Exactly. Who the hell decided this was a good idea.
This is one of the most concerning parts. How did we go into the press conference with zero plan and zero idea what was about to unfold. You had to know what the questions were going to be. If you didn't, you are an idiot.
So, who should have been responsible for this? Shuts? Fagan? Anyone?
Brayshaw etc.. are correct.
We had to come out on the front foot. Talk about the CM program, what the intentions were, what their role was, what successes we felt we had, the camp (and hose down rumours by explaining what was actually done) and then mentioned that after reviewing with the playing group and after discussing with CM, we have decided not to continue. Be open and honest, remove the 'false stories', make it sound like it is something tried, reviewed and then moved on from.
It's a very simple plan. You can then open to questions and if you don't want to go in to any more specifics you can refer to the information already provided.
Instead we sent two guys very unprepared into a situation that became hostile very quickly. By sitting like lame ducks, the media saw blood in the water and went after them both. Pyke handled it pretty well. Burton did not.
To go out there and begin by saying your not sure why your there on a Saturday afternoon is just horrible.
There needs to be questions asked about how we are consistently not reading the mood and getting it wrong.
What is obvious is that we are lacking any kind of leadership in the club at all.
Burton needs monitoring. Due diligence was NOT done (no way you hire those guys if you did it). Once the camp issue leaked we needed a proper response, instead months later we put that joke up. Our media strategy was horrible. We had no clear plan.
The whole episode has exposed a large list of issues that need to be fixed.