Miller given a 24-hour ultimatum
07 December 2004 Herald Sun
Jon Pierik
THE battle for Punt Rd raged on yesterday when Greg Miller was given a 24-hour deadline to withdraw his nomination for the Richmond board.
And independent candidate Justin Ridge said he would vacate his spot for club legend Rex Hunt provided he wins a seat after the December 22 elections.
Ridge, 35, a chartered accountant and lifelong Tigers supporter, says Hunt has plenty to offer the Tigers.
Hunt had hoped to join the ticket of incumbent president Clinton Casey last month but the plan was scuttled when it was revealed he wasn't even a member of the club.
"This is just another option for Richmond members," Ridge told the Herald Sun.
"If Rex is available, I'll move aside. I've pledged that."
Hunt last night said he had a lot to offer the Tigers, but hoped he wouldn't have to accept Ridge's offer.
"That's a bit like queue-jumping, I hope it doesn't get to that," he told 3AW.
Hunt said he was happy to work with either Casey or rival Charles Macek.
Ridge's offer came as the Macek group delivered a letter by courier to Miller yesterday afternoon, asking the Tigers' director of football to reconsider his decision to join the Casey ticket.
But Miller, who was in Mildura and hadn't seen the letter, last night delivered an emphatic response.
"I made my decision for the right reasons and I've said them all along," Miller said.
"Macek has said that I've let Richmond people down by going with Clinton Casey.
"I thought it would be the opposite. Joining the Clinton Casey board was for the Richmond people, because I feel so strongly about it."
Miller decided last week to align himself with Casey, prompting conflict of interest accusations. If the Macek ticket claims power, it seems almost certain Miller, who started to overhaul the Tigers' football department two years ago, would be lost to the club.
The alternative board is keen to retain his football nous, a desire reinforced by their decision to hand out an "olive branch". "We are asking him in the interests of the Richmond Football Club, first and foremost, to commit to the coach and players and to his plan," Macek said.
"If he withdraws his nomination for the board, which under the constitution you are entitled to do until December 10, we would give him an absolute undertaking that his role is secure."
If the Casey ticket loses, Miller will be out the door.
"We are asking him to do this for the young players he has brought to the club," Macek said. "He can't stay on the board and work in the club. That's untenable, unheard of."
As football director, Miller has to report to chief executive Steve Wright but, if elected on to the board, Miller would have a say in, if necessary, sacking Wright. Wright, in return, would find himself having to report to Miller in his board role.
If elected, Miller, who works closely with new coach Terry Wallace, would also have a vote in determining Wallace's fate.
Ridge, who will release his campaign brochure today, is one of two independents running for a seat on the board.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,11612261%255E20322,00.html