Shane Webcke orders tell-all rugby league book pulped

[Flutterby]

Let's also remember that the book was written before he was on the staff at the Broncos as well. I believe he was in the midst of writing it when the whole incident happened, so he was probably feeling pretty let down by the club at the time himself.

I'm not saying what he did was right, but I can understand where he is coming from and I am sure if he had his time again, he'd do it differently, but people make mistakes and in the grand scheme of things, this was barely a mistake, but I am p***ed off that he is being made to feel like a complete villain for voicing an opinion shared by the majority, but the players involved in all incidents referred to have gotten off relatively lightly.

 

[Nashy]

So we've lost both Webcke and Gee in a week.

Maybe request Gee to stay and be the coach for runners. He's the only player who can run the distance on the field just to punch a bloke for hurting a smaller Broncos player. Legend.

Awesome.

 

[pennywisealfie]

lol how retarded. my thread gets locked coz its already being discussed in some obscure thread that already has 110 posts in it.

 

[Coxy]

Obscure? This is about Webcke's book and the aftermath. His resignation is an extension of that issue.

 

[Nashy]

Own thread would be good. Let's do it. Go on.

 

[Dexter]

Since when does he need the clubs approval to talk face to face with the players?

Because last year he wasn't part of the coaching staff. He felt given the circumstances it'd be best to go through proper channels.

So to what end has this been constructive in any way for the 2009 Broncos?

It hasn't, and that's (judging by his statement) a big reason why he's quit. Although, forwards coach quitting after round 4 is hardly constructive either.

I would think going through the proper channels would be picking up the phone and saying "hey boys, I think you're a bunch of scummers who like rooting in public toilets and I'm going to say so in my book. "

"I'll send an advance copy to Nana Boyd and the rest of your families just in case they didn't get enough the first time around."

Nothing good was going to come from it, then he took the coaching position afterwards.

Fair enough though, Webcke deseves the benefit of the doubt, I hope his resignation snuffs out the whole issue and quickly.

 

[mrslong]

I don't think a $10,000 fine and complete embarrassment in public was getting off lightly Flutterby. The reputations of those players was completely damaged and their families were humiliated. I'd be annoyed if it was brought up again.

I'm still annoyed that Webcke has resigned over it though. The whole thing is a shemozzle of the highest order.

 

[Flutterby]

They created the embarrassment for themselves and ruined their own reputations by their actions on the night in question and how they handled things subsequently (although I will say Sam has copped it sweeter than the other 2 and set about making amends to re-build his reputation). $10,000 is nothing to them and they have subsequently put out the hands for increased pay packets this season anyway.

Webcke has fallen on his sword (ie lost his job) for voicing an opinion the majority share - yep, I'd say the players got off lightly when you compare the 2 situations (their friends and family is a different situation).

But hey I don't think I'm going to change anyone's mind, so I'll just leave it alone now.

 

[Coxy]

Yep, you either condone the players' behaviour and think they've been unfairly treated and should be entitled to long drinking sessions and sexercise in public toilets during the finals.
Or you uphold this nation's philosophy of the right to free speech.............

 

[Je$ter]

Did the book end up getting pulped or is it on shelves?

 

[Coxy]

I think it's on the shelves now.

 

[Je$ter]

My 2cents on the whole issue: Webcke was always a bloke who stood up for rights and what he believed in, but I find it very silly of him to not have the foresight to realise that perhaps he was going to ruffle a few feathers within the club and that there might be some controversey with his book release? Like surely he could have seen his being employed by the Broncos being put in jepoardy by what he wrote?

 

[Coxy]

I tend to believe him when he says he didn't realise how inflammatory it sounded until he read the proof of it a few weeks ago. As Flutterby said, he most likely wrote those passages around the time of the incidents occurring and thus it was very fresh and the hurt (yes, he, like many of us long time supporters felt hurt by the incident) was very real.

Re-reading it 6 months later he probably cringed and thought "this seems harsh".

Unfortunately I think his attempts to defuse it (pulping the book) actually just drew more attention to it, plus there were already copies out there ready to have extracts published of the very stuff he didn't want people to see.

He probably then realised a) there's no point hiding it and b) it's going to do better now with this free publicity, so changed his mind and released it.

That's all fine.

The Broncos said his job was safe. Fine.

He said he'd talk to the players both at the broncos (Sam and K) and elsewhere (Boyd, Joey) about what was written.

Clearly he's had a cold response to that offer and that's what's spooked him. He figures if they're not willing to talk to him about it, then how are they going to handle working with him? It's going to be unnecessarily tense not just for them, but for the other players too.

My gripe is still with the players. They should be man enough to sit down with him and say to his face "mate, you're out of line, you pissed me off, why did you have to say all that stuff?", have him answer it and then agree "OK, done, let's not speak of it again".

That that is not happening is an indictment on the lot of them (whoever's at fault).

 

[Flutterby]

[eusa_clap.gi

Well said Coxy. Nice summation and I agree 100%.

 

[ningnangnong]

Clearly he's had a cold response to that offer and that's what's spooked him. He figures if they're not willing to talk to him about it, then how are they going to handle working with him? It's going to be unnecessarily tense not just for them, but for the other players too.

My gripe is still with the players. They should be man enough to sit down with him and say to his face "mate, you're out of line, you pissed me off, why did you have to say all that stuff?", have him answer it and then agree "OK, done, let's not speak of it again".

That that is not happening is an indictment on the lot of them (whoever's at fault).

Is this based on fact or assumption?

Whilst in all likelihood it is probably one of the key reasons behind Webcke's departure, i refuse to form an opinion on the matter until more information is divulged.

Lol, not really sure why i even bothered posting then, but it sounds good when you read it. :mrgreen:

 

[Coxy]

Well I can't think why else he'd quit now? The press had all but died, other than the odd "I'm unhappy" Player tells friend headline. He'd said he was going to deal with the problem with the players face to face...I just don't get it.

So yes, it's assumption/speculation on my part, but unless Webcke's a giant chicken who didn't want to face up to the guys (which I really don't think is true) then it's the most likely explanation in my opinion.

 

[Kaz]

I think Webcke should have spoken to the players earlier, until waiting until he got back.

Maybe he should have said something to them when the story about his book broke, instead of going on leave.

 

[Dexter]

Yep fair call, that is what should happen. (That is what Coxy said.)