Matabele
Journey Man
I’m astounded at the push on some of the other web-sites to have Monaghan retained by the club, with some even suggesting that Max Delmege should be bought in to operate the club at the expense of current management.
This comes on a day when I had the privilege of sitting in the Manly Board Room with the incoming CEO, Pat Wilson. I found him to be an articulate man of intelligence and strategy, with the ability to drive a hard bargain.
I was there to discuss a business proposal. Let’s just say that I left shaking my head at how he had managed to put every imaginable test in our path, to the benefit of the Manly club. My admiration him is high, for there is nothing that gains the respect of a businessman more than a worthy protagonist (not that we’re opponents in this situation).
Consider this. The current management took over a club that was on the precipe of disaster. Less than two years later we have at least five marque players on our books and a shot at a place in the Final Eight. Examine that process and you will find that this has mostly arisen from the foresight, hard work and diligence of the current management and coaching staff.
Which brings us to the matter of Michael Monaghan. A straw poll of 9 clubs last night revealed none of them with a particular desire to have them on their books. Even perennial cellar dwellers, Souths, only want him if Manly pay a large part of his salary for the next three years.
Was it incompetent management that bought us into this situation? Or something else?
A few weeks ago I was widely pilloried for revealing that the club had no desire to retain Monaghan earlier this year. However, the sane and rational judgement of management (a judgement backed up by most “experts†in the form of media commentators) was overruled when a small rump of fans began a vocal and strident campaign to have him re-instated, a campaign that bought about the intervention of Max Delmege.
Consider this. Since the re-signing of Michael Monaghan he has done naught but confirm the original judgement of management. His reputation as a flat track bully has only been enhanced as we have fallen to six losses in seven games against quality opposition with the parlous level of our play-making being badly exposed. We have been impotent in attack – something the “playmaker†must take full responsibility for.
Secondly we have been greeted to the spectre of a club captain fighting an open media war with club management. This is not as appropriate as many are trying to make out.
Monaghan is one of several club captains on the outer with their clubs this year. Yet where are the cries of disloyalty from the likes of Mark O’Neill and Robbie Kearns? Why aren’t they trying to jeopardise the future prospects of their club. It’s called loyalty, and when it comes to the Monaghan family, it seems to be in short supply.
Which brings me to the following quote from the official club forum:
“I believe the time has come for Max Delmage (sic), the clubs majority owner and saviour to come in and run the club, put people that know how to conduct a business professionally into the club so as we are not the laughing stock of the nrl (sic). Max has a huge investment in this club and he has made it clear he does not want to interrupt or interfere with the clubs business but I believe the time has come for max to step up and take control of this shambolic disgraceful situation (sic).â€ÂÂ
If anything is shambolic or disgraceful it is the situation whereby a silent equity partner and board member forgets that their role is policy, and starts to intervene in day to day management.
Furthermore, Max Delmege, whilst successful in property development in recent years (though this has not always been the case) is not a foot balling expert. The opinion of the experts was over ridden in the case of Monaghan and the situation we have now is the result. Had this intervention not happened, no-one would be complaining right now!
Monaghan would probably have a contract with another club (albeit an English one given the lack of interest in his services at the going price in the NRL) and would be more settled on the field in trying to guide us to a much needed finals place. Orford would be with us alongside some significant depth in outside backs and forwards, secured with the $720,000 currently being tied up by Monaghan!
I have no desire to minimize the significance of the cash injection provided by Delmege last year. It was a welcome show of faith in the club AND its management.
Our Executive knows exactly how to run a football club and have the runs on the board. The problems only show up when matter have been taken out of their hands.
I think it’s time that ALL Manly fans show some faith in their Executive and give them the time, space and opportunity to do the things that are hard necessities if we are to again taste the fruits of Premiership success.
The foolish alternatives suggested above are a little bit like suggesting that Microsoft be surrendered to anyone with a Playstation, and run by committee.
This comes on a day when I had the privilege of sitting in the Manly Board Room with the incoming CEO, Pat Wilson. I found him to be an articulate man of intelligence and strategy, with the ability to drive a hard bargain.
I was there to discuss a business proposal. Let’s just say that I left shaking my head at how he had managed to put every imaginable test in our path, to the benefit of the Manly club. My admiration him is high, for there is nothing that gains the respect of a businessman more than a worthy protagonist (not that we’re opponents in this situation).
Consider this. The current management took over a club that was on the precipe of disaster. Less than two years later we have at least five marque players on our books and a shot at a place in the Final Eight. Examine that process and you will find that this has mostly arisen from the foresight, hard work and diligence of the current management and coaching staff.
Which brings us to the matter of Michael Monaghan. A straw poll of 9 clubs last night revealed none of them with a particular desire to have them on their books. Even perennial cellar dwellers, Souths, only want him if Manly pay a large part of his salary for the next three years.
Was it incompetent management that bought us into this situation? Or something else?
A few weeks ago I was widely pilloried for revealing that the club had no desire to retain Monaghan earlier this year. However, the sane and rational judgement of management (a judgement backed up by most “experts†in the form of media commentators) was overruled when a small rump of fans began a vocal and strident campaign to have him re-instated, a campaign that bought about the intervention of Max Delmege.
Consider this. Since the re-signing of Michael Monaghan he has done naught but confirm the original judgement of management. His reputation as a flat track bully has only been enhanced as we have fallen to six losses in seven games against quality opposition with the parlous level of our play-making being badly exposed. We have been impotent in attack – something the “playmaker†must take full responsibility for.
Secondly we have been greeted to the spectre of a club captain fighting an open media war with club management. This is not as appropriate as many are trying to make out.
Monaghan is one of several club captains on the outer with their clubs this year. Yet where are the cries of disloyalty from the likes of Mark O’Neill and Robbie Kearns? Why aren’t they trying to jeopardise the future prospects of their club. It’s called loyalty, and when it comes to the Monaghan family, it seems to be in short supply.
Which brings me to the following quote from the official club forum:
“I believe the time has come for Max Delmage (sic), the clubs majority owner and saviour to come in and run the club, put people that know how to conduct a business professionally into the club so as we are not the laughing stock of the nrl (sic). Max has a huge investment in this club and he has made it clear he does not want to interrupt or interfere with the clubs business but I believe the time has come for max to step up and take control of this shambolic disgraceful situation (sic).â€ÂÂ
If anything is shambolic or disgraceful it is the situation whereby a silent equity partner and board member forgets that their role is policy, and starts to intervene in day to day management.
Furthermore, Max Delmege, whilst successful in property development in recent years (though this has not always been the case) is not a foot balling expert. The opinion of the experts was over ridden in the case of Monaghan and the situation we have now is the result. Had this intervention not happened, no-one would be complaining right now!
Monaghan would probably have a contract with another club (albeit an English one given the lack of interest in his services at the going price in the NRL) and would be more settled on the field in trying to guide us to a much needed finals place. Orford would be with us alongside some significant depth in outside backs and forwards, secured with the $720,000 currently being tied up by Monaghan!
I have no desire to minimize the significance of the cash injection provided by Delmege last year. It was a welcome show of faith in the club AND its management.
Our Executive knows exactly how to run a football club and have the runs on the board. The problems only show up when matter have been taken out of their hands.
I think it’s time that ALL Manly fans show some faith in their Executive and give them the time, space and opportunity to do the things that are hard necessities if we are to again taste the fruits of Premiership success.
The foolish alternatives suggested above are a little bit like suggesting that Microsoft be surrendered to anyone with a Playstation, and run by committee.
