Dees look to new horizons

Bailey Scwab and Poulakakis are off for a fact finding tour visiting clubs in England and Spain to gain a better understanding of how some clubs are more successful at survival despite close competition. Study will be focussed also on comuunity involvement .

I consider this a very proactive move. Melbournes definitely on the move and taking charge of its destiny. Go Dees

Dees look to new horizons

Bailey Scwab and Poulakakis are off for a fact finding tour visiting clubs in England and Spain to gain a better understanding of how some clubs are more successful at survival despite close competition. Study will be focussed also on comuunity involvement .

I consider this a very proactive move. Melbournes definitely on the move and taking charge of its destiny. Go Dees

can't agree more. They ( mfc ) are really standing up and trying alot of new approaches. Hope this all pays off for a great season/s...starting with our draft picks next week. GO DEES

The things that the Club have put in place, and are continuing to do, makes me so proud to be a MFC supporter. I think the work that Jim Stynes and Cameron Schwab have done has been amazing. I'm in my late 20's, and like most here, have never seen a flag, and have experienced an up-and-down life wearing the red and blue. I find it ironic that the most pride I have had from the club is on the back of 2 wooden spoons! Thank god I'm not still at school, would be a nightmare!!!

One thing I read in to that article is the Club's faith in Dan Bailey. You can put your house on a contract extension for Bails this year; I think we will see a 2 year extension straight up. He has had one of the worst jobs in football - inherited a crap list, had to be ruthless on some players that we love (ie Robbo), and had to ensure we did what was needed to receive picks 1 & 2 in this years without damaging his reputation. He had to play Watts before he was truly ready for AFL (although the kid will benefit from the experience), and continually defend his player experiments. While all that has been happening, he has also had to deal with a lot of people questioning if he is the right man for the job - and some articles and comments from readers/supporters(?) calling for him to be sacked - WHERE ARE THESE MELBOURNE SUPPORTERS NOW? TOO BUSY TOUCHING THEMSELVES WATCHING FOOTAGE OF SCULLY AND TRENGOVE!!!!

I have always been a big fan of Bailey, and have had many arguments with fellow demon fans who are also close friends about this subject. The experience he will gain from this Europe tour will be another massive step forward for not only him as a coach, but for the club in general. After this years draft, Bailey has a list of players that can potentially win that flag in years to come. I think his 3 year contract should actually start in 2010 as this is going to be the first opportunity that Bails has to actually coach to the best of his ability and playing group. We have personnel behind the scenes that are on the brink of setting this club up as a powerhouse.

Hopefully we shouldn't have to "bottom out" for quite some time (15 years+). If we manage this list correctly, and draft smart in the compromised drafts (eg. start looking at solid defenders to develop over the next 3 years - by the time they are hungry for AFL, players like Warnock will be at the end on their career), we will be able to have continual change without the need to hit rock bottom. Geelong will show if this is possible or not in the next 3-5 years.

I know I haven't contributed too much in the above, just wearing my heart on my sleeve. This website is great, while we are divided on every issue brought up, we all have the one priority, and that's to do the best for the Club.

billy, absolutely spot on in that assessment of the club and DB.

Great post Billy.

For the first time since Aussie Rules became a 'professional' sport, I now feel that I support a professional club. Up until the last 12 months, I always regarded the Melbourne Football Club as a mob of 'amateurs', trying valiantly against the odds to compete in a largely professional competition ................. and what's more, we seemed to be continually losing ground to the powerful clubs.

Now, we are undeniably turning the corner and starting to make up some of the lost ground. It won't be long before other clubs start to take note of what we are doing, both on and off the field.

Good to see Bailey obviously using the money provided to him for furthering his coaching education, as I vaguely remember him not using it last year and returning the money to the club.

Whilst that was a great gesture, I think trips like this are essential for the development of any good coach and I think the benefits far outweigh the costs involved.

Yes Billy great post good too see someone with a very positive but realistic outlook i love the MFC as much as anyone on here and like you have just turned 30 so i have not had much joy but year after year my love and passion grows in the past i have been critical on the club and players but in the past few years (probably since DB took the rains) i have seen a club on the brink do everything in its power to reinvent itself and that alone gives me joy.... I don't beleive clubs need to "bottom out" its a week excuse but in our situation it was essential for the rebuild of a club that is 150yrs old very very close to not being around for much longer. IMO the people that MFC have within the club are the right people on the same page with the same vision for now and most importantly the future. They are not just lookin at the next 5-7 years but the next 10-20 and that comes back to my opinion on "to bottom out" if managed right we will hopefull challenge 3-5 times every 10-15 years that is and should be the target for any AFL club and i can feel we are on that path.

