Well if its true that Dessie is leaving, and it is appearing more and more likely that it is true, then the Manly Board should be hung from the Spit Bridge for treason. As for Des, he has earnt the right to a trial by judge and jury of Manly faithful before a decision is made on whether he should join the board at the Spit.
Yesterday, we were the number one propect in the NRL for any major corporate sponsor. We won the grand final which will translate to more prime time television exposure next season, we have such depth in our young playing roster that continued success was probable, we have the best young half back to play the game for a long time who will not only draw in a whole new generation of young Manly fans but is also media friendly and a marketing dream, ditto our 5/8.
It has taken a long time to get to this point where we can finally generate some significant revenue. We have just managed to destroy that opportunity overnight because we are now a very risky, unstable option. The board should not have allowed this to play out like it is and at the very least should now be acting swiftly to deal with it.
A proffesional board would not be sitting silently allowing a media and fan frenzy to tear their company apart. Delay means disaster and they should have been on the front foot to show they are in control of the situation, they are have a plan, and its business as usual. Nobody is indespensible and just as it was when Des went from half to hooker to leaving Manly as a player, there was another Manly legend or two waiting in the wings to take it to the next level.
By the way, I have always thought that one day Tooves would be regarded as Manly's greatest and most succesful coach of all time. As captain, I rate him as our greatest leader on the field, as coach he will undoubtadly be the same. If for whatever reason he choses not to take the reigns, then enter the greatest number 6 to ever play the game who according to Jason Ferris recently, is the greatest coach he has ever played under.
So where is the leadership team at Manly? The silence is deafening.
