Garry Lyon's six-month rescue mission over

[Brayshaws' Helmet 143]

Garry Lyon's six-month rescue mission over

[Guest Spirit of 39]

Getting Sugar Healy involved would be a great coup for the club. He is one switched on operator with a successful corporate background. CEO at Quicksilver and former club captain. We tried to get him as CEO back in 2008 to replace Steve Harris but he knocked us back.

Get involved Sugar!

[Angelus BTVS 31]

Lyon said wasn't in for the long haul but just to get the club stabilized and to help it move forward. Would look like he's achieved that along with Schwab, Stynes and McLardy.

Hopefully, the right pieces are now in place to set up a productive next few years. Interesting that Craig will report directly to the board believe this to be a good move, fewer non football department people getting to involved with the football side of things the better. Much better to have a united football department with a common goal than a fragmented one that appeared to be the case last year.

[Whispering_Jack 28,096]

I was a bit of a sceptic about Lyon at first but I think done a wonderful job. It isn't easy moving people aside, sacking others and then making the right appointments. There's going to be some criticism and some resentment but things have gone remarkably smoothly in what has realistically been a period of great upheaval within the ranks of the football club.

The big test of the work done will come at some time in the future but given where we've come from just 5½ months ago, I think both he and Don McLardy deserve great praise for their efforts in backing Jimmy to the hilt and giving us some hope for the immediate future.

[Roger Mellie 3,606]

Greg Healy would be a massive coup. MFC have been at him for a very long time but he's been too busy building a very successful business and good on him. I reckon there might be a bit more time before he can get back to the club. IMO there aren't many players who've achieved what has after footy (excluding media gimmes)

[dee-luded 2,958]

I was a bit of a sceptic about Lyon at first but I think done a wonderful job. It isn't easy moving people aside, sacking others and then making the right appointments. There's going to be some criticism and some resentment but things have gone remarkably smoothly in what has realistically been a period of great upheaval within the ranks of the football club.

The big test of the work done will come at some time in the future but given where we've come from just 5½ months ago, I think both he and Don McLardy deserve great praise for their efforts in backing Jimmy to the hilt and giving us some hope for the immediate future.

And I wonder IF this stepping aside, whist still in keeping with Lyons sentiments at the start, could also be a vote of confidence and support for Jimm'as improving wellbeing.

[Sir Why You Little 35,082]

Thanks Garry you have done a sterling job. He will still be in the background. I have no doubt. But bring on Greg Healy. One © to another ©.

[s-t-i-n-g-a 439]

Garry, thank you!

[Range Rover 1,935]

Massive props to Dollars Lyon for stepping in, taking the heat off Jim and making the tough calls.

I'm very confident we now have the right coach at the helm.

[Flemo56 389]

An excellent job done by a REAL DEMON, thx Mr Lyon

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

10 out of 10, Garry. The best post season we've had in memory. Thank you.

[rpfc 27,646]

Always thought he was the perfect consultant - cheap, loyal, passionate, knowledgeable, and a Demon.

But I am a little bit bemused by the "Craig reporting directly to the board" aspect.

Does this mean his position is dictated to by the board ie. he is at the same structural level as the CEO, or that he simply 'gives reports regularly' to the board?

And while I think that Neil Craig is going to be fantastic as an honest conduit to the board, what happens when the FD head is the problem?

I still prefer having a board member who: 1) Knows footy 2) Is a former passionate Demon 3) And has the time to get involved and have an ear for everyone that has the desire to talk to the board.

Is that Healy? It's not if the only person he talks to is Craig.

[Damo 3,030]

Some feedback/scuttlebutt after Baileys dismissal focussed on board members often being in the rooms and becoming very familiar with the players. Having Neil Craig being a conduit between the playing group and the board makes sure there is a seperation of duties. At least thats what I read into it.

[Robbie57 1,996]

Thank you and well done.

[savoydee 6]

Thank you and well done.

Totally concur

[Choko 493]

I was a bit of a sceptic about Lyon at first but I think done a wonderful job. It isn't easy moving people aside, sacking others and then making the right appointments. There's going to be some criticism and some resentment but things have gone remarkably smoothly in what has realistically been a period of great upheaval within the ranks of the football club.

