no Mal brown created it. He was front and centre in a very public white anting campaign to get rid of northey.
Because of this northey wanted his existing contract extended. From memory he had one year to go and asked for another year to be added, which was rejected by richmond
He was offered a three year contract by Brisbane so chose to take the job security they offered, rather than the insecurity that comes with an influencial character undermining you and the club not doing anything to allay any fears he would get his way.
The Mal Brown white anting is correct and I am not disputing that
But Leon Daphne was president and he was a man of integrity. Mal might have believed he had all the power but he didn't. Ultimately the board decided not to give him an extra year. Was it the right decision at board level? we will never know.
But I will admit I find it some what ironic that fast forward to 2015 and the majority on this forum are deadset against giving our current coach an extension But so many reckon we should not have hesitated in giving Northey an extension after taking us to 1 final's campaign
Anyway back to my main point the fact still remains Northey had year to run on a contract and he walked