NRL 2024: Departing Rabbitohs COO Brock Schaefer opens up on exit after Jason Demetriou axing | Sport Confidential
Departing South Sydney chief operating officer Brock Schaefer has opened up on his decision to walk out on the club after the departure of coach Jason Demetriou. See the full SPORT CONFIDENTIAL.
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South Sydney chief operating officer Brock Schaefer has opened up on his decision to leave the Rabbitohs, revealing that the departure of coach Jason Demetriou helped convince him it was time to pursue a new challenge.
Schaefer spent a decade at the Rabbitohs, a time when the club challenged for premierships on a regular basis and cemented their status as one of the game’s flagship clubs.
However, the Rabbitohs have faced some signifiant challenges this season, leading to the dismissal of Demetriou this week - seven-time premiership winner Wayne Bennett is expected to take over next season.
Schaefer felt it was the perfect time to seek a new challenge in his career.
“I have some exciting opportunities elsewhere in the game that I’m keen to pursue and with the club going in a new direction on head coach, I felt it was the right time to move on,” Schaefer said.
“I’m incredibly proud of my 10-year contribution to Souths as chief exective of Souths Cares and since 2019 as chief operating officer of the football club.
“I have worked with a great group of staff and players in my time, and we’ve had a great deal of on-field success including four preliminary finals and a grand final appearance.
“I’m particularly proud to have led the build of our new high-performance centre and the investment and expansion of our pathway’s programs.”
Souths chief executive Blake Solly said Schaefer had left behind a significant legacy with the club.
“I think it is a sad day for the club because his contribution over his decade here with Souths Cares and the football department has been exceptional,” Solly said.
“There is no way that the club would have got through the Covid pandemic without his hard work and innovation. He’s extremely well liked by everyone at the club, he’s got a great mix of skills and he will be missed by everyone here.”
Schaefer worked for a time at Cricket PNG in Port Moresby and then spent time at the Northern Pride in Cairns before joining South Sydney and his experience in the area would make him an ideal candidate to help the NRL navigate the addition of Papua New Guinea as the game’s 18th team.
There have been suggestions a PNG side could be based in Cairns and play out of Port Moresby.
NRL SLAP GOULD WITH $20K FINE OVER CHANNEL 9 RANT
The NRL has finally run out of patience with Bulldogs head of football Phil Gould, slapping him with an official sanction over his criticism of the game’s governing body.
Sport Confidential can confirm that the Bulldogs were informed on Thursday afternoon that Gould had been issued with a breach notice over comments made on the Nine Network on Monday night, where he labelled the game as “stupid” over the decision to disallow an Api Koroisau try at the weekend.
Gould has been fined $20,000, half of which will be suspended for a period of 24 months.
”We welcome constructive criticism and passionate opinions but registered officials cannot overstep the mark or make comments that are considered detrimental to the game or the NRL competition,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.
“Destructive attacks on the game itself will not be tolerated. This is a professional sport and our leaders should set the standard around reasoned debate and respect for the game.”
Gould has walked a fine line between club official and television commentator since returning to the Bulldogs to oversee the rebuild of their football team.
So concerned was NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo with Gould’s attacks on Rugby League Central, he raised the issue with Bulldogs bosses last year at a meeting to discuss constant criticism of NRL officials.
At the time, Abdo said he had no interest in silencing Gould. However, rival clubs had raised concerns over Gould’s comments given he was a registered official and the NRL has now had enough as they hit Gould with an official sanction.
Asked about the decision to disallow a Koroisau try at the weekend, Gould told 100% Footy on Monday night: “Our game’s so stupid. You can lose the ball over the line and it costs you 20m and seven tackles. Why?
“I don’t know because it’s stupid. But I can just take a line drop out and it goes out on the full – no consequence.
“It’s nothing at all – what sort of stupid game is this? Who sits and makes up these rules?
“Api Koroisau try what the hell was that – what the hell was that? We are so stupid with our rules. Our game is stupid.”
FLASHBACK
South Sydney were on the back page this time five years ago as they celebrated the career of Greg Inglis. Inglis had come to terms that his career was over after playing his final match in round two. South Sydney paid him the ultimate tribute with a 38-6 win against Brisbane.
