Jump to content

Steve Harris article


btdemon

Recommended Posts

This article is really interesting. Three years ago we had the examples of Collingwood and Geelong to emulate. Modern powerful clubs where the best people are employed (wherever they they might be from) in departments that don't interfere with each other. We employed Connolly and Schwab, both of whom were formerly involved with club and could not keep their egos out of the footy dept. Harris states:

"Football success requires getting the best players, the best coaches, the best environment over a sustained period. It's as simple and complex as that, a three-legged stool".

"Unambiguous effort means non-delivery is not accepted, and universally. Unity means genuine and shared ownership of the strategies. Discipline means absolute commitment to individual and collective effort, outcomes and behaviours"

"Football clubs are largely in the business of selling hope to their fans, but it needs to be more realistic hope than hype. One senses that impatience to end the premiership drought, premature excitement about the quality of the playing list versus the competition, and egotistical desires by some to be the ''saviour'' or hero has led to expectations of success exceeding reality, and this is in turn amplified by failure to meet basic expectations of effort and spirit".

"Success means capitalising on whatever opportunities exist today, seizing and sustaining whatever comes your way, trying to build opportunities for tomorrow in a virtuous cycle. Melbourne needs only look at the experience of Collingwood, which has reinvented itself from being a financially troubled suburban club in the 1970s into a powerhouse. This was a club that seized and created opportunities Melbourne rejected, and has been able to be sustainably competitive and successful despite its own leadership tensions, financial setbacks and player behaviour issues. Success, not failure, now defines them".

"The most successful clubs and organisations, such as the Collingwoods and Manchester Uniteds, continue to enrich their history and capacity to maximise their appeal to players, coaches, fans, and sponsors. They understand they only remain as strong as their capacity to withstand adversity and grow from it".

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/on-reflection-demons-must-look-in-the-mirror-20110802-1i9zk.html

Please understand, I am not suggesting that Jimmy hasn't been the saviour of the club, but the "boys club" approach has prevented us being the best we can. In hindsight, we probably missed a huge opportunity to restructure the club. By Contrast, the only thing that will prevent Collingwood becoming even stronger would be sort of political infighting that we have seen at the Dees.

Edited by btdemon
Link to comment
Share on other sites

This article is really interesting. Three years ago we had the examples of Collingwood and Geelong to emulate. Modern powerful clubs where the best people are employed (wherever they they might be from) in departments that don't interfere with each other. We employed Connolly and Schwab, both of whom were formerly involved with club and could not keep their egos out of the footy dept. Harris states:

"Football success requires getting the best players, the best coaches, the best environment over a sustained period. It's as simple and complex as that, a three-legged stool".

"Unambiguous effort means non-delivery is not accepted, and universally. Unity means genuine and shared ownership of the strategies. Discipline means absolute commitment to individual and collective effort, outcomes and behaviours"

"Football clubs are largely in the business of selling hope to their fans, but it needs to be more realistic hope than hype. One senses that impatience to end the premiership drought, premature excitement about the quality of the playing list versus the competition, and egotistical desires by some to be the ''saviour'' or hero has led to expectations of success exceeding reality, and this is in turn amplified by failure to meet basic expectations of effort and spirit".

"Success means capitalising on whatever opportunities exist today, seizing and sustaining whatever comes your way, trying to build opportunities for tomorrow in a virtuous cycle. Melbourne needs only look at the experience of Collingwood, which has reinvented itself from being a financially troubled suburban club in the 1970s into a powerhouse. This was a club that seized and created opportunities Melbourne rejected, and has been able to be sustainably competitive and successful despite its own leadership tensions, financial setbacks and player behaviour issues. Success, not failure, now defines them".

"The most successful clubs and organisations, such as the Collingwoods and Manchester Uniteds, continue to enrich their history and capacity to maximise their appeal to players, coaches, fans, and sponsors. They understand they only remain as strong as their capacity to withstand adversity and grow from it".

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/on-reflection-demons-must-look-in-the-mirror-20110802-1i9zk.html

Please understand, I am not suggesting that Jimmy hasn't been the saviour of the club, but the "boys club" approach has prevented us being the best we can. The only thing that will prevent Collingwood becoming even stronger would be sort of political infighting that we have seen at the Dees.

plus GWS and a few good injuries. Bring on the Colliwobbles. The season is almost here

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's a good week for people who were previously involved in the club to put in their two bob's worth. A few of them would do well if they looked in the mirror themselves.

Yes, anyone with a previous grudge will be taking the opportunity to stick the knife in - players and administrators. We will see who the underminers are and who we want to be with the Club "going forward" (God, I hate that cliche).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What Steve Harris says has a lot of merit...We must not deny that.

I love this club like a family, but "The Boys Club" situation is a major worry to me.

I do not know all the answers, but we do need outside unemotional types as well as Garry Lyon to come in and sort out the right course

For both CS & CC to be out on Friday, but back in on sunday...is a sign of a nervous Board to me.

