It’s still a big deal though because it pushed us over the cap, the squad had to be gutted and now we have a team largely of non first graders as a result.
And yes, decisions such as T. Williams on $2m/4yrs were criminal among others. Even with Hasler’s autonomy on signings, where was the financial oversight? That was Castle and the boards job. They were asleep at the wheel.
Sure, that’s true re: playing strip etc, but the fleas come with the dog - previous good work was always going to come crashing down because of big mistakes. KIA as an example were never going to pay top dollar again when our squad was full of reserve graders. That soon ends - several of the current squad won’t be renewed after this season.
Now it’s on the current admin to deliver what they promised - a competitive team for 2021. Assuming they deliver that - the rest should follow - crowds, memberships, merch, sponsors etc.
If it doesn’t - pretty obvious that change will be afoot in early 2022. I, for the sake of the club and not any individuals hope it doesn’t come to that. We all want our team back to where they should be. Let’s see what happens when the final siren sounds.
Agreed, Dib’s administration should have targeted “a wartime consigliere” rather than the PC appointment of Castle to at least attempt to “keep the bastard honest” & butt heads with Hasler. Enough about the past Board, plenty of water has passed under the bridge since.
So let’s give our current administration an assessment & report card. It is no coincidence that the major sponsors jumped ship as soon as they could after initial interactions with the current administration.Off the top of my head:-putting a monetary sum to the commercial loss
Kia front of jersey. $1.3m
Jaycar back of jersey $600k
Wicked Sista shorts $300k
That’s $2.2m all accountable to the previous administration as a result of good personal/commercial relationships.
As for our roster;
when this current administration took over they promptly attempted to get their house in order.
Mbye was released mid year after signing with the Tigers by June 30. $600k
Woods was put out to tender a few clubs were interested but the deal was struck with the Sharks where the Dogs would contribute 25% of his contract rumoured $700k ($125k out of our salary cap for the remainder of 2018 & 2019 seasons).
By the end of the season cap compliant, Eastwood off the books rumoured $800k & Lichaa released. J Morris unwanted. B Morris unwanted 2019 moving forward.
The only backended deals all expiring season end 2020 are Tolman, Hopoate & Elliott a combined ball park figure $1.8m.
Considering the deregistration of the Port Macquarie 2, there’s at least $800k in the kitty.
So under this administration we have moved on:
Mbye SOO player
Eastwood international
J Morris international
B Morris international
A Woods international
Lichaa plodder
CHN international
Okunbur promising local talent??????
Their replacements
L Lewis NSW Cup
JMK NSW Cup
Sue 5 NRL seasons Samoan international
Meaney NSW Cup
Cogger NSW Cup
CHN international gone
DWZ international
Britt NSWCup
Stimson NSW Cup
Lewis, Britt, & Stimson,Meaney & Cogger were Pay signings.
JMK & Sue were McDonnell
CHN & DWZ were thanks to M Hughes.
They missed the boat on H Grant, Koroisau (to name 2 candidates ) for arguably our most vulnerable position.
I’m still cautiously optimistic that they are playing their cards close to their chest and have 4 major signings as well as a well-credentialed coach to be announced in the near future.
They are one quarter of the way into their 2nd term, to date this Board collectively have performed underwhelmingly. They have regressed in every aspect of Football Club operations & administration Grade: D-
As You know Dinkum, Getting major sponsors in the current environment, given we are but 1 of at least 7 franchises in the Greater Sydney area without taking into consideration other codes; it’s easier to look after an existing sponsor than it is to find a new one.