A few thoughts - Cameron Schwab

[Cam Schwab 27]

As you know, I keep an eye on Demonland as part of maintaining a feel for what our people are talking about. I haven't posted for a while, so I thought it might be worth clarifying a few matters. We will have a more in depth interview up on www.melbournefc.com.au shortly which covers some of the same topics in a little more detail.

Second Major Sponsor: One thing I can say - I'm glad some of you guys aren't negotiating contracts on our behalf! We have explained the strategic importance of the sponsorship 'property' and we will do a deal when the deal is right, and by strategic we mean long term and having a significance beyond the revenue itself. We have locked away some very important deals over the last few years (in particular EnergyWatch) that now underpin our sponsorship revenue, and we have a number of contingencies from both a revenue and cost perspective in the event that we don't achieve our preferred outcome. We will not compromise the value by agreeing to a sub-optimal long term deal because of external or perceived time pressures. In the meantime, we proudly wear the Reach Logo on our jumpers.

Compensation Picks: We are required to make a call on the GWS Compensation Selections later this month. Tim Harrington and Todd Viney have put together some detailed analysis, which is fundamentally a trade off between current and future value of the selections, taking into account the fact that we have a Jack Viney father/son selection in 2012. I cannot pre-empt this decision, but what it does show is that the choices are very valuable and will play a key role in the next phase of our list development. Tim and Todd know their stuff and they are working closely with Mark Neeld and Neil Craig in particular to map out our direction.

Commencement Dinner: Surprised at some of the negativity. We received outstanding feedback on the night, which continued today. The evening is deliberately nostalgic, and will continue to be, as well as presenting the thoughts of our coach as a lead up to the season. We will never apologise for celebrating our heritage. As I said on the night:

- We will look back – for that gives us our identity

- We will focus on the now – for that is what our game demands

- We will look forward – for that is our responsibility.

The feedback from the players who received their blazers, modelled on the 1940's blazer worn by Harold Ball, was one of immense pride. This pride was beautifully articulated by Ron Barassi, Hassa Mann and John Beckwith. These videos by the way, were produced in-house by our new Digital Production man Jack McCowan who has captured the personalities and emotion of three legends. Unfortunately, the audio on the speeches is a bit rough.

I won't comment specifically on Liam Jurrah, I think this has been covered off in many forums. I will say, that we are confident in the support he has received in the time he has been at the club, and continues to receive, as he deals with a number of challenging and complex issues.

Finally, really pleased with how the football structure and personnel has come together. Capable, committed, directed and passionate, with clear standards and expectations that have been set very high. Importantly, they are loving our club.

I won't answer any specific questions as I better head home, its been a solid week, but just to let you know we do follow Demonland, enjoy the by-play, love the passion and we do take on thoughts and suggestions.

Cameron Schwab

[PartyTimeJohnny 533]

.......i think i just heard a few testicles retract around here.

Thanks Cam!

[jayceebee31 671]

Hi CS,

Thanks for coming on and expressing your thoughts regarding several matters.However, at the AGM, you did state that you were hopeful in announcing a second sponsor by the commencement of the 1st round proper.Please advise, if this is the case or other factors have come into play since.Further to this, if indeed we don't find a suitable sponsor by then,has there been any thought to having the Bentleigh club mentioned on the front of our jumper/ along with Reach?

In other words, we show sponsorship to them.

[Yossarian 1,808]

Hi CS,

Thanks for coming on and expressing your thoughts regarding several matters.However, at the AGM, you did state that you were hopeful in announcing a second sponsor by the commencement of the 1st round proper.Please advise, if this is the case or other factors have come I to play since.Please advise.

Talks about it in the new video on DeeTV.

Cheers for the comments Cam.

[old dee 22,952]

Thanks for the comments CS

do not agree with some of your comments but I do not get paid to make them you do

So good luck in 2012

PS can you please get a red colour that is not Maroon or has a pink tinge

[old dee 22,952]

.......i think i just heard a few testicles retract around here.

Thanks Cam!

Why?

[demon3165 2,012]

Hey Cam thanks for this update hopefully some posters will now shut the hell up and let the club get on with it's agenda, it has become a bore reading the same posters saying the same damm thing over and over again.

[DemonWA 3,510]

thanks for the input Cameron.

[old dee 22,952]

Hey Cam thanks for this update hopefully some posters will now shut the hell up and let the club get on with it's agenda, it has become a bore reading the same posters saying the same damm thing over and over again.

I really hope that you don't think CS changes his direction based on what people say here

Or do you?

[Jaded No More 58,687]

Great work, and thank you for taking the time to answer some burning topics.