If these two Guys both pull in the same direction now i have no problems...But the MFC has got to come out of the dark ages and be a 21st Century Business.

Edited by why you little
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's a good week for people who were previously involved in the club to put in their two bob's worth. A few of them would do well if they looked in the mirror themselves.

touche..

Why is such clarity never available to these people when empowered to do something. ??

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What Steve Harris says has a lot of merit...We must not deny that.

I love this club like a family, but "The Boys Club" situation is a major worry to me.

I do not know all the answers, but we do need outside unemotional types as well as Garry Lyon to come in and sort out the right course

For both CS & CC to be out on Friday, but back in on sunday...is a sign of a nervous Board to me.

If these two Guys both pull in the same direction now i have no problems...But the MFC has got to come out of the dark ages and be a 21st Century Business.

We're told by those in the media that CS was gone last week and that DB was to be given another year but is that the truth?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We're told by those in the media that CS was gone last week and that DB was to be given another year but is that the truth?

Let's, for a second assume that it wasn't true. Then obviously the board did not flip-flop and the game against Geelong was the point of no return. No harm no foul.

Now let's assume that Schwab was out, but then it was decided for him the be re-instated. After the 186 point humiliation on the weekend, the heat must turn to those who can control such outcomes. It is unthinkable to sack 15-20 players (although they bloody deserve to be), so the one who leads them needs to go. That is the coach, pure and simple. It warrants such a backflip on who stays and who goes, because what happened on Saturday disrespected everything the MFC has stood for and all who have proudly served this club throughout our 150 year existence.

If the board was going to sack Schwab, but instead swiftly removed Bailey instead, it is sending a very strong message to the playing group and the football department. And so it bloody should.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


The same people that said CS was gone and Bailey had another year are the same people that said Walker was of to GWS and no mention of Davis. They make up rumours and then when they don't eventuate say people backed out. Will be the same as Scully if he stays, they will say a lsat minute bid by Melbourne to make him stay.

Media lies and people just believe it to be truth. Often because it sounds like a great story, sad things is Ricky Nixon was trying to say this but he is to slimy for people to believe him.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The same people that said CS was gone and Bailey had another year are the same people that said Walker was of to GWS and no mention of Davis. They make up rumours and then when they don't eventuate say people backed out. Will be the same as Scully if he stays, they will say a lsat minute bid by Melbourne to make him stay.

Media lies and people just believe it to be truth. Often because it sounds like a great story, sad things is Ricky Nixon was trying to say this but he is to slimy for people to believe him.

Mr James, to go slightly off topic I think you will find that because the young lady involved has changed her mind and story more times that Eddie McGuire ensures he has a sound bite on the news each day, the Police have decided not to waste valuable time, resources and money on the case. I think you will find most of it was true.

Being in just your undies, what he was hot?......

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In The Aus:

The first signs of Melbourne reforming the band came immediately after the appointment late in 2007 of Bailey as senior coach under the administration of immediate past president Paul Gardner.

The position of general manager of football operations was promised to former Hawthorn coach Peter Schwab, but chief executive Steve Harris - to the surprise of Gardner and others - announced the position had been handed to Connolly, who had for weeks earlier gone head to head with Bailey and other candidates for the senior coaching job.

It is believed Harris's decision to appoint Connolly was influenced by other club people and was a key reason for Harris quitting the following February...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Staff turnover at the club under STeve Harris was almost 60%. As is often the case it was a lot of good people that left.

WHy would anyone be interested in his opinion?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This article is really interesting. Three years ago we had the examples of Collingwood and Geelong to emulate. Modern powerful clubs where the best people are employed (wherever they they might be from) in departments that don't interfere with each other. We employed Connolly and Schwab, both of whom were formerly involved with club and could not keep their egos out of the footy dept. Harris states:

"Football success requires getting the best players, the best coaches, the best environment over a sustained period. It's as simple and complex as that, a three-legged stool".

"Unambiguous effort means non-delivery is not accepted, and universally. Unity means genuine and shared ownership of the strategies. Discipline means absolute commitment to individual and collective effort, outcomes and behaviours"

"Football clubs are largely in the business of selling hope to their fans, but it needs to be more realistic hope than hype. One senses that impatience to end the premiership drought, premature excitement about the quality of the playing list versus the competition, and egotistical desires by some to be the ''saviour'' or hero has led to expectations of success exceeding reality, and this is in turn amplified by failure to meet basic expectations of effort and spirit".

The "boys" to whom you refer come from the players of the '87-'91 era, which lacked a premiership but gave us a week-in, week-out winning effort. Connolly tragically did his knee just before this era, what a great great player he was for anyone who remembers. Todd Viney, what a gutsy, bullocking champion, Lyon, sublime, magnificent player. I for one have plenty of time for these guys.

