Manly great Anthony Watmough savages club over plan to offload juniors, women’s programs

[Ranga]

I understand his decisions,but you have to realise that this a club built on supporters who through attendance,merchandise etc...have a vested interest in the club,any owner who tries to run it on the bare minimum is not misunderstood by the kids.

I guess different people will take a different view of whether the owners are adopting a strategy of running it on the bare minimum or trying to ensure basic business principles of ROI are at least considered. In this case, I don’t have enough information to make the assessment of whether this is an example penny pinching or a belief that the ROI is greater through a different model.

I agree with you that the stakeholders extend beyond the shareholders of the company that holds the NRL license, but I am not sure what that means in practice. I’d love it the Penn’s came out and said that they’d be happy to underwrite a $1m loss every year, but I’ve never viewed private ownership in sport as philanthropy.

 

[Smokin Joe]

I guess different people will take a different view of whether the owners are adopting a strategy of running it on the bare minimum or trying to ensure basic business principles of ROI are at least considered. In this case, I don’t have enough information to make the assessment of whether this is an example penny pinching or a belief that the ROI is greater through a different model.

I agree with you that the stakeholders extend beyond the shareholders of the company that holds the NRL license, but I am not sure what that means in practice. I’d love it the Penn’s came out and said that they’d be happy to underwrite a $1m loss every year, but I’ve never viewed private ownership in sport as philanthropy.

I completely get your point,I work for a multinational company and understand basic ways of business and the inner workings etc...and what is involved.
I think Penn is running a sport franchise along those lines and that is another animal completely.
I felt he made some excellent decisions(through Mestrov?)for this season in regards to the fanbase,recruitment and juniors etc....
This smacks of outsourcing which is fine for a business model,but it is fraught with danger for a sport franchise that involves money and passion.
This story has been leaked and it probably requires the leadership to come out and clarify the situation rather than a prickly reply from the CEO saying he knows better.
I mentioned in my original statement that I see where this proposal can still function and provide local supporters and juniors with a working model,but there will be a backlash from the fanbase.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Private ownership of sporting franchises is never philanthropy,the NFL franchises will move cities for a bigger promised stadium and revenue.
If Manly goes down those lines then the tribal nature of the game is gone.
Whether that is good or bad,right or wrong,or inevitable is above my pay grade.

 

[Rocky]

Happy to reserve my opinion on this for now.

To be honest i would take Mestrov's opinion on something over Choc, so will see how this plays out.

 

[BOZO]

, so will see how this plays out.

We all look Forward to a Favorable Manly Forecast my Feathered Friend @Rocky

 

[robbiea]

We will never win a premiership whilst Penn owns us .
Cuts costs all over .

 

[Hertera]

Witch-hunt underway at Manly​

Last week, we reported about trouble afoot at Manly over plans to abandon its junior representative pathways, including the idea to outsource its Jersey Flegg (under-21s) and women’s programs to Blacktown Workers.

Two-time premiership winner Anthony Watmough has been leading the charge against the proposal, claiming it would be disastrous to snub the best talent on the northern beaches.

It must be a touchy issue at the Sea Eagles if the witch-hunt internally to unearth “sources” after our story appeared is anything to go by.

We can now tell you that Manly’s highly regarded pathways and women’s program manager David O’Donnell resigned on the day the story appeared. Pathways manager Hannah Clare has also left.

O’Donnell didn’t want to say much when contacted on Thursday, although he did take umbrage at Manly chief executive Tony Mestrov’s claim that he’d been leading a four-month review into pathways.

“I was never spoken to about it, I didn’t know about it, and nor were any of the pathways staff,” O’Donnell said.

How much longer can Penrith keep producing superstars for other clubs?

It takes considerable discipline to let players like Kikau, Crichton, Luai, Leniu and a score of others leave.

www.smh.com.au

 

[Sea Eagle 4 Life]

Witch-hunt underway at Manly​

“I was never spoken to about it, I didn’t know about it, and nor were any of the pathways staff,” O’Donnell said.

The above O'Donnell quote is pretty damming on the so called review. Have they already made up their minds???

