I don't know. But it would be a clever little scheme.

The other clever little scheme was to get many attached to the "compensation" ... its beautiful theatre. Many have even spent the compensation on 2 x 17YO ... perfect line of thinking for GWS.

Since when has a journo ever worried about putting their "aggets" on the line... particularly when most of them have none to begin with? Would I be right in I supposing you think that used car salesmen have pangs of guilt when they sell you a lemon as well?

I think the gutter opinion of journalists that rules on Demonland is way out of sync with reality.

We are just too oversensitive to criticism of our own.

Add that to the 'cultural issues' that need addressing as outlined in one of the posts above.

Well I could think of 5 million reasons but let's not go down that path because it's well worn and I'll probably end

up getting banned again.

But are you sure thats not a reason why YOU would go?

But is that Toms reason? B)

I think the gutter opinion of journalists that rules on Demonland is way out of sync with reality.

We are just too oversensitive to criticism of our own.

Add that to the 'cultural issues' that need addressing as outlined in one of the posts above.

I dont have a low opinion of journalists but I do hold great store in the age old proverb

"dont let the truth stand in the way of a good story"

Even more tedious than skipping over Hangon007's posts is seeing "ugh". It shits me.

But are you sure thats not a reason why YOU would go?

But is that Toms reason? B)

I wouldn't because I'd run out on to the G in the red and blue for nothing if I had the chance.

I don't begrudge anyone who would, though.

You can't force someone to love the jumper.

I think the gutter opinion of journalists that rules on Demonland is way out of sync with reality.

Just depends on who is feeding them the "story" & why. B)

Manipulation of the press has been going on for generations its a very powerful tool to influence the masses.

The "press" are more than willing to get the "next big scoup" ... thats what sells newspapers.

Naivety goes many ways. However, in the modern era of social media its far, far harder to manipulate.

I wouldn't because I'd run out on to the G in the red and blue for nothing if I had the chance.

You can't force someone to love the jumper.

Very interesting reply. B)

Why would anyone want to leave Serenity?

I can't think of a reason.

Well I could think of 5 million reasons but let's not go down that path because it's well worn and I'll probably end

up getting banned again.

The naivety line cuts both ways.

You really need to find out where I am referencing that line from...

And you were banned because you were tacitly (and consistently) inferring that an MFC player was a liar.

Even more tedious than skipping over Hangon007's posts is seeing "ugh". It shits me.

I apologise.

Some posts deserve it.

Even more tedious than skipping over Hangon007's posts is seeing "ugh". It shits me.

Close your eyes all you want. You wont see it coming .... till its all toooooo late.

But I hope it never comes to that & Tom will stay with us.

I think the gutter opinion of journalists that rules on Demonland is way out of sync with reality.

We are just too oversensitive to criticism of our own.

Add that to the 'cultural issues' that need addressing as outlined in one of the posts above.

1/I beg to differ on your first point here. Time and again journalists get it wrong, yet they move onto another story and it's quickly forgotten. That's reality.

2/Alot of members and supporters want their club to do well and dislike unfair criticism where they believe it's not warranted. Some may interpret it as oversensitive - that's their angle.

3/What in your opinion are the 'cultural issues' that need addressing at present ?

I apologise.

Some posts deserve it.

Thanks "mate" ... saved me doing it. Keep punching ... Go Dees.

The 'Melbourne Culture' issue is an issue worth exploring.

I agree, if that's the professed reason he leaves we can't just say "well it's obvious it's the money" we need to look hard at the reasons - he's turning his back on some substantial positives - the MCG, number 31, an improving list. We all know we've had problems over the years going all the way and that's because we've lacked stars and players who will "pay the price" - that's the reason Scully was such an exciting acquisition - he directly addresses these two deficiencies and will drag the whole fabric of the club up with him. That's why GWS are so interested too of course.

It's going to be fascinating to see the explanation Tom gives if he decides to go to GWS.

If he says it's for the money then he'll be forever known in the broader football community as Tom $cully, the mercenary, even if he has unselfish aims like providing for his family in mind. It'll be tough for him to come out and say this even if it is true.

If he says it's not for the money, then that suggests a strong cultural issue at MFC - the culture at GWS is better? The broader football community will write that off as MFC - perennial losers - a description we've done a fair bit to earn over the decades. But I suspect this explanation won't go down too well with the Demon faithful.

Much easier to stay Tom.

oooooohhhhhhh but 'knowledgeable" one there is a third option that nobody wants to consider around here .... where Tom could come out smelling like roses to some in the football community.

He might not be too popular around here .... BUT that would be their own fault. B)

You really need to find out where I am referencing that line from...

