AFL Employee leaked info about indigenous players

[Buzzy 992]

Mifsud. What a bloke. Why would anyone involved in footy ever risk having a conversation with this shifty rat again.

[Little Goffy 14,546]

All this Brotherhood and indigenous stuff should be dropped and expunged from the game. Is only causing apartness as in Aparthied. What's wrong with just bein plain old Australian Citizens and one all and all for one?

I think you've not quite grasped the substance of Apartheid. To the point of being just a little offensive. Unless you are being 'ironic'. Which seems possible given how drastically idiotic it is to compare 'people being part of a close-knit community' to 'a system of law that specifically assigns different levels of rights to different groups based on skin colour, and restricts the employment, social services, and movement of persons considered to be of lower racial status'

Also, I think your idea of being 'Australian Citizens' to the exclusion of deep community ties is kind of a stinker. I'd reckon the 'brotherhood and indigenous stuff' will be happily dropped... about the same time the Catholic School System is spontaneously abandoned, eh?

Meanwhile... I guess it wasn't Davey...

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/tabid/7415/default.aspx?newsid=132221

[RalphiusMaximus 6,053]

I'm amazed that nobody else has put the pieces together. If it is true that the leak was a former player at the club, then really there is only one possible candidate. Who else has publicly slandered the club, lied to the media and proven his lack of integrity?

Tom Scully!

[nutbean 8,838]

I'm amazed that nobody else has put the pieces together. If it is true that the leak was a former player at the club, then really there is only one possible candidate. Who else has publicly slandered the club, lied to the media and proven his lack of integrity?

Tom Scully!

How could you slander one of your own - I still reckon Scully is staying

[Striker475 696]

How could you slander one of your own - I still reckon Scully is staying

well done

[dee-luded 2,959]

Wow so Davey got named. I wonder where Gerard got that from because he seems to be a pretty smart sports journo and im disappointed he went with this . I see Davey's statement so I have no reason to doubt him. But now if he does get dropped this week because of last weeks poor performance people will still talk.

Its probably a good thing we are playing in Perth in the sense at least we get the team and Neeld out of the state. Just hope this gets sorted. Glad Jim isnt here to see this unravelling.

It's not unraveling, not the way I see it.. But is an opportunity for the club to take back what is Its domain.

The club should be BossDog, not the tail as boss. The players have been allowed to rule without much commitment for a long time. Not since Flower or Jimma or Wight, Matty Whelan, Neita, Schwartz, have I seen players risk their bodies on a regular basis for the Jumper. Apologies to some I've missed.

Where are the passionate players who'll throw their bodies in. The ones that love the club & love the game & love to win?

[deemad 2]

Someone has made a nasty bed of nails for themselves...but will they lay on it ?

[pitchfork 181]

If Davey did actually do it - and I'm inclined to fully believe him that he didn't - than I don't see why Mifsud would or should out him. Mifsud is not a journalist, he shouldn't be in the business of having 'sources'. If someone did have a private convo with Mifsud, they are not a 'source'. The only source in this instance is Mifsud for Thomas.

If a government staffer makes a leak unbeknownst to the government (as opposed to tactical leaks) and they are found out they will be fired. I find it difficult to believe Mifsud took part in a tactical leak

[Longsufferingnomore 1,631]

If Rioli is tweeting what the rest of the indigenous boys are thinking then Mifsud's job is now untenable. He is supposed to be representing the aboriginal footballing community and one of their own has now come out to say that he cannot be trusted. Vlad's double standards again.

Thomas has come out lightly on this. If Caro and Patrick Smith can do due diligence why can't Thomas because he is not a journalist but a stirrer.

Something is not quite right here. Thomas timing is impeccable. We have a disastrous start. lets get stuck into MFC. Has Thomas been sitting on this information whilst Caro and Smith knew weeks ago. Did the AFL know and only now the proverbial has hit wind has chastised Mifsud. (Rendall all over again.)

I actually commented on Saturday during the first quarter that Aaron looked like he had regained some of his speed. With all this going on in the background it is a wonder that we even saw that albeit fleeting. How would Neeld have been feeling. If Davey did not make the assertion and there is no past player then the Club must force the issue. Otherwise it is not only the players that are lying down.

Unfortunately, this year we are going to be the bunnies as far as the journo's are concerned. Hopefully the Club will take a stand.

[Range Rover 1,935]

From Mark Robinson's article today's Hun ...

