Melbourne chief lacked foresight

[Guest Voice of the Common Fan]

"It clearly never occurred to Schwab that a new club would target a player in just his second season, particularly a priority draft choice."

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/gws-targets-need-to-start-soulsearching-20110912-1k61s.html

[Striker475 696]

It did occur to them. Caro is wrong on this one. AFL trampled on chiefs' suggestion.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/regret-at-clubs-signing-off-on-list-allowances-for-expansion-clubs/story-e6frf9jf-1226085179344

[pantaloons 2,019]

It's a fair comment from Caro. We were naive (or bullied) to not restrict GWS access to players who had played at least 3/4/5 years of AFL. LeTom was never going to be off their radar for moral reasons.

[Guest Buster Bluth]

I thought this was a cheap shot and an incorrect one.

Schwab never said that HE didn't see it coming.

I think he was implying that the AFL didn't foresee that the rules would be used this way, and as such didn't think it necessary to put restrictions in place to prevent the poaching of youth.

And Caroline Wilson knows that although the AFL would like everyone to believe the clubs willingly agreed to these rules, it is actually far from the truth.

[H_T 3,042]

The AFL turned it down for good reason - from their point of view. To allow access.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,013]

Funny how Schwab was the only person sitting on that committee, isn't it? You'd almost think that he made all of the decisions on his own the way people carry on. And here I was under the impression that every club was represented, as well as a few extras. What i wonder is whether Gubby Allen knew he was going to be recruiting for GWS while he was on the committee, and whether he then manipulated events to help in his preferred strategy. If he did know, then I can see him moving heaven and earth to torpedo any suggestion of an age cap on poached players.

[Dreamin' Demon 10]

You can't put an age cap on young players. The AFLPA will then scream restraint of trade. GC & GWS were never going to play by "the spirit" of the rules therefore,teams like us were doomed from the start.

[7-UP 107]

http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/footyclassified/

Check this video of Footy Classified where they talk about Scully, I think starting from 4mins and 30 secs.

Garry Lyon actually label Cameron Schwab "naive" because he didn't think the rules he created with that committee going to snatch young players out of other clubs.

[H_T 3,042]

Funny how Schwab was the only person sitting on that committee, isn't it? You'd almost think that he made all of the decisions on his own the way people carry on. And here I was under the impression that every club was represented, as well as a few extras. What i wonder is whether Gubby Allen knew he was going to be recruiting for GWS while he was on the committee, and whether he then manipulated events to help in his preferred strategy. If he did know, then I can see him moving heaven and earth to torpedo any suggestion of an age cap on poached players.

Someone should ask the question. But I wouldn't hold your breath for a truthful response.

[nutbean 8,838]

Schwab brought up the subject of limiting the age of uncontracted players but this was not accepted by the AFL ( that was in an article about 2-3 months ago).

It does not surprise me that the poaching of first contract players was not seriously considered as it still doesnt make sense to me.

Given the choice of Ward or Griffin who is now 25 - no brainer

Given the choice of Scully or Sylvia - I would be taking Sylvia (Col's consistency is a concern)

Given the choice of Davis or Rutten - no brainer

Given the choice of Palmer or anybody - I'd take anybody

The Suns recruited exactly as i expected - harder older bodies to compliment and teach the youth.

Recruiting Scully and Davis - makes no logical sense to me.

[hardtack 10,441]

Funny how Schwab was the only person sitting on that committee, isn't it? You'd almost think that he made all of the decisions on his own the way people carry on. And here I was under the impression that every club was represented, as well as a few extras. What i wonder is whether Gubby Allen knew he was going to be recruiting for GWS while he was on the committee, and whether he then manipulated events to help in his preferred strategy. If he did know, then I can see him moving heaven and earth to torpedo any suggestion of an age cap on poached players.

As much as I dislike the man, it is a bit rich to say that Schwab being just one of a number of club reps should not be held responsible, and then in the same breath say that Grubby (who was also one of that number) may well have manipulated events. Or am I reading your comment wrongly?

[Born to Run 204]

It's a fair comment from Caro. We were naive (or bullied) to not restrict GWS access to players who had played at least 3/4/5 years of AFL. LeTom was never going to be off their radar for moral reasons.

"LeTom".....LOVE IT.

[Real Demon 232]

Recruiting Scully and Davis - makes no logical sense to me.

I agree...........I would have thought a look at the top 50 players in the competition would be the best place to start, and Scully was nowhere near that.

There atitude is obviously one of short term pain for longer term gain, so that their young recruits along with the players from other clubs all mature together, and have a sustainded, or so they hope, period of success.

The problem will be the poor media and public reception they get in Sydney getting pummelled every week, and what will that do to the kids they have got.

[demoniac 1,318]

Apparently Schwabby was also on the Grassy Knoll and Cheviot Beach.....

