Tippett's Gone - READ RULES BEFORE POSTING

[Elite Crow]

I'm going renew my Footy park membership, but I won't renew my Crows Gold membership, I'm also going to change the team i support on my membership to Port Power.

Now why would you do that? You might be mad at the club but selecting Port, seriously?

 

[skoobydoo]

Just sent this email in to chappy.

Mr Chapman,
I am writing to you today to express my concern over the recent “Tippett Saga” and the decision to retain Steven Trigg as the CEO of the AFC. I have been a fan of the AFC since I was a child, recently however I have been pondering how much of my money I should be funnelling into the club.

I feel as though those in charge of this football club are taking the members, supporters, and fans for granted. There seems to be, as this decision highlights, more emphasis placed on placating the AFL and sponsors than the fans. I wish to point out that without the fans this club and the whole of the AFL would wither and die. Without the fans the sponsors will spend there money elsewhere. One of our key themes as a club is inclusiveness, however throughout this saga I have felt more and more isolated from the club and the decision that are being made.

Further, I feel that those in charge seem to be lacking in the ruthlessness needed to drive this club forward to the ultimate success. Over the last few years decisions to stick by embattled staffers seems perplexing. It was clear to a large section of the membership/supporter base the Neil Craig, while a great servant of the club was not the man to take us forward. Such people were labelled pathetic by our current CEO, who in 2011 backed in Neil Craig “as far as the eye could see”. Craig then stepped down after the horrible game against St Kilda within six months. Once again the supporters are calling for Trigg to stand down/be stood down over what is the largest sanction handed to a club in ten years. My concern is that those involved in the club are not able to see clearly when someone has to be let go, and have left it up to the individual to make the call. It was not a board or executive decision to remove Craig, he himself finally realised he could not offer the club what it needed and resigned. So much so we were even looking at keeping him on in a Director of Coaching role. The signs were there then and they are here now.

I point to the decision to retain Trigg and the justification that his management has been exemplary over his tenure and this being only one minor mistake. In the last few years our club has had falling membership numbers, falling attendances, and falling income. I believe the handling of the Matt Rendell situation was also poor. The best recruiter we have had is now working for one of our major competitors after a few month of counselling over what was a small error in judgement and poor choice of words taken out of context. Earlier this year Bernie Vince was reprimanded for such a trivial example of what most would deem boys being boys. Under Trigg’s stewardship our club has been presented as a club that does not look kindly on stepping outside of the rules, yet when he himself plays a large role in handing the club one of the largest sanction handed to an AFL club we as a club don’t place any sanctions on him at all? I’m sure you can see how this seems like double standards/protecting a mate. As was said at the time of the Rendell situation “Mud sticks”, well we have had plenty of mud flung at the club recently.

The other issue with the “one mistake” is that the entire saga has been littered with errors. The club was charged with three offences, most notably two very separate offences relating to the trade agreement and 3rd party payments. Further, Trigg not minuting the rescinding of trade agreement was either a major error (as it would absolve a lot of the issue) or deliberate as it was known to be outside the rules. Either way this error should have been brought to the attention of the
Board/AFL sooner, if we were looking to be honest, as opposed to trying to sweep it under the carpet via retention or trade. The lack of foresight was also concerning, the loss of Bock to GC could have been avoided if we had let someone who did not want to be part of our club go. We would have received some form of compensation then as well as avoided the loss of picks and financial penalties. If we had traded Tippett to Brisbane last year we would have received picks in the first round as well as avoided sanctions. Who specifically declined this trade?

Now on to Steven as CEO, I have grave concerns that Steven will be able to operate effectively with this “conviction” hanging over his head. How will he be able to gain the trust of the supporters? How, having bowed to the AFL in regards to the matter, will he be able to take a stand on future issues? Perception does effect judgement, and as such will effect how serious our club is taken by the AFL if we have an issue we must take a stance on. Further, if Steven was so advanced in his dealings with the AO move that six months without any contact was deemed better than training someone else to complete the project, would a satisfactory solution not have been to get a new CEO and allow Steven to return as a facilitator for the project? Surely this would have removed any doubt about our ongoing guilt and still produced a smooth transition to AO.

