A SUITED Glenn ‘‘Hypo’’ Coleman held court in the main leagues club bar, full of former teammates and Cronulla Sharks supporters, before Sunday’s Sharks-Titans game.
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He carefully discussed his club’s uncertain future.
Within four days Mr Coleman, a popular winger with a penchant for scoring tries in the 1980s and early 1990s in Sharks teams which mostly, lacked real class, had been elected the new club chairman — appointed by the board yesterday to replace Damian Irvine.
Now a signwriter and property developer, Mr Coleman and fellow Sharks director Jonathan Docking represent the most direct link between the board and the players — the same players he’s had to settle down in the heat of the ongoing ASADA doping inquiry which has cost the jobs of the club’s football manager, doctor, physio and trainer, and resulted in coach Shane Flanagan being stood down.
Yet he is also the Sharks’ newest director, after former director Ricky Surace resigned from the board, along with solicitor Jim Barnett who is also on his way out.
Under the glare of Irvine’s announcement at a morning press conference yesterday, Mr Coleman stepped carefully down the line of questioning, not unlike his sideline forays for the Sharks in a career which stretched over more than a decade, and 216 grade matches (123 first grade).
The managing director of the Coleman Group, a company started by his grandfather (Coleman Signs in 1948) he handled his questioners skilfully, at the same time thanking Irvine for his ‘‘selfless commitment’’ to the Sharks.
His thoughts quickly turned to the Sharks players.
‘‘Our energy and focus needs to be on the playing group and the [ASADA] investigation,’’ he said. And then: ‘‘Yes, I am concerned for the players.’’
Would stood-down Shane Flanagan be restored as head coach?
Again, Mr Coleman tiptoed like only a good winger, rather than a hulking forward, could.
‘‘We have a review in place and we have to wait for those [findings).’’
What about the sacked staff?
‘‘The board had to make some difficult decisions.’’
The dreaded horse drugs raised its head again. Mr Coleman again was firm: ‘‘I’m not open to discussion on that today ...’’
Irvine sniffed the winds of protest and fell on his sword Tuesday night.
Despite his considerable work in helping to save the club financially and get the $300 million Sharks development across the line last year, he could not keep his place on the board.
Still, he may have had a big say in Coleman succeeding him.
?In unpaid positions on a football club board, all directors are equal.
Yet some have already paid the price, like Irvine and chartered accountant Craig Douglas.
Anyone who deserted their business to spend triple the hours working on the Sharks finances and development, like Douglas has, would normally have gone broke long ago.
But Douglas is obviously made of stern stuff.
Despite all the dramas on and off the field the past five years, the Sharks survive, and so does Cornerstone Advisory, his business.
But his head for figures will be tested for some time yet.
❏ New interim Sharks CEO Bruno Cullen started in his office yesterday.
The former Brisbane Broncos boss was brought in after the ASADA investigations resulted in the sackings of the four Sharks football club staff and the standing down of coach Shane Flanagan.
Is Coleman a good choice to lead the Sharks?
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