The Daly Cherrygraph

[God]

Not suggesting you're wrong but if that was the case, why remove Manly from the table? Why not keep them as a bargaining chip? For example, if I am Roosters, I'm sitting there thinking I am long odds to drag him away from Manly, regardless of my offer. Suddenly Manly are out of the equation and I have one less club to compete with? It doesn't make sense to remove them from the conversation if it's money driven.

They said on fox DCE had asked for a release 12months prior in 24, if thats the case chances are he was unhappy for quite sometime or after more money elsewhere, chances are the chooks thing has been on the cards for sometime.

 

[AndWeDon'tCare]

Agree 100% - but at the end of the day Mestrov and Penn have let us down by not being the highest bidder and being one step ahead of the game instead of being asleep at the wheel.

I think Mestrov should be heavily criticised and probably sacked for allowing this to happen.

If that were to happen, you won't find a CEO worth their salt come near this place.

Working with the Penn family is not easy and as I've alluded to in some of my postings over the years, no one beats the door down to work for the Club and I'm thankful that Mestrov is here.

Each to their own but I'm having to accept that no one will buy this Club from the Penn family so we are stuck with them and their idiosyncratic business talent.

 

[LeonardCohen]

I think you're right... But where I differ from most, is that I'm siding with Seibold here.

DCE liked Twent and Des 2.0. He didn't like Tooves (apparently). I seriously don't think he's a good judge of coaches.

On another note, there was a certain division between Seibs and the old boys at the Broncos. The period between 2017-2020 was a notoriously fast development in terms of professionalising the code. Lots of ex-players who retired just prior to this period, coming back into coaching jobs, are absolutely shocked by how much has changed in a short period of time.

Many of these old boys, which likely includes DCE, played their best football within an old team, in an old era. These people at the Broncos failed to recognise the changes needed, white anted Seibs, and brought in Walters... Who only reached the finals once, off the back off someone in the new generation in 2023, in the form of Ben Ikin, and a junior development program heralded by Seibold. The Broncos went backwards last year, because they couldn't reach the standards demanded by the modern game.

DCE has had a decade and has done sweet F.A. as the captain. If I'm picking a fight between him and Seibold, I'm picking the one that Bellamy likes better. That is Seibold.

Interesting. I cannot pretend to know who is to blame if there is indeed a divide...but I think your take on 'old school' and 'new school' is very insightful. If you think about it from DCE's perspective, he did love Des. Suddenly there's a new regime at the club that differs from what was comfortable and that can be the catalyst for dissent amongst the ranks. I note he did re-sign in 2023 (Seibs first year), so maybe things started on the right footing and the relationship has soured over time...

 

[LeonardCohen]

They said on fox DCE had asked for a release 12months prior in 24, if thats the case chances are he was unhappy for quite sometime or after more money elsewhere, chances are the chooks thing has been on the cards for sometime.

I'm thinking Chooks too but wouldn't it be funny if he ends up at the Dolphins to make idiots of us.

 

[Ohgeez]

Not suggesting you're wrong but if that was the case, why remove Manly from the table? Why not keep them as a bargaining chip? For example, if I am Roosters, I'm sitting there thinking I am long odds to drag him away from Manly, regardless of my offer. Suddenly Manly are out of the equation and I have one less club to compete with? It doesn't make sense to remove them from the conversation if it's money driven.

I think most clubs would have known we couldn’t afford to offer him anything like he wants. We aren’t much of a bargaining chip when multiple desperate clubs will blow our offer out the water by $500 thousand or more. I get what your saying though

 

[Dion Johnson]

I'm sure Penn is not happy with Mestrov, he was cutting new string and organising his eye-hooks thinking he would be able to make him, Mestrov his new puppet.

Tony is a very good CEO, very sharp and quite accomplished in many facets and aspects of public and private business entities.

He is a firm but fair operator and I'm not inclined to believe that some people within the Club aren't a fan of his managerial style whilst others have applauded the measures he's taken.

His is held in very high regard by the other CEO within the NRL and I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't headhunted by the NRL to assist with their (eventual) acquisition and subsequent expansion of the Super League.

Mestrov does appear to be a good operator that’s why it’s surprising that call to NRL 360 was made, appeared to be a reactive decision or an offer to save face somewhat.

What Paul Zkent touched on in being greater divide at the club is somewhat of a concern, up until this DCE shenanigans it was very pleasing that Mestrov and the club were not in the media.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

I don’t believe we should have been the highest bidder nor should we have released him.

 

[LeonardCohen]

I think most clubs would have known we couldn’t afford to offer him anything like he wants. We aren’t much of a bargaining chip when multiple desperate clubs will blow our offer out the water by $500 thousand +

I take your point but if there was no issue with Manly, why would you go on TV and say you don't know if you'll play on, you don't know where you'll play, you just know it's not gonna be at the club that's paid you for the last 15 years, all the while not informing the club that you're dropping a bomb on live television?! That doesn't sound like a money grab, that sounds like spite.