I appreciate your time in reading this, and hope you take on board my concerns. I want to feel apart of this club, proud of the decisions that are made. Sadly I feel as though individuals have been placed higher than the club in this instance, and I feel as though the supporters have been left out in the cold by the actions taken by the current administration.

Sincerely,

Will let everyone know of any response I get.

Very well written Stripp. I really want to move on beyond this saga but I have regressed after listening to 5AA tonight. I'm not going to go into ball by ball stuff but the answers provided by Trigg and to a lesser extent by Chapman were pitifully inadequate. Chapman gives me some hope and confidence for the future for he has concern and empathy for supporters. Trigg on the other hand was painful to listen to. When given the chance to 'say sorry' all he could manage was 'I apologise'. Only once, and as a collective term did he utter the word 'supporter'. I have tried to keep a rational approach concerning Trigg but tonight he came across as a glib posturer who IMO did not convince me of his sincerity. In all honesty I came away from the program liking Chapman but losing any belief I had for Trigg. I hope Trigg's character/modus operandi will exhibit change from here forward, as he says he has learnt from the past few weeks and will be a 'better person' (or words to that affect), but my gut feel now is that the AFC could do much better. He seems to be in his own personal time zone.

I am morosely disillusioned but will hope that the future will take care of itself with stronger input from the well presented Chapman. Maybe I'll feel better tomorow!

 

[Rave Slave]

so far it looks like the posters that have spoken to chapman have mellowed significantly

I'm prepared to give him a chance to explain himself which is why I'm so keen to at least make some dialogue with him. The ultimate concern for me however still remains that no one has been held responsible for this episode in our clubs history. Since he and I are poles apart when it comes to our opinion on what exactly should have transpired as a result of this whole situation I'm not really sure how a middle ground can be met for me.

There's simply no way that I can justify Trigg carrying on in his current role. I respect those who have accepted this but it's a bitter pill for me to swallow and I'm not sure what he can say to make that any better for me.

I shall post when I've communicated with him though.

 

[Crowbots are dead]

I'm well aware of your corporate structure. I think you're underestimating people power. If your club's administration loses the people then they lose the sponsors. If they lose the sponsors then they won't be around for very long. Having said that, I don't think that's going to happen. The majority seem to have accepted it.

What is point of ripping the club down? Ultimately we are on the cusp of something great onfield. Its about having the best footy team and not the best corporate structure. We have to have faith that Chapman will ensure the frameworks will be in place and move on. BRING ON FOOTY

 

[Wright Away]

Now why would you do that? You might be mad at the club but selecting Port, seriously?

Because the Crows don't deserve my money.

 

[Tex200]

I'm going renew my Footy park membership, but I won't renew my Crows Gold membership, I'm also going to change the team i support on my membership to Port Power.

Enjoy

 

[Enviable Tradition]

Now why would you do that? You might be mad at the club but selecting Port, seriously?

http://weareportadelaide.com.au/

 

[Crowbots are dead]

I'm prepared to give him a chance to explain himself which is why I'm so keen to at least make some dialogue with him. The ultimate concern for me however still remains that no one has been held responsible for this episode in our clubs history. Since he and I are poles apart when it comes to our opinion on what exactly should have transpired as a result of this whole situation I'm not really sure how a middle ground can be met for me.

There's simply no way that I can justify Trigg carrying on in his current role. I respect those who have accepted this but it's a bitter pill for me to swallow and I'm not sure what he can say to make that any better for me.

I shall post when I've communicated with him though.

so you need someone to loose their job so you can sleep at night? Decision has been made rightly or wrongly to keep Trigg. Best we can do as supporters is get back to talking FOOTY and support our team. I personally am sick to death of this off field stuff.

