sure, but then he'd turn around and say, well we didn't think it was an issue 2 or 3 years ago.
Well that is the point, they don't know much at all, except more machines more machines more machines, I said bloody hell, more machines!!! What we can't have more machines and the taxes are going up on the ones we have, oh no what the hell, wait a minute let me get my head out of the sand. Ah that's a little better, well what do we do now? Anyone, anyone?
just remember last election was 2 years ago and not many punters knew what impact the pokie tax and smoking laws would have on the club.
Ditto, Planning for the inevitable downturn which all businesses experience should of been part of the overall management culture. Not squandering millions on ill fated ventures that were not part of the core business ideals of our club, and at the same time alienating their most prized asset, US.
To their defense I only have one comment. That they are not the only boofheads that followed down this blind path. There have been numerous administrators that have made similar errors of judgement, albeit not as spectacularly obvious as ours in light of the resources and wealth that our club once had.
As we all know league in general needs a huge rethink in the way all our clubs view and treat their fans and raise capital in general. Maybe, only maybe, if we are real lucky after these elections, and 3P are the real deal, our club may become a leader in the future of club administration.
A perfect example, that you yourself pointed out just the other day Staggs, was the Titans link with a betting company receiving a slice of the revenue. But that is just one idea that is again linked to gambling. What I and many others want to see is leagues clubs taking the lead and seducing the public in supporting their respective clubs, and making the team and club a priority in their families lives. Not something to do if there is nothing else to do or maybe go to the footy once in a while, when the moon is aligned with the earth, the sun and the stars, if you know what I mean. MAKE IT COOL AND A MUST TO GO AND BE SEEN FOR THE YOUNG, OLD AND FAMILIES!!
Other sports have not relied on gambling money to the extent that league has and hence for example, look at the support AFL has from virtually all of the community in its traditional states right across all demographics. This is not an accident, but a well thought out plan by non pokies addicted administrators.
I believe that we could easily have 40000 to 50000 thousand FC members in ten odd years if the right calls by the right administrators were made. To think otherwise is to believe that league is a second rated product. Which by no means is that the case. On the contrary it is by far the most adrenaline fueled spectacular sport on the planet when played at the highest level.
We are feared by other sports administrators and envied at the same time. It is just that we are also laughed at by those same people and the public in general for many indiscretions and for being so myopic and visionless, due to the political handcuffs that prevent the giant that league is from standing up and squashing the breath out of all the others. Petty jealousies and turf protectionism have dug a huge grave for league to bury itself in. Time will tell if this giant has the inner strength to stand up and get out of the self made grave that he is lying in before his adversaries shovel enough dirt in to lay him to rest forever.
This coming election may be Parra's only chance, in our own small way, to help the giant at least make an effort to sit up and take the first step in resurrecting its ailing fortunes.
Again time will tell.
