How the Roos nabbed Arocca

[The Zebra]

Bit different to Carlton....

How the Roos nabbed Arocca
11:57 AM Mon 21 January, 2008 | BACK
By Ben Broad

Mon, Jan 21, 08
NORTH Melbourne chairman James Brayshaw has told of the alarm bells that rang after realising he would have to try to poach Eugene Arocca from one of his colleagues and good friends.

The Kangaroos were delighted last week to announce former Collingwood lawyer and director of commercial operations Eugene Arocca as their new chief executive, filling the void left by Rick Aylett.

But Brayshaw said going after Arocca from Collingwood was a delicate matter and one he felt needed the “blessing” of Magpie president Eddie McGuire.

“It was actually my brother [Mark], as one of the directors of the footy club, who we gave the job of putting together a shortlist,” Brayshaw said.

“He rang me pretty quickly after we started getting the shortlist together and said ‘look, there’s one guy whose name keeps popping up more often than anyone else’s’.

Brayshaw, co-host of Channel Nine’s The Footy Show, said he knew what had to be done after what he heard next.

“I said ‘yeah, who’s that’ and he said ‘Eugene Arocca’ and the warning bells sounded pretty instantly,” Brayshaw said.

“So I said ‘all right, we don’t discuss his name any further until I’ve made a phone call’.

“I hung up from my brother and dialed Eddie straight away.

“I said ‘Ed, we’re trying to get a CEO as you know, and Eugene Arocca’s name keeps coming up, and I don’t want anyone from out footy club speaking to Eugene without your blessing'.

“To Eddie’s credit, and this is why he’s a class act … he said we would never stand in anyone’s way if it’s an opportunity Eugene wants to have a look at then you speak to him with our blessing.”

Brayshaw said with Arocca the North Melbourne Football Club had landed a chief executive with all the skills required to take the club forward as they fight to stay in Melbourne.

Arocca had even resisted an offer of a week off work, instead starting his new role at the Kangaroos immediately.

“One, he [Arocca] comes from an elite organisation … secondly he’s got great legal acumen, which any footy club can use at any time” Brayshaw said.

“Thirdly he’s run his own business, so the commercial side of it was really important to us … and I think the fourth thing, and I’m saying it with him sitting here, is Eugene had a bit of street fighter about him.

“He had a bit of that glint in his eye, which we need.”

 

[The Zebra]

..and the man is saying all the right things early.

We haven't heard people talk like Brayshaw and Arocca have been in a long time.

Arocca embraces a “new love”
1:09 PM Mon 21 January, 2008 | BACK
By Ben Broad

Mon, Jan 21, 08

A CHANCE to “make a stand for Victorian football” and the North Melbourne Football Club – that’s what new Kangaroos boss Eugene Arocca is looking forward to as he starts work at Arden Street.

Despite having arrived directly from Collingwood, where he was director of commercial operations, Arocca said he won’t replicate the approach he took at the Magpies.

“North Melbourne’s not Collingwood and Collingwood will never be North Melbourne,” Arocca said.

“But you think back seven or eight years ago and Collingwood was turning over $14 million and were struggling and on its knees and in the space of seven or eight years, admittedly with a lot of critical mass in the way of supporters, is now looking at $60 million.

“I want to make my own assessment about North Melbourne and make my own decisions but I’m very confident in my mind that we’re not Collingwood.

“Never will be, we’ll be the North Melbourne Football Club and I’m looking forward to being a part of that process.”

Arocca said he was buoyed by the resolve of football fans – not just the Kangaroo faithful – who were keen to see the Shinboner Spirit alive and well.

“I’ve had a myriad of calls from Collingwood supporters, from Collingwood people, from North people, there’s just this buzz about this opportunity to make a stand for Victorian football and in particular for the North Melbourne Football Club,” he said.

A lifelong Collingwood fan, Arocca said he realised he must move on if he wanted a new challenge in his football life.

“Oh, I love football,” he said.

“I think that the North Melbourne Football Club’s a very unique football club, not like any that I know as a football follower.

“So from my point of view, yeah I do love Collingwood and I’ve loved Collingwood in the past, but it’s fair to say I’ve got a new love.

“As much as I’ve got some fantastic friends at Collingwood and made some great mates and all that sort of stuff, it was really pleasing for me to have Glenn Archer ring on Saturday morning to welcome me aboard and Nathan Buckley ring me on Friday night to wish me all the best. You know, that’s football.”

Arocca said everyone at the Kangaroos had impressed him with their passion and “absolute commitment”.