 

[Rave Slave]

http://weareportadelaide.com.au/

Shouldn't that read www.wearebroke.com.au

 

[Stinger...]

I'm going renew my Footy park membership, but I won't renew my Crows Gold membership, I'm also going to change the team i support on my membership to Port Power.

Off to the Port board you trott!

I can't help but LOL

I know there are 'different' people out there but I'm astonished at how important some people think they are!

People, you don't need Chapmans permission to not renew your membership...just don't do it! Courage of your convictions...you're just trying to give him a reason to change your mind, because you actually still want to renew your membership!

There's probably a few pages being bookmarked at the moment with the amount of threats being made...be interesting if we have a year like the one gone whether all the chest beaters are around!

 

[Rave Slave]

so you need someone to loose their job so you can sleep at night? Decision has been made rightly or wrongly to keep Trigg. Best we can do as supporters is get back to talking FOOTY and support our team. I personally am sick to death of this off field stuff.

When the consequences are as great as what we've experienced? Yes. I do think someone should lose their job over it absolutely. CEO's aren't in the business to make blunders the size of what Trigg did and simply get away with it. As a result I don't think he deserves a second chance and should've been terminated effective immediately.

 

[Crowbots are dead]

I hear you and you may well be right (although as much as we like to think so, we dont and never will have all the facts so im loath to make a definitive judgement on this). Despite your opinion the decision has been made and the best thing now as supporters is to move on and support the footy club. The last thing our players need is supporters aggro at the club. Let the Victorians do that!

 

[Rave Slave]

Off to the Port board you trott!

I can't help but LOL

I know there are 'different' people out there but I'm astonished at how important some people think they are!

People, you don't need Chapmans permission to not renew your membership...just don't do it! Courage of your convictions...you're just trying to give him a reason to change your mind, because you actually still want to renew your membership!

There's probably a few pages being bookmarked at the moment with the amount of threats being made...be interesting if we have a year like the one gone whether all the chest beaters are around!

Or maybe people don't like to sit back and simply not question the clubs actions leading forward?

I don't need Chapman's permission to not renew my membership but why wouldn't I take up the opportunity to at least communicate with him on why I have concerns about the direction/stance the club has taken if I personally don't agree with it?

Why should people simply accept everything the club says without questioning it? Just because the club appears likely to enter a window of success doesn't mean the administration can do as they please nor does it mean that people can't choose to make a stand against the club if they do something that goes against what you fundamentally believe is right.

 

[whatboutbob]

Very well written Stripp. I really want to move on beyond this saga but I have regressed after listening to 5AA tonight. I'm not going to go into ball by ball stuff but the answers provided by Trigg and to a lesser extent by Chapman were pitifully inadequate. Chapman gives me some hope and confidence for the future for he has concern and empathy for supporters. Trigg on the other hand was painful to listen to. When given the chance to 'say sorry' all he could manage was 'I apologise'. Only once, and as a collective term did he utter the word 'supporter'. I have tried to keep a rational approach concerning Trigg but tonight he came across as a glib posturer who IMO did not convince me of his sincerity. In all honesty I came away from the program liking Chapman but losing any belief I had for Trigg. I hope Trigg's character/modus operandi will exhibit change from here forward, as he says he has learnt from the past few weeks and will be a 'better person' (or words to that affect), but my gut feel now is that the AFC could do much better. He seems to be in his own personal time zone.

I am morosely disillusioned but will hope that the future will take care of itself with stronger input from the well presented Chapman. Maybe I'll feel better tomorow!

I just listened to the 5AA interview myself. It is hilarious how precisely the legal shroud covers all of the areas I asked questions about earlier. It is almost like they're using the legal line as a cover for the holes in their story...

"We can't wait to tell you everything once proceedings are over."

Proceedings finish.

