Parramatta chief executive Bob Bentley has defended the decision to make the struggling Eels squad face the music at the NRL club's annual general meeting despite criticism from one of club's all-time greats.
Former Test centre Michael Cronin - who played in all four of Parramatta's premiership-winning sides - claimed neither the players, nor under-fire coach Steve Kearney, should have been subjected to fronting the masses at Parramatta Leagues Club on Tuesday night.
"The footballers and the coach front up every Saturday and Sunday - an AGM is a time for people running the club - the board - that's their job," Cronin said.
"I just can't see where it gets any value out of it.
"I just don't think the players should have to go through it.
"Does it belittle them? - I don't know. Did any of them look comfortable going there?"
In unprecedented scenes, the entire Eels squad stood on stage as Kearney and skipper Nathan Hindmarsh spoke to the members.
There were suggestions the presence of Kearney and the players would help smother some of the anger from members directed at board members.
Bentley dismissed that notion, before admitting it was a practice the club would continue into the future.
"There's a lot of hype in the media about the players fronting the AGM to face the music, which really wasn't the intention," Bentley said.
"It was to show a united front.
"The team's performance in the early part of the season hasn't been up to standard, the fans are obviously disappointed, and so are the team, the coaching staff and the board."
"I addressed them (the players) in the morning (Tuesday), just in terms of running through what the process was for the evening.
"None of them indicated 'why do we have to front up?'."
Having already called in Kearney for a 'please explain' last month and now putting him and the players before the members, it's hard to see where the Eels board can turn next should the team's poor on-field performances continue.
Kearney declined interview requests on Wednesday, but Bentley said things were being done to help turn the club's fortunes around.
They have been linked to a number of players coming off contract at rival clubs - most notably Manly back-rower Tony Williams - Bentley admitting the playing roster had to improve.
"... some of the fans feel that they (the current Eels players) may not be the players that will take us ahead this season or next, and we obviously need to look at strengthening in some key positions," Bentley said.
"Our recruitment manager Peter Nolan is actively looking at strengthening some of those roles.
"I think we've got some work to do there."
Replies
crow is wrong - simple as that
atleast they were made to be a bit accountable
i fully support the players and coach having to front up and explain their non-actions!!
Some prying questions seemed to have been answered without being answered which is typical of our season to date.
Let's see what happens Sunday. Keep the faith.
I am sure their egos and pay packets were not damaged due to having to address a public forum due to our worst start in 52 years.
I am behind the team and thought it was a good avenue to explore in regards to establishing a sane team environment.
Eh. If Kearney is responsible for the players, then the board are responsible for Kearney.
The pantomime took focus away from the board and what they are doing to help the club.
It may have a positive effect or it may not.
Whomever or whoever exposed the group has taken a risk, it maybe to gain some time to make wholesale changes from the top down.
Time will tell.
I would bet the players didn't have a choice HH
Crow
Of Course You Are Right !
Anybody who believes Bentleys pearler '' the reason we put the players up, was to create a united front'' is dellusional and very naive imo........, sounds like Cronin knows what hes talking about, n seems like a fair appraisal comparing it to many others opinions...
100% deflection - nothing more. Yes the players need to be accountable and they need to step up. Yes, Kearney needs to also be accountable and step up (or piss off, just as good) - but there is a time and a place! The AGM was not it. That was nothing other than a piss weak and pathetic board using a human shield to take the hits for them. Players, coach and administration are all in part to blame for our current situation - last night was meant to be time for the admin to feel the heat - instead they cowered behind their players and coach...
The point I agree with Cronin on is the fact that by the players and Kearney being there they took a lot of pressure off the Board at the AGM. This was a Leagues Club AGM, not a Football Club AGM. This was meant for the businessmen of the club. These guys are bought to play footy, not answer questions in relation to club operations. Fair enough it may have shown a united front but most of the players would have felt awkward being there and listening to questions that don't relate to their on field performances. None of them voiced their opinions because that would just lead to more media scrutiny but some of them were probably thinking "What am I doing here?"
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