And while reluctant to outline goals on day one of his job, it was clear what was on Arocca’s agenda.

“We’ve got to aim towards 25,000-30,000 members and hold onto them, and I firmly believe that a Victorian club with that many members is staying here,” he said.

 

[itsintheblood]

Who really gives a rats arse about this bloke, or nth melb for that matter. Bad career move imo.

LMAO at this comment.

“I think that the North Melbourne Football Club’s a very unique football club, not like any that I know as a football follower.

“So from my point of view, yeah I do love Collingwood and I’ve loved Collingwood in the past, but it’s fair to say I’ve got a new love."

I don't know many people who fall out of love with collingwood. The things money does. I guess he saw the light perhaps.

 

[KiwiRoo]

[quote=itsintheblood;9911977]Who really gives a rats arse about this bloke, or nth melb for that matter. Bad career move imo.

LMAO at this comment.

“I think that the North Melbourne Football Club’s a very unique football club, not like any that I know as a football follower.

“So from my point of view, yeah I do love Collingwood and I’ve loved Collingwood in the past, but it’s fair to say I’ve got a new love."

I don't know many people who fall out of love with collingwood. The things money does. I guess he saw the light perhaps.[/quote]

Richmond supporter.....yawn.......

if we had a top 8 for comments re North you'd finish 9th

 

[campbell]

Who cares, how they nabbed a person.
I would prefer to see that they have the signature of that promised major sponser. Now thats worth reporting, not this fluff piece.

 

[Tas]

Who really gives a rats arse about this bloke, or nth melb for that matter. Bad career move imo.

LMAO at this comment.

“I think that the North Melbourne Football Club’s a very unique football club, not like any that I know as a football follower.

“So from my point of view, yeah I do love Collingwood and I’ve loved Collingwood in the past, but it’s fair to say I’ve got a new love."

I don't know many people who fall out of love with collingwood. The things money does. I guess he saw the light perhaps.

He hasn't said he doesn't love Collingwood any more, he just he has a new love, you really have to be passionate about something to put everything into it.

I don't think he has said anything which should have offended any Collingwood supporter, he has paid respect to both.

He is just taking on one of the most challenging jobs in the AFL, takes a lot of balls to move into the job he has taken.

 

[WALKER]

Who really gives a rats arse about this bloke, or nth melb for that matter. Bad career move imo.

LMAO at this comment.

“I think that the North Melbourne Football Club’s a very unique football club, not like any that I know as a football follower.

“So from my point of view, yeah I do love Collingwood and I’ve loved Collingwood in the past, but it’s fair to say I’ve got a new love."

I don't know many people who fall out of love with collingwood. The things money does. I guess he saw the light perhaps.

who really gives a rats arse about the tigers, north is a ten times better club, and has alot more of peoples respect... all the best to them

 

[Bring-Back-Powell]

Arocca couldn't land a job with the big boys, but nice to see him finally get a consolation prize.

 

[jacko57]

Who really gives a rats arse about this bloke, or nth melb for that matter. Bad career move imo.

LMAO at this comment.

“I think that the North Melbourne Football Club’s a very unique football club, not like any that I know as a football follower.

“So from my point of view, yeah I do love Collingwood and I’ve loved Collingwood in the past, but it’s fair to say I’ve got a new love."

I don't know many people who fall out of love with collingwood. The things money does. I guess he saw the light perhaps.

LOL, you shoudl ask Greg Miller or Terry Tan about bad career moves!

 

[Big Bucks]

Who really gives a rats arse about this bloke, or nth melb for that matter. Bad career move imo.

LMAO at this comment.

“I think that the North Melbourne Football Club’s a very unique football club, not like any that I know as a football follower.

“So from my point of view, yeah I do love Collingwood and I’ve loved Collingwood in the past, but it’s fair to say I’ve got a new love."

I don't know many people who fall out of love with collingwood. The things money does. I guess he saw the light perhaps.

Who gives a sk!t about your pathetic excuse of the club you follow.
Eugene has class, as do the Roos.unlike that rabble you excrutiatingly follow.

 

[jacko57]

Arocca couldn't land a job with the big boys, but nice to see him finally get a consolation prize.

as opposed to the booby prize that steve harris got?

 

[Brock Machine]

So Eddie makes the big decisions at North now. Sounds like a conflict of interest to me.

Seriously, what would JB have done if Eddie said no?

 

[jacko57]

So Eddie makes the big decisions at North now. Sounds like a conflict of interest to me.

Seriously, what would JB have done if Eddie said no?

