The Tom Scully Saga © continues ...

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Hi all. Long team reader, first time poster! I love jumping on Demonland and having a read of the views of fellow Demons supporters...particularly when it's constructive and about how our team is going and how we all reckon it can improve going forward. I reckon it's awesome that there are so many people out there that seem to have a great passion for the MFC just like I have done for all of my life!

I've been compelled to join up and post for the first time because lately I've been really disappointed reading some of the negative comments that are getting thrown towards our players. In the case of Scully, for the life of me I can't understand why people would be so negative towards the guy. From where I've been sitting, he puts his heart and soul into every performance for the MFC. I feel like people here are marking him really hard because they've heard from the "reliable sources" in the media that he may not be with the MFC next year. So what. For now he plays for the MFC. When addressing the situation he said how much he loves his job and playing for the MFC and he wanted to re-pay the faith that the club had shown in him by selecting him with their number 1 draft pick. I believe what he said. Everything else we've heard about the situation has been passed on by a bunch of people looking for controversy. Worst case I'm being naive, but I would rather be naive in supporting the word of a bloke who is pulling on the red and blue each week than a bloke sitting behind a desk making up stories.

About all that we can control as supporters of the club is to contribute to the vibe of making the MFC a tight knit unit whose supporters get behind their players through thick and thin. I believe that supporters of other successful clubs are better at this than we are.

I've felt that he's likely to stay because (from the outside) he seems like the sort of bloke who is likely to be motivated by the idea that he, along with the other youngsters at the club, could drive a new culture of success into the fabric of our club.

If it makes you feel better to give the bloke a spray IF and when he announces that he is moving on, then so be it. But as long as is playing for the MFC why don't we get behind him and support him and maybe we can contribute in a tiny way to making blokes like Scully feel like this is a club that he wants to help drag out of the position it has found itself in for so long.

He's a number one draft pick playing like a player that was picked in the high 30's so why wouldn't you be disappointed? Blease picked at 17, has had a couple of years out through a broken leg and has eclipsed Scully in 4 games.

[Jordie_tackles 354]

He's a number one draft pick playing like a player that was picked in the high 30's so why wouldn't you be disappointed? Blease picked at 17, has had a couple of years out through a broken leg and has eclipsed Scully in 4 games.

Just shows how biased your opinionof this topic is RF, Bleases last couple of games have been great but to say he has eclipsed Scully in this short period is laughable.....

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

Dustin Martin, David Swallow, Jack Trengove.. Scull doesn't look in the same league as these guys at this stage

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Just shows how biased your opinionof this topic is RF, Bleases last couple of games have been great but to say he has eclipsed Scully in this short period is laughable.....

How so? Blease gets the ball kicks the ball and finds targets. Scully gets the ball blindly handballs and doesn't hit targets.

Let's not confuse the issue; getting the ball is only half the job, disposing of it properly is the other. Scully has issues with his kicking and hand balling and I would love to know the figure regarding his efficiency.

And I don't want to hear the crap that he is "too quick for his team mates", a good player will adjust to that, not just blindly shoot a hand pass to where he hopes a player might be.

Scully is an ordinary footballer at the moment and is not much more value than Jordie McKenzie; he needs to improve a whole lot to be considered a good player and a heap more to be considered a very good player.

[jayceebee31 761]

How so? Blease gets the ball kicks the ball and finds targets. Scully gets the ball blindly handballs and doesn't hit targets.

Let's not confuse the issue; getting the ball is only half the job, disposing of it properly is the other. Scully has issues with his kicking and hand balling and I would love to know the figure regarding his efficiency.

And I don't want to hear the crap that he is "too quick for his team mates", a good player will adjust to that, not just blindly shoot a hand pass to where he hopes a player might be.

Scully is an ordinary footballer at the moment and is not much more value than Jordie McKenzie; he needs to improve a whole lot to be considered a good player and a heap more to be considered a very good player.

I tend to agree- 2 first round picks to me sounds very rewarding for the club for exchange of Scully.

Edited August 28, 2011 by jayceebee31

[Trengove the Magnifique 9 23]

He's a number one draft pick playing like a player that was picked in the high 30's so why wouldn't you be disappointed? Blease picked at 17, has had a couple of years out through a broken leg and has eclipsed Scully in 4 games.

When did Blease have 39 for a game? Don't talk down Scully, the kid is a star. Yes Blease played a brilliant game today, and has been good for the last two, but Scully was incredible in his first year, and under heavy injury clouds has still been consistent this year.

[beelzebub 23,383]

How so? Blease gets the ball kicks the ball and finds targets. Scully gets the ball blindly handballs and doesn't hit targets.

Possibly a tad simplistic but theres certainly some reality about it. Irrespective of whether youre a "think he's gone" or "thinks hes staying" camper there is the observation that having burst on the scene last year hes been somewhat flat ever since. There are without doubt some brilliant aspects to the lads game. Just as obvious though there are glaring problems too.

There are some of us who would suggest on blance hes playing a pretty average sort of football. This wasnt what we were led to expect. As a supporting group , probably to a man and woman we thought we'd hit some sort of Jackpot, some form of football motherlode (picks 1 AND 2) . Well..its been hard digging in the main.

I for the life of me stil ldont see any value in an player at AFL leverl who cant kick..and who cant spot a target. I do like those that can.

[Its Miller time 6]

He's Signed till the end of 2013.

He refuted strong interest from GCS

I meant Cotchin said Scully is going for sure. How Cotchin would know is anyone's guess which is why im still not convinced Scully is leaving.

[Guest Gareth Keenan]

He is gone , just gotta watch him play to see that

there is certainly not a lot of passion or commitment in his play right now, which makes me agree with you

He's a number one draft pick playing like a player that was picked in the high 30's so why wouldn't you be disappointed? Blease picked at 17, has had a couple of years out through a broken leg and has eclipsed Scully in 4 games.

Can't believe some of the unbridled ignorance by some supporters on here.

It's positively depressing sometimes.

He showed a lot of fight and desire today.

His body needs some serious development, and he is playing in pain, but he is a lot better than he is being given credit for.

[beelzebub 23,383]

At what point do people also understand effective ability on top of unbridled efffort is what gets a team into the silverware business.

Figt and desire are indeed desirable qualities. Is it a bit too much to expect a handbal to find its intended..or a kick to be within cooee of a team mate ?? too much ?

He migh tindeed grwo into a better bodies mor eaccurate and effective player. Thats the mail isnt it. What some are saying is at present..its not al that pretty !!

Observations are in real time..i.e the now.. much suppostion is about what he may or not be is all about tomoroow, or its tomorrow .

[jumbo returns 6,741]

There's every conceivable chance that Scully will be remembered for ONE quarter of football.

People who post about his greatness always seem to come back to 39 touches or so against the Dogs.

Reminds me of Darren Cuthbertson - what a star! 19 goals in three games then.........

[rpfc 28,779]

it really surprises me that you are questioning Moloneys passion and commitment. Surely he is one bloke you can spare those insults

I'm sorry, was I being unfair?

And to Demons player no less!

For shame!

[Juicebox 628]

How so? Blease gets the ball kicks the ball and finds targets. Scully gets the ball blindly handballs and doesn't hit targets.

Let's not confuse the issue; getting the ball is only half the job, disposing of it properly is the other. Scully has issues with his kicking and hand balling and I would love to know the figure regarding his efficiency.

And I don't want to hear the crap that he is "too quick for his team mates", a good player will adjust to that, not just blindly shoot a hand pass to where he hopes a player might be.

Scully is an ordinary footballer at the moment and is not much more value than Jordie McKenzie; he needs to improve a whole lot to be considered a good player and a heap more to be considered a very good player.

Pretty sure the majority of posters had written off blease at some point this year. It's that majority, - myself included - who also started thinking premierships after scully's first year.

"Let's not confuse the issue" You haven't written Scully off as a result of speculation he's leaving...? Because he is going to be gun.

[Range Rover 1,935]

Possibly a tad simplistic but theres certainly some reality about it. Irrespective of whether youre a "think he's gone" or "thinks hes staying" camper there is the observation that having burst on the scene last year hes been somewhat flat ever since. There are without doubt some brilliant aspects to the lads game. Just as obvious though there are glaring problems too.

There are some of us who would suggest on blance hes playing a pretty average sort of football. This wasnt what we were led to expect. As a supporting group , probably to a man and woman we thought we'd hit some sort of Jackpot, some form of football motherlode (picks 1 AND 2) . Well..its been hard digging in the main.

I for the life of me stil ldont see any value in an player at AFL leverl who cant kick..and who cant spot a target. I do like those that can.

You make some interesting points Bezel.

I have asked the question before and I will ask it again ... when will the spotlight be cast onto our recruiting chiefs?

People will predictably say "oh but x, y and z team passed that star over as well". Well bollocks to that.

Our recruiters have to be better than the rest. On current form they're not.

Not good enough. The pending cleanout should sweep them out the door as well.

Edited August 28, 2011 by Range Rover

[rpfc 28,779]

You make some interesting points Bezel.

I have asked the question before and I will ask it again ... when will the spotlight be cast onto our recruiting chiefs?

People will predictably say "oh but x, y and z team passed that star over as well". Well bollocks to that.

Our recruiters have to be better than the rest. On current form they're not.

Not good enough. The pending cleanout should sweep them out the door as well.

Tell us who Prendergast got wrong.

Do his performance review so Jimmy doesn't have to bother.

[Range Rover 1,935]

Tell us who Prendergast got wrong.

Do his performance review so Jimmy doesn't have to bother.

Dustin Martin should be wearing a Melbourne jumper.

[Nasher 33,617]

Dustin Martin should be wearing a Melbourne jumper.

Please bump the post where you said this at the time.

[Wadda We Sing 10,685]

I meant Cotchin said Scully is going for sure. How Cotchin would know is anyone's guess which is why im still not convinced Scully is leaving.

Guess well know in about a week......

[Johnny Karate 559]

Dustin Martin should be wearing a Melbourne jumper.

Disagree Fyfe was the logical choice for number 1.

[Nasher 33,617]

People will predictably say "oh but x, y and z team passed that star over as well". Well bollocks to that.

Our recruiters have to be better than the rest. On current form they're not.

I've got no problem with us wanting our recruiters to be the best of the best, but your way of measuring who's a good recruiter and who isn't sucks. Every single recruiting chief in the business will fail if your measure of success on which guns we missed out on.

[Bang Bang Bang 5,839]

I reckon if Scully was already signed, sealed and delivered to GWS; then the club would be well aware of this and would NOT be playing him in dead rubber matches like today. Especially with Todd Viney at the helm. For that reason, I think we're still some chance of keeping him. Gut feel says he'll sign with GWS in the coming weeks though.

As for Scully the player, I think we're all judging him a little harsher than we normally would given the circumstances. I think he played a reasonable game today and is progressing quite well for a 2nd year player. I'd expect a big 2012 from him. If we pay him 700k to stay put then the fans will be expecting a lot from him in the coming years.

[Guest Gareth Keenan]

I meant Cotchin said Scully is going for sure. How Cotchin would know is anyone's guess which is why im still not convinced Scully is leaving.

I'm inclined to not believe this at all, but I do know that Scully is mates with a few of the Richmond boys, Cotchin & Martin in particular.

As many players in the AFL are good mates with players at other clubs.

[Range Rover 1,935]

Please bump the post where you said this at the time.

I didn't but I don't get paid to make the decisions.

The punters get to take pot shots (or issue credits) after the fact. Unfair? Tough [censored].

Newsflash ... we're just about to complete the worst season of footy this club has put together in probably 25 years.

There are reasons for this. Recruiting is most definitely one of them.

Edited August 28, 2011 by Range Rover

[Range Rover 1,935]

I've got no problem with us wanting our recruiters to be the best of the best, but your way of measuring who's a good recruiter and who isn't sucks. Every single recruiting chief in the business will fail if your measure of success on which guns we missed out on.

But where they failed on this one is in not sufficiently grilling Scully about his motivations for playing footy and the strength of his desire to play for Melbourne. Clever interrogation and due diligence were not adequately carried out.

On a numero uno draft pick that's a fail of epic proportions.

The fact is D. Martin repaid the faith in the Tiges and shunned GW$ from the get go, whereas our boy and his management team have deadset put us through the wringer.

That's the cold hard reality. It was a massive call and we got it wrong Whoever's in charge needs to be held accountable for it (along with other poor recruiting decisions) ... Cale Morton being the other glaringly obvious one.

Pick 1 and pick 4. That's two gilt-edged, rolled-gold chances Melbourne has stuffed up in an era of AFL footy where the odds are increasingly stacked against us.

Hopefully there's a silver lining in it somewhere but there are no guarantees now.

Some of you need to grow a pair and realize the culture of this footy club has to change from top to bottom (hopefully it's happening now).

We have been second rate in nearly every department for far too long. That includes recruiting!

Edited August 28, 2011 by Range Rover

[Rogue 585]

Didn't a young bloke with an equal pedigree to Scully just resign

I hope not!