[old55 23,078]

"It clearly never occurred to Schwab that a new club would target a player in just his second season, particularly a priority draft choice."

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/gws-targets-need-to-start-soulsearching-20110912-1k61s.html

What do you think the cut off should have been?

[Guest Buster Bluth]

As much as I dislike the man, it is a bit rich to say that Schwab being just one of a number of club reps should not be held responsible, and then in the same breath say that Grubby (who was also one of that number) may well have manipulated events. Or am I reading your comment wrongly?

I think it'd be much harder for Schwab to insist on a "safety net" with Gubby easily being a single voice of dissent.

Especially when there are inherent issues with the safeguard.

Schwab: I think we should a restriction on players being poached after only 2 or 3 years.

We have young stars like Trengove and Scully who it would be unfair for us to lose.

Gubby: wait, what about us? We have Leuenberger who is only a little bit older and is a ruck, who we all know take longer!

Where is the cut off? If your young stars are protected, ours should be too...

And so on.

Gubby would have a point too, even if he were only saying it because he secretly knew he was going to GWS and wanted to be able to rape and pillage without restriction.

[Striker475 696]

What do you think the cut off should have been?

Draftees coming out of their first AFL contract should not have been allowed to be poached. Phil Davis & Tom Scully both in that group.

It was a point made by Gary Marsh IIRC - and Richmond did not have a seat at that table by the way.

Edited September 13, 2011 by Striker475

[nutbean 8,838]

What do you think the cut off should have been?

My solution ( and you helped old !!! you mentioned this previously) Bring in free agency rules as of last year - give Gold Coast first dibs last year and two years of GWS ( not sure why GC only gets one and GWS gets two) and then bring it in for all clubs

[Born to Run 204]

Schwab brought up the subject of limiting the age of uncontracted players but this was not accepted by the AFL ( that was in an article about 2-3 months ago).

It does not surprise me that the poaching of first contract players was not seriously considered as it still doesnt make sense to me.

Given the choice of Ward or Griffin who is now 25 - no brainer

Given the choice of Scully or Sylvia - I would be taking Sylvia (Col's consistency is a concern)

Given the choice of Davis or Rutten - no brainer

Given the choice of Palmer or anybody - I'd take anybody

The Suns recruited exactly as i expected - harder older bodies to compliment and teach the youth.

Recruiting Scully and Davis - makes no logical sense to me.

Could not agree more.

Basically stockpiling young talent that will be trade bait in 1-2 years (either the guys they traded in now or the guys they draft in later).

Gold Coast will be looking to do the same with some of thier over supply of young good kids. Three or so trades this year and next will make them very very good.

I think what GWS has said is that there is no point being good in 2012 as they still have the trading concessions next year. So may as well build up a piggy bank of youth for two years and exploit the system as there is no penalty for being shizen in your start up year.

[dee-luded 2,959]

I thought this was a cheap shot and an incorrect one.

Schwab never said that HE didn't see it coming.

I think he was implying that the AFL didn't foresee that the rules would be used this way, and as such didn't think it necessary to put restrictions in place to prevent the poaching of youth.

And Caroline Wilson knows that although the AFL would like everyone to believe the clubs willingly agreed to these rules, it is actually far from the truth.

Last night show not only sounded to me like cheap shots at Schwabby, but the whole story sounded 'Orchestrated' & play acted. A drama from the time he was reading 'the Age' in bed, (nice add) to the time the Ph: rang with toms Number up.

Disappointing! Stop the politics Gary!

[Forest Demon 4,681]

Not sure whether rightly or wrongly, but Caroline Wilson obviously has a personal problem with Schwab. Tries to lay the boot in every chance she gets, it has become boring and predictable.

Edited September 13, 2011 by Forest Demon

[Guest Buster Bluth]

She does.

It comes from their links to Richmond through their fathers.

[daisycutter 29,453]

Schwab brought up the subject of limiting the age of uncontracted players but this was not accepted by the AFL ( that was in an article about 2-3 months ago).

It does not surprise me that the poaching of first contract players was not seriously considered as it still doesnt make sense to me.

...

The Suns recruited exactly as i expected - harder older bodies to compliment and teach the youth.

Recruiting Scully and Davis - makes no logical sense to me.

I totally agree. I think GWS have shot themselves in the foot

Sydney people don't like losers and I think GWS will be big losers for a long time with this strategy

[Jack Jack 415]

I totally agree. I think GWS have shot themselves in the foot

Sydney people don't like losers and I think GWS will be big losers for a long time with this strategy

I think Gold Coast were also very lucky that the Brisbane team was in the middle of a rebuild and snuck in a win over them.

The way the Swans are situated I can't see GWS getting a win over them for many many years. How are the GWS supporters going to take that?

[Ash82 10]

Remember this:

http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/march-backed-on-young-talent-20100525-wb2x.html

Gary March was onto something and Schwab shouldn't have been so dismissive