https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl
NRL: Manly is not for sale, says Scott Penn
BRENT READ OCTOBER 17, 2018Manly chairman and majority owner Scott Penn has refuted suggestions the club’s move for Des Hasler has been motivated by a desire to make the Sea Eagles more attractive to potential buyers.
While Penn declined to discuss the status of negotiations with Hasler, he vehemently dismissed fresh claims that the club was on the market.
And in a further sign of his family’s commitment to Manly, Penn confirmed they were poised to inject a significant amount of their own cash into the Sea Eagles following a disappointing season on and off the field.
It is understood that figure could be in excess of $2 million, with club finances hit by legal costs and financial penalties resulting from sanctions imposed for breaching the salary cap.
They also face a hefty outlay to bring Hasler back. Negotiations are likely to be concluded within days as Manly look to replace departing coach Trent Barrett.
“I keep getting calls all the time,” Penn said of rumours the club was on the market. “No, we’re not even in discussions with anyone. Of course we’re committed to making it successful. We’re certainly not looking to sell. The fact is a) we’re not selling and b) no one has offered us anything. It is a moot point.
“It is bizarre. I am intrigued where it is coming from because someone is obviously perpetuating it. That’s the thing for me — I am very interested in trying to understand the source.
“It is no one who is talking to us or close to us obviously. We’re not in it to plug holes. We’re in it to be successful.”
While Penn declined to discuss talks with Hasler, it is understood the club is close to a deal that would result in the two-time premiership winner taking back the reins of the Sea Eagles.
The club has also held talks with current assistant John Cartwright and Brisbane assistant Jason Demetriou regarding the head coaching role and the former is likely to be given the option to stay on the Sea Eagles’ coaching staff as an assistant if Hasler decides to accept the position.
Demetriou is also an option for the Broncos as they look to replace Wayne Bennett at the end of next season. It is understood Demetriou, who is believed to have an interview scheduled with the Broncos today, is an outsider for the Brisbane job.
South Sydney coach Anthony Seibold remains the favourite, although there is believed to be strong support for Michael Maguire and Kevin Walters in some quarters. The Broncos are edging towards a decision and could make an announcement soon.
The timing of their decision could yet have ramifications for the Wests Tigers as they weigh up replacing Ivan Cleary, who looks destined to join Penrith within weeks. The Tigers are due to return to training in early-November and it has become clear that Cleary will not be in charge.
The Tigers will want to have his replacement in place by then, the situation complicated by the fact their two preferred options — Wayne Bennett and Michael Maguire — will be overseas at the time coaching England and New Zealand.
Manly’s situation is far less complex as they circle Hasler. The decision will be vital for a club that is coming off a season marked by controversy off the field and poor performances on it.
Penn acknowledges the club’s financial future will be determined by how they perform on the field,
“The thing is we have always wanted to get it into a position where it is at least breaking even or better,” Penn said.
“Absolutely it is feasible. To get to that level you have to be successful. We need on-field success in order to make that happen because we have been a very successful club over a long period of time and our members and fans demand success.
“It is that hope we are going to win every week that they come back for. We have to make sure that happens every week.
“When we get a bit of positive momentum back in the near future, we will start packing out Brookie again.
“There has been plenty of naysayers out there and that hasn’t helped. A lot of that has been on the back of not winning enough.”
Meanwhile, the player market has been stalled by the lack of clarity in the coaching ranks but movement is set to be kicked off by Gold Coast centre Konrad Hurrell as he prepares to join Leeds next season.
Hurrell had another year remaining on his deal but it is understood he has agreed to join South Sydney assistant David Furner at the English Super League giants.
His departure will give the Titans the salary cap room to re-enter the market, their target likely to be a centre to strengthen their outside backs.
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Manly chairman and majority owner Scott Penn has refuted suggestions the club’s move for Des Hasler has been motivated by a desire to make the Sea Eagles more attractive to potential buyers.
While Penn declined to discuss the status of negotiations with Hasler, he vehemently dismissed fresh claims that the club was on the market.
And in a further sign of his family’s commitment to Manly, Penn confirmed they were poised to inject a significant amount of their own cash into the Sea Eagles following a disappointing season on and off the field.
It is understood that figure could be in excess of $2 million, with club finances hit by legal costs and financial penalties resulting from sanctions imposed for breaching the salary cap.
They also face a hefty outlay to bring Hasler back. Negotiations are likely to be concluded within days as Manly look to replace departing coach Trent Barrett.
“I keep getting calls all the time,” Penn said of rumours the club was on the market. “No, we’re not even in discussions with anyone. Of course we’re committed to making it successful. We’re certainly not looking to sell. The fact is a) we’re not selling and b) no one has offered us anything. It is a moot point.
“It is bizarre. I am intrigued where it is coming from because someone is obviously perpetuating it. That’s the thing for me — I am very interested in trying to understand the source.
“It is no one who is talking to us or close to us obviously. We’re not in it to plug holes. We’re in it to be successful.”
While Penn declined to discuss talks with Hasler, it is understood the club is close to a deal that would result in the two-time premiership winner taking back the reins of the Sea Eagles.
The club has also held talks with current assistant John Cartwright and Brisbane assistant Jason Demetriou regarding the head coaching role and the former is likely to be given the option to stay on the Sea Eagles’ coaching staff as an assistant if Hasler decides to accept the position.
Demetriou is also an option for the Broncos as they look to replace Wayne Bennett at the end of next season. It is understood Demetriou, who is believed to have an interview scheduled with the Broncos today, is an outsider for the Brisbane job.
South Sydney coach Anthony Seibold remains the favourite, although there is believed to be strong support for Michael Maguire and Kevin Walters in some quarters. The Broncos are edging towards a decision and could make an announcement soon.
The timing of their decision could yet have ramifications for the Wests Tigers as they weigh up replacing Ivan Cleary, who looks destined to join Penrith within weeks. The Tigers are due to return to training in early-November and it has become clear that Cleary will not be in charge.
The Tigers will want to have his replacement in place by then, the situation complicated by the fact their two preferred options — Wayne Bennett and Michael Maguire — will be overseas at the time coaching England and New Zealand.
Manly’s situation is far less complex as they circle Hasler. The decision will be vital for a club that is coming off a season marked by controversy off the field and poor performances on it.
Penn acknowledges the club’s financial future will be determined by how they perform on the field,
“The thing is we have always wanted to get it into a position where it is at least breaking even or better,” Penn said.
“Absolutely it is feasible. To get to that level you have to be successful. We need on-field success in order to make that happen because we have been a very successful club over a long period of time and our members and fans demand success.
“It is that hope we are going to win every week that they come back for. We have to make sure that happens every week.
“When we get a bit of positive momentum back in the near future, we will start packing out Brookie again.
“There has been plenty of naysayers out there and that hasn’t helped. A lot of that has been on the back of not winning enough.”
