Themis
29-04-08, 08:04 AM
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23613837-5001023,00.html
By Ray Chesterton
April 29, 2008 12:00am
SOUTHS' instability and ill- discipline under its new masters has now been clearly exposed.
The players will not do what they are told on the field. Or off the field.
The liability of a tyro CEO like Peter Holmes a Court, his L-plate swinging around his neck, is now obvious.
He lacks the experience and knowledge to successfully run a football club and impose enforceable restraints.
Discipline has not been breached at Souths. It has been tramped violently underfoot in a humiliating affront by players to management and supporters.
In return Souths management blundered alarmingly in a haphazard retaliation.
Five players went out after the loss to the Broncos, vowing to have an alcohol-free night under the authority of co-captain David Kidwell.
All five failed a zero alcohol test next day. Four were dropped. Kidwell was not. His minor penalty was losing the co-captaincy, a senseless duality of leadership best abandoned anyway.
Why wasn't Kidwell suspended? Why the discrimination? Won't one rule for some and another for the rest inflame the troops?
Like so much of what happens at Souths, who knows?
This is a Souths caught up in a cycle it has never known of flamboyance, extravagance, gushing promises, theatrics and play-acting all leading to tragedy - as can do.
Experienced bosses would never test the alcohol content of players irrespective of promises about being teetotal.
They would think losing seven games and a $70,000 fine for salary cap breaches enough of a problem without risking the loss of players.
Souths have always endured hardship but there were always hard men in control. Not any more.
By Ray Chesterton
April 29, 2008 12:00am
SOUTHS' instability and ill- discipline under its new masters has now been clearly exposed.
The players will not do what they are told on the field. Or off the field.
The liability of a tyro CEO like Peter Holmes a Court, his L-plate swinging around his neck, is now obvious.
He lacks the experience and knowledge to successfully run a football club and impose enforceable restraints.
Discipline has not been breached at Souths. It has been tramped violently underfoot in a humiliating affront by players to management and supporters.
In return Souths management blundered alarmingly in a haphazard retaliation.
Five players went out after the loss to the Broncos, vowing to have an alcohol-free night under the authority of co-captain David Kidwell.
All five failed a zero alcohol test next day. Four were dropped. Kidwell was not. His minor penalty was losing the co-captaincy, a senseless duality of leadership best abandoned anyway.
Why wasn't Kidwell suspended? Why the discrimination? Won't one rule for some and another for the rest inflame the troops?
Like so much of what happens at Souths, who knows?
This is a Souths caught up in a cycle it has never known of flamboyance, extravagance, gushing promises, theatrics and play-acting all leading to tragedy - as can do.
Experienced bosses would never test the alcohol content of players irrespective of promises about being teetotal.
They would think losing seven games and a $70,000 fine for salary cap breaches enough of a problem without risking the loss of players.
Souths have always endured hardship but there were always hard men in control. Not any more.