Is it time for Smorgon to step down

[GVGjr]

Re: Is it time for Smorgon to step down

Have the greatest respect for Smorgo and all he has done for the club.

I have always admired Chris G., and think he would be a wonderful figure head in the right circumstances.

BUT. And it is a huge one.

We just, and repeatedly, get screwed by the AF [bloody]L, and like a lot of others, I think it is time we stood up to them, and started screaming..."This just has to damn-well stop...YESTERDAY!!"

Seems to me what we need at the top is a bit of a [ pit] Bulldog Sh1t stirrer, who will stand up, flick the bird at Andrew D. and company, and demand...Ok, now its our bloody turn..give us a break.
Proper compensation for player losses, an acceptable and workable stadium deal, better draw, etc., etc., etc.

[Remi Moses]

Re: Is it time for Smorgon to step down

Wouldn't you say though Scraggers that we are in I don't like saying it again a "rebuilding phase" with our team. St Kilda also were up there with us and challenging but didn't win anything. 2008 and 2009 we could of won those prelims. 2010 we looked really bad in that final series and starting going down from there.

In fairness the 2010 team was pretty busted up and did well to hang in for as long as they did.

[Remi Moses]

Re: Is it time for Smorgon to step down

Have the greatest respect for Smorgo and all he has done for the club.

I have always admired Chris G., and think he would be a wonderful figure head in the right circumstances.

BUT. And it is a huge one.

We just, and repeatedly, get screwed by the AF [bloody]L, and like a lot of others, I think it is time we stood up to them, and started screaming..."This just has to damn-well stop...YESTERDAY!!"

Seems to me what we need at the top is a bit of a [ pit] Bulldog Sh1t stirrer, who will stand up, flick the bird at Andrew D. and company, and demand...Ok, now its our bloody turn..give us a break.
Proper compensation for player losses, an acceptable and workable stadium deal, better draw, etc., etc., etc.

Couldn't agree more! We've become to submissive and mellow.
I get the Minson stuff, but the "tough talk" with the ward Compo and then they carried on like scolded school kids. Surrended meekly

[Eastdog]

Re: Is it time for Smorgon to step down

In fairness the 2010 team was pretty busted up and did well to hang in for as long as they did.

We had a lot of injuries going into that 2010 final series and he showed up. I think if we can draft well and develop these draftees which is most important hopefully will move up the ladder again.

[SonofScray]

Re: Is it time for Smorgon to step down

It is time, no doubt. I think Smorgo flagged it last year in the media that this was his last stint.

He did a great job to drag us from the doldrums and eventually get things working well with Rose and the succession of Garlick etc. The 'thriving' side to his 'saviour' narrative has never taken off though. We haven't come on in leaps and bounds as a brand. IMO we've actually started to slip a bit.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Is it time for Smorgon to step down

Chris Grant reeks of president material. Just watched the Open Mike interview and was very impressed with his honesty and dipomacy.

Wasn't Chris great, we already knew what a top geniune hinest bloke he was. This nterview just confirmed it, great viewing.

[westdog54]

Re: Is it time for Smorgon to step down

Nice bump bornadog. I think Smorgon has been fantastic - however I think he retains his siege mentality. I know this sounds counterintuitive, but I think it is time for someone who hasn't had to fight for the life of the club, it is time for someone who can stand on Smorgon's shoulders - and run the club the way it needs to be run in 2012. 15 years is a long time to be doing anything.

Interesting take. I think that perhaps Peter Gordon was hamstrung by the same scenario, it just so happens that Smorgon has served almost an extra decade as President.

I'm not sure the time is right now for Chris Grant to become President but I would dearly love to see it someday.

Smorgon took over at a very difficult time and the club has had some success in his time but I think we have reached a point as a club where we are again starting to fall behind and some fresh ideas are needed. Where they will come from I don't know. After the media circus last year I'd think that Paul Dimmatina isn't interested. Susan Alberti has been a fantastic clubperson but would she be more of the same? I suppose there's only one way to find out...

[Scraggers]

Re: Is it time for Smorgon to step down

Wouldn't you say though Scraggers that we are in I don't like saying it again a "rebuilding phase" with our team. St Kilda also were up there with us and challenging but didn't win anything. 2008 and 2009 we could of won those prelims. 2010 we looked really bad in that final series and starting going down from there.

Not according to the 'Powers-That-Be' ... In the President's address before the game against Freo (last round, last year) we were told that there was no need to rebuild, just refocus.

We've done so much refocussing this year, we need bi-focals.

[chef]

Re: Is it time for Smorgon to step down

Chris Grant reeks of president material. Just watched the Open Mike interview and was very impressed with his honesty and dipomacy.

What his business sense like?

[Desipura]

Re: Is it time for Smorgon to step down

What his business sense like?

Have you had a look at the apartments he is building on the Strand at Williamstown?
Its huuuuge, I dont think his business sense will be a problem if that is anything to go by.

[chef]

Re: Is it time for Smorgon to step down

Have you had a look at the apartments he is building on the Strand at Williamstown?
Its huuuuge, I dont think his business sense will be a problem if that is anything to go by.

How is he at running multi million dollar businesses?

He would need a great number 2 behind him. Maybe we should see what Eugene Arocca is up to.

[Desipura]

Re: Is it time for Smorgon to step down

How is he at running multi million dollar businesses?

He would need a great number 2 behind him. Maybe we should see what Eugene Arocca is up to.

Well, this development would be in the multi million bracket.

[chef]

Re: Is it time for Smorgon to step down

Well, this development would be in the multi million bracket.

But it's an investment not a business.

Hopefully Dimma can get involved somewhere.

[Maddog37]

Re: Is it time for Smorgon to step down

What his business sense like?

I could not really offer any credible information on that one Chef but assuming he has a good team around him it should not be a major hurdle.

I just feel he would bring some gravitas and strength to the club. If the club has a good leader that people aspire to follow then it must be a genuine benefit.

[whythelongface]

Re: Is it time for Smorgon to step down

How is he at running multi million dollar businesses?

He would need a great number 2 behind him. Maybe we should see what Eugene Arocca is up to.

I think it is more about leadership than having the ability to run a mulit-million dollar business, sure he needs some business nous and the ability to wheel and deal, however ultimately we need a leader that can steer the ship and get things done. Even better would be that someone who leads the club is well respected in the football world. Someone that knows the game back to front.

I can think of no one better than Chris Grant.

As you have stated, as long as he has good support staff who are qualified to run a business (Garlick has an MBA) then they are the ones who can look after the day-to-day running of the club then the President can solely focus on leading the club and be involved in negotiations with AFL and marketing our brand etc etc.