Big guns fire at Punt Rd
The Australian
December 01, 2004
THE two groups at war for control of Richmond Football Club wheeled out their heavy artillery yesterday.
The challenger drew first blood, with the Charles Macek team boasting the backing of several of the club's most revered names, including Francis Bourke, Dick Clay and Jim Jess.
The incumbent administration, led by Clinton Casey, countered with a stunning move from left field: the decision of the club's director of football Greg Miller to contest the election.
Miller has put his job at risk, admitting to the Herald Sun last night failure either to win a seat, or winning a seat on a board dominated by Macek candidates, probably would see him depart Punt Rd.
Miller, who started the overhaul of Richmond's football department two years ago, and prominent financier Maurice O'Shannassy fill the two vacancies on Casey's ticket.
Miller is responsible for the club's $9.84 million football division. He lured Terry Wallace to Richmond as coach five months ago.
O'Shannassy is managing director of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers Australia.
The Macek group and its high-profile supporters continue to say it's time for change after yet another dismal season; Miller, speaking for the Casey group, says momentum built in recent months must be maintained.
I thought long and hard before I asked the Casey ticket if I could join them," Miller said.
"Some may say, 'Stay out of it', but if I am honest, I cannot sit on the fence. Too many good things are under way to start again."
Up to 30 people are expected to contest the nine positions at the election later this month, with as many as 12 independents likely to stand.
Miller pleaded yesterday for time for the club to consolidate.
"It disappoints me to see past players, past champions, past directors of the club take sides without really knowing where their club is up to," he said.
"It disappoints me that this election is being run on egos and personal agendas. Enshrine the past, yes, but it's the future that supporters await with anticipation and hope."
Miller, a former North Melbourne chief executive, said the Tigers were poised to replicate North's youth-inspired resurgence during the late 1980s-early '90s.
"We've got 13 really good kids, probably 15 of them.
"We had (draft) choices starting at 21 last year, and we picked up kids who are going to play 100 games for us.
"This year, we've had all the early choices. I watched the players train at Box Hill (on) Monday morning. To see (Richard) Tambling versus (Brett) Deledio, and the competition that exists already, was great. To see (Wayne) Campbell and (Kane) Johnson looking across and thinking, 'Wow, what have we got here' - It was really exciting.
"This is a group as exciting as what the Kangaroos were in the late '80s and early '90s. No doubt."
Miller said he canvassed his decision with Casey, Wallace and new chief executive Steven Wright.
"I just believe we have achieved so much behind the scenes. I don't want that momentum to change with a change of board.
"When I got the job, the first thing I said to the members was, 'Have patience, this is going to take 3-4 years to turn this club around'."
He said he understood the personal risks involved in contesting the election.
He promised to heed the message from the members if he failed to win a seat.
"If the majority don't believe I'm right, then that's fair enough, I'll bow out. I'm out. Obviously."
As for sitting on a board dominated by the Macek group, he said: "I don't know how I would react to working with a new board.
"Obviously, we'll see what the make-up of the board is like and see if there's a prospect of unity. I'll face that challenge when it comes up." He wouldn't speculate on what election defeat would mean for Wallace.
"The issue of football acumen on the board is raised from time to time; I think I can add to that, significantly."
In addition to his administrative experience, Miller played 52 games for South Melbourne.
"I really think it's important the members vote for a unified board, whichever way they choose," Miller said. "We've got 18,000 members who can vote; I want them all to have a say."
Miller said he had taken advice from mentors including former St Kilda and Richmond champion and South Melbourne coach Ian Stewart, and player manager and former North Melbourne general manager Ron Joseph.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,11551690%255E23211,00.html
