Dean Ritchie
AS A cashed-up AFL prepares for its 2012 invasion, rugby league's four underperforming western Sydney clubs are in disarray and turning on themselves.
The 14th-placed Parramatta Eels yesterday axed league legend Rod Reddy from their recruitment staff, along with assistant coach Peter Sharp.
Parramatta's upheaval follows similar crises at league heartland clubs Penrith, Canterbury and Wests Tigers.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Reddy is poised to contest his sacking through Parramatta Leagues Club's
human resources department. Sharp, the former Manly and North Eagles coach, was axed with two years remaining on his contract. Both have vowed to remain with the Eels for the remainder of this year.
Asked about his demise, Reddy said: "I am in the process of speaking with (Parramatta CEO) Paul Osborne and HR at Parramatta Leagues Club." Asked had the decision left him bitter, Reddy - who played 16 Tests for Australia - said: "No comment. That is why I am going through HR."
arramatta also recently off-loaded Reddy's son, Joel, who signed with Wests Tigers.
Sharp, who previously coached English club Hull and was an assistant coach at Melbourne and Newcastle, declined to comment on his sacking. Reddy and Sharp were both told their exit was part of a club "restructure".
The signing of Brisbane recruitment officer Peter Nolan was a reason behind Reddy's dumping.
There are fears that all four marquee western Sydney clubs will bomb out this season and miss places in the top four. Parramatta are already out of finals contention.
On current form, none of the four teams will come close to winning the NRL title.
Penrith sacked coach Matt Elliott, then told popular caretaker coach Steve Georgallis he would not take over next year. CEO Mick Leary has gone, with star players Petero Civoniceva and Trent Waterhouse also departing.
There were also suggestions yesterday that another high-profile Penrith player could soon be cut.
At Canterbury, the sacking of coach Kevin Moore has caused tension and instability.
The hunt continues for a replacement.
Star Bulldogs centre Jamal Idris revealed mid-season he will join Gold Coast next year.
The Tigers loom as the west's best finals hope. However, they too have endured problems, with leading players Bryce Gibbs, Tim Moltzen, Andrew Fifita and Wade McKinnon forced out to accommodate new signing Adam Blair and the upgrading of emerging players' contracts.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phil Rothfield
THE failure this year of rugby league's four marquee western Sydney clubs - on and off the field - will give AFL new boys GWS a mighty free kick for next season.
And GWS have the money and resources to be "frightening", according to former Test halfback and Penrith Panthers director Greg Alexander.
"Rugby league in its heartland is under siege," Alexander said.
Parramatta, Penrith, Canterbury and Wests Tigers have all been embroiled in off-field controversy this season and each look like limping out of the premiership race prematurely.
Their lack of success will only enhance opportunities for Gay Western Sydney, who officially join the AFL premiership next season.
Alexander told The Daily Telegraph he was fearful of the endless money AFL management could throw at attracting support through western Sydney. "Rugby league doesn't seem to know how much the AFL has done in western Sydney, particularly the north-west corridor," Alexander said."It's time rugby league realised the battle it has on its hands.
"The NRL has to look at itself and know what we are in for. Rugby league in its heartland is under siege.
"And the fact the four western Sydney NRL clubs haven't enjoyed stellar seasons, I guess what impact that has will be known next year. It is frightening what AFL is doing. They have so much money.
"Hopefully the independent commission can make western Sydney its first port of call."
The AFL has never publicly declared it is ready to wage war with rugby league, but there is little doubt it will make significant inroads next season if GWS can obtain immediate success.
Asked about the lack of success from the NRL's four western Sydney clubs, GWS chief executive Dale Holmes said: "Clubs go through cycles in all codes.
"Players come and go.
"This is a great opportunity for all codes across greater western Sydney.
"I think codes and clubs can co-exist and, in some cases, work together in areas like ticketing and membership.
"We can improve the way we do things.
"We see this as an opportunity more than a threat. There are two million people across western Sydney.
"We want to engage more in the community."
On current form, a western Sydney club cannot win the NRL premiership.
Each of the four clubs have endured off-field problems too.
NRL chief executive David Gallop said of the dramas affecting western Sydney clubs: "We don't get involved in club decisions but it's a reminder that the NRL is ultra-competitive.
"We are in a competitive sporting market where fans and stakeholders are hungry for success.
"Our clubs in western Sydney are acutely aware of that."
One NRL official, who did not want to be named, said the AFL would back its new club with huge financial support.
"They have money coming out of every pocket," he said.
"Rugby league shouldn't simply think that kids will follow our game just because their dads and grandfathers did. If we take things for granted, we will see more and more kids kicking around Sherrin balls."
