Sage dismisses suggestions Glory has a problematic culture

Perth Glory owner Tony Sage is adamant the club doesn't have a culture of systemic rorting, revealing that he's as gutted as anyone that the team has been kicked out of the finals.

Tony Sage

Perth Glory owner Tony Sage salutes fans. (Getty) Source: Getty Images

Perth will be relegated to seventh at the end of the season and fined $269,000 after finally admitting its guilt over salary cap breaches.

CEO Jason Brewer resigned on Thursday, with some fans calling for Sage to follow suit.

The owner penned an open letter to the club's fans on Friday apologising for the whole affair.

"The events during this time have left us all feeling shocked, sad, angry and very disappointed," Sage wrote of the team being found guilty of exceeding the salary cap by $400,000.

"Unfortunately, I can't undo what has been done. However, the club has already taken steps to ensure this never happens again.

"I must stress that while the club has accepted the FFA's sanctions and fines, the club does not have a culture of systemic rorting.

"We reiterate that all payments were made from the club's bank account."

Coach Kenny Lowe believes the club needs an urgent overhaul of its protocols if it is to avoid a repeat of the fiasco.

The Glory has failed dismally in finding the right off-field formula for success in recent years.

Alistair Edwards was given free rein of the club's football department during his time as coach, but the move backfired disastrously.

Edwards, who signed his two sons and was perceived to favour them, ended up getting turfed out in a player-led revolt.

To avoid a repeat of that, Lowe was given little power when he was appointed as the club's full-time coach a year ago.

That, too, ended badly, with the club's hierarchy hashing out a series of dubious player deals unbeknownst to the coach. 

"Maybe a hybrid version of both regimes (would be the right way to go)," Lowe said on Friday.

"There might be some things put in place that allows us to have more control at this end over things that happen."

Given the serious nature of Perth's salary cap breaches, it's understood players may have the right to break their contracts early and leave the club at the end of the season.

Lowe said he had been given no indication a mass exodus was on the cards.

But if any players want to leave, the Glory boss won't stand in their way.

"I've just said to the guys that if you're not happy, you've got to look after yourself," Lowe said.

"It's a funny game. The only person who looks after you in this game is you.

"It's ruthless, it's horrible. But also it gives you something else that's magnificent and joyful.

"Sometimes it's a great place to be, and sometimes it's the worst place in the world to be. That's football.

"The players have been superb. They listened, they've worked hard. They might be feeling hurt inside. But hey, we can all be a chameleon."

Lowe revealed he had exchanged some text messages with Brewer since Thursday.

"Let's not vilify him," Lowe said.

"Maybe he's made a couple of choices that he's not happy with and have impacted on everybody. But ultimately, it doesn't mean you're a bad person. He's a genuine guy.

"You've got to remember Jason is a human being as well. We've got to think about him and his family."

The Glory will be back in action on Sunday when it hosts Melbourne City at nib Stadium.


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4 min read
Published 17 April 2015 9:57pm

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