Anger at Miller ticket
02 December 2004 Herald Sun
Jon Pierik
REBEL Richmond leader Charles Macek has described Greg Miller's decision to align himself with the club's administration as "appalling" and unprecedented.
Miller, the club's director of football, has sensationally joined president Clinton Casey's ticket ahead of the bloody December 22 elections, prompting conflict of interest accusations.
In 35 years of business, Macek, a respected financier and board member of Telstra and Wesfarmers, said he had never seen anything like it.
"I cannot, in all of my 35 years of working experience, remember a situation where knowingly someone would put themselves in a situation in that conflict," Macek said last night.
"There is nothing under law to prevent that, but the situation is it would be an appalling conflict, an appalling governance outcome.
"I couldn't think of anyone that would actually allow it."
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, a position that has dumbfounded Macek and many of the club's supporters.
"Here you are on the board, but you are working at the club, with the coach," Macek said. "Clearly that's an important position and yet you are on a board that can sack the coach.
"Now, how does that work?"
Miller said last night he would walk if the Macek ticket won power.
But he was adamant he could juggle both positions professionally if the Casey regime hangs on.
"On a day-to-day basis, I'll be answering to him (Wright)," Miller told 3AW.
"I'll do the job that I need to do. I'll do the things that need to be done. That can work."
Miller said he was prompted to make his stunning move because he felt there was great optimism at Punt Rd.
He began an overhaul of the football department two years ago and feels there is much to look forward to now Wallace and a bunch of talented young recruits had signed.
"I am concerned about the methodology and style of the rebel group," Miller said.
"I don't like the way they are talking. It's the Richmond of the past. It's just all nastiness."
Macek said Miller would be a great loss. "I have a high regard for his football brain and, if it was up to me, I would like to see if his football brain could be harnessed for the betterment of the Richmond footy club," Macek said.
An independent electoral adviser yesterday rejected the information the Macek ticket had intended to send to club members, meaning the $30,000 in mailing costs will have to be paid by the rebel ticket, rather than the club.
Nominations for the election closed last night
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,11563108%255E20322,00.html
