DON'T CRY FOR MELBOURNE

Since when did the AFL start doing editorials?

I think this is reprehensible, from the AFL who should be impartial.

This is clearly aimed at MFC and paints us as having no right for complaint.

And when bringing up Jeff White, they conveniently ignore that we traded for him.

It cost us a lot from memory.

NB. Jason Phelan, you're on my list.

DON'T CRY FOR MELBOURNE

Since when did the AFL start doing editorials?

I think this is reprehensible, from the AFL who should be impartial.

This is clearly aimed at MFC and paints us as having no right for complaint.

And when bringing up Jeff White, they conveniently ignore that we traded for him.

It cost us a lot from memory.

Since they realized the problem they created. Now they are simply trying to turn it around on Melbourne because they have invested far too much into GWS for them to be hated and derided already. Just another typical example of Vlad running the dictatorship to the detriment of Melbourne and other Vic clubs.

Good luck getting them to pull the article either as a self serving piece of garbage.

FFS I cannot believe that is written on the AFL website!!!!! What is going on in there?

The MFC is going to have to be tough as this year....and for the next 20 years, Jesus H, this is almost a call of war....

NB. Jason Phelan, you're on my list.

Who? Who's Jason Pelan? Never heard of 'im.

If this article was allowed to appear on the AFL's site then you can be sure that Andy Demetriou approves of its content. The AFL el supremo has been conspicuously silent on the Scully rumours and now we know what he's thinking on the issue.

I have posted the following using the "Write something..." box on the AFL's facebook page. I would suggest that as many as possible do the same, in order to get the message across (who cares if it gets bagged by supporters of other clubs):

How long has the AFL been editorialising on their website? Jason Phelan's piece on Scully is a reprehensible display of the AFL attempting to deflect the problem of their own causing back onto the MFC. The White reference is a straw man as, if I recall correctly, there was a rather expensive trade involved.

Yes there has been an over the top response from many MFC supporters... but what do you expect from the long suffering supporters of a club who is finally looking like they may a shot at the prize in the next two or three years after so long in the wilderness, and now have to face the reality that they could lose a recent priority picked player courtesy of a massive AFL screw-up. At least the club and its president Jimmy Stynes are handling it with dignity... which is much more than can be said of the AFL. Shameful!

what a disgrace

not looking good is it

PS what's his point anyway

"Melbourne should be given no more sympathy if Tom Scully decides to join GWS than any other club who has lost a talented player to GWS or Gold Coast" is the bi-line

well yeah so what if they were trying to poach Dustin Martin from Richmond the public response would be exactly the same you cretin

Unbelievable disgrace! The AFL ore not far from being in the league of FIFA in terms of propaganda and Dictatorship.

A disturbing development on the AFL website.

And no facility for anyone to comment on the editorial.

Of greater concern is that its premise is deeply flawed. Other clubs and no doubt supporters forums have and will complain about unfair treatment rather than "lie back and think of the AFL" (with apologies to England) they certainly would complain if they were to lose a number one draft pick within 2 years of being in that position (bottom of the ladder).

Imagine the reaction if this had been Collingwood. .

When a player goes all clubs take it on the chin.

However that does not mean they shouldn't complain about a bad rule or situation.

As he fairly states it is a strange on but then goes on to extrapolate about our attitude to different situations.

Furthermore there is absolutely no evidence that the Club management is casting the club as a victim.

Does Phelan have any insight into the values of this club?

Clearly not with his commentary.

Any club that is being given the opportunity to build itself back up from the bottom should not have the mechanisms put in place to achieve that taken away from it.

The comment as it goes on does not compare like with like (Mr Phelan you are comparing apples with oranges, not apples with apples)as we like other clubs did face the prospect of losses to the gold coast. Comparing a four year player from the back blocks with a number one draft pick just demonstrates the point.

True a good case can be made tht a club that has invested in the development of a player should be entitled to a return on that investment and I think there is a case to be made that certain players should be exempt.

As a comment an epic fail, as a piece of logic an even greater fail.

And the AFL should not be publically lecturing the clubs and their supporters in this fashion it shows a total lack of respect for YOUR CUSTOMERS.

Whether or not you agree with the content of the article, it's worthwhile noting that the AFL site has been running op-ed pieces for years. Leigh Matthews, Mark Williams, Wayne Schwass have all written opinion and comment pieces.

In the past couple of years, the writers on the site have been putting together their own opinion pieces too. If you cared to trawl back through the archives, you'd see piles of them.

It's just that many Melbourne supporters won't agree with this one, so all of a sudden IT'S AN AFL CONSPIRACY! Guess what? It's not. Some of us need to get a grip on reality and take the tinfoil hats off.

It's just that many Melbourne supporters won't agree with this one, so all of a sudden IT'S AN AFL CONSPIRACY! Guess what? It's not. Some of us need to get a grip on reality and take the tinfoil hats off.

Well, I for one do not consider it to be some sort of conspiracy... however, it twists the truth and appears to be an attempt to shift the blame away from the AFL and let's face it, this was a mighty screw-up that allows these clubs access to recently drafted priority picks (and it's not just our club that has been placed in this position).

This low life can just go and put himself back in the toilet bowl he jut came out of to wright this dribble.