"Oh, yeah, sure we pleaded guilty to everything the AFL charged us with, but we're not really...we just can't say why *wink wink*. Oh, and I know we said we'd tell you everything, but we can't now, because the Tippetts have a different story...but you should totally believe us, because Sloane and Dangerfield like us."

It'll be interesting to see if Blucher/Tippett have similar concerns about putting their version of events out there.

For what it is worth, in the Lions' case both our Chairman and CEO ended up 'resigning' about a year later, once untold damage was done. Their replacements are still picking up the pieces. Chapman has clearly hitched his horse to Trigg's wagon. I hope for your sakes they're not steering you towards the cliff's edge.

What is point of ripping the club down? Ultimately we are on the cusp of something great onfield. Its about having the best footy team and not the best corporate structure. We have to have faith that Chapman will ensure the frameworks will be in place and move on. BRING ON FOOTY

How does replacing your CEO count as ripping down your club? Is there seriously no-one else qualified to run the club? And sure, it all eventually comes down to the team, but who hires (or fires) the guy who picks that team? Personally, I just have fundamental concerns about anyone who feels compelled to lie to keep their job. Then again, how many wives go back to cheating husbands? Clearly trust isn't as big an issue for some.

 

[Vic_Vinegar]

Enjoy

Edwardson. hahahahaha

 

[Cap]

the problem with stingers attitude is it completely removes accountability of the board/CEO

The other problems is simply the club doesn't care what we think - which is the opposite of what it should do.

 

[Vic_Vinegar]

Shouldn't that read www.wearebroke.com.au[/quote]

trigg. harper. chapman. reid.

 

[Crow-eater]

Let He who is without sin, cast the first stone.

Toodles "one club" fans

 

[Rave Slave]

Edwardson. hahahahaha

We paid more on Lawyers in one day than your club makes in profit on gameday.

feelsbadman

 

[Vic_Vinegar]

We paid more on Lawyers in one day than your club makes in profit on gameday.

feelsbadman

Interesting that you would say that and think its a good thing.

 

[Wood_Duck]

Let He who is without sin, cast the first stone.

This is truly the only thing in the bible that makes any sense.

 

[SpeciousArgument]

When the consequences are as great as what we've experienced? Yes. I do think someone should lose their job over it absolutely. CEO's aren't in the business to make blunders the size of what Trigg did and simply get away with it. As a result I don't think he deserves a second chance and should've been terminated effective immediately.

I personally dont think what we've lost is that significant.

Given we are one of the only clubs in the AFL system that pay our own way financially i think the $300k while unpleasant isnt much of a hit.

That said, the fact we are in that position financially must in large part be due to the management of Trigg over the past 11 years (given that the sack Trigg faction claim that as the CEO he is ultimately responsible for all the actions of his subordinates)

As ive argued ad nauseum previously i think putting a precise value on 'the loss of our highest paid player for nothing' is problematic and a lot lower than a lot of others here seem to claim.

Had we traded Tippett to Brisbane we would have been benefiting from an illegal deal anyway given that we retained his contract by illegal means which would have resulted in a significantly harsher penalty IMO if found out.

The picks weve lost are fairly speculative at a time when we have a strong young list.

As for the brand being damaged, sure, other BF posters will be mean to us, but then they always were. when i hear about membership or crowds dropping despite good onfield performances, or sponsors pulling out, then i'll be concerned.

The way i look at it now is that his good performances for many years and relatively minor inconvenience of the penalties warrants Trigg being granted a second chance.

 

[bjn1960]

But you do need to know what it means when you use it to insult me. Being called a racist is one of the most offensive terms that could be labelled at a person.

Could be worse Elite? Misogyny anyone!

 

[SpeciousArgument]

trigg. harper. chapman. reid.

So youre here to troll?

 

[Elite Crow]

Could be worse Elite? Misogyny anyone!

Which definition? The old one or the new one?