No-one is claiming he's gonna save the club though, are they? It's about having the biggest personality in footy encouraging some support for the cause, after losing a major sponsor through what he described as "no fault of their own".

Anyway after all this Ed defense I need to go shower.

I suspect that deep down some within the footy world might be a little jealous of our boy Jim getting the magnificent recognition and send off that he did. Don't fool yourselves, Acker may not be alone in this. Watch your back Demons....watch your back.

LOL. Now that's paranoia for you!

I just want us to survive. I don't care about the means to that end.

I would rather eat a hefty serving of humble pie than die. You know what they say about pride? Muppets lol!

Well if you are prepared to bend over and take it good luck to you. I prefer a bit of pride.

No-one is claiming he's gonna save the club though, are they? It's about having the biggest personality in footy encouraging some support for the cause, after losing a major sponsor through what he described as "no fault of their own".

Anyway after all this Ed defense I need to go shower.

He's not doing anything to help our cause.

The need for a new sponsor has already been well publicised by the heavy media focus on the EnergyWatch saga.

Eddie hasn't brought attention to something that no one is aware of - he has merely found a way to get his name associated with a situation everyone is already talking about.

LOL. Now that's paranoia for you!

Wholeheartedly agreed!

Well if you are prepared to bend over and take it good luck to you. I prefer a bit of pride.

"It's better to die on your feet than to live on your knees" M. Oil.

LOL. Now that's paranoia for you!

You better believe it. This is a kill or be killed business....both on and off the field.

Only the strong will survive and prosper

Eddie can get stuffed.

If the present CEO and board can't fix this mess pronto, spill them and get some people in there who have the ability to get the job done and done properly.

Edited April 9, 201213 yr by Range Rover

Surely with the clout and connections of the current administration, they would already have a relationship with someone like Harold Mitchell.

With all due respect to Eddie, we don't need him coming out on his show, and first story off the top acting like some kind of saviour of the MFC.

I won't completely shoot Eddie down because as much as he is all about his own club, he also has a very good sense and respect about the history of the game.

And with all the kicks the club has taken over the past few months, he may genuinely feel like he is doing the right thing.

Don't discount the Jimmy factor either..................he may simply want to lend a hand out of respect for the great man, and not see any of his great work undone.

I personally don't have a problem if the club gets a few leads or opportunities referred to it from Eddie, provided it doesn't come out in the media that he has saved the MFC.

I would hate to see the magnificent work, commitments, and financial contributions of the foundation heroes all of a sudden come undone because of the whole Energy Watch debacle..................we don't want to go into debt again, and doing so would give the impression all of that great work 3-5 years down the track counted for nothing!

Anyone care to explain how this is "an AFL matter"? I laughed at someones comments that the AFL should subsidise us for loss of sponsorship income from the Energy Watch fiasco.

It would be very disappointing if Eddie and his mates somehow organised a million dollar sponsor within a week. Fact is, we're $2m a year down on what no doubt was budgeted due to Energy Watch's deal. If we can get 2 companies to offer $1m each for the next 12 months, it would have to be considered.

Bu what if we 'are incapable of doing the business ourselves'? That may be the case no matter how competent we ourselves are, so where'e the insult?

Then we should wind the club up.

If Eddie has to come in and get sponsors for us then what the hell are we paying Cameron Schwab for?

Then we should wind the club up.

If Eddie has to come in and get sponsors for us then what the hell are we paying Cameron Schwab for?

Spot On. We have to fix this. If Eddie puts his hands all over this club i will have trouble buying a membership next year.

We employ our own people.

You're fighting a losing battle here Sue...the populist view on Demonland says that if Eddie's involved, then regardless of what it is, he cannot be trusted. I'm with you on this as our present circumstances are exceptional and unfortunately we are in no position to pick and choose. So rather than put our pride ahead of an almost certain fall, why not hear him out.

