Quote:
(Asked if it was fair comment to say the Visy boss did not like Collins or Smorgon, Elliott said: "That's fair.")
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| How Pratt became President http://www.talkingcarlton.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=24621 |
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| Author: | TruBlueBrad [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 8:57 am ] |
| Post subject: | How Pratt became President |
The day Dick Pratt said he'd be Carlton president Quote: DICK Pratt's ascent to the Carlton presidency began with a plea for $5 million from his great mate John Elliott in Pratt's Little Lonsdale St office in February 2007. An hour or so later, after discussions between Pratt, Elliott, current Blues president Stephen Kernahan and club great Wes Lofts, Pratt was unofficially Carlton's new president. Pratt told them: "The problem with you guys is you always want my money, but you don't want my ideas." Great article on the process of Pratt becoming President. |
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| Author: | DocSherrin III [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:25 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How Pratt became President |
Quote: How did you pay them? "I don't know, I've forgotten," Elliott said. Classic! |
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| Author: | mikkey [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:35 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How Pratt became President |
Just concerned that JE is embellishing the story somewhat. He sounds a bit like he is trying to take some of the credit. I have been listening enough to JE when he holds court at functions (in the smoking area) to know that he has a tendency to brag and not let facts stand in the way of a good story. |
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| Author: | The Normal One [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:57 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How Pratt became President |
mikkey wrote: Just concerned that JE is embellishing the story somewhat. He sounds a bit like he is trying to take some of the credit. I have been listening enough to JE when he holds court at functions (in the smoking area) to know that he has a tendency to brag and not let facts stand in the way of a good story. I have no problem with it. The fact Jack and Sticks had the courage to go to Pratt with their tails between there legs and ask for help deserves some plaudits. |
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| Author: | Sydney Blue [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 10:01 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How Pratt became President |
Good old Jack - Just wait for the regular snipers around here to come on here and bucket the bloke as usual. Whilst Jack has an interest in Carlton - Carlton will be in good hands I can here the nashing of teeth at the moment |
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| Author: | JohnM [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 10:09 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How Pratt became President |
The surprising part of that article is the fact that seemingly no-one at the club ever thought to get Dick Pratt on board in an official capacity before, or ask him for something other than his money. What Dick did for Carlton in such a short space of time is amazing... but not surprising, from a man who single-handedly built a business empire from nothing. And Visy isn't some bullshit 'built on shifting sand' empire like Alan Bond's... it's real. A great man. I still can't believe he's gone. It only seems like moments ago he was flying the boys over to Malaysia on Pratt Air. |
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| Author: | TruBlueBrad [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 10:10 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How Pratt became President |
I was hoping this story wouldn't become about Elliott, but given the way its been written and told by Jack I guess that was inevitable. I think mikkey makes a good point about how much credit he should take, but you have to give him some for approaching Pratt, on behalf of the club, after he'd been voted out and had the stand re-named. Like I say though, the story shouldn't be about Jack, and for me the interesting part of the article is this. Quote: "Dick's response was, 'The problem with you guys is you always want my money, but you don't want my ideas'. "I said, 'Dick, you can have any job you like, you can be patron, anything you want to do at the club you are welcome to do it, but we need five mill'. "And he said, 'I think I'll be president'. For those who were worried Pratt was just going to buy us out of trouble, I think this shows he wanted to ensure that rather than throwing the club a fish and get us out of trouble, he'd get the right people and processes at the club so we would be able to self sustain and get ourselves out of trouble. All up we've probably received the five mill, but that pales in comparison to the value the club has got him. |
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| Author: | DownUnderChick [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 10:26 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How Pratt became President |
Whether it was Carlton or supporting the Arts, a common theme in Mr Pratt's dealings have been to set the business/ footy club/production company etc up to the point where it can sustain itself long term rather than coming to him for handouts when money is needed. |
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| Author: | mikkey [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:21 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How Pratt became President |
I can only say that since I was lied directly to my face by both JE and Wes in the days up to the take over by "carlton one" I do never again believe what they say. |
