Former Dragons chairman Craig Young said he quit the role because he knew the effect his controversial support of Brett Finch could have on the club. But he dismissed suggestions he left because he felt he did the wrong thing.
No club has dealt with more off-field drama in recent years than the Dragons. From Jack de Belin’s legal battle to coach sackings and the dumber-than-dumb Paul Vaughan barbecue, the club has not had much clean air. Young knew the impact another media storm could have on their season.
Young was Dragons chairman when he gave a reference on club letterhead for Finch during his court case. Young quit the board after heavy criticism of the move. Finch, a former NRL player, pleaded guilty to sharing child sexual abuse material in an attempt to obtain cocaine. He is awaiting sentencing.
“There were things to consider,” Young said. “The players were coming back to training and I didn’t want to disrupt that. I needed to make sure it was not something they would have to deal with.”
Then there is coach Anthony Griffin: he is hanging by a thread as the club tries to turn around some dismal seasons on the field.
“I didn’t want to have an impact on anything Anthony was doing either,” Young said. “He will be judged on the results he gets.”
Craig Young and (inset) Brett Finch.Credit:Oscar Colman, NRL Photos
Young was responding to suggestions put to this column that he didn’t want to quit but was forced to do so. Some at the club say he was threatened with legal action if he dug his heels in.
“I quit … it was purely my call,” Young said. “I didn’t get forced out and I told you why. But I don’t back away from my support [for Finch]. In fact, I’d do it all again tomorrow. You don’t desert your mates. That’s how I’ve lived my life and how I’ve brought up my kids. I have no problem with living like that.”
Bunnies hopping mad
Some NRL heavy hitters have been privately doubting the value of individuals owning clubs as Souths officials fume about Russell Crowe’s integrity being questioned.
Souths are angry Crowe has been dragged into the NRL’s funding fight with the clubs. Some at the NRL claim the reason the Rabbitohs are fighting so hard is because Crowe wants to take money out of the club. It is a narrative that has been raised in club land and latched on to by the game’s governing body. Souths say they know who is pushing the story.
Privately, some at the NRL have also questioned Manly’s ownership, concerned about how much money the Penn family is reinvesting into football.
Crowe has been a great addition to the NRL since he and Peter Holmes a Court bought 75 per cent of the Rabbitohs in March 2006. To question his reasons for investing in the game, and to claim it is because he wants to take money out of Souths, is a curious move.
Crowe is well aware of what is being said. We asked him for comment but received no reply.
Crowe was not South Sydney’s saviour – George Piggins was – but with Holmes a Court he turned them into a powerhouse: they won the 2014 premiership, reached the 2021 grand final and have played in five straight preliminary finals. But the behind-the-scenes attacks on Souths are getting nasty.
I have been told there was a meeting between News Corp, ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo where it was pointed out that Souths boss Blake Solly was leading the charge against the NRL. This column has been told there was significant criticism of Solly, but this has been denied. V’landys confirmed a meeting with News Corp took place, saying it was not unusual to meet with a partner organisation and he would do so with Nine Entertainment (owners of this masthead) in the near future.
V’landys said he did not have a clear recollection of any individual being discussed at the meeting.
“We are disappointed Andrew [Abdo] was being attacked [in the funding debate] … but we play the issue not the man,” V’landys said. “It was a 45-minute meeting and when we have issues coming up it’s not unusual for that to happen. Any suggestion we attacked individuals is not true. There were only three of us in the meeting and I don’t think you are being told the truth.”
News Corp has been supportive of the NRL in its battle with the clubs and players. Solly has heard talk he is pushing the club’s barrow for personal gain through a bonus related to club profits. What hasn’t been said is he took a significant pay cut during the COVID crisis.
It’s also hard to doubt the ongoing commitment of South Sydney’s owners. The Rabbitohs spend $2million a year on pathways and junior development, having taken over some of the responsibilities for funding from Souths Juniors. South Sydney members take great pride in the fact their club has posted a profit every year since 2011. It is also worth noting that the Bunnies are investing $4 million in a community and high-performance centre at Heffron Park. They are hardly the actions of a multimillionaire draining a club of cash. That’s not to mention James Packer’s $1 million donation to Souths Cares in 2021.
