Since I have no insight as to what CS and others did and didnt fight for/against I will go as far as saying I am disappointed in CS's response to Gary March's statement.

Gary March flagged in March 2010 the targeting of 1st and 2nd year players.

"We were all led to believe that the new clubs could take uncontracted stars, but we weren't aware their targets would be first- and second-year stars. If you suddenly allow that, then it defeats the whole purpose of the system. I'm not just talking about Dustin Martin. I haven't spoken to Melbourne or West Coast, but I would feel the same way about Jack Trengove, Tom Scully or Jack Watts or Nic Naitanui. As a football person, I don't think it's right.''

We can all take a shot at March and say he was very short sighted but CS's response to this was

''Gary March does not speak on behalf of our club,'' Schwab said. ''We understand what the rules are and Tim Harrington is working hard to make sure we keep all of our players and we are comfortable with that so I don't need Gary March speaking on behalf of the Melbourne Football Club.

''It's his concept, he can take it forward. We know what the rules are and will work within the rules.''

I am disappointed for one of two reasons and since we are not privvy to the goings on at the time of rules being set up I cannot determine which I am upset at.

I am either upset because CS foresaw the possible outcome of the rules in place, foresaw who could be targeted and did not shout it from the highest rooftop "not fair" so we know he was fighting the fight. Even if he changed his above statement to "we knew what the rules were and were always UNCOMFORTABLE with them but unfortunately have to work within them" gives me some belief that he fought the fight and lost.

OR

I am upset because CS did not foresee the implications of the rules.

Either way - I am upset at CS.

CS saw the implications of the rules and was all over them backwards before any club even new what GWS was .That's why we are heading for a success .The guy planned it like a master chess player and he doesn't need to be friends with Gary march ,the AFL or anyone else because if you watch "whiteboard Wednesdays" his strategy was to go youth ,youth ,youth and re-build for the time that now approaches .We need flags and the MCG back .Not bitching about our CEO .

We will be in debt again is the Net Result. That is not unusual over the last 50 years.

Membership has gone up over the last 5 years because of Hope...if we have our Young guns poached within 2 years, you can kiss goodbye to a good slab of those new members.

Rubbish. It went up from 2006 to 2009 when we were really going backwards on-field and finished near-bottom.

Plus you didn't originally say debt, you said membership and sponsorship. They have not dropped significantly for a long time and are not likely to.

Gosh, Scully isn't that critical. Talk about the sky falling in.

CS saw the implications of the rules and was all over them backwards before any club even new what GWS was .That's why we are heading for a success .The guy planned it like a master chess player and he doesn't need to be friends with Gary march ,the AFL or anyone else because if you watch "whiteboard Wednesdays" his strategy was to go youth ,youth ,youth and re-build for the time that now approaches .We need flags and the MCG back .Not bitching about our CEO .

But did he intend to leave the side door open or was that the oversight??

Get a grip. 26 pages of dribble just take a deep breath, have some faith In Tom and for the club you apparently SUPPORT.

Rubbish. It went up from 2006 to 2009 when we were really going backwards on-field and finished near-bottom.

Plus you didn't originally say debt, you said membership and sponsorship. They have not dropped significantly for a long time and are not likely to.

Gosh, Scully isn't that critical. Talk about the sky falling in.

Membership & Sponsorship all equate to cash flow...

If we lose Scully this year and another gun next year to GWS that will hurt.

Tom Scully will be involved in Premiership teams, it just depends on where.

Our Membership & Sponsorship has improved because of Jimmy Stynes and the boards hard work and visions of Hope.

If they are dismantled by the GWS rape & pillage, we will be in trouble big time.

The plot thickens ...

DEES COULD GET ABLETTLIKE COMPO FOR SCULLY

CS saw the implications of the rules and was all over them backwards before any club even new what GWS was .That's why we are heading for a success .The guy planned it like a master chess player and he doesn't need to be friends with Gary march ,the AFL or anyone else because if you watch "whiteboard Wednesdays" his strategy was to go youth ,youth ,youth and re-build for the time that now approaches .We need flags and the MCG back .Not bitching about our CEO .

In relation to the post that you replied to, you make no sense at all.

You say he "was all over them backwards before any club even new what GWS was", in relation to the rules regarding GWS access to players, and "his strategy was to go youth ,youth ,youth and re-build for the time that now approaches". Shouldn't he try to safegaurd that youth?

The plot thickens ...

DEES COULD GET ABLETTLIKE COMPO FOR SCULLY

From the same blog:

Looks on Ablett's face during the North thrashing was NOT a great advert for takin' the money or a guy 'having fun'. Never to be an influential player in a final again... fumbling, lost teammates... small crowds..... every week....

I predict that by the end of 2012 the "too many teams .... not enough talent' syndrome will be the talk of football. (Not that any footy journo dare take up the cause)

The hype is already stale and there are too many 'unwatchable games.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/dees-could-get-ablettlike-compo-for-scully-20110616-1g61f.html#ixzz1PWNh5oPK

Met a friend for dinner tonight. His theory, supported by a friend of his close to the club, is that Scully wants out of Melbourne. Problem being he's not that keen on GWS. Theory is he might take a 2 or 3 year gig up there (cash bonanza) before making his way back to a bigger more professional club such as collingwood, carlton or maybe even richmond.