Not to pick on you specifically hardtack but what is exceptional is the fact that our club has failed to sign a FOJ sponsor 2 rounds into the season and thinking that signing EnergyWatch was enough work and had bought us some time. The mismanagement of this club under Schwab's watch is astounding. No-one can blame him for the unforeseen circumstances with the comments coming to light the other day of Polis. We can argue that he should have done his homework (or his job) and made sure that EW was a sustainable sponsor but no-one can blame him for signing a close to $2M deal. What we can blame him for is not signing a FOJ sponsor yet and arrogantly believing that the size of the EW deal meant that we could afford to be picky and bide our time. Well that arrogance has turned into hubris because now with the EW mess we are left with no major sponsors two rounds into a season. For a professional club this is a joke.

I think the hard questions need to be asked about Schwab and what he has achieved in his time at the club;

- the move to AAMI Park was set up by the prior admin

- the Debt Demolition was spearheaded by Stynes and successful due to Stynes' connections and respect amongst the MFC and the wider community

- Kaspersky was sought out by a fan to sponsor us

- Hankook was run by a long time MFC supporter and apparent long time benefactor of the club

- despite the ties of these two sponsors they both have left on less than perfect terms

- the club spent $80k (more?) on the "Andrews Report" which was then shelved and ignored

- Schwab stuck his nose into the FD too much and put the FD off-side

- his apparent sacking and reinstatement around 186

- his apparent lack of homework on EW (repeated previous business failures and debts owing by Polis)

- his inability to sign a second sponsor

- failure to have a head recruiter in place after Prendergast left to go to Carlton

I'll grant that under his watch we have dramatically increased the FD spending but this would have been greatly contributed to by the Debt Demolition and the AFL's disequal funding.

So as you can see it is not purely the EW issue which is why Schwab is under the pump it is all the other factors which have combined to create a "perfect storm" for him - the EW issue just brought it to a head. I don't think he should be sacked this minute but unless he can pull two significant major sponsors out in the next 6 weeks I can't see how his contract could possibly be extended.

If you read BF (and lets face it a lot of it is rubbish but there is some good stuff there) the Freo supporters were absolutely single-minded in their belief that Schwab (and Connolly) stuffed their club while they were. Many will defend him now because of the fact he is an MFC employee but guys like Craig Cameron, Barry Prendergast and even Szondy and Gardiner were supported at the time as well. It was only after they left that people began to realise "hang on these guys actually haven't been doing what we were paying them for."

EDIT - I sincerely hope this post is not deleted in a vain effort to stifle discussion about a serious issue. I accept we shouldn't have outright bagging of MFC players and employees but critical discussion should be something that is important in regards to ALL aspects of our club.

Edited April 9, 201213 yr by Dr. Gonzo

Not to pick on you specifically hardtack but what is exceptional is the fact that our club has failed to sign a FOJ sponsor 2 rounds into the season and thinking that signing EnergyWatch was enough work and had bought us some time. The mismanagement of this club under Schwab's watch is astounding. No-one can blame him for the unforeseen circumstances with the comments coming to light the other day of Polis. We can argue that he should have done his homework (or his job) and made sure that EW was a sustainable sponsor but no-one can blame him for signing a close to $2M deal. What we can blame him for is not signing a FOJ sponsor yet and arrogantly believing that the size of the EW deal meant that we could afford to be picky and bide our time. Well that arrogance has turned into hubris because now with the EW mess we are left with no major sponsors two rounds into a season. For a professional club this is a joke.

I think the hard questions need to be asked about Schwab and what he has achieved in his time at the club;

- the move to AAMI Park was set up by the prior admin

- the Debt Demolition was spearheaded by Stynes and successful due to Stynes' connections and respect amongst the MFC and the wider community

- Kaspersky was sought out by a fan to sponsor us

- Hankook was run by a long time MFC supporter and apparent long time benefactor of the club

- despite the ties of these two sponsors they both have left on less than perfect terms

- the club spent $80k (more?) on the "Andrews Report" which was then shelved and ignored

- Schwab stuck his nose into the FD too much and put the FD off-side

- his apparent sacking and reinstatement around 186

- his apparent lack of homework on EW (repeated previous business failures and debts owing by Polis)

- his inability to sign a second sponsor

- failure to have a head recruiter in place after Prendergast left to go to Carlton

I'll grant that under his watch we have dramatically increased the FD spending but this would have been greatly contributed to by the Debt Demolition and the AFL's disequal funding.

