Yeah, clearly the words of someone who doesn't understand the motivations of a champion.

Money is a consideration, but hardly the only one.

I don't expect you to get it, though.

I recall Judd was more pleased with Carlton's training facilities compared to ours.

"money" is starting to tarnish the game.

I bet if GWS sydney offered more money than demetriou was on per season; then the afl would rule against it!

Like it always has..?

Agree with that. Blacktown is 40km from Sydney CBD, less than an hour via the M2 going against the traffic which would normally be the case. Sure driving from Manly or Bondi is not on but there's got to be plenty of desirable places to live between Blacktown and Sydney. HT could probably provide some recommendations.

Hey, I'm not recommending any locations at all for Scully :-)

(but on the quiet, my area of Dulwich Hill is quite nice as are other inner west locations such as Summer Hill, Stanmore, Petersham etc - all of which have relatively easy access to the motorway.)

I think Scully might consider three things before he looks at the money:

1. The closeness of the relationship to his family here in Melbourne (i believe they live near Dandenong/Narre Warren). He may be unwilling to leave them and move interstate. It's also handy for Tom to live near Casey footy ground for training.

2. His closeness to his teammates at MFC.

3. The chances of winning a flag with the Dees.

I hope we score big ticks next to all 3, and he re-signs some time during this season. I don't want it to drag on like Ablett last year.

If Mr Scully is offered that sort of Money he will take it (no doubts about it in my opinion)... MFC can't compete and this bulls%t about after football being off is crap because he could have millions working for him from his third year in investments... He doesn't live near Casey because he moved closer to the city to be near AMMI...

He also knows that he is only in the game for a short time and if the money is there he should take it. He wants to be a one club player but not at his own expense...

Also the info on Big Footy was from me so it is the same source as funky41

There's no doubt that the jungle drums are beating. My Brother listed a property for sale a few weeks ago and the vendor told him that Scully had signed with GWS during their recent window. Apparently a player agent had told him. This client is a Melb supporter.

That said, it was reported that Andrew Swallow had been signed, on radio it was stated as a "done deal", and 48 hours later he re-signed with the Roos.

I doubt he'll go and he'll be an unbelievable mercenary if he did, but I'll be somewhat chearful when I hear the news he's staying. Those that are completely dismissive of the prospect will probably be right, but I don't share their dismissive tone.

It is well documented and clear that GWS have got their eyes firmly on Scully and without doubt will be pursuing other Melbourne players most notably Watts if they fail with Scully.

I also believe that 6 years for $6 Million is conceivable and most likely real. Sheedy knows the value of youth and Scully has shown he can take the pressure of being a number one draft pick as well as all the skills and poise to become a top 5 AFL player within a few short years.

Unfortunately, no one let alone an 19yo can ignore this sort of offer and the chances of Scully leaving for the coin to GWS are very real, even probable. Personally I think we will struggle to keep him. I am not sure what we will get in compensation, I think 2 first round draft picks but who knows how early. Our compensation in theory should be more than for Abblett as we are losing more future benefit losing a 20yo than a 25yo (Abbett), and age is definitely in the compensation formula as is draft pick number. With a very young team and Jack Viney still to come, two very early first rounds picks (with possibly a number one) would be far from the disaster many make out. Nevertheless this is not good news.

I also would not be surprised if Scully had already signed, though I think he probably has not.

As for Watts, I have no fear of losing him.

Whatever the case, there is absolutely nothing the average punter like myself can do about this. So let’s hope for the best and enjoy the footy.

What a farce Dumitriou has created. Whats the point of getting a priority pick if you only have the player for 2 years?

Hey, I'm not recommending any locations at all for Scully :-)

(but on the quiet, my area of Dulwich Hill is quite nice as are other inner west locations such as Summer Hill, Stanmore, Petersham etc - all of which have relatively easy access to the motorway.)

Indeed, Hawthorn train in Mulgrave after all ...

I must say that I disagree with many views on here. There's a tone that Scully should take the money if it's true. I don't share this view. He'd be an utter dog, imo.

Probable? Now that is laughable.

I recall Judd was more pleased with Carlton's training facilities compared to ours.

I recall it was well known amongst anyone with even the slightest clue that he would be wearing red and blue right now if we had a Dick Pratt, but we don't/didn't

we also didn't have the connections to have his girlfriend appointed 'face of myer' for whatever obscene amount that was worth on top of the rest of it

can't believe anyone is even questioning this really, what do you think that VISY ambassador shite is all about, have you been paying attention?

I must say that I disagree with many views on here. There's a tone that Scully should take the money if it's true. I don't share this view. He'd be an utter dog, imo.

Why he owes the club nothing... if we didn't draft him someone else would of it's not a Mckenzie who was rookie listed.

The issue I have with this rumour is the ones that persisted last year with GC... brown, harbrow, ablett all ended up true...

This one doesn't want to die

I think we need to have an imposition on the use of the words 'resigns' and 're-signs'.