Its exciting and so it should be GO DEES and once again if you know any MFC followers that are yet to sign as a member get on there case 40,000 members next year would be fantastic and when we really hit our straps we will convert the next generation too follow the mighty RED and BLUE sky is the limit.

Yes Billy great post good too see someone with a very positive but realistic outlook i love the MFC as much as anyone on here and like you have just turned 30 so i have not had much joy but year after year my love and passion grows in the past i have been critical on the club and players but in the past few years (probably since DB took the rains) i have seen a club on the brink do everything in its power to reinvent itself and that alone gives me joy.... I don't beleive clubs need to "bottom out" its a week excuse but in our situation it was essential for the rebuild of a club that is 150yrs old very very close to not being around for much longer. IMO the people that MFC have within the club are the right people on the same page with the same vision for now and most importantly the future. They are not just lookin at the next 5-7 years but the next 10-20 and that comes back to my opinion on "to bottom out" if managed right we will hopefull challenge 3-5 times every 10-15 years that is and should be the target for any AFL club and i can feel we are on that path.

Its exciting and so it should be GO DEES and once again if you know any MFC followers that are yet to sign as a member get on there case 40,000 members next year would be fantastic and when we really hit our straps we will convert the next generation too follow the mighty RED and BLUE sky is the limit.

You don't have to bottom out, but sometimes it is necessary to have a list clean-out and start again with fresh players.

By being at the bottom you just give your club the best options of kids to rebuild with. This is what we have managed to do.

Good to see Bailey obviously using the money provided to him for furthering his coaching education, as I vaguely remember him not using it last year and returning the money to the club.

Whilst that was a great gesture, I think trips like this are essential for the development of any good coach and I think the benefits far outweigh the costs involved.

Ahh, Keyser, for some reason you and I always seem to disagree. Perhaps you are one of "those" that wanted/wants Bailey sacked. If you are, are you one of "those" that are orgasmic at the thought of seeing Scully and Trengove playing for us next year?

How much work can you expect a coach to do in 1 or 2 seasons? I can assure you, what Kevin Sheedy is doing now for GWS is exactly what Bailey did when he won the job/privilege of coaching our team. Difference is that Sheedy has 2 or 3 years to do it without the stress of ladder positions.

So, correct me if I'm wrong, but are you saying that Bailey hasn't delivered enough return for what has been invested? I would like to know YOUR answer to this before I respond to that. Would hate to get personal without knowing all the facts.

This is different. I like it a lot, though.

I remember reading somewhere recently that Matthew Knights has done a similar thing. He went to the USA to watch the Phoenix Suns play, because they play an efficient, high speed game with quick ball movement, much like the Bombers do now.

I'll try and dig up the article.

This is different. I like it a lot, though.

I remember reading somewhere recently that Matthew Knights has done a similar thing. He went to the USA to watch the Phoenix Suns play, because they play an efficient, high speed game with quick ball movement, much like the Bombers do now.

I'll try and dig up the article.

here:

Bomber learn from International club

here:

Bomber learn from International club

Thanks, that's the one.

Ahh, Keyser, for some reason you and I always seem to disagree. Perhaps you are one of "those" that wanted/wants Bailey sacked. If you are, are you one of "those" that are orgasmic at the thought of seeing Scully and Trengove playing for us next year?

How much work can you expect a coach to do in 1 or 2 seasons? I can assure you, what Kevin Sheedy is doing now for GWS is exactly what Bailey did when he won the job/privilege of coaching our team. Difference is that Sheedy has 2 or 3 years to do it without the stress of ladder positions.

So, correct me if I'm wrong, but are you saying that Bailey hasn't delivered enough return for what has been invested? I would like to know YOUR answer to this before I respond to that. Would hate to get personal without knowing all the facts.

What are you talking about?

Classic case of reading too much into something.

"Something" that was not even there.

Ahh, Keyser, for some reason you and I always seem to disagree. Perhaps you are one of "those" that wanted/wants Bailey sacked. If you are, are you one of "those" that are orgasmic at the thought of seeing Scully and Trengove playing for us next year?

How much work can you expect a coach to do in 1 or 2 seasons? I can assure you, what Kevin Sheedy is doing now for GWS is exactly what Bailey did when he won the job/privilege of coaching our team. Difference is that Sheedy has 2 or 3 years to do it without the stress of ladder positions.

