Luke Darcy was this week appointed to the Board of Directors at the Western Bulldogs.
The former Dogs captain holds key media roles at both Channel Seven and Triple M and will now work in an official capacity at club level.
The news prompted the topic of media personalities undertaking significant club roles to be discussed by Garry Lyon and Tim Watson who both wonder whether it is a necessity or not.
“I think he’ll be a fantastic addition to the board of the Western Bulldogs,” Lyon said on SEN Breakfast.
“I’m not a fan of media people being on boards. It compromises them in their job. But I’ve got no doubt in the wide world that he’d be a great addition.”
To which Watson responded: “I’m not surprised one bit (that Darcy is on the board).
“It does surprise me, however, from time to time when those that have big media positions feel the need to join a football club board.
“I know we all have our biases anyway. You’ve (Lyon) got a bias towards Melbourne and I’ve got one towards Essendon. Everyone knows that because we played for the club.
“But I think it’s a bit different when you step out and say, ‘ok, I’m now going to join the board of a football club and therefore, whenever I’m talking about all the other clubs, you know that I can’t talk about the Bulldogs because I know what’s going on there and I can’t give you the information I’m supposed to give’. Or I can’t have an open view or opinion on the Bulldogs compared to everyone else.”
Lyon agreed and feels that Darcy has played enough of a role at the Dogs in recent years without having to take an official stance which has the capacity to interfere with his media job.
“He was part of the appointment of Luke Beveridge so he’s played a big role in their recent success,” Lyon said.
“But I think it does compromise your ability to call the game if that’s the role that you’re in as a media performer.
“Anyone who goes onto these boards I’ve got great admiration for, because it’s a massive time commitment, they do it for nothing and all of that sort of stuff.
“But my whole point is, if I’m watching the footy now and ‘Darce’ is calling a Western Bulldogs game, then I don’t give that anywhere near the credence I would have when he was not on the board.”
Listen to Garry and Tim discuss Darcy’s position below: