Who Said This?

[Redleg 40,925]

"I think most players would take a grand final over money," he said.

"When they see that there is a real chance at playing in a grand final and being successful - that's what we play football for.

"When they see that window, you'd hope that we can actually back the club in, that with the environment that they're in and what we can provide for them over the next three to five years, they will want to stay with our football club. "

And the author of those words was none other than Steven Silvagni, GWS Recruiting Manager. He was of course referring to the fact that despite leaving their original clubs for money, players would change their stripes and when it came to staying with GWS, ignore greater money offers from other clubs. This year's winner of the World's Greatest Hypocrite Award goes to SOS.

[Tigers Dayz 2]

In any league other than the AFL, I think players will play at a club for success.

Was it Brett Ratten who said, in effect, it comforts old age to be a part of the premiership brotherhood?

But as is constantly concluded on this site, money and career (albeit short) are most important.

Edited August 12, 2011 by Dees Dayz

[Whispering_Jack 30,136]

"I think most players would take a grand final over money," he said.

"When they see that there is a real chance at playing in a grand final and being successful - that's what we play football for.

"When they see that window, you'd hope that we can actually back the club in, that with the environment that they're in and what we can provide for them over the next three to five years, they will want to stay with our football club. "

And the author of those words was none other than Steven Silvagni, GWS Recruiting Manager. He was of course referring to the fact that despite leaving their original clubs for money, players would change their stripes and when it came to staying with GWS, ignore greater money offers from other clubs. This year's winner of the World's Greatest Hypocrite Award goes to SOS.

I wouldn't call that hypocrisy but rather an exercise in spin and hyperbole - aka bullshit.

The way that the GWS front men have conducted themselves publicly on issues of recruiting suggests to me that what they are creating is a mercenary's paradise. Players entering that arena will IMO be less inclined to be more loyal to their club down the track than to the almighty dollar. A well trained and well equipped regular army will always succeed against mercenaries and I reckon this mob will more likely implode and fold before it comes even remotely close to winning a premiership.

[old dee 23,791]

I wouldn't call that hypocrisy but rather an exercise in spin and hyperbole - aka [censored].

The way that the GWS front men have conducted themselves publicly on issues of recruiting suggests to me that what they are creating is a mercenary's paradise. Players entering that arena will IMO be less inclined to be more loyal to their club down the track than to the almighty dollar. A well trained and well equipped regular army will always succeed against mercenaries and I reckon this mob will more likely implode and fold before it comes even remotely close to winning a premiership.

Once again Jack you have convered it well. Saved me again the effort of thinking up a reply.

However, they won't fold - the AFL will plough in money until it works and if that takes 25 years then that is what they will do.

[Captain Jack Jordan 32]

SOS is even more stupid than he looks if he thinks his artificial club will not suffer from real clubs trying to ruin them in a few years . Bring it on .

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

A few mates of mine attended a GWS function recently at which Mark Williams spoke.

I asked them what they thought of Williams as a potential MFC coach. They all reported that Williams came across as a genuine moron and thought we could do a lot better than him.

All hearsay and opinion etc of course, but interesting nonetheless. Doesn't look like they're developing a great culture at GWS.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Just looking at the results of the Hawks Port clash and it makes you wonder what the AFL had in mind, apart from more money, when it created this club. Port had an established supporter base in a football mad State and look at them.

There may be a novelty value at first but in a mad keen Rugby area they will be an embarrassment to the competition in a couple of years. They don't have the strong draft that Gold Coast did and most of the players they have courted have declined to sign up.

How much extra money did the AFL get from TV rights by having them in the competition and how much will it eventually cost them?

[Fork 'em 6,983]

How much extra money did the AFL get from TV rights by having them in the competition and how much will it eventually cost them?

If GWS and the GC are playing off in finals with long established AFL clubs struggling it will cost them a significant % of long time true supporters and potentially be the beginning of the end of the AFL .

Edited August 13, 2011 by Fork 'em

[Redleg 40,925]

If GWS and the GC are playing off in finals with long established AFL clubs struggling it will cost them a significant % of long time true supporters and potentially be the beginning of the end of the AFL .

Big call.

[Demon Dynasty 17,109]

Just looking at the results of the Hawks Port clash and it makes you wonder what the AFL had in mind, apart from more money, when it created this club. Port had an established supporter base in a football mad State and look at them.

There may be a novelty value at first but in a mad keen Rugby area they will be an embarrassment to the competition in a couple of years. They don't have the strong draft that Gold Coast did and most of the players they have courted have declined to sign up.

How much extra money did the AFL get from TV rights by having them in the competition and how much will it eventually cost them?

Excellent point Robbie.... i'd like to see the cost benefit analysis on this one. I'm sure it's gathering dust and buried real deep, somewhere in the bowels of the AFL's castle of spin.

Edited August 14, 2011 by Rusty Nails

[e25 5]

If GWS and the GC are playing off in finals with long established AFL clubs struggling it will cost them a significant % of long time true supporters and potentially be the beginning of the end of the AFL .

Just like the Brisbane v Port grand final in 2004 did...

[Fork 'em 6,983]

Just like the Brisbane v Port grand final in 2004 did...

I see you've finally climbed out from under your rock since since disappearing at the start of the season.

Like your avatar it hasn't taken long for you to open your big condecending mouth all over the forum .

As you should know but fail to grasp , Brisbane and Port didn't have the hand ups that these 2 clubs have had to the detriment of the rest of the competition.

If the GC and GWS can dominate the comp over several years like Demetriou is trying to enable them to do you will see supporters of clubs like Ours , the Dogs, Saints , Roos , Tigers etc drop off in droves .