I'm glad that for once we are in a financial position which allows us to pick an choose the best possible sponsorship deal for us.

This place is a mind-field of crap most days, but one thing it doesn't lack, is passion.

We all love this club more than is probably good for us, and everybody expresses that love differently. Some of us love blindly and unconditionally (and are hurt often), others are occasional wife-beaters (Australia says no, people!).

Whichever side you fall on, nobody here is completely rational, because love isn't rational.

As for the blazers, anything that makes us more on trend and fashionable is approved by me. Now please make replicas available for sale, for women, so I can buy one. Thanks!

[dee-luded 2,958]

Thanks for the Input Cam.

I'd like to say I'm Rapt with the work the Club is putting in to change our course to success.

The Footy Dept' etc.

.

cheers, from Van DemonsLand...

[Jack7 463]

I love the new blazer,it oozes tradition & heritage,sure someone could knock up a more contempory style but it wouldn't stand for anything.

I also love the new direction the club is heading in and from 12 months ago to now,WOW,light years.

The AFL wheel is always turning and before too long,we'll be top 4 again.

GO DEES.

[Rod Grinter Riot Squad 5,636]

Thanks for the post Cam.

I'm interested though, why did you almost lose your job last year and what changes have you made in your managerial style since then (if any)?

[bing181 8,204]

Thanks for the post Cam.

I'm interested though, why did you almost lose your job last year and what changes have you made in your managerial style since then (if any)?

A man with a sense of humor ...

[Tricky 337]

Thanks for taking the time to touch base here.

Anyone else feel that "Rookie Demon" is somewhat of an understatement?

[Tricky 337]

This place is a mind-field of crap most days, but one thing it doesn't lack, is passion.

A tempting signature quote...

[Jack Jack 415]

Thanks for taking the time to touch base here.

Anyone else feel that "Rookie Demon" is somewhat of an understatement?

I motion we change it to "Like a Boss!"

[Red and Bluebeard 2,044]

Thanks, Cam. Always good to hear from those in the know.

[demon3165 2,012]

I really hope that you don't think CS changes his direction based on what people say here

Or do you?

No, just making a point that some posters keep going on and on with the same conversations over and over with out knowing any facts.

[DemonMuzza 16]

Thankyou Cameron!!! When I tweeted you and asked you to stop the negativity here about the sponsor I didnt really think you would nor did i expect that if you did it would be on the forums here and with such a strong statement.

[Diablo Deemon 220]

Re: blazers

When I first saw them I wasn't sold. I instantly thought that it reaffirmed all those negative stereotypes regarding our club.

Then I watched John Beckwith, Hassa Mann and RDB.

It contextualised the blazer they gave it meaning they brought it to life. Particularly John Beckwith and his association with Harold Ball.

The emotion, reverance and respect these guys showed the blazer it simply illustrated why it's so important this be a rekindled tradition.

We are so lucky to have these heroes. I now know the reverance and respect the blazer deserves thanks very much.

Can we please interview them more I find their stories to be utterly fascinating.

Thanks to DeeTV when I watch those interviews I want the world to know this is why I'm a demon.

[Burnsy 32]

One thing I can say - I'm glad some of you guys aren't negotiating contracts on our behalf!

Cameron Schwab

You should also be thankful that many of the posters here are actually being held in state care facilities, strapped to beds and muzzled, using speech recognition software to post their comments.

Ignore the negativity Cam, there's always a whinging and churlish minority of muck throwers in clubs, it's a sign of frustration and ignorance. The club should give them each a large flogger and send them to the cheer squad so they can release their anger by 'flogging' in a manner that assists the club.

The next time someone criticises Melbourne for being posh or privileged, have a good look at them, the are more than likely a loser in real life and jealous of our heritage and prestige. Pity them, pat them on the shoulder and buy them a Pimms n' lemonade with a sprig of fresh mint.

[hardtack 10,127]

Thankyou Cameron!!! When I tweeted you and asked you to stop the negativity here about the sponsor I didnt really think you would nor did i expect that if you did it would be on the forums here and with such a strong statement.

I think you might find it was because of the numbers of people tweeting about the same thing... Cam eventually relented due to weight of numbers :-)

[Sir Why You Little 34,708]

You should also be thankful that many of the posters here are actually being held in state care facilities, strapped to beds and muzzled, using speech recognition software to post their comments.

what a great visual that is. And probably quite True!!

Hahaha!

[hardtack 10,127]

what a great visual that is. And probably quite True!!

Hahaha!

For some reason I had a vision of Hannibal Lecter.