Paul Starick: Mark Ricciuto’s comments betray lack of accountability at Adelaide and Port Adelaide Football Clubs
Mark Ricciuto’s comments have laid bare the real problem at the top of both of SA’s AFL clubs, writes Paul Starick. It’s time for change. VOTE + HEAR THE AUDIO
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Adelaide football director Mark Ricciuto’s heavy-handed belittling of fans betrays an entrenched lack of accountability infecting both South Australian AFL clubs at the highest level.
The Brownlow Medallist and former club captain rightly apologised for his choice of words, saying he did not intend to signal disrespect for Crows fans and their opinions.
But it is hard to interpret the structures of both the Adelaide and Port Adelaide boards as displaying anything other than disrespect for the opinions of the tens of thousands of members whose cash they reap in annual fees.
Both the Power and Crows’ constitutions declare a maximum of only two directors will be elected by members. The remainder are appointed by the club, which are then ratified by the AFL (eight in Port’s case and up to seven for the Crows).
This means the majority of both club’s directors are not directly accountable to their members.
By contrast, the board of their Adelaide Oval co-tenant, the South Australian Cricket Association, has 10 of 11 directors elected by the members.
Of course, Crows and Port directors should be attuned to members’ voices through multiple avenues, including fan forums, messages to the club and media outlets.
But the greatest impact members can have is by choosing not to renew their subscription and hitting their club’s finances.
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If the official Facebook pages of the Crows and Power are any guide, there is no shortage of fans from both clubs threatening to do exactly that.
Arguably, many are venting their frustration at on-field performance and have no other outlet, given they have little say in the direction of their clubs.
Ricciuto might be a club great but his performance as football director has been criticised repeatedly on fan forums, as Crows chairman Rob Chapman last week acknowledged — while also staunchly defending Ricciuto.
As a club great, Ricciuto should be a contender to replace Chapman as chairman, given the latter is expected to leave the role within a year.
But are these the judiciously chosen words of a potential chairman, who is accountable to members and in touch with supporters?
“Whatever decision has to be made from top to bottom will be made for the betterment of the football club and the supporters should back our people in. And, if they don’t, well then maybe they don’t need to barrack for the footy club.”
Clearly, Ricciuto realised they were not the best choice of words. Doubtless, he was helped to this realisation by the fury unleashed on social media by loyal fans and long-serving members.
Ricciuto is unlikely to face any consequences when his voluntary board role expires in March, 2022. He, like the majority of his board colleagues, can simply be reappointed.
At more successful AFL clubs than the Crows and Power, like Hawthorn, members elect the club directors, which makes them accountable.
It is high time members at both the Adelaide and Port Adelaide football clubs were treated with similar respect.
— The author is an Adelaide Football Club foundation member