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By Phil Rothfield From: The Sunday Telegraph Sat Oct 17 21:21:57
THE Sydney Roosters' year from hell has got a whole lot worse with the revelation long-time sponsor Samsung has dumped the club because of disgraceful player behaviour.
The company that has poured in almost $4million over the past six years informed chief executive Steve Noyce last week they were "looking in a new direction''.
Six months of scandal, including allegations of assaults on women, high-range drink driving, the coach on a drinking bender and Nate Myles' infamous hotel defecation has battered the image of the Roosters in the eyes of their long-time corporate partner.
Throw in recent match-fixing allegations from the final premiership round, albeit strongly denied by players who are now contemplating legal action, and the once proud club has gone into one of its darkest periods in 101 years of premiership football.
Noyce confirmed last night the Roosters were on the lookout for a new major sponsor following Samsung's exit.
"I can confirm they won't be with us next year,'' Noyce said. "They've been great partners for six years, but globally they are looking in a different direction."
"Obviously they spoke about the player behaviour. On the field, it's been a disappointing year - off the field it's been extremely disappointing. We've just got to work harder and smarter.''
The Roosters have hired the NRL's strictest disciplinarian, veteran coach Brian Smith, to begin an immediate cleanout and repair a battered image.
The former Dragons, Parramatta and Knights mentor has a pathetic coaching record (he's never won a comp in 25 years), but he is determined to install respect and discipline at the club.
The first casualty is likely to be former Test forward Willie Mason, who is seen by many at the club as a bad influence on younger players.
When asked about Mason's future, Noyce replied: "He's under contract for next season.''
Pressed on whether Mason will be playing next year, Noyce said: "At this stage he will.''
Meanwhile, a number of Roosters stars are considering legal action against The Sydney Morning Herald over allegations they threw their final game against the Cowboys.
"We have consulted a solicitor who thinks we've got a very strong case,'' a senior Roosters player said. "All 17 players who played that day in Craig Fitzgibbon's farewell match are now under suspicion because of what the Herald has printed."
"To throw a game is the lowest act, particularly in Fitzy's last match. All our reputations have suffered because of the false stories they've been printing."
"Our legal advice is that all 17 players could launch a class action against the newspaper.''
Noyce is supporting the players in their denial of match fixing.
"In our previous three games we were beaten by a combined total of 90 points,'' Noyce said, "On 12 occasions during the season we got beaten by more than 13 points."
"Look, 2009 was a disastrous year for the club on and off the field but the big theme of our off-season has been about implementing change and we feel we've put the right systems and people in place to turn the club around.''
In the wake of the betting allegations, Racing NSW boss Peter V'landys has warned punters about the risks in sports wagering.
"In racing, we spend $4million a year to have the best stewards in the country to protect the punter,'' V'landys said.
"The sports codes don't have anything in place to handle this sort of issue. There is no protection for punters in sports betting.''
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1225787845831
Confirming what a lot of us already knew
THE Sydney Roosters' year from hell has got a whole lot worse with the revelation long-time sponsor Samsung has dumped the club because of disgraceful player behaviour.
The company that has poured in almost $4million over the past six years informed chief executive Steve Noyce last week they were "looking in a new direction''.
Six months of scandal, including allegations of assaults on women, high-range drink driving, the coach on a drinking bender and Nate Myles' infamous hotel defecation has battered the image of the Roosters in the eyes of their long-time corporate partner.
Throw in recent match-fixing allegations from the final premiership round, albeit strongly denied by players who are now contemplating legal action, and the once proud club has gone into one of its darkest periods in 101 years of premiership football.
Noyce confirmed last night the Roosters were on the lookout for a new major sponsor following Samsung's exit.
"I can confirm they won't be with us next year,'' Noyce said. "They've been great partners for six years, but globally they are looking in a different direction."
"Obviously they spoke about the player behaviour. On the field, it's been a disappointing year - off the field it's been extremely disappointing. We've just got to work harder and smarter.''
The Roosters have hired the NRL's strictest disciplinarian, veteran coach Brian Smith, to begin an immediate cleanout and repair a battered image.
The former Dragons, Parramatta and Knights mentor has a pathetic coaching record (he's never won a comp in 25 years), but he is determined to install respect and discipline at the club.
The first casualty is likely to be former Test forward Willie Mason, who is seen by many at the club as a bad influence on younger players.
When asked about Mason's future, Noyce replied: "He's under contract for next season.''
Pressed on whether Mason will be playing next year, Noyce said: "At this stage he will.''
Meanwhile, a number of Roosters stars are considering legal action against The Sydney Morning Herald over allegations they threw their final game against the Cowboys.
"We have consulted a solicitor who thinks we've got a very strong case,'' a senior Roosters player said. "All 17 players who played that day in Craig Fitzgibbon's farewell match are now under suspicion because of what the Herald has printed."
"To throw a game is the lowest act, particularly in Fitzy's last match. All our reputations have suffered because of the false stories they've been printing."
"Our legal advice is that all 17 players could launch a class action against the newspaper.''
Noyce is supporting the players in their denial of match fixing.
"In our previous three games we were beaten by a combined total of 90 points,'' Noyce said, "On 12 occasions during the season we got beaten by more than 13 points."
"Look, 2009 was a disastrous year for the club on and off the field but the big theme of our off-season has been about implementing change and we feel we've put the right systems and people in place to turn the club around.''
In the wake of the betting allegations, Racing NSW boss Peter V'landys has warned punters about the risks in sports wagering.
"In racing, we spend $4million a year to have the best stewards in the country to protect the punter,'' V'landys said.
"The sports codes don't have anything in place to handle this sort of issue. There is no protection for punters in sports betting.''
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1225787845831
Confirming what a lot of us already knew
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