NBA STAR SHOWS UP PANTHERS WITH EXTREME INK
OK, it’s time for a clarification.
A couple of weeks ago we asked what was up with Penrith Panthers players and their extreme tattoos, after Taylan May had his surname inked across his neck.
But we’ve had to reassess our definition of “extreme” after seeing former Wollongong Hawk turned Charlotte Hornet NBA superstar Lamelo Ball’s new back tatt.
Monstrosity or masterpiece? Whatever your verdict, it’s definitely extreme
PARRA POWERBROKERS SET TO BACK ARTHUR
Parramatta won’t be pressured into making contact with Wayne Bennett as they continue to throw their support behind head coach Brad Arthur.
Arthur has been under pressure this season to retain his place at the helm of the Eels, his cause not helped by serious injuries to halfback Mitchell Moses and captain Clint Gutherson.
The Eels head into the weekend in 14th place and pressure intensifies on Arthur with every loss. There is a school of thought that Parramatta power-brokers should at least sound out Bennett over his interest in joining the club, particularly with South Sydney circling the game’s greatest coach.
That won’t be happening. The Eels won’t do anything to undermine Arthur or threaten his ability to save his job. Even the possibility of securing Bennett isn’t enough to tempt Parramatta power-brokers.
TIGERS MOVE TO LOCKDOWN STAR PROP
Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson held talks with Stefano Utoikamanu’s agent Daniel O’Loughlin this week as the club looks to lock in their classy front rower beyond next season.
Richardson and O’Loughlin were tightlipped afterwards, refusing to divulge any details of their conversation. Needless to say the Tigers made it clear they wanted Utoikamanu to stay well beyond his existing contract, which ends either this year or next depending on whether he plays State of Origin or the club qualifies for the top eight.
Utoikamanu has made a flying start to the year, pushing for higher honours as part of a Tigers side that flew out of the blocks but have stumbled over the past fortnight.
LODGE IS HAIR TO STAY
It’s official. Matt Lodge has had a hair transplant.
The Manly enforcer and former Broncos star says he feels 10 years younger after a hair-raising experience while visiting Europe and Gallipoli with his family last year.
Lodge is renowned for his shaved head but eagle-eyed league fans couldn’t miss the Sea Eagles prop’s full head of hair when he ran out against the Titans a fortnight ago after eight months out following a knee reconstruction.
Scores of balding Australian men are heading offshore for cheaper hair transplants as part of travel packages, flying abroad thanks to ‘Turkish Hairlines’.
Lodge saved more than $20,000 by having his hair transplant overseas and believes his new look could prolong his NRL career.
“Everyone thought it was retirement time ... I’m only 28,” Lodge told colleague Peter Badel.
“I’ve taken the tough carry and paved the way for the next generation of young bald men.
“There’s a very long list of high-profile people inquiring about this special service.
“Due to the amount of inquiries I’m getting, I might have to put together a direct package for people.”
The procedure took just one day and Lodge said it is common practice for men in Europe and the Middle East to have the ‘yeah, yeah’ treatment.
“I’m not one to take any medication or spend a fortune on my hair,” he said.
“For what it cost me ... I’ve had worse Saturdays on the punt.
“It was very affordable.
“I went on a Europe trip with the family after I did my ACL as a break to get away and come back refreshed before rehab began.
“I won’t confirm exactly where I went but I did visit Disneyland (in America), Paris, the Greek Islands, Ibiza, Malta and also went to see Gallipoli.”
The Benji Marshall impact is alive and well with the Tigers proving to be a ratings bonanza on Fox League.
The Tigers are rating 20 per cent more than last season after Marshall instilled some hope in the Tigers faithful.
That is despite the fact the Tigers have won just two games this season.
SPOTTED
Ivan Cleary was spotted deep in Balmain territory this week with the Panthers coach spotted at a café in Rozelle. Was he just taking in his old stomping ground or planning some retribution against his former side who have signed Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva in recent months.
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Originally published as NRL 2024: Departing Rabbitohs COO Brock Schaefer opens up on exit after Jason Demetriou axing | Sport Confidential
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