The big test of the work done will come at some time in the future but given where we've come from just 5½ months ago, I think both he and Don McLardy deserve great praise for their efforts in backing Jimmy to the hilt and giving us some hope for the immediate future.

Couldn't agree more.

Garry actually delivered and gave what he had at a time of need for the footy club. All the while, he stayed true to his own principles about his media role and stepped away at the appropriate time.

He has clearly left a lasting impact on the club in engineering changes that have made us better.

[beelzebub 22,426]

A true Demon to the core,well done Garry. The clubs new feet are in no short measure a testament to your efforts. Thankyou.

[Guest melbman]

While I'll never know who did what in the last six months I do have to say it has been the most dynamic off season in the history of any AFL/VFL club in my memory (excluding new club starts)

Thanks Garry you have done a sterling job. He will still be in the background. I have no doubt. But bring on Greg Healy. One © to another ©.

Yeah, and this time the handover order would be reversed ;-)

[Allus Monk 568]

The people who will never be forgotten; the architects of Melbourne's 13th premiership:

Jim Stynes

Garry Lyon

Don McLardie

Mark Neeld

Quality men and true Demons. (Maybe a bit premature on Mark, but I'm optimistic!)

Edited January 18, 2012 by Allus Monk

[Guest Jackie]

Whilst I appreciate Gary's efforts, its been more of a healing process. Time will tell if we are heading in the right direction. What concerns me is do we really now have real leadership at the club? I still get confused as to who is running the club. One thing I that I find refreshing though is the lack of bull thats been coming out of the club as in the past. I don't miss the days when Dean Bailey's endless excuses and spin appeared on every media outlet just about every week. I like the way Mark Neeld has put his stamp on the FD and is keeping things tight and it is not a bad thing that persons linked to the failed regimes of the past have left.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Well done Garry and thank you for the rescue package over the past six months.

I am trying to work out who Garry "rescued" us from and if he was the "knight in shining armour" what does that say about those he replaced.

I think Greg Healy sounds like a good choice for President. I dont think there are any others. While an ailing Stynes will remain in the background he has more important issues than returning as President.

And its does seem somewhat murky with Garry and Jim having ex officio roles at the Club. I trust the new President will be given full reigns and support by the Board.

[daisycutter 28,704]

Well done Garry and thank you for the rescue package over the past six months.

I am trying to work out who Garry "rescued" us from and if he was the "knight in shining armour" what does that say about those he replaced.

I think Greg Healy sounds like a good choice for President. I dont think there are any others. While an ailing Stynes will remain in the background he has more important issues than returning as President.

And its does seem somewhat murky with Garry and Jim having ex officio roles at the Club. I trust the new President will be given full reigns and support by the Board.

Big call Rhino.

You must have read a later edition of the Hun than I did

[Dr. Gonzo 22,678]

Always thought he was the perfect consultant - cheap, loyal, passionate, knowledgeable, and a Demon.

But I am a little bit bemused by the "Craig reporting directly to the board" aspect.

Does this mean his position is dictated to by the board ie. he is at the same structural level as the CEO, or that he simply 'gives reports regularly' to the board?

And while I think that Neil Craig is going to be fantastic as an honest conduit to the board, what happens when the FD head is the problem?

I still prefer having a board member who: 1) Knows footy 2) Is a former passionate Demon 3) And has the time to get involved and have an ear for everyone that has the desire to talk to the board.

Is that Healy? It's not if the only person he talks to is Craig.

Isn't that basically what Connolly's job has been i.e. reporting to the board as a conduit between the FD and Front Office? He's gone quiet and they may have restructured this role somewhat but I'm not sure whether Connolly will be undertaking the same duties next year? From memory he was moved on (and maybe temporarily replaced by Lyon? My memory is a bit hazy now on all the comings and goings since 186.)

[Matt Demon 1,389]

Connolly has completely different role this year, I'm not exactly sure what his title is but he has nothing to do with the football department anymore.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Big call Rhino.

You must have read a later edition of the Hun than I did

I only look at the pictures in the Hun.

Oops on the Healy role. Good as a director I think we have a gap now in the President's role given Stynes health. I may have been thinking out loud on the Presidents role.

Given what Stynes has been through and still dealing with I would be surprised if he can continue effectively in the role. His past 12 months in the role have been compromised by his health. If he did step down I cant believe he would not seek to be involved.