Asked yesterday why the source had fabricated the story, Mifsud said, "It was a number of weeks ago now and it was in a broader context as to where he's at within his current life, the demands that have been elevated at the Melbourne Football Club and a whole range of other personal circumstances which I'm not going to go into".

Further from Mifsud ... "I was very clear in what he (the unnamed player) was saying but subsequently he is now denying".

So ... Mifsud has made it abundantly clear he was fed this lie by a player at the Melbourne Football Club, a player peeved at the "elevated demands" that have now been put to the players. Nice choice of words.

Don't expect the player in question to come clean with a mea culpa anytime soon. He clearly has the spine of an octopus.

At least we are getting a little closer to understanding why the blight of 186 occurred.

Edited April 3, 2012 by Range Rover

[Sir Why You Little 37,038]

From Mark Robinson's article today's Hun ...

Asked yesterday why the source had fabricated the story, Mifsud said, "It was a number of weeks ago now and it was in a broader context as to where he's at within his current life, the demands that have been elevated at the Melbourne Football Club and a whole range of other personal circumstances which I'm not going to go into".

Further from Mifsud ... "I was very clear in what he (the unnamed player) was saying but subsequently he is now denying".

So ... Mifsud has made it abundantly clear he was fed this lie by a player at the Melbourne Football Club, a player peeved at the "elevated demands" that have now been put to the players. Nice choice of words.

Don't expect the player in question to come clean with a mea culpa anytime soon. He clearly has the spine of an octopus.

This has to be cleaned up by tomorrow....

[monoccular 17,429]

How could this MIfsud character keep his job? Unless he comes clean on his source or else Vlad steps in and tells us the truth then this stench will blight this club for a long time.

The stench is not blighting the club: it is the duplicity and weasel words coming out of Vlad's mouth that stink, and are blighting the AFL brand.

All his repeated talk about "integrity" is clearly just hot air. He wouldn't know integrity if it hit him in the face.

[monoccular 17,429]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/opinion/a-decent-man-is-trashed-by-line-of-nongs-and-buffoons/story-e6frg7uo-1226317969028

Sorry, can do the link thing on my iPad.

Patrick Smith is surelybwalking on pretty shaky ground here, basically calling Davey a liar.

I sincerely hope the club is taking high level legal advice here.

The coach has been slandered by Thomas, and by a senior AFL official. Davey has been slandered here by Smith.

If we just lie down and take it it will be the MFC who is the big loser; never to be taken seriously again. All the pain and hard work of the last 6-7 months will have been for nought.

[Fitz Fitzpatrick 886]

Back to the topic - will be interesting to see what follow up, if any, there is from the MFC on this. We shouldn't just let this slide, we should force the issue and let it be known that we don't take too kindly to our coach and players (Davey in this case) being slandered by rumour, innuendo or inference.

On top of this we should force the issue regarding Mifsud's role - if he felt there were problems with how MFC/Neeld were conducting ourselves surely the right thing to do as a Community Engagement Officer would be to call a meeting with the club and discuss it or at least make a phone call instead of leaking to the tabloid reporters to wage his war through the media. How can the AFL expect the clubs to take their employees seriously if they let rubbish like this go unpunished?

We all slam Eddie at every chance but the fact is the guy doesnt pull any punches. If anybody wants to $* with him or collingwood they know they better come lawyered up. I know it could be a distraction at this pivotal time for the MFC but gee a fair part of me would love to see Neeld grab Thomas and Mifsud by the ears and drag them through the courts. A big loud statement that says " Dont F*#* with the MFC .that games over.

[monoccular 17,429]

We all slam Eddie at every chance but the fact is the guy doesnt pull any punches. If anybody wants to &#$* with him or collingwood they know they better come lawyered up. I know it could be a distraction at this pivotal time for the MFC but gee a fair part of me would love to see Neeld grab Thomas and Mifsud by the ears and drag them through the courts. A big loud statement that says " Dont F*#* with the MFC .that games over.

Exactly my point.

IF MFC takes this lying down, the brand is trashed. A serendipitous opportunity to make a very big statement. Sure a distraction, but definitely a defining moment.

[jackaub 1,402]

Well said BTdemon. A few apologies owed to Davey by a those on this thread who didn't wait for the facts.

What are the facts?All i know

is somene is lying either Mifsud or the MFC source

When that fact is established then the lier should be sacked and condemned. The only fact is that Demetriou and theAFL look like the tools the always have been

What a bunch of self interested a..e covers they are

MFC and Neeld should sue!