 

[AndWeDon'tCare]

Mestrov does appear to be a good operator that’s why it’s surprising that call to NRL 360 was made, appeared to be a reactive decision or an offer to save face somewhat.

What Paul Zkent touched on in being greater divide at the club is somewhat of a concern, up until this DCE shenanigans it was very pleasing that Mestrov and the club were not in the media.

That surprised me as well given the last part of your message.

I wondered if he (Mestrov) received a call from Penn basically telling him to get on the "front foot" before DCE appears on TV as I recall both journalists said they received text messages and a call from both Mestrov and Penn.

 

[Dion Johnson]

That surprised me as well given the last part of your message.

I wondered if he (Mestrov) received a call from Penn basically telling him to get on the "front foot" before DCE appears on TV as I recall both journalists said they received text messages and a call from both Mestrov and Penn.

My thought is we are in for more media pain and scrutiny over the next month or so.

How it’s all unfolding there are similarities of the past divides at the club.

What is for sure we need a number 7 to come through or be in the market in getting a good one, hopefully there is no further damage in the playing ranks to come.

 

[sheridanstand78]

DCE's form has been outstanding over the last couple of years especially since he got the QLD captain gig. He has improved so much and I understand why he may have felt unhappy that the club did not submit an offer earlier, fact is the club is snookered by the cap and a lot of that is due to the lengthy deal he got from the club.

Ever since the end of origin 3 last season he has not seemed as happy, I think that defeat as captain really took it out of him and for a Queensland loss in a decider at their place never goes down well.

I wish he just said outright who he will be playing for rather than stringing everyone along.

The unnecessary drama this has caused could make or break our season and its only round 4!!

I have no drama that hes leaving to chase coin. If its true that he wanted out a year ago, why the hell did the club not secure Jamie Humphreys?? I guess we will never know the full truth.

The longer he drags this out, the worse he looks and the club needs to be allowed to move on as he wants to!

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/real-reason-the-brisbane-broncos-sacked-anthony-seibold/news-story/09e300f405dbee11fe725b8c8713c376

As suggested by The Courier-Mail, Seibold had a tendency to over-complicate his strategies, which left players perplexed. The Brisbane roster struggled to embrace the complex plans, a significant reason for Anthony Milford’s dip in form.

Cracks slowly started to appear in Seibold’s relationship with his players, and the issues were blatantly clear in July. After suffering six consecutive NRL defeats, Brisbane captain Alex Glenn revealed the squad had opted to dictate preparations themselves, because the players “weren’t having fun at training”.

So disjointed was their trust in the coaching staff, the players were taking matters into their own hands.

Seibold was also reluctant to budge on his methodology — according to NRL.com, several Broncos players claimed their coach had repeatedly ignored advice, determined his strategies would eventually come together.

An emphasis on notepads sessions was also made a mockery of, and as revealed by NRL.com, centre James Roberts spent one session repeatedly jotting down his signature instead of taking notes.

You can believe that if you will , but I had one insider at the Broncos ( from when I was professionally working with them ) who in fact now works at the Dolphins.

I sent him a text when we signed Seibold.

It was a very simple response “ there will be all the excuses on the world given by the press but I can guarantee you 100% he was undermined and shafted due to the old boys group “ ( who ran the show ).

Why do you think , their new coach , has removed every single “ old boy” from any direct contact with the players including ( for good reason ) Alfie Langer.

Im not suggesting Seibold is our saviour , but I will support him on what happened at his previous club.

You can choose to believe me ( or not) but I have zero association with the current coach , never met him , probably never will.

That said , I would imagine a player ( the captain no less) would have very set ideas and may not take it kindly if the coach doesn’t agree.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

You can believe that if you will , but I had one insider at the Broncos ( from when I was professionally working with them ) who in fact now works at the Dolphins.

I sent him a text when we signed Seibold.

It was a very simple response “ there will be all the excuses on the world given by the press but I can guarantee you 100% he was undermined and shafted due to the old boys group “ ( who ran the show ).

Why do you think , their new coach , has removed every single “ old boy” from any direct contact with the players including ( for good reason ) Alfie Langer.

Im not suggesting Seibold is our saviour , but I will support him on what happened at his previous club.

You can choose to believe me ( or not) but I have zero association with the current coach , never met him , probably never will.

That said , I would imagine a player ( the captain no less) would have very set ideas and may not take it kindly if the coach doesn’t agree.

I should also add , the Courier Mail is owned by the Murdoch’s, who own the majority of the shares of the Bronco’s, SO, it would be in their best interests to **** can the outgoing coach and blame everything on him and deflect from the truth.

 

[BOZO]

Another day another Story about Mestrov and DCE
Each day we are getting closer to the Truth of the Matter

 

[eaglebuzz]

Agree 100% - but at the end of the day Mestrov and Penn have let us down by not being the highest bidder and being one step ahead of the game instead of being asleep at the wheel.

I think Mestrov should be heavily criticised and probably sacked for allowing this to happen.

No way. Why break the bank and screw up our ability to bring balance to the roster for a guy who is already the oldest player in the NRL?

