Daffy

[Whispering_Jack 27,971]

It was actually Kal Fried

No relation to the bloke who runs the chicken franchise, I take it.

[pringle 42]

In good time Whispering. Not ready to take on that responsibility yet. We want the best at the Demons and I'm afraid I don't profess to be the best just yet.

As for the suggestions by Arthur Dent that Andrew Daff is no major loss to the club, I would have to vehemently disagree. There are not doctors lining up to get these gigs. Certainly not doctors of the experience, quality and calibre of Andrew Daff. Qualified sports physicians are actually in short supply in Melbourne in comparison to the number of professional sporting organizations around. Indeed not all sports physicians have any desire to work with an AFL club. It is a time-consuming, demanding and extremely stressful job. Andrew has been a loyal servant of the MFC for about 20 years and I have personal experience working with him. I can't speak highly enough of him. I also have some knowledge of why he has left but won't comment in addition to what has already been written above. I will, however, say that Kal Fried, our other long-serving and very well-credentialed doctor, has also departed the club for the same reasons which have been generally outlined above. It is a great shame. I have only one comment on the matter, and that is that I REALLY hope Misson is worth it.

With respect to the importance of a doctor at an AFL team... Arthur, with all due respect, having been a VFL doctor for the past 3 years, I feel reasonably well credentialed enough to say that your comments need to be re-thought. All advice with respect to whether an injured player trains or plays must come from the doctor/s. Certainly this is done in consultation with the physios etc, but when it comes to the crunch and Mark Neeld asks whether Jack Trengove can play in the 1st final due to so and so injury, the risks and benefits will be outlined by the doctor. When James Frawley needs a jab to get through a big clash on Jack Reiwoldt, trust me, you'll be hoping it's the doctor giving him the jab, not Misson. I can come up with plenty more examples but mate, I don't think I really need to on this one...

Misson will have his chance to have an impact on the MFC. Let's hope it's a positive one. So far the jury's still out...

[DemonWA 3,435]

Still no official word on the MFC site about Andrew Daff - our doctor.

My word is that he's walked. Not happy with one of the new appointments.

Anyone else heard anything?

Could be right, story on the clubs website now

[QueenC 74]

Could be right, story on the clubs website now

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/125391/default.aspx

[... 11]

How ya feeling A Dent? Not one doctor,... both!

Ready to step up?

[dee-luded 2,958]

No relation to the bloke who runs the chicken franchise, I take it.

HahaHa, I was wondering the same thing. I wonder if he has relatives from Ken-tucky county.

Nice country Gals out them ways, youall.

[deenovo 0]

Not better. Different roles. Doctor usually has more connections with surgeons, can give medication (as you say) etc. Physio usually has very good understanding of how the athlete is functioning and has many tricks in the bag to fix less serious injuries, and to rehabilitate serious injuries after surgery.

My prob is not with physios, it's with 'fitness' personal, who have bypassed the actual training (that both doctors and physios receive) in preference to a 'how to make them fit' degree, and then decide that they actually understand the medical field and know better than the trained professionals in the area. This type of deregulation will lead to heartache.

Edit: Please note - Misson is not a Physiotherapist. He is a Physical Education person (and a very good one). My issue is not with the importance of his role, it's with his misconception of his role. He needs to stick to his job and let others do theirs.

If you read the 'Daffy' thread, (I know it's starting to sound like I love the bloke - I've never actually met him) you'll understand. Is Misson going to diagnose a tension pneumothorax? Where will he place the needle to decompress it? Th 2nd intercostal space in the clavicular midline? From the back? Through the neck? Maybe he'd stick it up his clacker.. If you relate to the uncertainty here, you're in the same knowledge bracket as Misson.

Point is, while guys like Misson should have every right to come in and have a say; they don't have the right to come in and start trying to run the medical side of things.

----------------------------------------

The departure of our medical team is very unfortunate and they will be missed for many reasons - they were very experienced, and highly respected, very loyal and dedicated.

The reports on this thread of a conflict are correct - Misson is a "my way or the highway" type of person, who believes he knows best. While that may be acceptable within his area of expertise it is most definitely not when it comes to medical issues. The problem is that there has been such turnover in staff (and many are still shell-shocked) that there was no-one in HQ who had the experience or expertise who was willing to tell Misson to pull his head in.

The problem now is that it will be difficult to find anyone of quality to fill their shoes - once the word is out and about that Misson is a PIA to work with (and indeed it is already) then quality sports med personnel will be hard to recruit.

[Mono 454]

----------------------------------------

The departure of our medical team is very unfortunate and they will be missed for many reasons - they were very experienced, and highly respected, very loyal and dedicated.