AS A cashed-up AFL prepares for its 2012 invasion, rugby league's four underperforming western Sydney clubs are in disarray and turning on themselves.
The 14th-placed Parramatta Eels yesterday axed league legend Rod Reddy from their recruitment staff, along with assistant coach Peter Sharp.
Parramatta's upheaval follows similar crises at league heartland clubs Penrith, Canterbury and Wests Tigers.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Reddy is poised to contest his sacking through Parramatta Leagues Club's
human resources department. Sharp, the former Manly and North Eagles coach, was axed with two years remaining on his contract. Both have vowed to remain with the Eels for the remainder of this year.
Asked about his demise, Reddy said: "I am in the process of speaking with (Parramatta CEO) Paul Osborne and HR at Parramatta Leagues Club." Asked had the decision left him bitter, Reddy - who played 16 Tests for Australia - said: "No comment. That is why I am going through HR."
arramatta also recently off-loaded Reddy's son, Joel, who signed with Wests Tigers.
Sharp, who previously coached English club Hull and was an assistant coach at Melbourne and Newcastle, declined to comment on his sacking. Reddy and Sharp were both told their exit was part of a club "restructure".
The signing of Brisbane recruitment officer Peter Nolan was a reason behind Reddy's dumping.
There are fears that all four marquee western Sydney clubs will bomb out this season and miss places in the top four. Parramatta are already out of finals contention.
On current form, none of the four teams will come close to winning the NRL title.
Penrith sacked coach Matt Elliott, then told popular caretaker coach Steve Georgallis he would not take over next year. CEO Mick Leary has gone, with star players Petero Civoniceva and Trent Waterhouse also departing.
There were also suggestions yesterday that another high-profile Penrith player could soon be cut.
At Canterbury, the sacking of coach Kevin Moore has caused tension and instability.
The hunt continues for a replacement.
Star Bulldogs centre Jamal Idris revealed mid-season he will join Gold Coast next year.
The Tigers loom as the west's best finals hope. However, they too have endured problems, with leading players Bryce Gibbs, Tim Moltzen, Andrew Fifita and Wade McKinnon forced out to accommodate new signing Adam Blair and the upgrading of emerging players' contracts.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phil Rothfield
THE failure this year of rugby league's four marquee western Sydney clubs - on and off the field - will give AFL new boys GWS a mighty free kick for next season.
And GWS have the money and resources to be "frightening", according to former Test halfback and Penrith Panthers director Greg Alexander.
"Rugby league in its heartland is under siege," Alexander said.
Parramatta, Penrith, Canterbury and Wests Tigers have all been embroiled in off-field controversy this season and each look like limping out of the premiership race prematurely.
Their lack of success will only enhance opportunities for Gay Western Sydney, who officially join the AFL premiership next season.
Alexander told The Daily Telegraph he was fearful of the endless money AFL management could throw at attracting support through western Sydney. "Rugby league doesn't seem to know how much the AFL has done in western Sydney, particularly the north-west corridor," Alexander said."It's time rugby league realised the battle it has on its hands.
"The NRL has to look at itself and know what we are in for. Rugby league in its heartland is under siege.
"And the fact the four western Sydney NRL clubs haven't enjoyed stellar seasons, I guess what impact that has will be known next year. It is frightening what AFL is doing. They have so much money.
"Hopefully the independent commission can make western Sydney its first port of call."
The AFL has never publicly declared it is ready to wage war with rugby league, but there is little doubt it will make significant inroads next season if GWS can obtain immediate success.
Asked about the lack of success from the NRL's four western Sydney clubs, GWS chief executive Dale Holmes said: "Clubs go through cycles in all codes.
"Players come and go.
"This is a great opportunity for all codes across greater western Sydney.
"I think codes and clubs can co-exist and, in some cases, work together in areas like ticketing and membership.
"We can improve the way we do things.
"We see this as an opportunity more than a threat. There are two million people across western Sydney.
"We want to engage more in the community."
On current form, a western Sydney club cannot win the NRL premiership.
Each of the four clubs have endured off-field problems too.
NRL chief executive David Gallop said of the dramas affecting western Sydney clubs: "We don't get involved in club decisions but it's a reminder that the NRL is ultra-competitive.
"We are in a competitive sporting market where fans and stakeholders are hungry for success.
"Our clubs in western Sydney are acutely aware of that."
One NRL official, who did not want to be named, said the AFL would back its new club with huge financial support.
"They have money coming out of every pocket," he said.
"Rugby league shouldn't simply think that kids will follow our game just because their dads and grandfathers did. If we take things for granted, we will see more and more kids kicking around Sherrin balls."