Solly is aware of the meeting and what was allegedly discussed, but refused to comment.
The NRL needs Crowe and his contacts if the mooted American NRL clash is going to get off the ground. Ironically, the Penns will also be called on through their connection with Manly fan Hugh Jackman. What Crowe and the Penn family say to the NRL when it comes knocking will be interesting.
Hold your horses
Is Peter V’landys about to listen to his critics and walk away from the NRL? For now, he is staying strong.
V’landys, who is Racing NSW chief as well as ARLC chairman, is not about to walk. He thinks he owes the game that gave him identity and acceptance as a young man.
“I was able to do both jobs during the toughest time: COVID,” V’landys said. “I don’t think we will face greater challenges than that and I’m feeling reinvigorated.”
Anthony Seibold.Credit:Getty Images
England Rugby chiefs fuming with Manly’s Seibold declaration
Manly’s signing of Anthony Seibold has been acknowledged as fact for weeks now, but England Rugby bosses were not as ready to call it a done deal.
They were mightily unimpressed with the assumption Seibold was free to go and take up the Sea Eagles’ offer.
They were even less impressed with those acting for him. They were seeking compensation for Seibold breaking his contract with England Rugby, where he was the national team’s defence coach and had a contract until the 2023 World Cup in France. Transfer fees are the norm in the UK, and England Rugby was keen to get some compensation.
I have been told that you can’t induce someone to break a contract without compensation in return. It is unclear if England Rugby got its way.
Doueihi set to manage himself
Wests Tigers playmaker Adam Doueihi is taking over his own management and has placed a hefty price tag on his services.
Doueihi has been selling himself as a No.7 or No.6 to a rival club and is after a three-year deal worth at least $900,000 a season. I’ve been told by those with knowledge of the situation he wants a minimum of $850,000 for the first season, with his price going up in future years.
Adam Doueihi has been selling himself as a No.7 or No.6 to a rival club.Credit:Getty
With a dearth of quality No.7s in the competition, it’s a good tactic, but it remains to be seen if a club will go for that price. He is a quality player, but has had knee issues in the past. Even with healthy legs, he is going to need a breakout season to reach that level of income.
There are about half-a-dozen $1 million halves in the NRL, headed by Nathan Cleary, Cameron Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans, but Doueihi is not in that class.
The Tigers’ roster is better than it has been and if he can cash in on good service from the likes of Api Koroisau, Jackson Hastings and maybe Luke Brooks he may mount a case for an upgrade.
Kyle and error?
With his future uncertain beyond next year, Kyle Flanagan is putting his faith in family. He is believed to be leaning towards having his father, Shane, take care of his affairs.
There have been obvious options for Kyle: the Dragons, when Shane was in charge of their roster; and Manly, where Shane is now the assistant coach. He wasn’t recruited by his dad for the Dragons and it appears Cooper Johns is the back-up half option at Manly. While Kyle has been told by the Bulldogs he is free to go if he can find another club, there have been few takers.
What seemed to be the tipping point for Kyle with advisor Wayne Beavis was that Beavis found Kyle a club in England, but the halfback didn’t take up the offer because he is confident of making the Bulldogs No.7 jumper his own. The fact the club was happy for him to move to England says a lot.
Sonny still shines
Tevita Pangai jnr’s devastating knockout of Jeremiah Tupai-Ui last Saturday night got lost in the shock defeat of Sonny Bill Williams, but Pangai’s appreciation of Williams hasn’t diminished. In fact, plenty of ears pricked up when he used the Arabic term for “God willing” in his press conference before the fight.
“The reason I said that is simple: I love the way he says it because it is God’s will,” Pangai said. “Nothing’s promised. We as people today we just take things for granted. That’s what I love about spending time with Sonny — he appreciates and cherishes every moment.”
Pangai says SBW helped him process the death of his baby last year. “I was making plans,” he said.
“And then she’s gone. Spending time with Sonny made me very appreciative for everything that I have. He kept me accountable for my sessions, telling me and challenging me. He has set me up for the year.”
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