The Tom Scully Saga

[PeterJames 46]

I was on the way back from Perth yesterday. Sat next to Sean Wellman. I had chat about a few things and one i was desperate to bring up was this issue. He seemed to think he would sign with MElbourne. He had no inside word just a feeling. Also mentioned that the word going around is that there isn't much interest in the GWS. Last year Gold COast had targerted several players and others new there interest which made it more exciting to move. This year he said players were holding out on the contracts to get a bigger slice of there pie as advised by there managers.

[Deetective Sgt. Taggert 389]

Did you ask him about our seemingly step backwards in defence this year?

[Tatu 416]

This is all subterfuge, to inflate Scully's value. Seem tobe working, MFC will have to pay over his market value. After they successfully put pressuer on our salary cap, they will go after their intented target...

There is really only one player on the MFC list that could attracked desent coin now.....Colin Sylvia!

[ucanchoose 1,816]

This is all subterfuge, to inflate Scully's value. Seem tobe working, MFC will have to pay over his market value. After they successfully put pressuer on our salary cap, they will go after their intented target...

There is really only one player on the MFC list that could attracked desent coin now.....Colin Sylvia!

Interesting............................. NHL teams do this all the time, make an offer to a restricted free agent they know that a team is despirate to keep, knowing they will pay to keep him, then take the real target from under their nose.

[PeterJames 46]

Did you ask him about our seemingly step backwards in defence this year?

Nah didn't harass him to much. Massive into Garland though and Frawley. Spoke about the Bombers and he really happy with there defenders. Thinks we need to get our midfield right in terms of getting beaten in the inside 50s and we will be a good side next year. Reckons at least two clubs have sought after Malthouse as a coach after I brought it up but didn't say it was the dees. Also said Dean and co were sensational and Viney was a massive bonus for the club.

[Demon Premonition 135]

I am not sure whether this has been raised previously, and I will not get caught up in the "will he stay or go" debate. I do however think that it is an oversight not discussed in the media that by targeting a 20 game player at the end of their first year you are increasing your chances of "signing" the said player as they have clearly not had time to bond with the club, players and supporters. The longer the player has socialized into the club environment the more difficult it would be to leave - Scully was ripe for the picking, huge money no great ties to the club he had only just been drafted by and the chance to play a pivotal role in building a club culture he us proud of.

Couldn't resist, so what it is worth if he signed a HOA agreement last year I think he will obviously go, if he has not I think every game he plays will swing the pendulum towards him staying.

Edited June 14, 2011 by Demon Premonition

[Deetective Sgt. Taggert 389]

Nah didn't harass him to much. Massive into Garland though and Frawley. Spoke about the Bombers and he really happy with there defenders. Thinks we need to get our midfield right in terms of getting beaten in the inside 50s and we will be a good side next year. Reckons at least two clubs have sought after Malthouse as a coach after I brought it up but didn't say it was the dees. Also said Dean and co were sensational and Viney was a massive bonus for the club.

Interesting comments. It would be hard to dislike Garland and Frawley, and I would imagine Garland would remind Wellman somewhat of Dustin Fletcher. Nice to know he still had good words to say about Bailey, obviously he just couldn't resist the Hird factor.

Edited June 14, 2011 by Ascobar

[Bay Riffin 1,478]

bit out of left field but if Scullys mind was set on leaving for bigger money, surely we could provide a chance to go to Gold Coast instead.

From his point of view they have Ablett etc and a more favourable environment all round, they can offer him more money than any existing clubs BUT can trade us something decent for him, most likely in terms of draft picks. Don't forget they will be possibly first cab off the rank (outside of GWS) in the draft say pick 4, or even pick 6. They may be very tempted to go with a player who looks on performance very likely to play 10 years compared to a player with just potential.

Isn't palatable, but if worse came to worse we can end up with decent compensation. Let's not forget Geelong were given peanuts for giving up the best midfielder in the league. an end of first round compensation pick for a champion.

Edited June 14, 2011 by Bay Riffin

[Guest Thomo]

bit out of left field but if Scullys mind was set on leaving for bigger money, surely we could provide a chance to go to Gold Coast instead.

From his point of view they have Ablett etc and a more favourable environment all round, they can offer him more money than any existing clubs BUT can trade us something decent for him, most likely in terms of draft picks. Don't forget they will be possibly first cab off the rank (outside of GWS) in the draft say pick 4, or even pick 6. They may be very tempted to go with a player who looks on performance very likely to play 10 years compared to a player with just potential.

