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.

Agree driving on Parramatta Road is no fun, but Linley Point or Hunters Hill to Blacktown via the M2 is an entirely different stoty.

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

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.

Yeah the club pick him only for his personal honour, they did what was the best thing for the club which was to pick the best talented player, he was going to be a superstar whoever took him so I wouldn't read too much into this development thing as any club hes at would provide this...

The club probably owed Cam Bruce a two year contract considering he played for a decade... the club didn't think so.... people who thought james Macca forced retirement and cam bruces treatment would instill to young players that this is a professional business may want to re consider

Mark Kleiman is Scullys manager...

His manager is Alister Lynch at velocitysports who does all the contract negotiations, Mark Kleiman handles the day to day stuff

I'm thinking I should get my six year old boy to send Tom his pocket money and a note asking him to stay.

Yeah the club pick him only for his personal honour, they did what was the best thing for the club which was to pick the best talented player, he was going to be a superstar whoever took him so I wouldn't read too much into this development thing as any club hes at would provide this...

The club probably owed Cam Bruce a two year contract considering he played for a decade... the club didn't think so.... people who thought james Macca forced retirement and cam bruces treatment would instill to young players that this is a professional business may want to re consider

Firstly, clubs don't owe players anything. And the right decision was made on MacDonald. The clubs best interests are paramount.

And of course Scully was taken out of self interest. It doesn't matter. He's been given an opportunity by the MFC and most characters worth their salt would feel obliged to repay that faith and investment. Clearly you think differently. Generational I suspect.

"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!

Your right. But it's not money doing it.

It's greed, & the availability of large amounts of money @ the disposal of reckless managers. Designed to flatter & bye peoples souls. Money is a powerless thing, without public approval, 'NO ONE' would take the pot o' gold, if it meant total social outcasting of the mercinaries. The trouble is they can still be idolised & find another tribe of mercinaries to bind to.

I'm thinking I should get my six year old boy to send Tom his pocket money and a note asking him to stay.

An hour ago I was thinking of forging one of those...

Let's wait until it's a bit more out in the open.

Right now it would seem a bit pre-emptive for a 6 year old.

Firstly, clubs don't owe players anything. And the right decision was made on MacDonald. The clubs best interests are paramount.

And of course Scully was taken out of self interest. It doesn't matter. He's been given an opportunity by the MFC and most characters worth their salt would feel obliged to repay that faith and investment. Clearly you think differently. Generational I suspect.

I don't necessarily think so.

It's just that we're all removed from the situation.

It's much easier to remove emotion and the concept of loyalty to an employer from the situation, when you're not actually involved in the relationships that have been formed.

Lack of perspective more than anything.

Your right. But it'ds not money doing it.

It's greed, & the availability to large amounts of money @ the disposal of reckless managers. Designed to flatter & by peoples souls. Money is a powerless thing, without public approval. NO ONE would take the pot o' gold, if it meant total social outcasting of the mercinary. The trouble is they can still be idolised & find another tribe of mercinaries to bind to.

Has anyone paid any attention to the EPL transfer period deadline?

The smart clubs have sat back and not made a move, knowing that market prices are ridiculously inflated.

Liverpool & Chelsea felt forced to do something, but they were not wise moves.

It's all building to a crescendo.

An hour ago I was thinking of forging one of those...

Let's wait until it's a bit more out in the open.

Right now it would seem a bit pre-emptive for a 6 year old.

lol

WOW! A pathetic and TOTALLY unsubstantiated rumour on Big Footy and this site goes into meltdown!

I'm thinking I should get my six year old boy to send Tom his pocket money and a note asking him to stay.

Your boy gets a mill a year pocket money???

An hour ago I was thinking of forging one of those...

Let's wait until it's a bit more out in the open.

Right now it would seem a bit pre-emptive for a 6 year old.

Your probably right but one of my small joys in life is over-reacting hysterically to every rumour about my club. It makes me feel one of the boys.

I think these numbers would have to be a little on the inflated side. They only get a few years of salary cap concessions. To offer this much to Tom would eat up most of the extra, leaving them little or nothing to throw at other players. If they are into Bartel or Swan, those are the guys who would be looking at millions. To offer it to Scully would be absurd.

That being said, I am very concerned that they will offer him way over market value to try to lure him away from us. It's not really a smart move, but nothing about GWS is smart.

Firstly, clubs don't owe players anything. And the right decision was made on MacDonald. The clubs best interests are paramount.

And of course Scully was taken out of self interest. It doesn't matter. He's been given an opportunity by the MFC and most characters worth their salt would feel obliged to repay that faith and investment. Clearly you think differently. Generational I suspect.

I don't believe the club is almighty has the right to do as it please but wants ultimate loyal from players (fan are a different thing.