Make of it what you will as it ain't gospel.

Met a friend for dinner tonight. His theory, supported by a friend of his close to the club, is that Scully wants out of Melbourne. Problem being he's not that keen on GWS. Theory is he might take a 2 or 3 year gig up there (cash bonanza) before making his way back to a bigger more professional club such as collingwood, carlton or maybe even richmond.

Make of it what you will as it ain't gospel.

Oh, wouldn't that be good fodder for the media gurus. Scully didnt want to stay at Melbourne so his way out was GWS and then get back to Carlton or Collingwood. Gee our membership would really climb. Why then would any player come to us if we were so unprofessional that we couldnt keep a 19 year old.

Met a friend for dinner tonight. His theory, supported by a friend of his close to the club, is that Scully wants out of Melbourne. Problem being he's not that keen on GWS. Theory is he might take a 2 or 3 year gig up there (cash bonanza) before making his way back to a bigger more professional club such as collingwood, carlton or maybe even richmond.

Make of it what you will as it ain't gospel.

Well that at least can be sorted if we work out our coaching situation this summer.

We just have to become better & more Professional or we are wasting a lot of time.

Met a friend for dinner tonight. His theory, supported by a friend of his close to the club, is that Scully wants out of Melbourne. Problem being he's not that keen on GWS. Theory is he might take a 2 or 3 year gig up there (cash bonanza) before making his way back to a bigger more professional club such as collingwood, carlton or maybe even richmond.

Make of it what you will as it ain't gospel.

Wouldn't be the first time this has happened. Greg Williams left Geelong after 2 seasons to take the Doc's cash in Sydney and the came back down to Vic to play with Carlton, score another Brownlow and achieve the finals success that had eluded him at both Geelong and Sydney.

Wouldn't be the first time this has happened. Greg Williams left Geelong after 2 seasons to take the Doc's cash in Sydney and the came back down to Vic to play with Carlton, score another Brownlow and achieve the finals success that had eluded him at both Geelong and Sydney.

Exactly right. Which is why we need to get the Best coaches we can this summer, That may include Bailey, before anyone rips my head off.

But we have to stop players using Melbourne as a step ladder to better places.

I have seen too many ex Demons win Flags with someone else.

For those who say we cannot afford the Best coaches...I want this Club to have a red hot crack at a Flag(s) while Jim Stynes is our president.

Spend good $$ to get the best Quality.

But we have to stop players using Melbourne as a step ladder to better places.

I have seen too many ex Demons win Flags with someone else.

what a joke

name one decent player we have lost in the last decade apart from Scott Thompson, for whom we acquired Moloney, current VC and probable BnF winner

what a joke

name one decent player we have lost in the last decade apart from Scott Thompson, for whom we acquired Moloney, current VC and probable BnF winner

I am talking over the last 41 years...It is far from a joke i assure you.

I am talking over the last 41 years...It is far from a joke i assure you.

Don't side step again WYL. C&B asked you to name one.

I am talking over the last 41 years...It is far from a joke i assure you.

60's Ron Barassi Hassa Mann (to W.A) Bob Johnson

70's Stan Alves Greg Wells Peter Keenan Gary Hardeman (to Sturt)

80's Gerard Healey Michael Byrne

90's Earl of Spaulding (thanks LT)

00's Jeff Farmer Scott Thompson Darren Jolly (thanks JR)

Don't side step again WYL. C&B asked you to name one.

Stan Alves, Crackers Keenan, Greg Wells, Michael Byrne, Earl Spalding..That's More than enough.

Oh & RDB Coaching Nought Melbourne to 2 flags in the seventies...Saw them all at the Ground...

NO F@#$%ing More!!!!

Stan Alves, Crackers Keenan, Greg Wells, Michael Byrne, Earl Spalding..That's More than enough.

Oh & RDB Coaching Nought Melbourne to 2 flags in the seventies...Saw them all at the Ground...

NO F@#$%ing More!!!!

He asked in the last decade !

Can't wait for your answer.

Btw.."decent player"

He asked in the last decade !

Can't wait for your answer.

Btw.."decent player"

Jeff Farmer and Scott Thompson were two beauties. Saying 'apart from Scott Thompson' is like saying 'apart from ron Barassi', in Thompsons' case, lost in the prime of his career. although he had the go home factor there is no saying he couldn't have been gaffa taped to one of the goalposts at the mcg.

What about Darren Jolly? Earl Spalding (different era)

Judd went for the coin and Luke Ball didn't want to come......

I think this thread has almost run it's race

He asked in the last decade !

Can't wait for your answer.

Btw.."decent player"

I was not ever talking the last decade, i am talking about the time i have been supporting this club

No side stepping at all HT

The players i mentioned all left to win flags elsewhere.

Which was my point.

Aah yes Darren Jolly there's another 2 flags for him..

I think this thread has almost run it's race

Kill this one, and 6 more will spring up in its place. Keep the thread live and the posts in one place.

MELBOURNE CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE SCULLY BUT CAN IT AFFORD TO KEEP HIM?

This Sheahan article makes clear what GWS' real strategy is in attacks on Melbourne's list.

The end-play is most likely going to be not whether we sign Scully but whether we make it impossible to sign other players by offering Scully the big dollars necessary to keep him.