And you were banned because you were tacitly (and consistently) inferring that an MFC player was a liar.

I was banned for explicitly stating what the Ox, Barrett, Stevens, Sheehan and a multitude of others have said without "saying it".

That's fine. My courage not to 'own' my opinion was questioned so I went the full hog.

But I'm not saying anything different to what they are.

I was banned for explicitly stating what the Ox, Barrett, Stevens, Sheehan and a multitude of others have said without "saying it".

That's fine. My courage not to 'own' my opinion was questioned so I went the full hog.

But I'm not saying anything different to what they are.

I know you're not, but Land has higher standards than the Hun or SEN...

"Average life span of a footballer four years - go back through the drafts and look at picks 1-20 and clearly there are as many "average" footballers as there are A graders."

I don't need to, as I agree with this assertion.

"And then we resort to , this player was picked before that player and we could have had this player before we picked that player."

I wasn't "resorting" to anything, chum. A poster flippantly disregarded what may be drafted with either of the two compensation first round draft picks and I highlighted that with astute drafting one can pick up good players with these picks. There were plenty of other examples I could have mentioned from the 08 draft, but just chose three.

"Bottom line is no matter how much science you put into drafting it is still to a certain extent, a lottery."

I don't agree with this statement. The very best recruiters make mistakes, but plenty of times they get it right. In any industry some are better than others. They've watched countless games and tapes of these players since they were 16 and sometimes earlier. The success of first round draft picks is improving due to the research conducted. You talk about "retrospectivity". The best recruiters are paid to use foresight, not hindsight. That's why they're worth their weight in gold. Once a player gets onto a list they also need to be developed. That argument is for another day.

"A question - pretend for a minute that Tom Scully is going nowhere - all this is just a dream - another club says we will trade two first round draft picks for him - both being mid tier I believe - would you do the trade ?"

No.

We are pretty much in violent agreement - I did say to a certain extent a lottery - I understand that the recruiters get it right a lot of the time but history is littered with examples where they don't get it right - I also agree with the argument about how players are developed is very good debate because I question the past as to why our players over the past 10 years have got to a point of development and never developed any further.

As to trading Scully for 2 first round picks - no thanks.

I know you're not, but Land has higher standards than the Hun or SEN...

or "land" just accepts that insulting our players gets us nowhere, in fact many would argue it sends us backwards.

I know you're not, but Land has higher standards than the Hun or SEN...

^That's right Range Rover.

I'd suggest if there is still confusion RR, discuss it with a mod and/or revisit the Code of Conduct here top right ^ of your screen to familiarise these standards that are set for Demonland in relation to our players, etc.

Hun, SEN or any other media outlet don't have such standards.

I question the past as to why our players over the past 10 years have got to a point of development and never developed any further.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ insufficient resources inside our football department.

1/I beg to differ on your first point here. Time and again journalists get it wrong, yet they move onto another story and it's quickly forgotten. That's reality.

No doubt they get things wrong occasionally. But not so often that we need to smash them every time they come out with a story with a hint of criticism of Melbourne.

2/Alot of members and supporters want their club to do well and dislike unfair criticism where they believe it's not warranted. Some may interpret it as oversensitive - that's their angle.

That's fair enough. My contention is that a lot of 'Land reaction borders on hypersensitive.

3/What in your opinion are the 'cultural issues' that need addressing at present ?

On-field leadership is the glaring one. Ruthlessness. Inability to produce champions. Near enough is good enough mentality. These are things we need to address sooner rather than later or we're going to have another group of talented kids come through who don't smash through the glass ceiling.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ insufficient resources inside our football department.

as opposed to North Melbourne ?

On-field leadership is the glaring one. Ruthlessness. Inability to produce champions. Near enough is good enough mentality. These are things we need to address sooner rather than later or we're going to have another group of talented kids come through who don't smash through the glass ceiling.

I agree 100% - I think we have some real potential in the youth with little real leadership about the age 24-25 and fear the same as you do. I am torn between accepting patience required for the development of youth vs impatience for never accepting near enough is good enough and the time is now. Where is that line ? I, as you, do not want to see the glass ceiling we have been frustrated by for so many years.

as opposed to North Melbourne ?

No as opposed to Collingwood, Geelong, Carlton, Hawthorn & West Coast ... have you looked where they are on the ladder lately?

However, fun you should mention North ... the company I worked for gave the many, many hundreds of thousands of dollars not that long ago when they were winning premiership. It wasn't that long ago where they were one of the leaders in money spent inside their football depart ... but they got quickly passed.