The reports on this thread of a conflict are correct - Misson is a "my way or the highway" type of person, who believes he knows best. While that may be acceptable within his area of expertise it is most definitely not when it comes to medical issues. The problem is that there has been such turnover in staff (and many are still shell-shocked) that there was no-one in HQ who had the experience or expertise who was willing to tell Misson to pull his head in.

The problem now is that it will be difficult to find anyone of quality to fill their shoes - once the word is out and about that Misson is a PIA to work with (and indeed it is already) then quality sports med personnel will be hard to recruit.

Of all the changes over the past few weeks, my gut query is about Misson. Happy enough with the rest.

Not Misson.

Hope I'm wrong.

[rpfc 27,451]

----------------------------------------

The departure of our medical team is very unfortunate and they will be missed for many reasons - they were very experienced, and highly respected, very loyal and dedicated.

The reports on this thread of a conflict are correct - Misson is a "my way or the highway" type of person, who believes he knows best. While that may be acceptable within his area of expertise it is most definitely not when it comes to medical issues. The problem is that there has been such turnover in staff (and many are still shell-shocked) that there was no-one in HQ who had the experience or expertise who was willing to tell Misson to pull his head in.

The problem now is that it will be difficult to find anyone of quality to fill their shoes - once the word is out and about that Misson is a PIA to work with (and indeed it is already) then quality sports med personnel will be hard to recruit.

What exactly were the issues?

Of all the changes over the past few weeks, my gut query is about Misson. Happy enough with the rest.

Not Misson.

Hope I'm wrong.

Why not?

Can your gut quantify this query?

[Mono 454]

........

Why not?

Can your gut quantify this query?

Quantitfy? Concrete issue = Ball at the Saints. An A+ grader went to a C grader with massive physical/fitness issues, all in 2? years. One year at the filth and he's an A grader again.

My gut? it says Misson is a [censored], but what does it know.

[Rogue 585]

To be fair, that's one player.

[bing181 8,165]

My gut? it says Misson is a [censored], but what does it know.

Based on what exactly?

Try this from St Kilda followers:

"Our soft tissue injuries have been kept to an amazing minimum since he's been with us, would be gutted if he leaves too!"

and ....

"He was the one who had Sydney go through the year in 2005 virtually without an injury, leading to them winning the flag. Week after week they were "no change" at selection and he was the one credited for that. He was probably as important to their flag as anyone. He then came to us and we hardly had an injury in 2009, when we won the first 19 games of the year and went down by 12 points in the GF. He could be a more important loss than Lyon."

... and that on the back of:

"At Sydney, Misson was credited with helping to develop a system based on individual programs for players that gave the club the best injury record in the league."

Edited November 10, 2011 by bing181

[demon-4-life 467]

Of all the changes over the past few weeks, my gut query is about Misson. Happy enough with the rest.

Not Misson.

Hope I'm wrong.

Mate of mine stated: Luke Ball's injury was not due to Misson. More that it was Ross Lyon refusing to allow him the adequate time to recover. Ross Lyon apparently defied medical staff on many occasions.

Credibility of source: His father plays golf regularly with some of the board members...

So....probably not good.

[rpfc 27,451]

Quantitfy? Concrete issue = Ball at the Saints. An A+ grader went to a C grader with massive physical/fitness issues, all in 2? years. One year at the filth and he's an A grader again.

My gut? it says Misson is a [censored], but what does it know.

As Rogue says - it was one player amongst a team that played 50 games in two years and we all know what that means...

Neeld is pissing people off at the club I am sure. And I think it is right that he is stamping his authority on the place.

Misson is entitled to do the same in the sports science/fitness space. Our failure/success will be on his shoulders.

I'm going to give him time to do his job before my MFCSS kicks in and I call him a [censored].

[mauriesy 6,790]

It is as equally possible that a doctor will take a conservative line concerning potential for injury that therefore limits fitness, as it is the fitness coach will take an adventurous line with fitness that therefore increases the likelihood of injury.

I could imagine that would be a point of contention between fitness and medical staff.

[demoniac 1,243]

My mail at the end of season 2009 was that Ball was over OP and in a position to did a full pre season for the first time in years. This came from somebody who would know. And no I am not going to name them.

Misson does not not appear to have had any problems dealing with long term and highly respected club doctors at Sydney and St Kilda.

[H_T 2,941]

The departure of our medical team is very unfortunate and they will be missed for many reasons - they were very experienced, and highly respected, very loyal and dedicated.

