Miller to stay with Tigers

[mightytiges]

By Caroline Wilson
May 15 2003

Richmond's director of football Greg Miller has reached a new handshake agreement with the Tigers, linking his tenure to that of president Clinton Casey.

Miller, the long-time Kangaroos chief executive, came to Punt Road at the end of last season on a six-month contract which expired at the start of the season. In his new deal with the Tigers, Miller has told the club he does not require a written agreement so long as Casey remains president.

"I'm not in great favour of contracts," said Casey, "but I'm happy to say that Greg is now a full-time employee of the Richmond Football Club. Hopefully it will stay that way for the next 10 years. His only stipulation in his letter back to me is that the current agreement is linked to my tenure.

"He has added a whole lot more support and a whole lot more experience to the football department and with Greg Hutchinson elevated to the football management position and Wayne Brittain assisting, it's just been an enormous help to Danny (Frawley)."

Casey, in his bid to restructure the Richmond administration, worked as an interim chief executive at Tigerland while the club paid out outgoing CEO Mark Brayshaw. Ian Campbell, the new chief executive, and the club's new commercial operations manager have both signed on with three-month trial contracts.

Miller, who oversaw the Kangaroos during the club's golden era in the 1990s, which reaped two premierships, told the Richmond board he had come to the club in a bid to restore its position of respect at Punt Road.

Miller has for now relinquished any aspirations for the chief executive's role in favour of taking a significant and influential position overseeing his club's playing list, coaching and medical staff and football contracts.

 

[TigerFury]

While I am pleased that Miller is in for the long term, I am concerned about the practice of bringing these people in on an initially short term basis.

Miller for 6 months? Campbell for 3 months?

These people are key players in our future success. What I would rather see is a strong statement showing our complete confidence in them doing a top job. This would mean giving them a substantial tenure up front - possibly at least a 12 month contract - rather than a probation period that you would give to the fresh young junior!

 

[shawry]

TigerFury - I agree with that. I found it strange as well.

 

[MC24]

I actually don't have a problem with it. I had heard late last year that Greg Miller's position was only for a 6 month term and, at the time, I was concerned that it wasn't a longer term arrangement.

But both parties need to be comfortable with one another and how do they know, from the outset, that they are suited to each other?

Better to adopt a cautious approach, rather than sign someone to a contract that may need to be paid out early (i.e. Malcolm Blight).

I just think it's a commonsense approach by those involved.

 

[TigerFury]

I'm not sure if using St. Kilda / Blight as an example is a good thing!!! The Saint's made that decision in complete haste and without any due process or diligence whatsover. Even a cursory investigation would have shown that Blight wasn't right for them.

On the other hand, someone like Campbell had been headhunted after an exhaustive search for a CEO.

 

[PMac]

I agree with MC24 on this one. The point of a contract is to bind people to do something. Now for a player this might some sense because:

a. even on unhappy player will generaly play to the best of their ability (cos they've got a limited lifespan in the game and lets face it, they are generally simple creatures and playing footy (well) and winning is huge fun), and

b. a contracted player is (potentially) a tradable commodity.

Support staff dont meet either of these criteria. Do you really want your director of footy operations or CEO hanging around in the job if they arent committed to being there? I think not. Better to have an arrangement where all parties can call it quits if unhappy and all can move on, without having to find a quick million to pay out a guy just marking time.

 

[Rosy]

Greg has said in the past he doesn't need a contract because if things weren't going well he'd leave.

Considering he's been there overseeing our list since Danny's days I think he should give deep consideration to the lack of marked improvement in his several years at the club.

Someone posted that the only difference yesterday to last year's wooden spoon team were Cotch and Jordy. If that's correct it's a damning indictment on those building our list. Our game record under his tenure is very ordinary with too many bottom of the ladder seasons.

Is it time GM considered his future? A bit of a conflict of interest when he's on the Board that should have his future under close scrutiny too.

 

[Dyer'ere]

Agree Rosy. He's run his race.

 

[Silent Bob]

Greg has done diddly squat since his arrival. Should do the honourable thing and fall on his sword.

 

[RedanTiger]

In one of the articles last week on the Gold Coast bid, it was reported (by Wilson I think) that it was ironic that Brian Cook was the favourite to take over there while he had locked in Geelong's main off-field staff including Neil Balme.

Can anyone add to this since I thought Balme would be a great replacement for Miller next year?

 

[elliot]

Greg has done diddly squat since his arrival. Should do the honourable thing and fall on his sword.

Someone told me he was on SEN yesterday and said he was in the long haul...
If he really cared about this club he would realise he has been an abject failure and do as you say..

 

[Ian4]

i've always been a miller supporter but a lot of my non-richmond friends have been questioning his value to us as well...

 

[CarnTheTiges]

He's had long enough and done nothing. With Jackson there and a beefed up recruiting department, what exactly does Miller do anyway?

 

[Sir]

I've been away for a week (on holidays) having flown out the day after the Swans disgrace - and arrived home after yesterdays event.

I recorded it only to find the power in my apartment had blown - hence it didn't work - hence I didn't have to sit through it.

I'm going to add to this post later in the week - after I have written to the club.

It was my displeasure/misfortune to meet Mr Miller last week

He represented the Tigers at the "after match function" in Sydney - and never before have I met such a snake in the grass/used car salesman - and that is a slur on used car salesmen!

Absolutely a disgrace that we continue to tolerate this loser - (and I was initially supportive of his tenure - years ago)

Much more to say - but will explain the full circumstances and events later.

Good riddance I say :

 

[Al Bundy]

Someone told me he was on SEN yesterday and said he was in the long haul...

Oh i get it. He has rented a U HAUL trailer to collect his stuff from the RFC & head up "North" to the Gold Coast. Now thats a LONG haul.

Oh did anyone mention how good he was to get "Carey" at North...

Maybe within another 10 years on top of the 5 he has been there he just might get it another draftee like Carey... he(Miller) to be quite FRANKlin, is just a great BUDDY to the RFC.

Sorry Miller, you missed the BUDDY boat that came to shore. He will be equal to Carey in playing abilities.

Your past it & accept it. Move on !

If not I hope RFC grow some kahunas and use 1 finger from that hand shake deal that points to the exit door .

P.S. Nothing against Tambling here.

 

[TigerFurious]

How long is the "long haul"?

On what criteria is his performance being judged?

And how often is his performance being judged?

Three questions that could be answered with a proper contract!

 

[IrockZ]

i've always been a miller supporter but a lot of my non-richmond friends have been questioning his value to us as well...

opposition supporters want him to stay, tells you something doesnt it

 

[Goodwin 24]

Someone told me he was on SEN yesterday and said he was in the long haul...

Of course he is in for the long haul....the longer the better for Miller....the Club is paying his retirement fund, as we did with Frawley and are doing with Wallet....where else do these guys make this sort of money....

 

[Tigers of Old]

Once known as the man who landed Carey.
Now known as the man who missed Franklin.

Long haul?
He and the coach he hired in Wallace are running out of time fast.

 

[craig]

MILLER IS A CHARLETAN