Hughes And Dunn Announce Bulldogs Board Challenge
Former Bulldogs greats Graeme Hughes and Paul Dunn have both announced their intentions to stand for election on the Bulldogs Football Club board next year.
Hughes has been a long-time critic of the Bulldogs since his brother Garry Hughes was removed as Football Manager in early 2004 and has been using a radio programme he hosts to consistently launch tirades into the administration of the club he once played for.
The former second-row forward played 124 first grade games for the Bulldogs from 1974-82, played one match for NSW, was a member of the 1980 grand final winning team, played in the 1979 grand final and is a Life Member of the club. Hughes also played 20 matches for the NSW Cricket side, was a commentator for Channel Ten from 1983-91 and has been involved with various broadcasting and media duties since that time.
Hughes said, "I've been saying quite openly for a number of years now that I don't agree with the direction the club is headed, so it's time to stand up and try to do something about it.
"I think the fact that so many different people are thinking of standing should tell you something, and hopefully the drift of people away from the club can be halted."
Dunn is now eligible to nominate as a Director after serving three years as a member. Dunn played 100 first grade matches for the Bulldogs from 1986-90 and also played for Eastern Suburbs, Penrith and Parramatta. Dunn won the Clive Churchill Medal in 1988 following the Bulldogs grand final victory against Balmain; he was a member of the 1986 grand final side and played all his representative football when at the Bulldogs. Dunn played three State of Origin matches in 1988-89, represented Australia in six Tests from 1986-88 and played in the 1988 World Cup Final.
"I just think the football club can be run better than it has been, so I am probably going to throw my hat into the ring," Dunn said. "Rather than whingeing about things, I'd rather do something about it."
Dunn was Souths Chief Executive in 2002, but only lasted one year due to the George Piggins faction that was rampant at the Rabbitohs.
Former referee Greg Hartley is also running for the Bulldogs board. Hartley on radio 2KY earlier this morning said he supported the current Bulldogs board, but did hint there was one director he wasn't impressed with and that's who he'll be targeting at the AGM.
Other rumoured contenders for the Bulldogs board includes former International Andrew Farrar, club stalwarts Phil Charlton and Stan Cutler, former club sponsor Arthur Coorey, Barry O'Brien who is a close friend of the Hughes family, former Junior League Secretary Paul Tycehurst, 2006 director Mark Byrnes and supporter Sue Eastman who unsuccessfully ran for a position last year. Farrar, Charlton, Cutler and Coorey are all Life Members of the Bulldogs Football Club.
The current Bulldogs board of Peter Cassilles, Ray Dib, Nick Dimas, Anthony Elias, Jim Hall, Barry Phillis and Peter Winchester are all running for positions next year.
Up to 18 contenders will be running for seven board positions in what shapes up as one of the most important meetings in February next year.
One person not running for the board is former Bulldogs great and cult hero Geoff Robinson, but was in no doubt who he'll support. Robinson who is coach of the Chester Hill Rhinos Jim Beam Cup side said, "At this stage I won't be standing but if people like Graeme Hughes, Paul Dunn and Andrew Farrar do decide to run, they will get my support because over the last few years the club has just gone backwards.
"We've lost the two best front-rowers in the game in Mark O'Meley and Roy Asotasi and we just seem to keep losing players, so there has to be a problem there somewhere and it all starts at the top.
"I think a lot of the ex-players feel that way, and when I speak to people on the street you hear the same thing. We've been successful for 75 years and we want to be successful for the next 75 years but if we keep going the way we are, then, in my opinion, we won't be."
Those wishing to contest for Board positions at the Bulldogs have to be a voting member for at least the last three years or a Life Member and have until 4pm today to nominate for positions. The AGM is to be held on Sunday 17th February where it should be interesting to say the least.
|