[Demon SeaMan 108]

ThomAs is a two bit journalist and similarly as coach. Double standards definitely exist in the AFL and to be honest I still maintain Demetriou has to come under some fire if h doesn't put the screws into Mifsud. The capitalist regime they are suits the corporate world to a tee and what they do is not unlike a political party

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Exactly my point.

IF MFC takes this lying down, the brand is trashed. A serendipitous opportunity to make a very big statement. Sure a distraction, but definitely a defining moment.

Would a cheap headline grabbing press release be that defining moment?

This is another issue which just derails the club. MFC needs to move on a prepare for Saturday.

Neeld should consider his legal rights on Thomas and Mifsud. If it wasnt on the wane after Saturday, Davey stocks at MFC have been damaged over the past 2 days. I reckon he will be picked for Perth and better play a blinder!

[Yossarian 1,820]

http://www.blayneychronicle.com.au/news/national/national/sport/davey-at-centre-of-storm/2510952.aspx

Caroline Wilson still claiming Davey is the source even after his statement, Cam Schwab disagrees. Unusual how she glosses over how she new about the story in advance.

Never a dull moment as a Dees supporter.

[Webber 10,468]

If you think about it logically, if it's been around a few weeks, going back through the timeline... it would be around the time of the Jurrah incident in Yuendumu.

Now, I know Jurrah can speak english and it would've improved exponentially since being in Melbourne, but I think it's very possible something has been lost in translation during discussions with Mifsud as part of his role, and this is the culmination of that.

No malicious intent, but some very damaging rumours have been spread.

My question is: why the hell has Grant Thomas been involved in this rumour-mongering?

THAT is why I think Mifsud should go.

I'm not saying it was Jurrah, but surely someone around that situation.

It's the right timing, the right club.

Maybe something Eddie overheard during his "interview"?

The reason Grant Thomas is involved is because he has 'narcissistic personality disorder', the same kind that Jason Akermanis has. Call it the 'look at me' syndrome, or the 'my worth is greater than anybody I know' pathology. They have an unrepentant need to create attention for themselves, and thus lose a rational perspective as to the value of their opinions. They are also unable to see the truth behind the fact that nobody wants to work with them, believing that their brilliance is just misunderstood. Of course, their self obsessive rantings retain great controversy value, which is why garbage media will always give them a voice. In a perfect world they would be ignored, but we know a perfect world would've seen the dees deliver a 10 goal thumping on Saturday.

[rpfc 28,433]

http://www.blayneych...rm/2510952.aspx

Caroline Wilson still claiming Davey is the source even after his statement, Cam Schwab disagrees. Unusual how she glosses over how she new about the story in advance.

Never a dull moment as a Dees supporter.

Caro is the only hero in this story.

She heard the rumour and called us up, called Davey up and asked - WTF?

She's the only journalist in this story.

[Whispering_Jack 30,140]

Davey stocks at MFC have been damaged over the past 2 days. I reckon he will be picked for Perth and better play a blinder!

I don't think he will be selected. His form doesn't warrant selection and it's clear now that he's distracted by other issues.

He needs to find form at Casey and that's where I think he should be playing this weekend, if at all.

[rpfc 28,433]

The AFL stands by Mifsud.

The MFC stands by Davey.

Who lied?

They obviously talked about the new regime at the footy club.

Did Aaron embellish or use dramatic licence in that meeting?

Or did Mifsud during the subsequent meeting of the executive? Did he want to impress the higher ups with his inside knowledge of The State of Indigenous Life in the AFL?

Now this is not new for me - but I am going to believe the MFC. One of our players is under attack because our coach was thrown under a bus at a recent AFL Executive meeting. The MFC is under attack.

I believe in Aaron.

[old dee 23,791]

Caro is the only hero in this story.

She heard the rumour and called us up, called Davey up and asked - WTF?

She's the only journalist in this story.

You have my vote for the little it is worth.

I got up this morning and the first thing that occured to me was

"here we go again I will just ignore the whole AFL world it is too painful"

But here I am reading it all again.

Perhaps I am just mentally deficient, no I must be.

A sane person would pack his tent and move on.

[rpfc 28,433]

A sane person would pack his tent and move on.

If sanity means no MFC, then I am happy being insane.

What did Oscar Wilde say about 'bitter trials?'

We seem to be stuck in mud at the moment but we will find our way out, clean ourselves off, and fight like hell to stay out of it.