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| Author: | Indie [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:31 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How Pratt became President |
The interesting thing is that this version of the meeting with Pratt differs substantially from the one that was told when Pratt became President. If you recall, Jack came out and said then that he suggested to Sticks that he go to Pratt. And the story went that Sticks pleaded with him to take the presidency. It was a feel good story at the time - Pratt came back to the club at the behest of one of our greatest former players. Now, it looks like Sticks was Elliott's sidekick, and neither suggested nor sought Pratt's direct involvement. Pratt didn't need to be begged to take over - he suggested that himself. That's an interesting contrast. Some might think it suggests that Elliott might not be the most reliable historian. At the time, I suggested that the version that gave Sticks the credit for bringing Pratt to the presidency might have been spin. But both at the time and now, I don't have a problem with that. All clubs and organisations need such uplifting stories, whether or not they are entirely accurate. As the old saying goes, even if it wasn't true, it should have been. |
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| Author: | Donstuie [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:27 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How Pratt became President |
Quote: (Asked if it was fair comment to say the Visy boss did not like Collins or Smorgon, Elliott said: "That's fair.")
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| Author: | grrofunger [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:33 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How Pratt became President |
Thats just John Elliot - Loves a good yarn Hes told that like he was the big hero who rode in on his horse and sticks was the little dumb sidekick - err but but but john he never said how much money we'd get - hehe The truth will lie somewhere between all the stories we have heard I enjoyed reading that |
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| Author: | Jarusa [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:06 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How Pratt became President |
grrofunger wrote: The truth will lie somewhere between all the stories we have heard That's exactly right. The basic facts of the story are correct according to what I have been told, it has just been given the Elliot spin by Elliot himself. There is one very basic fact, only one person decided whether Dick Pratt would be president of the Carlton Football Club. Dick Pratt. Did anyone else find it a little distasteful that an obviously self-promotional article is used on the back of another persons death? |
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| Author: | Navy Blue Horse [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:16 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How Pratt became President |
LOL at Sticks: "but he didn't tell us how much money he'd give us."
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| Author: | Blues Clues [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:37 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How Pratt became President |
What, Jack letting the truth get in front of a good story? Never! Get some "manners" you guys. In fact, Jack's web site has plenty to say about that, too.  Seriously, really enjoyed the article, especially Jack's quip re Dick's pursuit of the best CEO " He said, John, I can't go to Geelong. I provide Frank Costa with too many boxes..... so he got the Collingwood bloke". LOL. |
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| Author: | mikkey [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 2:11 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How Pratt became President |
Quote: Did anyone else find it a little distasteful that an obviously self-promotional article is used on the back of another persons death? Well, thats exactly my gripe. JE is a selfpromoting egomaniac. |
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| Author: | Wojee [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 2:16 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How Pratt became President |
Everything Jack says needs to be taken with a grain of salt. I distinctly remember him saying he was willing to sign a stat dec stating that we were under the salary cap. |
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| Author: | DocSherrin III [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 2:39 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How Pratt became President |
Quote: Did anyone else find it a little distasteful that an obviously self-promotional article is used on the back of another persons death? No...they were good mates. The article written by Jack on his website is fantastic. When you lose a mate you want to tell stories about your times together. It's all good. 
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| Author: | Sydney Blue [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 3:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How Pratt became President |
I see the Jack snipers have arrived on cue Cant come to terms with the fact that if Jack hadn't approached Dick - none of what has happened in the past two years to turn the club around would have happened Get over it and be greatful for the pair of them - both truly great Carlton men |
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| Author: | DocSherrin III [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 3:15 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How Pratt became President |
Quote: Get over it and be greatful for the pair of them - both truly great Carlton men Hear, hear! Both made terrible decisions, both made great decisions - neither are saints, but their love for the Blues is something that can't be denied. |
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