Isn't palatable, but if worse came to worse we can end up with decent compensation. Let's not forget Geelong were given peanuts for giving up the best midfielder in the league. an end of first round compensation pick for a champion.

I doubt with Gold Coasts front loaded contracts for mature players and high draft picks to pay in a few years there would be much money on offer up there.

[Real Demon 232]

The heat is really getting turned up on Tom now:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/why-melbourne-would-call-tom-scully-a-traitor/story-fn6cisdj-1226075236053

[Crompton's the man 659]

The heat is really getting turned up on Tom now:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/why-melbourne-would-call-tom-scully-a-traitor/story-fn6cisdj-1226075236053

Yes - it would be difficult to understand if this article does not evoke a response of some kind - even a minimal one - from the subject under discussion.

[Jordie_tackles 354]

I doubt with Gold Coasts front loaded contracts for mature players and high draft picks to pay in a few years there would be much money on offer up there.

A carlton supporter suggested on big footy that if our compensation was "an end of first round draft pick" the type after your first pick in any given year, that we may on trade that.... to GWS for pick 3 in the 2011 draft....

Theory being that they will finish up bottom in 2012 then the picks they receive will go from being 1-2-3 then 1, to 1-2 1-2.... interesting thought

[Range Rover 1,935]

The heat is really getting turned up on Tom now:

http://www.heraldsun...j-1226075236053

They key part of that article is this:

"The club knows with so much talent it cannot throw the chequebook at Scully.

His obfuscation might give him another $50,000 or so a year on a contract, but the club cannot afford to throw its salary cap out of kilter for one player.

Time for a decision."

Ralph is right on that count. A fair contract can be worked out today for Tom.

The only reason to wait until the end of the year is to drop the "GWS card" and drive his price up on us.

There is very fine line between being prudent and acting like a mercenary. Tom and his management have chosen to tiptoe across that line.

They may feel that this is in Tom's best interest. But what about his brand? Not good I would have thought to be having your name linked with the word 'traitor' in newspaper headlines, whatever and whomever the source.

Personally, I think Melbourne should come down on this issue like a tonne of bricks now. It is setting a terrible precedent for future contract negotiations with other players.

Edited June 14, 2011 by Range Rover

[Demonic Ascent 0]

The heat is really getting turned up on Tom now:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/why-melbourne-would-call-tom-scully-a-traitor/story-fn6cisdj-1226075236053

FFS what a nothing article. It's obvious these guys have topics they can fall back on when they're light on for stories to pad out their advertisement rags. He's basically doing everything but calling Scully a liar. If it was from a "respected" journo you'd have to query it but Jon Ralph? Please, just another ambulance chaser.

Edited June 14, 2011 by Demonic Ascent

[Nasher 33,616]

The heat is really getting turned up on Tom now:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/why-melbourne-would-call-tom-scully-a-traitor/story-fn6cisdj-1226075236053

Yes I'm sure Tom is absolutely sweating now that Jon Ralph has turned up the heat.

FFS what a nothing article. It's obvious these guys have topics they can fall back on when they're light on for stories to pad out their advertisement rags. He's basically doing everything but calling Scully a liar. If it was from a "respected" journo you'd have to query it but Jon Ralph? Please, just another ambulance chaser.

This.

[rpfc 28,546]

?!

Can someone please explain to me the 'news' in that article?

Ralph has got nothing better to write about so he regurgitates Scully stuff.

That's what I got from that.

[rpfc 28,546]

FFS what a nothing article. It's obvious these guys have topics they can fall back on when they're light on for stories to pad out their advertisement rags. He's basically doing everything but calling Scully a liar. If it was from a "respected" journo you'd have to query it but Jon Ralph? Please, just another ambulance chaser.

Yes, and calling him a liar.

[Choko 493]

Yes, and calling him a liar.

Well hold on. In fairness to Ralph.... there isn't a journo who doesn't think that Scully's entourage has liaised with GWS' entourage. Therefore, on Ralph's reckoning, Scully has lied. It may be that the system made Scully lie, and it may be that the journos are all wrong and Scully's group has not even spoken to

GWS' group, but I suggest that it's unlikely that they have not at least spoken (and in fact spoken at length).

I think the whole insinuation that Scully is money hungry and has been from the start is actually the offensive bit, because Ralph has no idea what Scully's motives have been in his contract negotiations.

[nutbean 8,838]

Personally, I think Melbourne should come down on this issue like a tonne of bricks now. It is setting a terrible precedent for future contract negotiations with other players.

Because bringing tonnes of bricks to the negotiation table always achieves the desired outcome.