So, correct me if I'm wrong, but are you saying that Bailey hasn't delivered enough return for what has been invested? I would like to know YOUR answer to this before I respond to that. Would hate to get personal without knowing all the facts.

Think you've slightly missed his point.

Ahh, Keyser, for some reason you and I always seem to disagree. Perhaps you are one of "those" that wanted/wants Bailey sacked. If you are, are you one of "those" that are orgasmic at the thought of seeing Scully and Trengove playing for us next year?

How much work can you expect a coach to do in 1 or 2 seasons? I can assure you, what Kevin Sheedy is doing now for GWS is exactly what Bailey did when he won the job/privilege of coaching our team. Difference is that Sheedy has 2 or 3 years to do it without the stress of ladder positions.

So, correct me if I'm wrong, but are you saying that Bailey hasn't delivered enough return for what has been invested? I would like to know YOUR answer to this before I respond to that. Would hate to get personal without knowing all the facts.

hahahaha- WOW. Where did that come from?

Reading through this thread and suddenly BAM! it went all batshit crazy from nowhere!

But the funniest part will be if KS actually was alluding to something along these lines... cos I definitely missed it.

hahahaha- WOW. Where did that come from?

Reading through this thread and suddenly BAM! it went all batshit crazy from nowhere!

But the funniest part will be if KS actually was alluding to something along these lines... cos I definitely missed it.

Sh!t, I must have missed what Keyser was saying, and sincerely apologise for doing so! The way I read it was that he was making the point that finally Bailey is doing something like this, just a shame it was at the start of his third season and not when he was first hired. I got that vibe from reading it once, not even reading too much in to it!

Again, I apologise for that.

Sh!t, I must have missed what Keyser was saying, and sincerely apologise for doing so! The way I read it was that he was making the point that finally Bailey is doing something like this, just a shame it was at the start of his third season and not when he was first hired. I got that vibe from reading it once, not even reading too much in to it!

Again, I apologise for that.

Just re-read...

BIG SORRY KEYSER!

I'm not actually sure that Bailey can coach. I like the off field stuff and the discipline stuff but I have yet to see how he wants this team to play.

With Knights it was pretty obvious what he was trying to do. Bailey I'm not so sure.

back to the topic

interesting following Scwabby here Scwab on twitter

Seems they are getting to talk and hear from many who have been very successful in their programs etc. Look forward to seeing what they decide to put into effect here.

Going to Everton is a good way of learning how NOT to coach. Go across the park to Anfield Bails. LFC

Going to Everton is a good way of learning how NOT to coach. Go across the park to Anfield Bails. LFC

the trip isnt so much about coaching...if at all. Its about how various clubs and entities go about building their following ( brand ) how some succeed whilst in close proximity. How various sporting codes and organisations involve the communities and its supporters. What makes them tick...and not only tick but tick well..

This club ( MFC ) is looking to become absolute solid. it needs to understand upon what foundations you build such an edifice. Some work has already been done in this regard. The club knows that much more is needed and that there is a great deal of valuable insight out in the world...just requires you to go looking

the trip isnt so much about coaching...if at all. Its about how various clubs and entities go about building their following ( brand ) how some succeed whilst in close proximity. How various sporting codes and organisations involve the communities and its supporters. What makes them tick...and not only tick but tick well..

This club ( MFC ) is looking to become absolute solid. it needs to understand upon what foundations you build such an edifice. Some work has already been done in this regard. The club knows that much more is needed and that there is a great deal of valuable insight out in the world...just requires you to go looking

Uh isn't Bails there to learn more about coaching and the other guys the back office side of things? Why the hell would Bails care about "various clubs and entities go about building their following ( brand ) how some succeed whilst in close proximity."

correction..trip in its overview and entirity isn't all about..or just about coaching.. Much efort by Scwabby and Poulakakis to learn the good from the bad. As you suggest Bails is more concerned about what he does.. and is spendingmost of his trip in Spain.... Ought to be interesting to see whathe brings away from this. His meetings with barcelone handball team ..coaching, conditioning etc. could prove very beneficial.

Bails starting to take on the appearance of a refugee from an Italian western

Going to Everton is a good way of learning how NOT to coach. Go across the park to Anfield Bails. LFC

I would've thought you'd seek out a manager who has been truly successful like Wenger or Ferguson.

Benitez has done little so far at Anfield, save for blaming the owners.