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

I take your point but if there was no issue with Manly, why would you go on TV and say you don't know if you'll play on, you don't know where you'll play, you just know it's not gonna be at the club that's paid you for the last 15 years

Because you're lying? Because you know exactly where you're going to be playing next year, and how much money you'll be making per week, and how much money you'll be making from your Channel Nine gig and your coaching gig after that and, for reasons which I can't explain, you don't want to come out and say it. So you concoct some story about not having made your mind up about whether you'll keep playing or not (even though you can't quite keep your own story straight) and say you'll be making the decision - LeBron James style - later.

Cherry's either an inscrutable genius or a bit of a dick who thinks he's being way more clever than he actually is. And for the record, I do not think he's an inscrutable genius.

 

[LeonardCohen]

You can believe that if you will , but I had one insider at the Broncos ( from when I was professionally working with them ) who in fact now works at the Dolphins.

I sent him a text when we signed Seibold.

It was a very simple response “ there will be all the excuses on the world given by the press but I can guarantee you 100% he was undermined and shafted due to the old boys group “ ( who ran the show ).

Why do you think , their new coach , has removed every single “ old boy” from any direct contact with the players including ( for good reason ) Alfie Langer.

Im not suggesting Seibold is our saviour , but I will support him on what happened at his previous club.

You can choose to believe me ( or not) but I have zero association with the current coach , never met him , probably never will.

That said , I would imagine a player ( the captain no less) would have very set ideas and may not take it kindly if the coach doesn’t agree.

Just sharing the story, Mark. I’m not suggesting it’s facts. He may indeed have been shafted at Brisbane. It’s more than likely. I am just chatting and sharing ideas because I’m really upset about what’s happened; devastated in fact. I’d like answers to help process it and move on but I won’t hold my breath.

 

[Waz13]

DCE has always been a polarising figure, TJ, even among Manly fans.

I'm not sure I can articulate it completely, but even though I respect him and acknowledge the player he's become during his time here, and don't begrudge him leaving for more money (although I do wish he'd drop the bulls**t and just be upfront about that), I've never really liked him in the way I've liked - hell, loved! - other Manly players.

I will love Steve Matai till the day I die. Same with Choc Watmough, even though he's not the sharpest tool in the shed and left the club on appalling terms. I love Beaver, and will shout as much from any rooftop (and have even ended up on several watch-lists for doing so).

And I loved Kieran Foran from the moment he stepped onto the field at Brookvale and scored a try with his first touch of the football. Foran had his ups and downs over the years, and I know a lot of people have never forgiven him for the way he left us the first time, but it never bothered me because I loved the bloke and always wished him well.

In today's squad, I love Jake and Tommy (even though his injuries frustrate the hell out of me), Big Haumole (though I would have been happy to see the back of him during Jerseygate), Lehi Hoppa, and Gordy Chan Kum Tong. Yeah, that little juggle he does when he picks up the ball is annoying as hell, and ultimately he might not be a very good player, but there's something about the little bloke's smile and energy that makes me happy.

But Cherry? He's just never had that effect on me. Maybe it's because it feels like he's not genuine, or maybe it's the weird word salad he comes out with when he's trying to sound polished and smart. Whatever it is, it's something. It's almost like he wants to be kept at a distance, or that he needs to be seen as flawless instead of flawed.

And that's not saying that he hasn't been a good "ambassador" for the club and the game as a whole, or that he's not a decent bloke, or a great husband and father. He may well be all those things. I hope he is. But I've never really cared for him, or felt invested in him as a person instead of as a player.

Those connections are hard to explain - they just are, or in this case, aren't. And even though I fully accept that it reflects poorly on me rather than on Cherry, maybe other fans feel (or don't feel) the same way.

Greet post and almost perfectly catches my feelings re DCE. (Although wasn’t the biggest Choc fan, swap him for Tooves!)

 

[LeonardCohen]

DCE's form has been outstanding over the last couple of years especially since he got the QLD captain gig. He has improved so much and I understand why he may have felt unhappy that the club did not submit an offer earlier, fact is the club is snookered by the cap and a lot of that is due to the lengthy deal he got from the club.

Ever since the end of origin 3 last season he has not seemed as happy, I think that defeat as captain really took it out of him and for a Queensland loss in a decider at their place never goes down well.

I wish he just said outright who he will be playing for rather than stringing everyone along.

The unnecessary drama this has caused could make or break our season and its only round 4!!

I have no drama that hes leaving to chase coin. If its true that he wanted out a year ago, why the hell did the club not secure Jamie Humphreys?? I guess we will never know the full truth.

The longer he drags this out, the worse he looks and the club needs to be allowed to move on as he wants to!

Yeah the Humphreys thing looks mighty stupid now. I know Newcastle were poor that day, but his debut showed that he could kick well, stay composed, do all the 1%ers well and be a foil for the more flamboyant members of the side. Kinda sounds perfect doesn’t it. He’s also young but calm under pressure and big enough to avoid being targeted in defence.

 

[Waz13]

I feel the exact same way. Except I'd have to add Tooves

Ha just said the same thing!