Sorry DC, but I took your post the complete wrong way (I assume).

good point - have edited original

The reality is that GWS may have made an offer to Tom's management and I am sure if that is the case, it gives them a good bargaining position to get a good contract for him from us. Gary Ablett only left when the Cats said they could not get anywhere near GC's offer. A few other interesting things are that Nathan Ablett is now on the GC list and I believe Gary Senior is also living up there. Gary was also offered something like $1.9m a year with 80% up front for the whole 5 years. If we were in danger of losing Tom I am sure we would be jumping up and down screaming. That is not the case at the moment. Hopefully in time we will re-sign Tom and all other players we wish to keep.

As another poster said, lets enjoy this season and let our FD deal with this problem, if it is in fact a problem. I suspect it is not one.

Why he owes the club nothing... if we didn't draft him someone else would of it's not a Mckenzie who was rookie listed.

The issue I have with this rumour is the ones that persisted last year with GC... brown, harbrow, ablett all ended up true...

This one doesn't want to die

Yes he does. The club bestowed a huge honour upon him and have invested greatly in his development.

Players usually form an intense bond with their teammates with whom they do battle. They're on a journey together and it's very unusual for a quality young player to leave unless they want to go home to their original state. This would be the first time I can remember that a regular and important young member of a team has left purely for coin. The closest is Mumford, but he wasn't getting a game. EDIT: Gold Coast not withstanding - but no young player of Scully's quality and shortness of tenure.

Blease and Scully are best mates and one would hope that friendships play a consideration, but I've no idea what Scully is like and he may be an unusual cat.

Considering that he'll make huge money at Melbourne over his career it would be a very ordinary decision from a very ordinary young man.

Why he owes the club nothing... if we didn't draft him someone else would of it's not a Mckenzie who was rookie listed.

The issue I have with this rumour is the ones that persisted last year with GC... brown, harbrow, ablett all ended up true...

This one doesn't want to die

He owes the club 2 years of development if nothing else not to mention mateship & comraderie developed with the team.However I guess I'm living in the past and will be pleasantly surprised if we don't lose him

The key with Ablett and Judd is that both had already achieved the ultimate success with their old clubs, winning premierships, club B&Fs and brownlows.

Their clubs had reached the downward slide out of their golden eras and it was plain for all to see.

Many of the older players were reaching the cusp of retirement age and the clubs were beginning to think about rebuilds.

Essentially - the ties that bound them to the club were severely weakened.

At mid-20s, having achieved the main goals that players set themselves early in their careers, fresh challenges are needed to maintain peak motivation.

Nobody wants to be stuck, fighting a lone hand to keep a struggling club afloat.

When seeking a new home with new challenges, money becomes a very important part of the decision of where to head next.

This is not about the decision of which club to choose as a new home - it is the decision between staying and going.

Scully is not in this position.

He is young, has achieved relatively little in short career and is playing with a young team, full of his mates from juniors, that will only get better as time goes on.

It's all there to be achieved for Scully and any young bloke in his position (hence Swallow and Martin re-upping).

No matter where he is, he will earn enough to live very very comfortably.

In fact, money is probably a lesser consideration now, because no matter what (barring injury) he will never again be wanting financially.

Agree - it's not all about money there are many other factors. But we'll have to pay heavily to retain him - any money gap must be able to be mitigated by the other factors.

I agree it's not worth worrying about because it's out of supporter's control, but I expect MFC management is working very hard on it - someone better be worried about it.

As for compensation - the bands are already set. Band 1 is the highest and that's:

- 1 pick immediately after your 1st round pick + 1 pick immediately after all non-finals teams 1st round picks (e.g roughly mid-1st-round)

You can use the picks in any of of following 5 years and they don't have to be used in the same year. You have to nominate the year of use before the season starts (unless you use them in the year they're given). Both are tradable - Geelong traded one of the Ablett picks this year to GC for pick 15 and took Smedts with it (because of the GC concessions this year Geelong's compensation pick was relatively later than it will be in future years).

It's not satisfactory compensation for a #1 pick but that's what it is - it would be inconsistent if it was increased now and Geelong would rightly complain, but the AFL is not known for consistency.

Agree with that. Blacktown is 40km from Sydney CBD, less than an hour via the M2 going against the traffic which would normally be the case. Sure driving from Manly or Bondi is not on but there's got to be plenty of desirable places to live between Blacktown and Sydney. HT could probably provide some recommendations.

Just goes to show how long it's been since I was in Sydney. I remember once taking a drive in a westward direction to find Homebush Stadium before the Olympics and the drive seemed to last forever. Not only that but suburb after suburb looked drab and exactly the same.

Anyhow, the money and the lifestyle are not all of what moving to Sydney is about if that was an option his management is considering.

Anyhow, the money and the lifestyle are not all of what moving to Sydney is about if that was an option his management is considering.

Just out of interest, who manages Tom Scully ?

I have a feeling its going to be a long year for Bailey, Connolly, Schwab answering questions about Scully's contract situation

Just out of interest, who manages Tom Scully ?

This article from December http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/articles/2010/12/10/giants-target-collingwood-s-thomas/

says Mark Kleiman

Just out of interest, who manages Tom Scully ?

Mark Kleiman is Scullys manager...

Isn't he still going to Carlton on father/son?

His hands are too small anyway.