Ext User(k r u d l e r)
07-09-2006, 12:43 PM
Heads still to roll at Blues
07 September 2006 Herald-Sun
OPINION Mark Robinson
THE fallout at Carlton has already begun.
Expect headlines in coming weeks, probably focusing on Barry Mitchell's
departure, Adrian Gleeson's resignation and Stephen Silvagni making his
return to the Blues.
And what of club champion Stephen Kernahan?
If Gleeson was the frontman for a group of former players and businessmen,
who were hell-bent on sacking Denis Pagan and replacing him with Mitchell,
then he has some soul-searching to do.
If Pagan's position was untenable 24 hours ago, it's safe to assume Gleeson
is now kicking into the breeze.
He has to go.
He wanted Pagan's head and missed it. How can he, as a newish football board
director, now work with the senior coach? You reckon Pagan will forgive and
forget? "On ya' bike, son."
Then there's Kernahan. He and Pagan reportedly have a strained relationship.
It might have been rectified somewhat yesterday with Kernahan's support of
Pagan at the board meeting.
As always, Kernahan was in the middle of it. He knew the Pagan side, and
would've heard the other side, if not entertained it for a period. In the
end, he sided with Pagan.
In essence, the Blues are a rabble.
Former Carlton president Ian Collins summed it up best: "There will be
repercussions."
And they will be intriguing.
Has Pagan retrieved the power he nearly lost? And if so, how much?
Mike Sheahan revealed in this newspaper a month ago that Pagan was under
pressure to keep his assistants -- Tony Elshaug, Tony Liberatore and
part-timer Terry Daniher.
Silvagni looks likely to return, so where does he fit in and how much power
has he got?
What we do know is that the attempt to "re-Carltonalise" Carlton has failed.
The names behind the scenes were well-known. Brett Ratten, Peter Dean, Craig
Bradley and Greg Williams were thought to be heavily involved. They wanted
Mitchell to coach.
It's believed a group of businessmen had raised more than $1 million to aid
the football department if Mitchell was appointed.
Just yesterday, one of the men involved was given two separate assurances:
one for $25,000 and another of $50,000.
It was full steam ahead.
Pagan goes, Elshaug gone, Libba gone. New coach. New assistants. And an
overhaul of the football department.
A man on the anti-Pagan group, when told of Graham Smorgon's announcement
last night, was staggered at the news. "Is he? No." he said.
He was surprised at first. Then angry.
"You don't know what this has done to the club," he said. "This will set
back the club."
So convincing was the group that a change was needed the million bucks had
been raised in under a fortnight.
So, now, the Blues have to pick up the pieces.
The return of Silvagni will be more than interesting.
Channel 7 reported last night he hopped into the ring when he learned
Mitchell was going to get the job.
Mind you, there's some at Carlton who don't have SOS on their best friends'
list either.
07 September 2006 Herald-Sun
OPINION Mark Robinson
THE fallout at Carlton has already begun.
Expect headlines in coming weeks, probably focusing on Barry Mitchell's
departure, Adrian Gleeson's resignation and Stephen Silvagni making his
return to the Blues.
And what of club champion Stephen Kernahan?
If Gleeson was the frontman for a group of former players and businessmen,
who were hell-bent on sacking Denis Pagan and replacing him with Mitchell,
then he has some soul-searching to do.
If Pagan's position was untenable 24 hours ago, it's safe to assume Gleeson
is now kicking into the breeze.
He has to go.
He wanted Pagan's head and missed it. How can he, as a newish football board
director, now work with the senior coach? You reckon Pagan will forgive and
forget? "On ya' bike, son."
Then there's Kernahan. He and Pagan reportedly have a strained relationship.
It might have been rectified somewhat yesterday with Kernahan's support of
Pagan at the board meeting.
As always, Kernahan was in the middle of it. He knew the Pagan side, and
would've heard the other side, if not entertained it for a period. In the
end, he sided with Pagan.
In essence, the Blues are a rabble.
Former Carlton president Ian Collins summed it up best: "There will be
repercussions."
And they will be intriguing.
Has Pagan retrieved the power he nearly lost? And if so, how much?
Mike Sheahan revealed in this newspaper a month ago that Pagan was under
pressure to keep his assistants -- Tony Elshaug, Tony Liberatore and
part-timer Terry Daniher.
Silvagni looks likely to return, so where does he fit in and how much power
has he got?
What we do know is that the attempt to "re-Carltonalise" Carlton has failed.
The names behind the scenes were well-known. Brett Ratten, Peter Dean, Craig
Bradley and Greg Williams were thought to be heavily involved. They wanted
Mitchell to coach.
It's believed a group of businessmen had raised more than $1 million to aid
the football department if Mitchell was appointed.
Just yesterday, one of the men involved was given two separate assurances:
one for $25,000 and another of $50,000.
It was full steam ahead.
Pagan goes, Elshaug gone, Libba gone. New coach. New assistants. And an
overhaul of the football department.
A man on the anti-Pagan group, when told of Graham Smorgon's announcement
last night, was staggered at the news. "Is he? No." he said.
He was surprised at first. Then angry.
"You don't know what this has done to the club," he said. "This will set
back the club."
So convincing was the group that a change was needed the million bucks had
been raised in under a fortnight.
So, now, the Blues have to pick up the pieces.
The return of Silvagni will be more than interesting.
Channel 7 reported last night he hopped into the ring when he learned
Mitchell was going to get the job.
Mind you, there's some at Carlton who don't have SOS on their best friends'
list either.