Monday Buzz: the man leading coup to overthrow famous Bulldog name
Canterbury’s on-field performance in 2020 has left a lot to be desired but it’s behind-the-scenes where things are taking an even darker turn.
Lynne Anderson knows the dogs are barking loudly at Belmore.
Away from the locker rooms another boardroom brawl is looming over her future as chair.
Ironically, Sunday was the 20th anniversary of the passing of her father, the legendary Canterbury CEO Peter Moore.
A move is likely to be made within the next few days to try to talk Anderson into standing down.
Anyone would think they are going as bad as the Broncos such is the bitterness and unrest.
It doesn’t matter that their expectations were nothing like Brisbane’s at the beginning of the year.
Bulldogs Chair and daughter of the legendary Bullfrog Moore, Lynne Anderson, at Belmore Sports Ground. Picture: Brett Costello
Disgruntled members are trying to gather enough numbers to call for an extraordinary general meeting, the equivalent of a no-confidence vote in the board.
Anderson knows what is happening behind the scenes.
“When you’re down there are plenty of people wanting to throw stones and kick you,” she says, “I’m aware of it and I’m not surprised you are hearing about it.”
The main player in the move to oust the chair is a powerful lobbying specialist at Belmore and the same man who engineered the last boardroom coup to remove Ray Dib in early 2018.
He has now turned on the board, urged on by members, and officials with whom he had lunch with in Parramatta last Wednesday.
Right now the Bulldogs are seriously struggling. It’s not just about the two competition points each weekend, their position on the ladder or the game against the Rabbitohs on Sunday evening.
Ray Dib. Picture: Christian Gilles
They have no major sponsor, no permanent home ground, no new signings outside of English forward Luke Thompson, and still no decision has been made on a coach for 2021 and beyond.
The delay in making a decision on Dean Pay is hurting their recruitment plans.
No more big-name players will commit to the club until they know who is coaching the side.
The team’s poor roster and performances are making it impossible to sign a major sponsor, particularly with the corporate world struggling post COVID-19.
Both their leagues club and football club lost millions of dollars last year, long before COVID-19.
The league’s club is $45 million in debt but has a $100 million property asset in Liverpool.
Your columnist asked Anderson over the weekend if she would be prepared to walk away.
“I haven’t even thought about it,” she said.
“We’re in a situation where we know we have to do better and no-one is denying that.
“It’s been a challenge over the last two and a half years but we’re moving forward.
“Other clubs have had tough years. Parramatta and Newcastle. They were given time to rebuild.”
Lynne Anderson is under pressure. Picture: Boo Bailey
There has also been suggestions the Lynne’s husband, former premiership winning coach Chris Anderson, is interfering in management areas where he shouldn’t be.
He was forced to stand down from the board over a collapsed business, owing millions of dollars.
Lynne denies Chris is still involved.
Still, the new board promised a lot but has delivered virtually nothing.
“They procrastinate over everything and can’t make a decision,” said one insider.
The Bulldogs have finished 12th, 12th and 11th in the last three years and are currently sitting on the bottom of the premiership table.
Anderson makes no apologies for her loyalty to Pay and the fact a decision has been delayed to give him every chance to win some football games.
Plus she is hoping the members show her the same faith and patience.
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