buzzaaaah wrote:
I really have mixed feelings about this. The Carlton fan says flower off, its got nothing to do with the club. But if it wasn't Dick Pratt, if it was John Elliot or Graeme Smorgon, or anyone else, we'd probably all be saying, that he should stand down given the seriousness of the breach and the reflection on the Carlton brand.
Probably the benefits of keeping Pratt in charge heavily outweigh the negative implications of this decision, so I doubt he's going anywhere.
But I do believe will stay long enough to do what he thinks is necessary then hand over the reins once he's found a successor, probably within 12 months
I agree, especially if it were a Pres of another club, we'd be digging the knives in deep.
I personally feel that even though this has nothing to do with the club, it does reflect on us, and is only going to go on and on until Pratt steps down. Sure, the ACCC has fined the company a record amount (now time to crack down on those petrol companies I guess, guys...why are you running away?), but this isn't the end of it by a long way. We still have lawsuits from 'battlers' like Coca-Cola to sit through, and you can bet your bottom dollar that Fatprick and 'Happy Birthday Ox' is going to be there every step of the way, to remind people in case they forget about the Carlton connection.
One thing I had hoped we were beyond in our resurrection was associating ourselves with crooks, and just when it seems like everything is back on track again, this comes out. I know many here love the idea of being hated, but I'm getting really sick of it myself, and the last thing I want is more ammunition for people to attack a football club that I love. I want to be hated because of our success, and on-field arrogance, in the sporting arena. I don't want to be hated in a personal manner in having my morals questioned. I'm sick of my club, and those that support it, constantly having to defend against personal attacks that have nothing to do with football, but rather criticise our own dignity.
I am thankful Dick has come back to the club, he has saved us. But excuses aside, what he did here was inexcusable. I hope for Dick to stay for the remainder of the year, to put the last pieces in place for our future, and to stay in touch with the club after his tenure in an unofficial capacity. Pratt will step down, either because that's what he agreed to originally, or he'll be balls deep in legal stuff to pay any attention to us. He certainly won't stay on for 09.
Oh, and Ron Evans got off SO easy.