The "days of infighting" at National Rugby League side Manly "appear over," according to Brent Read of THE AUSTRALIAN. After "years of bickering, the Penn family has completed" a
A$6M ($5.25M) buy-out of Quantum's share in the club, "bringing peace to the
boardroom." It means the Penn family now owns 90% of the Sea Eagles,
"giving them control of a club which has been rife with internal ructions
for years." Rick Penn is "among Australia's richest men," with the move "certain
to ensure his son and business partner Scott becomes controlling
chairman." Talks between the parties have reportedly been "ongoing for some weeks and reached a conclusion this morning." The change in ownership "heralds a new era for the club." Despite being the majority owners, the Penn family "were out-numbered in the boardroom." That
"will now change, giving them complete control of the club and allowing
them to press ahead with their plans for the future, including the
re-signing of several key players and an upgrade to Brookvale Oval" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 10/23). In Sydney, Read reported in a separate piece Manly Chair Scott Penn has revealed that his "fear of losing star playmakers
Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans was a driving force behind moves to
resolve the long-running ownership struggles." The decision is set to "have ramifications beyond the boardroom," with the future of GM Dave Perry "now in doubt." Perry has "one year remaining on his contract and it would be a surprise if he earned an extension beyond that." His "likely demise" is set to be mirrored by Manly player Anthony Watmough's
departure, "despite suggestions the ownership change may alter the
landscape as far as the NSW and Australian backrower is concerned." Watmough
has agreed to terms on a "switch to Parramatta next season, and it is
understood Manly have lined up Willie Mason and Feleti Mateo to fill the
void" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 10/24).
