Tweet
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...018866,00.html
Brain Smith's deal with Sydney Roosters reveals betrayal of Brad Fittler
By Andrew Webster
July 20, 2009 Brad Fittler knew he was a dead man walking. What he does not know is the Roosters have been plotting to find a coach to replace him for six weeks.
As the fallout to Fittler's axing continues to reverberate around the club and NRL, The Daily Telegraph has reported the Roosters started negotiations with Knights coach Brian Smith in early June.
It comes as the departure of Fittler left a sour taste in the mouths of his players, who only found out through the media on Saturday night their coach had been sacked.
The manner of Fittler's exit made for an icy press conference after the 30-24 loss to the Warriors.
Sitting alongside CEO Steve Noyce, Fittler was angry at how his demise became public before he could address his players.
"The club's never been one to ever hold a secret," Fittler said. "The under-20s strapper knew before me. That's a bit disappointing. That's something between me and Steve and we've spoken about it."
It is understood a mystery third party - known to Smith and the club - approached the Roosters in early June when the Knights would only give the coach a one-year extension.
After hearing that the Roosters might be interested, Smith was given a three-week window to negotiate with other clubs. It is believed any move to Bondi Junction was scuppered at that time by Roosters chairman Nick Politis, who wanted to stay loyal to Fittler.
The turning point came in the last month when the club endured a series of off-field dramas, including Sandor Earl and Jake Friend being charged with assault, Nate Myles defecating in the hallway of a Terrigal hotel and police being called when a drunken Fittler was found banging on a guest's door at the team hotel in Townsville.
When sponsors, including major backer Samsung, began to raise concerns about the direction of the club, Politis told Noyce to pursue Smith.
Noyce interviewed the Knights coach in Sydney last Monday. Politis sat in on the meeting before flying out for Greece the following day.
On Friday, Smith signed the heads of agreement on a $2.4million, four-year deal.
Fittler was not informed that he was being sacked until after training on Saturday.
"The very first day I started, Freddy said, 'all I ever ask is that you are honest with me'," Noyce said.
"Seven-and-a-half months later, we've both been honest with each other. We had our plan ... to tell the players after today's game. Again, I apologise that it didn't happen like that."
Interesting I think it is quite probable that Gus was the mystery third party and he quite possibly leaked the story to fellow 9 employee Danny Weidler???
Especially as Steve Noyce said in yesterdays press conference that few people knew of the negotiations.
Brain Smith's deal with Sydney Roosters reveals betrayal of Brad Fittler
By Andrew Webster
July 20, 2009 Brad Fittler knew he was a dead man walking. What he does not know is the Roosters have been plotting to find a coach to replace him for six weeks.
As the fallout to Fittler's axing continues to reverberate around the club and NRL, The Daily Telegraph has reported the Roosters started negotiations with Knights coach Brian Smith in early June.
It comes as the departure of Fittler left a sour taste in the mouths of his players, who only found out through the media on Saturday night their coach had been sacked.
The manner of Fittler's exit made for an icy press conference after the 30-24 loss to the Warriors.
Sitting alongside CEO Steve Noyce, Fittler was angry at how his demise became public before he could address his players.
"The club's never been one to ever hold a secret," Fittler said. "The under-20s strapper knew before me. That's a bit disappointing. That's something between me and Steve and we've spoken about it."
It is understood a mystery third party - known to Smith and the club - approached the Roosters in early June when the Knights would only give the coach a one-year extension.
After hearing that the Roosters might be interested, Smith was given a three-week window to negotiate with other clubs. It is believed any move to Bondi Junction was scuppered at that time by Roosters chairman Nick Politis, who wanted to stay loyal to Fittler.
The turning point came in the last month when the club endured a series of off-field dramas, including Sandor Earl and Jake Friend being charged with assault, Nate Myles defecating in the hallway of a Terrigal hotel and police being called when a drunken Fittler was found banging on a guest's door at the team hotel in Townsville.
When sponsors, including major backer Samsung, began to raise concerns about the direction of the club, Politis told Noyce to pursue Smith.
Noyce interviewed the Knights coach in Sydney last Monday. Politis sat in on the meeting before flying out for Greece the following day.
On Friday, Smith signed the heads of agreement on a $2.4million, four-year deal.
Fittler was not informed that he was being sacked until after training on Saturday.
"The very first day I started, Freddy said, 'all I ever ask is that you are honest with me'," Noyce said.
"Seven-and-a-half months later, we've both been honest with each other. We had our plan ... to tell the players after today's game. Again, I apologise that it didn't happen like that."
Interesting I think it is quite probable that Gus was the mystery third party and he quite possibly leaked the story to fellow 9 employee Danny Weidler???
Especially as Steve Noyce said in yesterdays press conference that few people knew of the negotiations.
Comment