The reports on this thread of a conflict are correct - Misson is a "my way or the highway" type of person, who believes he knows best. While that may be acceptable within his area of expertise it is most definitely not when it comes to medical issues. The problem is that there has been such turnover in staff (and many are still shell-shocked) that there was no-one in HQ who had the experience or expertise who was willing to tell Misson to pull his head in.

The problem now is that it will be difficult to find anyone of quality to fill their shoes - once the word is out and about that Misson is a PIA to work with (and indeed it is already) then quality sports med personnel will be hard to recruit.

So there is an apparent issue of leadership at HQ in your opinion and it's apparent some people don't like change. Time will tell.

It is as equally possible that a doctor will take a conservative line concerning potential for injury that therefore limits fitness, as it is the fitness coach will take an adventurous line with fitness that therefore increases the likelihood of injury.

I could imagine that would be a point of contention between fitness and medical staff.

My thoughts precisely.

[Mono 454]

To be fair, that's one player.

Not just any player tho'. An A grader ... not many of those about.

Mate of mine stated: Luke Ball's injury was not due to Misson. More that it was Ross Lyon refusing to allow him the adequate time to recover. Ross Lyon apparently defied medical staff on many occasions.

Credibility of source: His father plays golf regularly with some of the board members...

So....probably not good.

He played 24 games for the filth in both 2010 and 2011, as well as the NAB cup; not much recovery time there.

[deenovo 0]

It is as equally possible that a doctor will take a conservative line concerning potential for injury that therefore limits fitness, as it is the fitness coach will take an adventurous line with fitness that therefore increases the likelihood of injury.

I could imagine that would be a point of contention between fitness and medical staff.

Injury management was a key issue in what transpired. It is important to remember that the medical staff have a medico-legal responsibility for the welfare of the patient (i.e. the player) which must come first. If things go pear-shaped due to medical mis-management then they are at risk of being sued - and this has indeed already happened. The cases of mis-managed head injury, and the long term consequences, that have been highlighted this year are examples - and there are others that have flown under the media radar.

Being a hot-shot sports scientist is all very well but there is an element of "all care and no responsibility" about it. My guess is that the medical staff decided that, on a risk-management level, they were not wiling to be a party to a situation where they felt the medical care and welfare of the players was being compromised. Remember that robust discussion, differences in opinion, etc.... are all a normal part of the medical process (particularly in a sporting club!). So, for them to feel that the situation was so unacceptable that they should depart (after so many years of loyal service) speaks volumes. Watch this space......

[rpfc 27,451]

Injury management was a key issue in what transpired. It is important to remember that the medical staff have a medico-legal responsibility for the welfare of the patient (i.e. the player) which must come first. If things go pear-shaped due to medical mis-management then they are at risk of being sued - and this has indeed already happened. The cases of mis-managed head injury, and the long term consequences, that have been highlighted this year are examples - and there are others that have flown under the media radar.

Being a hot-shot sports scientist is all very well but there is an element of "all care and no responsibility" about it. My guess is that the medical staff decided that, on a risk-management level, they were not wiling to be a party to a situation where they felt the medical care and welfare of the players was being compromised. Remember that robust discussion, differences in opinion, etc.... are all a normal part of the medical process (particularly in a sporting club!). So, for them to feel that the situation was so unacceptable that they should depart (after so many years of loyal service) speaks volumes. Watch this space......

Yes indeed.

In fact, why don't they come forward?

If we are harming the players, they should go to the police.

Or possibly, the club has hired some massive [censored] that want to push these overpaid schoolboys and don't get along with certain people.

I don't care.

[daisycutter 28,514]

..... the medical staff decided that, on a risk-management level, they were not wiling to be a party to a situation where they felt the medical care and welfare of the players was being compromised.....

deenovo you need to expand on the above because just saying there is a compromise says nothing. By simply participating a player is compromising his health/welfare so the issue is not really compromising but the degree of compromising i.e. where the line is being drawn. Can you give more specific examples?

How much of the issues are personality or status related. It strikes me that this (resignations) occurred very quickly after Missons appointment which could indicate past history or personality issues. I'm only speculating but the speed of the resignations has me puzzled.

[Vagg 2,422]

I'm only speculating but the speed of the resignations has me puzzled.

I have to agree. All seemed just a little strange how fast they were out the door after all the new appointments. There certainly wasn't much time for any "get to know you" sessions.

[demoniac 1,243]

The point remains that Misson has worked harmoniously with respected Sports Medicos at both Sydney and St Kilda.

Edited November 12, 2011 by demoniac

[Mono 454]

The point remains that Misson has worked harmoniously with respected Sports Medicos at both Sydney and St Kilda.

And you know that how?

[rpfc 27,451]

And you know that how?

Gut feel?

Hehe.