Ben Ikin has announced that he will be “tough” on Storm skipper Cameron Smith when he becomes the club’s new CEO.
The 43-year-old, who played 55 games for the club, submitted his application for the top job with current boss Paul White to resign at the end of the season.
Kayo is your ticket to the NRL Telstra Premiership 2020. Every game of every round Live & On-Demand with no commercial breaks during the game. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming immediately>
Ikin, host of NRL 360 of the Fox League, was brought in on Tuesday by his co-host, Paul Kent, and asked how hard he would pursue Smith.
Ikin replied “tough … absolutely” before describing what the 423 player would bring to the club.
“(Smith’s) is a franchise player and brings a lot of standards and professionalism in the week leading up to the games and the 80 minutes a week the rest of the team is supposed to live each day they walk through the door. ”
Ikin explains the CEO’s ambitions
4:52
Ikin admitted that he was keeping an eye on the gaming market as well, with a particular interest in senior playmakers. But he believes the club has a better chance of changing things up with a change in its culture – something Smith can contribute to – than snapping up a superstar half.
“I did my own list analysis and then scoured the market to see who was available.
“If you’re looking for skilled playmakers, there isn’t much out there. Blake Green is another one to hit the market next year, Benji Marshall has no contract, Mitchell Pearce is twelve months away.
“But I have to be honest with you, if you are looking for quick changes, it will come more from good coaching and good culture than from buying a silver bullet.
“That’s why you would stand up for Cameron Smith because he would solve a lot of problems in one fell swoop.”
TEAM ANALYSIS: Taps without stars for blockbusters; Munster replacement named
LAP 14 TEAMS: Mary’s last chance to replace Broncos’ Pangai Jr
CASUALTY WARD: All injuries in round 14
TRANSFER CENTER: Raiders pinch veteran props from Titans
If Ikin got the job, he wouldn’t go with blazing weapons, but rather have a “change of appetite”. He says he wants to get to the bottom of club issues like roster management before making any big changes.
“I want to know what is to blame.
“The list, you heard me say, is in poor shape. In fact, I used the word disgusting. I want to know how it came about, I want to know the separation of duties between the general manager of football and the coach.
Pangai Jr plays ‘stupid game’
2:20
“Once I know who is responsible for what, I can start dividing the blame.
“I whet the appetite for change, do you know why? Because if things don’t change based on what I’m seeing right now, it’s going to get worse and that would be people and processes. “
MORE NRL NEWS
REVERSE: The knight duo has been freed from the COVID-19 injury and can train and play freely
PERSONAL: Broncos Great reveals the real reason Boyd left the leadership group
“EVERYTHING STRIKES ME ONCE”: Doueihi opens up to emotional outpouring
SACKED ?: Dragons could set McGregor on fire and affect Flanagan’s future
He also revealed the club’s salary cap, which would be high on his list.
“You know (the salary cap) is the first thing I would check.”
Ikin believes the club can be transformed in six months.
“You put a group of people together: players; Coaching staff and that could include some of the current folks with the aim that what was true at the beginning of the year, that the Broncos are an organization that shoots for the top 4, will be true next year. “
.