Loyalty and respect is a two way street if the club doesn't provide that loyalty to the players, I find it difficult to see why we hold the players to a higher standard???

WOW! A pathetic and TOTALLY unsubstantiated rumour on Big Footy and this site goes into meltdown!

The site is hardly going in to meltdown. As far as heated discussion (or venting/whinging) goes, this is barely a blip on the radar.

I don't believe the club is almighty has the right to do as it please but wants ultimate loyal from players (fan are a different thing.

Loyalty and respect is a two way street if the club doesn't provide that loyalty to the players, I find it difficult to see why we hold the players to a higher standard???

I could not agree more WM, we are seeing the 21st football world develop before our eyes.

First Tom Scully did not pick Melbourne he had no choice, he was drafted to the bottom team.

So IMO he owes Melbourne only one thing and that is to play at his best while he is a contracted player.

When the contract ends he is sort of a free agent!

He can make the decision to stay or go and tough for us if he should decide that the next paddock is greener.

That is the reality and it will be the same for a number of our players in the next few years,I find it hard to believe we will keep them all.

I would hate to see him go but that is the reality of the football world we live in.

The challenge for the MFC is to make him an good offer of which the financial element is one part of the offer.

What I would hate more than loosing Tom is for us to try and compete with the money that may be offered by GWS and others.

Make him a good overall offer and then move on if we loose the fight.

Your boy gets a mill a year pocket money???

Can I adopt him?

I don't believe the club is almighty has the right to do as it please but wants ultimate loyal from players (fan are a different thing.

Loyalty and respect is a two way street if the club doesn't provide that loyalty to the players, I find it difficult to see why we hold the players to a higher standard???

There are degrees of everything and in the main you're stating the obvious.

Players are very well treated at most clubs and it's rare for them to leave for money.

Hi all,

Read Demonland for years but never felt compelled to reply to anything until now.

A family friend's father (50s & 60s premiership player) was invited, along with the family friend to peruse the new facilities at AAMI Park.

After a tour and chat with club staff our friend sat and had a coffee with Chris Connolly. Among the many things they spoke of was GWS poaching a few players.

CC stated to our friend (sounds a little dumb, but I'm not into naming names) that both North Melbourne and the demons will lose 2 of our young players each.

CC was not concerned about Scully so much, but mentioned the names of Gysberts, Strauss and Blease among others.

I guess we'll have to resign ourselves to losing some young talent at the end of the season and beyond.

The good thing is there is so much of it.

Cheers

I could not agree more WM, we are seeing the 21st football world develop before our eyes.

First Tom Scully did not pick Melbourne he had no choice, he was drafted to the bottom team.

So IMO he owes Melbourne only one thing and that is to play at his best while he is a contracted player.

When the contract ends he is sort of a free agent!

He can make the decision to stay or go and tough for us if he should decide that the next paddock is greener.

That is the reality and it will be the same for a number of our players in the next few years,I find it hard to believe we will keep them all.

I would hate to see him go but that is the reality of the football world we live in.

The challenge for the MFC is to make him an good offer of which the financial element is one part of the offer.

What I would hate more than loosing Tom is for us to try and compete with the money that may be offered by GWS and others.

Make him a good overall offer and then move on if we loose the fight.

There is no doubt the "new professionalism" that has seen the Melbourne Football Club embark on a total youth policy at the expense of older servants

will have huge repercussions in the future.

Loyalty is a two way street and the current players will be well aware they need to look after their best interests as the club does.

Would you change jobs for 6 Million Dollars?

Hi all,

Read Demonland for years but never felt compelled to reply to anything until now.

A family friend's father (50s & 60s premiership player) was invited, along with the family friend to peruse the new facilities at AAMI Park.

After a tour and chat with club staff our friend sat and had a coffee with Chris Connolly. Among the many things they spoke of was GWS poaching a few players.

CC stated to our friend (sounds a little dumb, but I'm not into naming names) that both North Melbourne and the demons will lose 2 of our young players each.

CC was not concerned about Scully so much, but mentioned the names of Gysberts, Strauss and Blease among others.

I guess we'll have to resign ourselves to losing some young talent at the end of the season and beyond.

The good thing is there is so much of it.

Cheers

Can they take two or is it the same deal GC had?

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

Also Petterd, Hampson, Cloke, Mundy...

All in all I'm glad there are some people on here that see the players owe the club nothing and don't believe because they were drafted or spent two years at a club they are at the clubs beckon call.

As for this rumour I spoke to Tom about it directly on Boxing Day and said he hasn't spoken to anyone about his contract for next year.... so the rumour that he has signed seem false, that doesn't mean GWS hasn't approached Scully management but he hasn't looked at deals wants to play this year before discussing contracts

Also Petterd, Hampson, Cloke, Mundy...

Petterd was circulated by Melbourne supporters not in general... All the names above were mentioned but not constantly