GWS Giants part company with Chief Executive

On the eve of the release of the AFL's 2012 draw, Greater Western Sydney Giants have been rocked by the sudden departure of Chief Executive Dale Holmes.

Media reports on Thursday afternoon said Holmes had been sacked but the Giants released a statement a few hours later claiming he had decided to resign following board-room discussions over his future with the new AFL club.

Giants Chairman Tony Shepherd said the board had been in discussions with Holmes "about the development of the club and Dale's future role with it."

Shepherd added "Dale has come to the conclusion that it is in his best interests and that of the club for him to move on and the board has accepted his resignation.

"I would like to thank Dale most sincerely for the work he has done to establish the club since joining us in April, 2010."

Shepherd said Holmes had achieved many things at the club, including signing Tom Scully, Callan Ward and Phil Davis and securing 11 of the first 14 selections in November's National Draft.

Earlier in the week it had been revealed that the club had employed the father of star recruit, Melbourne's Tom Scully, in a recruiting role - a move the AFL insisted be counted towards the Giants' salary cap.

AFL Football Operations General Manager Adrian Anderson confirmed that the AFL had investigated Phil Scully's employment at the fledgling club, telling SEN "they were very up front and transparent about what was going on and accepting of (the) decision.

"It's up to a club who they employ. What we have control over is whether that is linked in some way to a player being involved at that club.

"If it is then it goes in the salary cap and that is what's happened in this case and that has been disclosed by GWS and (AFL salary cap investigator) Ken Wood has advised the club of that.

"There are numerous examples in the past where there are other benefits that have applied for a player that have been included in the salary cap.

"Whether Ken thinks a benefit or an arrangement is somehow linked with the fact the player is playing, the precedent is he will include that in the salary cap."

AFL National and International Development General Manager David Matthews has taken on the role of acting Chief Executive of the GWS Giants.

Explaining Matthews interim appointment, Shepherd stated "David is based in Sydney and, in the early stages of the club's development, played a leading role in the signing of Kevin Sheedy as senior coach, the recruitment of Queensland and Australian rugby league representative Israel Folau and the appointment of Graeme Allan as general manager of football operations.

"He has excellent credentials and the club greatly appreciates the AFL making David available as acting Chief Executive while we begin to identify a new chief executive to continue the momentum into our first season."

The official draw for the 2012 AFL season will be released later today.

24th November 2010 - NEW SPONSORS BACK AFL AND GWS GIANTS