Props to the Melbourne Rebels for moving quickly and decisively to secure Brian Waldron as its first chief executive.

Waldron made his announcement on Monday morning and shortly afterwards had cleared his desk and moved on to his next challenge.

We at TDD have praised Waldron before and are of the opinion he is a first-class operator. A former Richmond and St Kilda administrator, he brought AFL standards and operating practices to the Storm and was at the helm for two NRL premierships. In addition to being a shrewd administrator, he was a pitchman as well, never bypassing the opportunity to hit the airwaves to pump up the Storm's tires in a difficult market.

Waldron earns his keep in two ways. In addition to creating stable, profitable sporting organisations, he understands the Melbourne sporting landscape and how a niche sports club can survive and indeed thrive despite the overarching presence of the AFL and its clubs.

In some ways he leaves the Storm at an unfortunate time, as it prepares to move from the decrepit Olympic Park to the new rectangular stadium next door, designed to showcase rugby league like never before in Victoria.

But he will only be waiting for one year. The Rebels will bring the 15-a-side game to the new stadium in a little over 12 months, with a well-heeled and expectant group of supporters ready for top-class rugby every fortnight rather than a cameo from the Wallabies once a year.

There will be healthy competition between Waldron's former and new employer. They will be chasing the same sponsors and many of the same supporters - expatriates from north of the Murray, across the Tasman Sea and Indian Ocean and from the northern hemisphere.

Many of the NRL's Sydney establishment will be happy to see the back of Waldron. He challenged their authority and their way of thinking on many occasions. Just as likely, he'll have John O'Neill and the SANZAR heavies shifting uncomfortably in their seats as he goes on to the front foot for the Rebels.

It will make for great theatre, but will quickly help the Melbourne Rebels grow into a national brand. All of which, we expect, will be a key deliverable for Waldron in what we're sure will be a lucrative employment contract.