National Rugby League CEO Dave Smith To Help Parramatta Eels Regain Stability

National Rugby League CEO Dave Smith "attended a meeting of Parramatta directors on Tuesday" as the Eels narrowed their list of targets for the vacant coaching job to a handful of experienced candidates, according to Brad Walter of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Smith's involvement in the meeting "comes amid massive instability at the club, with the Eels having no football club CEO, no leagues club CEO and no coach following Ricky Stuart's decision to quit last week and take up an offer from Canberra." There "are also divisions within the board." Smith is believed to have concerns about the governance of Parramatta, "as well as several other clubs." The NRL is powerless to intervene unless asked to by Parramatta directors "as the Eels boast one of the wealthiest leagues clubs in the game and do not have financial issues" (SMH, 9/18).