Cayless seeks spot on Eels board

Adrian ProszenkoNovember 14, 2010.EXCLUSIVENathan Cayless may have hung up the boots, but he is poised to become even more influential at Parramatta. The Sun-Herald can reveal that Cayless has been put forward as a candidate for the incumbent 3P board at next month's football club elections.Cayless is one of the Eels' most revered figures and his decision to join the current regime is a blow to a rebel ticket attempting to gain control of the club.Advertisement: Story continues below ''I want to give something back to the club that has been so good to me,'' Cayless told The Sun-Herald. ''There are so many great people here and I support the chairman Roy Spagnolo with everything he's doing.''Cayless, who retired last season as the most-capped captain in NRL history, will join a ticket featuring Ray Price, Eric Grothe, Sid Kelly, Robert Sassen, Mario Libertini and Spagnolo. The Cayless development is the first shot in what is likely to be another bitter battle of control for the club. They will be challenged by Geoff Gerard, Steve Sharp, Dr Michael Johnson and John Kolc, who were put forward as candidates before Friday night's deadline for nominations.Former players Michael Cronin, Bob O'Reilly and Peter Wynn were mooted as potential candidates to take on the board but have opted not to contest the December elections.Cayless's candidacy could result in a rapid transition from the engine room to the boardroom. The Parramatta prop only just ended a glittering 258-game NRL career. It also included 38 Tests for New Zealand, which he captained to World Cup glory in 2008. Cayless remains a popular figure in the area and has began a post-football career in real estate with the commercial and industrial arm of Colliers International.He never tasted premiership success as a player but the Wentworthville junior has an opportunity to guide the Eels towards the elusive title from behind the scenes.''I'm excited about next season and want to do what I can to help,'' Cayless said.Spagnolo swept to power as part of a 3P ticket at last year's football and leagues club elections, ending the 30-year reign of former chief executive Denis Fitzgerald. The Eels have experienced mixed fortunes since - they made an unlikely grand final appearance in 2009, losing to a Melbourne side that later was penalised for rorting the salary cap.They started the 2010 season as premiership favourites but missed the semi finals and sacked coach Daniel Anderson, who has been replaced by Kiwi mentor Stephen Kearney.In a recent letter to members, Spagnolo claimed the board had delivered on its promise to ''arrest and reverse the club's financial decline'', pointing to a 2010 profit forecast of $2.1 million. He also wrote of his excitement at securing the services of Kearney.''The structure, discipline and enthusiasm he presented to the Board about how he will run the Football Club from the juniors right through to the first grade team was really uplifting,'' Spagnolo's letter said. ''He gave us confidence that our football team will be a force to be reckoned with and we believe this is something you will be happy to hear.''The football club elections are significant because three of those directors will join the leagues club board, which controls the Eels.Parramatta will field a new-look squad in 2011, having signed Carl Webb, Reni Maitua, Casey McGuire and Chris Walker.However, there are still question marks over the Eels' halves pairing, with the club holding out hope of snaring premiership-winning halfback Matt Orford from Bradford.

"What Frank said...and being THE FUCKING WORST at anything is, well, the fucking worst. Coming first iis noteable, but so is coming Last....Being THE Losers means you are a long fucking way, the furthest from being the winner. Bad luck is not why you…"

Replies

Dorki wizard November 14, 2010 at 8:48am

oh! and the Jersey...;)
Ricky November 14, 2010 at 8:54am

Another spanner in the works in Sinbad's supposed total confidence to get JT.
freddy george November 14, 2010 at 8:18pm

geoff gerard , dr johnston , kolc . all fitzys boys THEY ARE KIDDING
Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" November 14, 2010 at 8:37pm

What is Caylo's business credentials?

I have nothing but respect and admiration for the guy but - - - - - - - - - - - ?????

Board of directors for the football club - great - to be appointed to the leagues club board is premature imo.
Slaytanic November 15, 2010 at 10:06am

Yep, gotta agree with you Colin
robbie maxwell November 15, 2010 at 11:24am

cayless will get our nod no doubt at all, and is a good guy to take over from ossie a dumb shit .
lets give ray price and eric grothe snr a go, there eels to the bone.
Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" November 15, 2010 at 11:59am

Tony - cannot say I "completely" disagree with your thinking
I see Caylo much like a young player - Don't throw him into the deep end too early.

Get him onto the board of the Football side of things for a couple of years - then - elevate him to the club board after his "apprenticeship"

His raport with the current players would be a tremendous advantage and he then has time to come to an understanding of the workings and politics of the club board which in turn adds to his value in that position as well.
happykid55 November 15, 2010 at 12:47pm

freddy george,
in the interests of making an informed decision can you help me with Robert sassen and Libertine? Who are they and how are they qualified to be on the board? Dr Johnson is a successful parramatta orthopedic surgeon and ex team doctor who has devoted manymany hours of his time to the club and the local area. Kolc worked at the leagues for most of his post playing life and is also a parramatt local. Gerard also. these people have ALWAYS done their best for Parra and the team.

We all need to look at each individual who is nominated and make an INFORMED choice about their history and suitability for the board.