job for him. It's an embarrassment that our so called GM of football is basically now just sitting on the sidelines at games running the interchange when Flano tells him to make a change. The Storm for example have Frank Ponnissi who is the complete opposite to Haran in all of these respects. Commands plenty of power in the player market because he looks after the players, has good knowledge of football and business and knows how to play the manager game. Every player in the game knows who Ponissi is. I think you'd be kind to say half of the player pool know who Ben Haran is.

Lets not forget the time Haran submitted the wrong team sheet an hour before kick off either. Or the time he re-sgined Lawrie and Ravalawa on big money, long-term deals and then trumpeted about how they were great retentions, clearly showing a severe lack of football and player market nous. Just amateurish bs that has been let slide for so long at the club. If you continue to let it go, you accept it, and that is one reason amongst others that we are where we are. Another example is the Dargon jersey f**k up and putting the wrong date on Nu Brown's jersey as well. Did this go through Haran's hands directly? Who knows, but it definitely went through the football department which he is supposed to be overseeing. He's not cut out for the job in pretty much every facet, and therefore needs to be removed asap.

Dont forget BBQ gate, XMAS party no show debacle whilst on holidays, and many other examples. It was clear players did not have any respect for our authority or instructions. Enough said there

 

[maestro1]

He has been head of football operations the past 8 years? How have we gone on his watch? At the very least , as the head man , he has to be responsible for our crap performances during his tenure.

His effing signings and resigning have set us back a decade. The Lawrie and Rava 3 year signings were atrocious decisions. That is just a start. Most of the iceberg isn't seen.

 

[possm]

Curious . How is he holding us back ?

I agree with Parko1110.
For a very long time, Craig Young and Peter Doust believed that they alone had the knowledge and experience in football. It is now time to clean out the soft belly of our upper management (CEO, GM Football, Recruitment Team, and the Assistant coaches). Once this is done, Flanno can spend most of his time coaching players and developing their skills.

 

[Desperate Dragon]

Jayden Sullivan linked to a move to Souths.
Sounds like super coach Bennett has moved on from Bateman to his next West Tigers target.

 

[Smurf]

Also
Rumour
Lodge is no bunny hop any more

 

[BLM01]

Also
Rumour
Lodge is no bunny hop any more

Breathing fire

 

[Smurf]

Breathing fire

Trying to find out
But lips seem sealed

 

[BLM01]

Trying to find out
But lips seem sealed

I have said it for a while. My tomato sauce was as good as your tomato?

 

[Desperate Dragon]

Also
Rumour
Lodge is no bunny hop any more

Read somewhere a little while back that the South's Board knocked on the head any approach to Lodge.

 

[Jubilee]

Read somewhere a little while back that the South's Board knocked on the head any approach to Lodge.

Surely not bcs Lodge would be bad for Souths' culture. Personally, I think Lodge would do well with us under Flanno. His issue was more than seven years ago, is now all settled, had some relationship to an illness, has not been repeated, and he is now just your basic family man, not a whisper against him. He would be good value for money in an area we need.

 

[The Word]

But is he good enough for what we need? Only one spot left remember.

 

[Jubilee]

But is he good enough for what we need? Only one spot left remember.

Right. If Flanno thinks he can get someone better before March 6, then hold off on Lodge, but once the comp starts we will need someone hard in the forwards.

Here is Matt Lodge being interviewed by James Graham earlier this year. They discuss the New York incident around 29:00.

 

[possm]

But is he good enough for what we need? Only one spot left remember.

We have plenty of dollars but only one spot left so, we make a deal with Rava and Lawrie and send them on their way. Magically we have thee spots left. Lodge, Thompson and still one left.

 

[The Word]

We have plenty of dollars but only one spot left so, we make a deal with Rava and Lawrie and send them on their way. Magically we have thee spots left. Lodge, Thompson and still one left.

Unlikely possm. From what I’ve seen so far it’s a point of principle for Flanagan not to pay players to leave. It’s a slippery slope to go down. I’m ok with this strategy.

 

[RedV11]

Looks like Loko Tonga is getting extended