Rock concert vs the pub gig
Newcastle Herald
Wednesday March 30, 2011
NATHAN Tinkler's slick presentation to Knights members at an information session in the main auditorium at Newcastle Panthers on Monday night was like a rock concert.Patrons' Trust spokesman Andrew Poole sat on the same stage last night to explain the funding model he and two anonymous partners purport to be a better all-round deal.If attendance and atmosphere are anything to go by, Mr Tinkler was a charismatic lead singer surrounded by his band, belting out hits to a packed house of adoring fans.By comparison, Mr Poole was an acoustic guitarist playing to a few barflies and the odd heckler on open-mike night at a suburban pub."This isn't a political rally. We don't have the dancing girls and the 1997 grand final highlights," Mr Poole said, conceding he was not trying to compete with Mr Tinkler's razzamatazz.About 800 Knights members turned up on Monday to see Mr Tinkler in the flesh and listen to the billionaire mining and racing magnate sell his privatisation proposal.About 60 people, not necessarily all Knights members, and definitely not all Patrons Trust supporters, gave Mr Poole a chance to tell his side of the story last night.At least six, most notably Leeann Mullen, mother of Knights playmaker Jarrod Mullen, spoke against Mr Poole and fellow businessman Stephen Barrett, who introduced him.Mrs Mullen said Mr Barrett had discredited some former Knights players who have supported Mr Tinkler's bid with disparaging comments on the "My Knights For Members" website.Foundation member Gavin Clayton criticised Mr Barrett and Mr Poole for "rubbishing" the Tinkler proposal. Mr Clayton said he attended the Tinkler meeting on Monday "and they didn't rubbish the Patrons' Trust".Another foundation member, Kevin Fuller, said Mr Poole had erred by waiting until 48 hours before the vote tomorrow night to address members. Mr Barrett said Mr Poole had spent much of the past two weeks interstate on business and last night was the first available date.Mr Fuller said Mr Tinkler's proposal had been endorsed by Knights chairman Rob Tew and the club's board, current and former Knights players and coaches, and every significant group of supporters and stakeholders."A lot of the members are looking for guidance, and the other side have a lot of people of influence supporting them, but you're the only spokesman for this," Mr Fuller said to Mr Poole.In the case of about 50 of those who bothered to turn up to hear him, Mr Poole was preaching to the converted. But on the big stage, his message seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
© 2011 Newcastle Herald