Collingwood’s flag-winning coach Craig McRae is one of the most well-liked and respected mentors in the game. His side won a gripping grand final last year against Brisbane after a string of high pressure,narrow victories throughout the year. He spent the morning of the grand final in hospital as his wife Gabrielle gave birth to a daughter,Maggie,before travelling to the MCG.
Each Tuesday,his players are told they don’t have to start at the club until 10am. It allows those with young kids to spend time with them or drop them at daycare or school. Another day a week,commitments are finished early so they can pick them up. McRae says it gets the best out of both staff and players,who are reminded a happy family life will lead to better performances on the field.
Benji Marshall shares a philosophy with Collingwood’s AFL premiership-winning coach Craig McRae.Credit:Getty
While Marshall is desperate to move the Tigers into a new frontier,only hours before their stunning win over the Sharks,there was a reminder drama is never too far away from the club.
At the AGM of Wests Ashfield,whose Holman Barnes Group is the majority owner of the Wests Tigers,a plot was orchestrated for its most influential and respected figure to be removed as chairman.
Tony Andreacchio,who helped drive the controversial review which resulted in the entire Tigers’ board being dissolved and chief executive Justin Pascoe stepping down,lost his position as chairman of the leagues club.
Julie Romero,the club’s first female director,will take over with former professional musician Dennis Burgess being elevated as her deputy. They will now be the conduit between the owners and the Tigers’ administration,led by chief executive Shane Richardson.
Interim Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson.Credit:Dean Sewell
The move has the potential to cause a major divide in the Holman Barnes Group with at least two other Wests Ashfield directors apart from Andreacchio seething at the move.
Andreacchio was a Wests Tigers director himself before accepting the recommendations of former NRL chief financial officer Tony Crawford and Gary Barnier to relinquish his spot on a new board headed up by former NSW premier Barry O’Farrell.
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But the ensuing effects of the review are now being felt in his own boardroom,even if only months ago Andreacchio was re-appointed for a three-year term on the Wests Ashfield board.
The string-pullers at the Tigers’ majority owner may not be singing from the same hymn sheet,but Marshall can only hope his players are.
Even if it takes them a little while to learn the words.
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