Down in New Orleans

In New York City.

In Kogarah...Dancing in the street.

The news that Peter Doust’s 18^th season as Dragons chief executive will be his last was enough to have a large chunk of the Red V faithful dusting off the Mick Jagger vinyls.

The ‘Oust Doust’ banner has been a near-permanent fixture at Dragons games throughout his reign as the game’s longest serving CEO. It says as much about Dragons fans as it does about Doust.

For all their passion – unquestionable – Dragons fans are among the most trigger-happy in the game.Calls to sack, coaches, players – even water boys – are loud and frequent. They often get their way.

It stands to reason that the one man who’s outlasted them all would become the target of that anger.

That longevity speaks to either his dedication and resilience, or to his inclination towards self preservation, depending on who you talk to. Indeed, jokes about Doust surviving the apocalypse are plentiful. 

In true Doust style, confirmation that he would depart at season’s end came in a prepared statement. For once, it was appropriate. His job is not yet done and, as he said in that statement: “I don’t believe that now is the time to reflect on my time at the Dragons.”

It won’t stop others doing just that, or laying the boot in. This columnist will do neither. As Doust said, now is not the time. It does, however, highlight what has been his greatest failing as a club boss – an apparent stubborn determination to insulate himself from the media and, by extension, the fans.

He’s been either unwilling, or unable, to address the issues that arise in the rough and tumble of the NRL. As he said himself, “rugby league, by it’s nature, never stops.”

Notoriously media-shy, Doust’s reluctance to engage with the club’s fan-base has left him seeming aloof, uncaring and desperately out of touch. That timidity in the face of scrutiny has also manifested in an inability to properly sell his successes 

For all the criticism he’s faced, you cannot question his loyalty to the club, or his desire for it to succeed. Where the Northern Eagles have disappeared and Wests Tigers remain a basket case, the Dragons have been the game’s most successful joint-venture –  at the very least it’s most stable. Doust also brought Wayne Bennett to the club – the result it’s first premiership in 31 years.

Enough to temper fans joy at his departure? Unlikely. But, like that house guest who obliviously overstays their welcome, all can be redeemed with a parting gift. The sale of the club to Bruce Gordon’s WIN corporation looms as that gift. If Doust can secure that deal, and the club’s future, he can ride off into the sunset.