David Klemmer and Moses Mbye go into bat for club supremo Ray Dib ahead of elections
CANTERBURY Bulldogs stars have sprung to the defence of club supremo Ray Dib as he fights to save his job in the most bitter boardroom showdown in the club’s history.
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CANTERBURY Bulldogs stars have sprung to the defence of club supremo Ray Dib as he fights to save his job in the most bitter boardroom showdown in the club’s history.
Players normally reluctant to involve themselves in politics and management issues are almost unanimously backing Dib and his board to withstand the threat from a rival ticket headed by the highly regarded Lynn Anderson.
“It has been disappointing with all that has been said about the club and how we are doing,” said Kangaroos front-rower Dave Klemmer.
“We have heard a lot about the elections and talk about the lack of culture, but I think the current board have done a lot to change that.
“The feeling and belief among the boys at the moment and everyone’s happy we’re heading in the right direction and excited about the season. We’re rearing to go.”
Klemmer’s comments follow the vote of confidence in the board from Moses Mbye and Michael Lichaa on Fox Sports’ NRL 360 this week.
“It’s a distraction,” Mbye said, “It’s disappointing and you can’t help but see it in little cuttings like that and little articles in the paper that the opposing board has announced that we’re an unhappy club that needs rebuilding or something like that.
“I can assure you now that the position the current board’s got us in is a happy camp.
“Sure we were losing games last year, who’s a happy camp when you’re losing footy games?
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“But nothing’s wrong with our club at the moment. We have a new coach, a handful of new recruits coming in and we’re feeling super optimistic about 2018 that’s for sure.”
Lichaa said he couldn’t believe the change when he returned to Belmore from World Cup duties. He had struggled under Des Hasler and his tightly structured game plans.
Plus their failure to make the finals.
“I felt like a new bloke when I walked in,” he said, “The biggest thing I noticed was how happy all the boys were. It’s a bit hard to explain, but the first day I got in the boys were doing the YoYo Test and normally the heads are down but for some reason there was a real energy about it.
“It’s a different feeling now. I go home and I’m really looking forward to training the next day and I haven’t had that for a year or two.
“Dean has brought that happiness back and that is when you play your best footy.”
Veteran Josh Morris say he couldn’t be happier with the current roster and coaching staff.
“The best thing is that everybody has a smile on their face,” he said.
“Getting away to Terrigal with the families was a bonus and it allowed everyone to mix together and have some fun, as well as do some good work on the training field.
“Dean has been great at making sure that we work hard on our fitness and try and play with the passion that the Bulldogs are renowned for.”