I hope this @#%#%#@*&& takes the time to read Demonland; as this is for #%*# WE LOVE SCULLY AND WE WILL FIGHT TO KEEP HIM IN THE RED AND BLUE. EVERY BODY WHO IS EMPLOYED AT THE AFL AT THIS POINT AND TIME SHOULD ALL BE SACKED! :mad:

Well, I for one do not consider it to be some sort of conspiracy... however, it twists the truth and appears to be an attempt to shift the blame away from the AFL and let's face it, this was a mighty screw-up that allows these clubs access to recently drafted priority picks (and it's not just our club that has been placed in this position).

I agree wholeheartedly that the concession that allows GWS to swoop for a No.1 pick two years after he was drafted was ill thought out.

But to suggest that an opinion piece on the AFL site - a site which has been running op-ed pieces of various colour for years - is proof positive that the league is out to ensure Scully moves to GWS is downright ridiculous and paranoid.

Whether or not you agree with the content of the article, it's worthwhile noting that the AFL site has been running op-ed pieces for years. Leigh Matthews, Mark Williams, Wayne Schwass have all written opinion and comment pieces.

In the past couple of years, the writers on the site have been putting together their own opinion pieces too. If you cared to trawl back through the archives, you'd see piles of them.

It's just that many Melbourne supporters won't agree with this one, so all of a sudden IT'S AN AFL CONSPIRACY! Guess what? It's not. Some of us need to get a grip on reality and take the tinfoil hats off.

It's a sh!t piece.

I don't see conspiracies, I see awful journalism.

But you can write 'facts' in to your story to back up your story if you want to.

It just means your destined to stay as a writer on AFL.com for a while...

Or the Hun.

But to suggest that an opinion piece on the AFL site - a site which has been running op-ed pieces of various colour for years - is proof positive that the league is out to ensure Scully moves to GWS is downright ridiculous and paranoid.

I'm certainly not saying that... I'm saying that it is an opinion piece that is attempting to deflect the blame away from the AFL for their screw-up; if it had appeared in the mainstream press or anywhere other than the AFL's official website, then it might be acceptable.

"There's been a lot of comment about the absurdity of the AFL giving the Demons a priority draft pick one year only to effectively take it back two years later. To be fair to Demon sympathisers, it is a strange one and probably not a situation AFL lawmakers saw coming when they formulated the list-building rules for the new clubs."

This to me is a key point. How much is the AFL worth, the next TV rights may be a billion dollars, they are expanding the league into new territories and they didn't see it coming? That's just a joke. They are a huge business. I mean lets get serious if they didn't think through all the ramifications of the 2 new clubs entering, including exactly such a sceanrio (ie the draft system they created being distorted) that would be be amatur hour. Of course it "was a situation they saw coming", please. They have alot at stake with the 2 new clubs, particularly GWS which is a massive gamble (and one that has a big chance of failing)and they will give them what ever assitance they can get away with

I'm certainly not saying that... I'm saying that it is an opinion piece that is attempting to deflect the blame away from the AFL for their screw-up; if it had appeared in the mainstream press or anywhere other than the AFL's official website, then it might be acceptable.

Sorry, I don't mean to suggest that you were. My comments were directed to the hysterical posters who opened up the debate in this thread.

I've seen plenty of opinion pieces on the AFL website, but like their other articles, they are all fluff pieces promoting the game and supporting players / clubs / AFL figures, never daring to show them in a negative light. As it should be - the AFL is there to govern and represent the interests of all AFL clubs and should not be critical of them.

An opinion piece by a writer on behalf of the AFL, criticising one of it's clubs and taking the stance that they should "cop it sweet", is blatantly unacceptable.

An opinion piece by a writer on behalf of the AFL, criticising one of it's clubs and taking the stance that they should "cop it sweet", is blatantly unacceptable.

If you can't discern between a comment piece about a football issue, and an official media release or statement by an AFL executive, I suggest that's your issue rather than the AFL's.

The AFL website is not a media outlet.

It shouldn't be publishing negative comment pieces.

Sorry, I don't mean to suggest that you were. My comments were directed to the hysterical posters who opened up the debate in this thread.

This piece should not be written on the AFL Website. It portrays the MFC as the guilty party or the "Be thankful for what you get and shut up"

I find it quite offensive myself. I am not Hysterical at all, but i hope all the people inside the MFC have read it, and are ready for a good fight.

The AFL doesn't care so we must.

Sorry, I don't mean to suggest that you were. My comments were directed to the hysterical posters who opened up the debate in this thread.

No hysteria.

I just don't think it's acceptable to have been posted on the AFL website, considering what they represent.

I also am yet to see another opinion piece like it on the AFL website.

Are you trying to create hysteria Mikey?

One would possibly think a phone call might have emanated from our CEOs office ......

"morning Andrew, who the hell is this Phelan lackey and what's that cr@p doing on your website?"

Please explain. The A F L is showing it's colours; grey and orange!!

Irrespective of any viewpoints that piece of sh!te ought not be on the afl site. Deplorable in the max.

..... I am not Hysterical at all, but i hope all the people inside the MFC have read it, and are ready for a good fight.....

hahaha.....good one wyl.....that one cracked me up B)

keep on being non-hysterical