"Success means capitalising on whatever opportunities exist today, seizing and sustaining whatever comes your way, trying to build opportunities for tomorrow in a virtuous cycle. Melbourne needs only look at the experience of Collingwood, which has reinvented itself from being a financially troubled suburban club in the 1970s into a powerhouse. This was a club that seized and created opportunities Melbourne rejected, and has been able to be sustainably competitive and successful despite its own leadership tensions, financial setbacks and player behaviour issues. Success, not failure, now defines them".

"The most successful clubs and organisations, such as the Collingwoods and Manchester Uniteds, continue to enrich their history and capacity to maximise their appeal to players, coaches, fans, and sponsors. They understand they only remain as strong as their capacity to withstand adversity and grow from it".

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/on-reflection-demons-must-look-in-the-mirror-20110802-1i9zk.html

Please understand, I am not suggesting that Jimmy hasn't been the saviour of the club, but the "boys club" approach has prevented us being the best we can. In hindsight, we probably missed a huge opportunity to restructure the club. By Contrast, the only thing that will prevent Collingwood becoming even stronger would be sort of political infighting that we have seen at the Dees.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Staff turnover at the club under STeve Harris was almost 60%. As is often the case it was a lot of good people that left.

WHy would anyone be interested in his opinion?

Steve Harris brought chaos to the MFC! His opinion on anything is of no interest to me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    2024 Player Reviews: #31 Bayley Fritsch

    Once again the club’s top goal scorer but he had a few uncharacteristic flat spots during the season and the club will be looking for much better from him in 2025. Date of Birth: 6 December 1996 Height: 188cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 149 Goals MFC 2024: 41 Career Total: 252 Brownlow Medal Votes: 4

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 8

    2024 Player Reviews: #18 Jake Melksham

    After sustaining a torn ACL in the final match of the 2023 season Jake added a bit to the attack late in the 2024 season upon his return. He has re-signed on to the Demons for 1 more season in 2025. Date of Birth: 12 August 1991 Height: 186cm Games MFC 2024: 8 Career Total: 229 Goals MFC 2024: 8 Career Total: 188

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    2024 Player Reviews: #3 Christian Salem

    The luckless Salem suffered a hamstring injury against the Lions early in the season and, after missing a number of games, he was never at his best. He was also inconvenienced by minor niggles later in the season. This was a blow for the club that sorely needed him to fill gaps in the midfield at times as well as to do his best work in defence. Date of Birth: 15 July 1995 Height: 184cm Games MFC 2024: 17 Career Total: 176 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 26 Brownlow Meda

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 7

    2024 Player Reviews: #39 Koltyn Tholstrop

    The first round draft pick at #13 from twelve months ago the strongly built medium forward has had an impressive introduction to AFL football and is expected to spend more midfield moments as his career progresses. Date of Birth: 25 July 2005 Height: 186cm Games MFC 2024: 10 Career Total: 10 Goals MFC 2024: 5 Career Total: 5 Games CDFC 2024: 7 Goals CDFC 2024: 4

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 6

    2024 Player Reviews: #42 Daniel Turner

    The move of “Disco” to a key forward post looks like bearing fruit. Turner has good hands, moves well and appears to be learning the forward craft well. Will be an interesting watch in 2025. Date of Birth: January 28, 2002 Height: 195cm Games MFC 2024: 15 Career Total: 18 Goals MFC 2024: 17 Career Total: 17 Games CDFC 2024: 1 Goals CDFC 2024:  1

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 15

    2024 Player Reviews: #8 Jake Lever

    The Demon’s key defender and backline leader had his share of injuries and niggles throughout the season which prevented him from performing at his peak.  Date of Birth: 5 March 1996 Height: 195cm Games MFC 2024: 18 Career Total: 178 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 5

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 1

    2024 Player Reviews: #13 Clayton Oliver

    Lack of preparation after a problematic preseason prevented Oliver from reaching the high standards set before last year’s hamstring woes. He carried injury right through the back half of the season and was controversially involved in a potential move during the trade period that was ultimately shut down by the club. Date of Birth:  22 July 1997 Height:  189cm Games MFC 2024:  21 Career Total: 183 Goals MFC 2024: 3 Career Total: 54 Brownlow Medal Votes: 5

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 17

    BLOODY BLUES by Meggs

    The conclusion to Narrm’s home and away season was the inevitable let down by the bloody Blues  who meekly capitulated to the Bombers.   The 2024 season fixture handicapped the Demons chances from the get-go with Port Adelaide, Brisbane and Essendon advantaged with enough gimme games to ensure a tough road to the finals, especially after a slew of early season injuries to star players cost wins and percentage.     As we strode confidently through the gates of Prin

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 3

    2024 Player Reviews: #5 Christian Petracca

    Melbourne’s most important player who dominated the first half of the season until his untimely injury in the Kings Birthday clash put an end to his season. At the time, he was on his way to many personal honours and the club in strong finals contention. When the season did end for Melbourne and Petracca was slowly recovering, he was engulfed in controversy about a possible move of clubs amid claims about his treatment by the club in the immediate aftermath of his injury. Date of Birth: 4 J

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 21
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!
×
×
  • Create New...