Who's to know? But at least they had the class to approach Collingwood up front, and the Pies had the class to say Go ahead & talk to him.

 

[FuManchu]

No matter Arocca's former allegances, he wont be the one kicking to win a match for his new club against his old club.

I'm sure that as the professional he is, he will be doing whatever it is in his capacity to do the best job for his new employer. Like most people with pride would do. So in terms of that, I dont think anyone linked to Nth need worry about the job he is going to do.

But it is hard to imagine 10 years down the track, after he has moved on that Nth will still be his primary club he supports. It is hard to imagine anyone just losing that devotion to the club you support all for the sake of being employed by another. You can do your best for who you work for, but you can only truly ever love one club.

unless of course you move to Qld and turn like so many have. Which makes me wonder just how fickle all those transplanted lions supporters are that moved nth years ago.

 

[Brock Machine]

Who's to know? But at least they had the class to approach Collingwood up front, and the Pies had the class to say Go ahead & talk to him.

Fair enough but I think you need to take off the rose colored glasses.

Say what you want about the way Carlton went about it but I know which way I would prefer my club to go about headhunting a CEO.

 

[Papa G]

This article kind of makes me want to vomit - JB doing the honourable/faithful thing by his mate/employer/Demi God, whilst Eddie playing the the great humble benefactor bequeathing a loyal but non essential part timer to his little lap dog who's trying really, really hard to prove that he isn't out of his depth.

 

[Divado]

Fair enough but I think you need to take off the rose colored glasses.

Say what you want about the way Carlton went about it but I know which way I would prefer my club to go about headhunting a CEO.

So you prefer the unethical approach?

 

[Atomboy]

So you prefer the unethical approach?

What's unethical about making an offer to someone without telling their employer first ????.

Sounds like a serious conflict of interest and very poor business skills by JB to me.

If Eddie had turned around and thrown more cash at the guy, the Roos may have lost their man, or been engaged in a bidding war.

 

[HBF]

LOL, you shoudl ask Greg Miller or Terry Tan about bad career moves!

Spot on.
North Melbourne got their man, and they were good enough to have a chat to Ed about it as well.

 

[Brock Machine]

So you prefer the unethical approach?

The stakes are high as they come for North ATM, I think the appointment is an excellent one but the question remains, what would he have done if Eddie said no? Would he risk not getting his man so to not rock the boat?

Is he big enough to stand up to Ed to get the best result for NMFC?

 

[Divado]

The stakes are high as they come for North ATM, I think the appointment is an excellent one but the question remains, what would he have done if Eddie said no? Would he risk not getting his man so to not rock the boat?

Is he big enough to stand up to Ed to get the best result for NMFC?

I see your point. I think after Arocca was over looked for the top job, there was a fairly good chance he would want to move on for a big challenge and opportunity.

 

[mark73]

This article kind of makes me want to vomit - JB doing the honourable/faithful thing by his mate/employer/Demi God, whilst Eddie playing the the great humble benefactor bequeathing a loyal but non essential part timer to his little lap dog who's trying really, really hard to prove that he isn't out of his depth.

Gee this North staying in Melbourne and forging a future here has really got up your girdle hasn't it.

Or is it a swipe at Collingwood because no matter what happens or how many years pass they'll always be the real Magpies and your mob will always be second fiddle?

 

[FuManchu]

The stakes are high as they come for North ATM, I think the appointment is an excellent one but the question remains, what would he have done if Eddie said no? Would he risk not getting his man so to not rock the boat?

Is he big enough to stand up to Ed to get the best result for NMFC?

He'd have no choice, but try and do the best thing for his club. Eddie would have to expect him to do so also. Asking for Eddies consent is just being polite, if he didnt get it, then I'd be pretty pissed off as Nth supporter if he didnt go for it anyway.

The question is, because of Nth's precarious situation, was arocca the best person for the job, or just the best person willing to do the job?

 

[mark73]

The question is, because of Nth's precarious situation, was arocca the best person for the job, or just the best person willing to do the job?

Well James Van Beek was another applicant and I wouldn't have been upset with him either.

Arocca was definitely the preferred option though.

 

[Brock Machine]

He'd have no choice, but try and do the best thing for his club. Eddie would have to expect him to do so also. Asking for Eddies consent is just being polite, if he didnt get it, then I'd be pretty pissed off as Nth supporter if he didnt go for it anyway.

The question is, because of Nth's precarious situation, was arocca the best person for the job, or just the best person willing to do the job?

Would he be polite talking to an out of contract player from Collingwood?