 

[mosto]

If Penn and Co want to ignore grassroots and community based teams / competitions, look no further than Australian Rugby to see what the result is.

 

[JenEagle]

Far out. What is going on here. This is a huge concern.

Unless we are actually thinking big and trying to build something massive here as that is what is needed. There is huge competition coming in the nrl the next few years and we need to keep up

 

[globaleagle]

A follow up 'manly is bad' story.

We must be playing in the finals....

#lamejournos

 

[Dee Why Eagle]

NRL 2024: Geoff Toovey set to walk out on Manly over mates axing | What’s the Buzz​

There’s gotta be an investigation! Furious Manly legend Geoff Toovey is set to walk away from the club following the recent axing of a close mate and club official.
Phil Rothfield

@BuzzRothfield

less than 2 min read
September 21, 2024 - 7:00PM
News Sport Network
https://archive.md/UwHQi#share-tools

Manly boss Tony Mestrov has called an urgent meeting with disgruntled club legend Geoff Toovey this week over suggestions the former coach, captain and champion halfback is ready to walk out on the club.
Toovey has a senior coaching role in Manly’s pathways, but is angry about the departure of one of his closest friends, who was marched into CEO Mestrov’s office last week and then told his services were no longer required.
His crime … leaking to the media.
A clearly agitated Toovey would not comment when I phoned him on Friday.
“As per my contract, I can’t comment,” was all he would say.

Manly have called an urgent meeting amid suggestions a furious Geoff Toovey is set to walk out on the club.
There has been major drama behind the scenes at the club over the restructuring of pathways and Mestrov’s cost-cutting.
Plus the fact one of Toovey’s closest mates was shown the door last week, two months before he was scheduled to leave.
Mestrov will hold peace talks next week.
“I’ve known Geoff for a long time,” Mestrov said.
“We’re friends, but he has to respect that I’m the boss and doing my job in the best interests of the club. There’s no more politics at Manly.

There has been major drama behind the scenes at Manly, with CEO Tony Mestrov restructuring the pathways and cost-cutting. Picture: AAP
“We’re going to catch up next week.
“He’s a good guy, and I want him to stay. I want to work with him.
“He’s a legend of the club, and you know how much I respect the past. I’m not a control freak, and I treat them (ex-players) with respect.
“Everything I do has to be in the best interest of the club.
“If he’s got a problem working with me, that’s his problem.
“But I want to work with him. Geoff’s got a lot to contribute to this club.”
Manly announced during the week a split from western Sydney feeder club Blacktown to run its own NSW Cup side from the northern beaches
next year.

 

[The Who]

Tooves seems to be Master of the Blowups.

 

[Ranga]

Buzz didn’t name who is alleged to have leaked to the media, but if it is proven an employee did, I have no problem with their employment being terminated.

 

[TJ55]

Buzz didn’t name who is alleged to have leaked to the media, but if it is proven an employee did, I have no problem with their employment being terminated.

The “friend” is David O Donnell, they don’t call the northern beaches the insular peninsular for nothing. Knew about this few weeks ago surprised Buzz got his hands on it now

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

‘Drama behind the scenes’: Manly legend Geoff Toovey threatens to walk over mate’s sacking

‘Drama behind the scenes’: Manly legend threatens to walk over mate’s sacking

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[double hoops]

Perhaps someone was just waiting for a more appropriate time.

 

[Frogz]

The “friend” is David O Donnell, they don’t call the northern beaches the insular peninsular for nothing. Knew about this few weeks ago surprised Buzz got his hands on it now

Ah yes, but Buzz posted this up on the Telecr@p website, 40 minutes before or semi final on Saturdau night. JUst perfect timing before kick off.. He knew, he just wanted to take some shine off Manly, just in case we won.

 

[TJ55]

Ah yes, but Buzz posted this up on the Telecr@p website, 40 minutes before or semi final on Saturdau night. JUst perfect timing before kick off.. He knew, he just wanted to take some shine off Manly, just in case we won.

I am not surprised, Buzz was probably on the turps again bloke is an absolute ****wit