THERE is a huge elephant in the room and it is lurking around the North Ballarat Roosters.
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A culture of avoidance by the Roosters’ board shows a complete lack of respect – a lack of respect for the players, a lack of respect for club history, a lack of respect for this region’s football and a lack of respect for the Victorian Football League.
Saying nothing is actually speaking volumes. How is this club supposed to be taken seriously in the VFL and how is this club supposed to retain and attract quality players with how it has publicly treated head coach Gerard FitzGerald this year?
At the very least, the board has toyed with a highly-revered leader in the league – that is far from a good look.
The Courier understands FitzGerald was offered the Roosters’ head coaching role on Tuesday – an initial 12 months with 12 month optional extension under conditions – once Rebels head coach David Loader pulled out of the running to pursue a development role with AFL club North Melbourne.
Contract negotiations had deteriorated before a final board ruling on Wednesday night. The Courier understands negotiations had nothing to do with pay. This was a role from which the board deemed FitzGerald was not the coach they wanted beyond 2015. The board announced its decision to not extend FitzGerald’s contract in June – his tenure expires on October 31. Their decision, without clarification, was declared a new direction for the club entering a standalone era.
FitzGerald chose to reapply. A panel featuring AFL premiership coach Mick Malthouse shortlisted him.
The board has the right to make its choice on a coach, emotions aside, and on the direction the club can make. The board need not disclose coaching candidates and had every right to reconsider FitzGerald. This is business.
But FitzGerald’s shortlisting was obvious, if unspoken. To use a press release to dismiss “the other” candidate for not accepting an offer “put to him by the club” looks like a massive slap in the face. The Courier understands attempts at negotiation on FitzGerald’s behalf were shut down.
The club has yet had a proper send off for FitzGerald or indicated an upcoming farewell for the coach who dedicated 15 seasons to the Roosters, led the club to three straight VFL flags, and saw a responsibility to develop the game and work tirelessly in the community. There was mention after his final post-match address of a more appropriate farewell at the club awards dinner. That function came and went last week – the only mentions of FitzGerald’s legacy, any thank-yous and best wishes, were player-driven, notably by co-captain Myles Sewell.
Even with FitzGerald back in the coaching mix, the board should have said something. The elephant in the room made a celebratory evening starkly awkward.
The week’s unfoldings have put the club behind in the recruitment game and on the precipice of survival.
Press Box wants to make clear, FitzGerald has not spoken to this journalist or The Courier on the issue. He has, as from the outset, stuck to finishing his job with dignity. Now is the time for the board to do the same.