Dave Smith destroys the NRL in 3yrs and then walks away

[fletch]

got to love the NRL, Dave Smith has destroyed the game in the last 3yrs and then resigns this morning.

hopefully they get in someone that actually knows something about running a sporting organisation this time.

[Johnny Tobin]

So it was true that he wanted a bonus for the TV deal and then scoot.

I would almost guarantee it will be Greenberg.

[2026]

Latez and you can take the game managers and your "share the love trophy" with you.

[Kingbilly]

The big problem is that John Grant has taken over. He must go as well.

Someone with some balls needs to come in and take control of the game back from the media

[fletch]

Andrew Demetriou took a bit of a credibility hit over the ASADA/Bombers scandal but he is a ruthless operator and he played a big part in the huge gap in professionalism now between the AFL and NRL, would be worth having a look at him.

[Johnny Tobin]

The big problem is that John Grant has taken over. He must go as well.

Someone with some balls needs to come in and take control of the game back from the media

I had heard that Grant and Smith were barely on talking terms. Obviously that made Smith's decision easier - maybe he was even pushed.

[Johnny Tobin]

Andrew Demetriou took a bit of a credibility hit over the ASADA/Bombers scandal but he is a ruthless operator and he played a big part in the huge gap in professionalism now between the AFL and NRL, would be worth having a look at him.

I think he is making squillions sitting on boards and doing the talking circuit. That would be a long shot.

If Greenberg has sucked up to Grant and white-anted Smith (which would both be almost certain) he will probably be the one.

[JAF]

In hindsight, the appointments of Grant and Smith were the absolute worst for rugby league as the game seemed to go backwards, particularly from a fan perspective.
I just hope the powers that be learn from these lessons in the next CEO appointment ...

[fletch]

John Grant is a massive problem, and the fact he has even more power is downright scary for any rugby league fan.

would be a great time for another SL push, the 12 clubs who haven't signed the new binding agreements with the NRL should just breakaway.

[Kelby]

Gus Gould for CEO?

[Kingbilly]

Gus Gould for CEO?

TV clown Gould has done almost as much to destroy our game.
RL Gould maybe a good option, but he and his buddies at Ch9 should never be let near RL administration

[Tommy Smith]

I thought you've all been reading the Telegraph too much.

Smith did a good job. He got much better tv deals than any league mug would have like Greenberg.

I do agree that Grant needs to go. And FFS, please don't be Greenberg.

[Johnny.]

Bring back the bike rider!

[Kingsgrove-Loiner]

I'm with Tommy. I thought Smith did a good job, considering he had to put up with endless sniping and bullshit from news ltd. The game is in better shape off the field than ever.

Can you imagine if Gallup was still in charge? We'd still be bowing and scraping to Murdoch and thanking him for the massive $200M for the tv rights.....

Smith didn't know rugby league that well, so he surrounded himself with people that did. Unfortunately, they were the wrong people (Greenberg, Richardson) and the game as a spectacle has gone backwards. It's shouldn't be too hard to turn it back around.

[Double]

John Grant is a massive problem, and the fact he has even more power is downright scary for any rugby league fan.

would be a great time for another SL push, the 12 clubs who haven't signed the new binding agreements with the NRL should just breakaway.

Sometimes I wonder how we ever got to this situation. People I'm sure remember the days of the NSWRL & QRL which you never heard from unless it was SOO time and Queenslanders were crying bias.
When and why did the clubs lose control of their operations? to become mere franchises.

I asked Ted Helliar once the question of who owns the website name roosters.com.au and he said it was Easts Group. I asked him why then the Roosters had to submit/request articles and updates to Telstra so that the necessary changes and alterations could be made. Imagine running your own business this way. Imagine using the same website template as all of your business competition where only the name and colours are different...

So you're in the business of RL and have a long and proud history of accomplishments, players and club but you don't own your trading history... you know numbers... called statistics in RL. Clubs don't own them nor can you make them available to your fans and members. No, if you want these stats you need to purchase them from a third party player with all profits filling the coffers of the provider.

If it wasn't for the players and coaches and the quality of the game itself, you'd light a match and burn the lot of them.