[Strawbsodwyer 0]

Well hold on. In fairness to Ralph.... there isn't a journo who doesn't think that Scully's entourage has liaised with GWS' entourage. Therefore, on Ralph's reckoning, Scully has lied. It may be that the system made Scully lie, and it may be that the journos are all wrong and Scully's group has not even spoken to

GWS' group, but I suggest that it's unlikely that they have not at least spoken (and in fact spoken at length).

I think the whole insinuation that Scully is money hungry and has been from the start is actually the offensive bit, because Ralph has no idea what Scully's motives have been in his contract negotiations.

what over motives would scully have for going to GWS apart from money? I think the article by Ralphy was spot on and highlights the frustration of many melbourne supporters.

[rpfc 28,546]

Well hold on. In fairness to Ralph.... there isn't a journo who doesn't think that Scully's entourage has liaised with GWS' entourage. Therefore, on Ralph's reckoning, Scully has lied. It may be that the system made Scully lie, and it may be that the journos are all wrong and Scully's group has not even spoken to

GWS' group, but I suggest that it's unlikely that they have not at least spoken (and in fact spoken at length).

I think the whole insinuation that Scully is money hungry and has been from the start is actually the offensive bit, because Ralph has no idea what Scully's motives have been in his contract negotiations.

I believe the word of an impressive 19 year old who I see as the future of the club.

Isn't it amazing - people see Tom as the second most deceitful teenager in the country behind Kim Duthie...

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Yes I'm sure Tom is absolutely sweating now that Jon Ralph has turned up the heat.

This.

Agree Nasher.

I believe the word of an impressive 19 year old who I see as the future of the club.

Isn't it amazing - people see Tom as the second most deceitful teenager in the country behind Kim Duthie...

Great post....LOL

This thread says more about some of the posters here than it purports to say about Tom Scully. Amazing

[nutbean 8,838]

Well hold on. In fairness to Ralph.... there isn't a journo who doesn't think that Scully's entourage has liaised with GWS' entourage. Therefore, on Ralph's reckoning, Scully has lied. It may be that the system made Scully lie, and it may be that the journos are all wrong and Scully's group has not even spoken to

GWS' group, but I suggest that it's unlikely that they have not at least spoken (and in fact spoken at length).

I think the whole insinuation that Scully is money hungry and has been from the start is actually the offensive bit, because Ralph has no idea what Scully's motives have been in his contract negotiations.

I again am going to take TS at face value and say that as of March there hasnt been any discussion with GWS.

However that is not the same as saying that his management are unaware of what is offer to a player of the ilk of Scully from GWS. There are numerous figures being bandied about and I am sure that Lynch has been made aware that Scully would earn X over X years at GWS which is not the same as "my management has not had any approaches or discussions from GWS". ( I know I can earn $2000 a week working from home from posters on lamp-posts but i havent been in discussions with anyone !!!)

Actually we do have some insight into TS's motivation from his presser when he was asked how he could resist large money being offered and he said it is not all about money.

I keep reading his press conference statements and if I read everything said I actually cant see how he can go unless the gulf between the two offers is THAT big. His statement would then be "I'm not motivated by money but the difference between the two offers is so large that I could not pass it up" - and then be judged accordingly.

[Nasher 33,616]

what over motives would scully have for going to GWS apart from money? I think the article by Ralphy was spot on and highlights the frustration of many melbourne supporters.

This of course assumes Scully has gone. As has been reiterated a million times now: not a reasonable assumption.

[nutbean 8,838]

what over motives would scully have for going to GWS apart from money? I think the article by Ralphy was spot on and highlights the frustration of many melbourne supporters.

There is a major difference between making a decision based on the biggest pot of money and making sure that you get the best financial outcome even though it means taking a lesser amount.

The only given is that we will not be able to compete financially dollar for dollar on a contract because of cap contraints.

There is talk on this board of getting TS a Judd/Visy like deal. I would assume that the wealthier benefactors at the club will have been or are being approached. If Tom's inclination as he has stated is to be a one club player, his management would be saying - the longer we leave this hopefully the more imaginative MFC will become in lining up sponsorships, ambassadorships etc so the gap between a GWS and MFC offer narrows. I am sure if Judd's management said to Pratt at negotiation time - increase the Visy deal by XXX and Judd is yours then there would have been no question as to what Pratt would have done. I am thinking ( hoping) that the MFC are having the same discussions behind the scenes now.

When TS signs ( hopefully) I am thinking we are going to see marketing deals and ambassadorships in place for him.