cochise
Well-known member
from the SMH on Thursday
Push to get Richo back to Souths
While the chess pieces are being moved in the background to bring Wayne Bennett back to South Sydney, powerful figures at the club also want Wests Tigers interim chief executive Shane Richardson to make a stunning return.The veteran administrator was spotted lunching with Rabbitohs officials on Wednesday, although I’ve been assured the catch-up was scheduled long before the axe was being sharpened to sack coach Jason Demetriou.
Nevertheless, the push to bring back Richardson as head of football – a role he previously held until he left in 2020 – to support Bennett is well and truly on.
Whether it happens depends, largely, on the Tigers.
Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson has been spotted lunching with Rabbitohs officials.CREDIT: DEAN SEWELL
Richardson is contracted on an interim basis until June 30 and has been negotiating a three-year extension for more than a month.
But he’s told the club if the governance reform initiated by the Holman-Barnes Group – the Western Suburbs side of the joint-venture – isn’t completed then he’ll be out the door.
Part of that reform led to Richardson being installed in the first place, but the recommendation from former NRL chief financial officer Tony Crawford and businessman Gary Barnier for three independents to sit on the board alongside chairman Barry O’Farrell has not yet happened.
While Richardson has the Tigers pointed in the right direction, he wants to know who he’s answerable to before agreeing to stay.
Souths are keeping an eye on the situation as they work out what to do if Demetriou doesn’t survive.
Richardson mightn’t be on the Christmas card list of chairman Nick Pappas, but he has a critical ally in co-owner Russell Crowe.
Russell Crowe is a key ally of Shane Richardson.CREDIT: GETTY
The Hollywood actor has a deep affection for Bennett, but with Richardson it’s more of an abiding respect because of his ability to make hard decisions and not care whose feelings might get bruised.
He was responsible for bringing Bennett to the club in late 2018 after flying to the UK where Bennett was coaching England following a tumultuous and ultimately final season at the Broncos.
The pair butted heads early on over the signing of Latrell Mitchell, but eventually developed a close relationship because Bennett could focus on the NRL team while Richardson worried about recruitment, retention and pathways.
Wayne Bennett and Shane Richardson clashed over the recruitment of Latrell Mitchell.CREDIT: GETTY
Speculation that they fell out was wide of the mark. Rather, they clashed on footy matters, a healthy and inevitable dynamic at any club.
If Bennett was to return to Souths, it’s hard to see it happening without Richardson supporting him.
Doubtless, your poor old correspondent will be accused of doing Richardson’s bidding because, well, this is rugby league and people are idiots.
He refused to comment when approached on Thursday and was unhappy the piece was being written. O’Farrell also refused to comment