So as you can see it is not purely the EW issue which is why Schwab is under the pump it is all the other factors which have combined to create a "perfect storm" for him - the EW issue just brought it to a head. I don't think he should be sacked this minute but unless he can pull two significant major sponsors out in the next 6 weeks I can't see how his contract could possibly be extended.

If you read BF (and lets face it a lot of it is rubbish but there is some good stuff there) the Freo supporters were absolutely single-minded in their belief that Schwab (and Connolly) stuffed their club while they were. Many will defend him now because of the fact he is an MFC employee but guys like Craig Cameron, Barry Prendergast and even Szondy and Gardiner were supported at the time as well. It was only after they left that people began to realise "hang on these guys actually haven't been doing what we were paying them for."

EDIT - I sincerely hope this post is not deleted in a vain effort to stifle discussion about a serious issue. I accept we shouldn't have outright bagging of MFC players and employees but critical discussion should be something that is important in regards to ALL aspects of our club.

Can't argue the above. It hurts but it is what is on the table.

Where is that Andrews Report?

Can't argue the above. It hurts but it is what is on the table.

Where is that Andrews Report?

I'm sure the club have the report.

What exactly do you expect them to do with it?

Make it available to the public?

Not to pick on you specifically hardtack but what is exceptional is the fact that our club has failed to sign a FOJ sponsor 2 rounds into the season and thinking that signing EnergyWatch was enough work and had bought us some time. The mismanagement of this club under Schwab's watch is astounding. No-one can blame him for the unforeseen circumstances with the comments coming to light the other day of Polis. We can argue that he should have done his homework (or his job) and made sure that EW was a sustainable sponsor but no-one can blame him for signing a close to $2M deal. What we can blame him for is not signing a FOJ sponsor yet and arrogantly believing that the size of the EW deal meant that we could afford to be picky and bide our time. Well that arrogance has turned into hubris because now with the EW mess we are left with no major sponsors two rounds into a season. For a professional club this is a joke.

I think the hard questions need to be asked about Schwab and what he has achieved in his time at the club;

- the move to AAMI Park was set up by the prior admin

- the Debt Demolition was spearheaded by Stynes and successful due to Stynes' connections and respect amongst the MFC and the wider community

- Kaspersky was sought out by a fan to sponsor us

- Hankook was run by a long time MFC supporter and apparent long time benefactor of the club

- despite the ties of these two sponsors they both have left on less than perfect terms

- the club spent $80k (more?) on the "Andrews Report" which was then shelved and ignored

- Schwab stuck his nose into the FD too much and put the FD off-side

- his apparent sacking and reinstatement around 186

- his apparent lack of homework on EW (repeated previous business failures and debts owing by Polis)

- his inability to sign a second sponsor

- failure to have a head recruiter in place after Prendergast left to go to Carlton

I'll grant that under his watch we have dramatically increased the FD spending but this would have been greatly contributed to by the Debt Demolition and the AFL's disequal funding.

So as you can see it is not purely the EW issue which is why Schwab is under the pump it is all the other factors which have combined to create a "perfect storm" for him - the EW issue just brought it to a head. I don't think he should be sacked this minute but unless he can pull two significant major sponsors out in the next 6 weeks I can't see how his contract could possibly be extended.

If you read BF (and lets face it a lot of it is rubbish but there is some good stuff there) the Freo supporters were absolutely single-minded in their belief that Schwab (and Connolly) stuffed their club while they were. Many will defend him now because of the fact he is an MFC employee but guys like Craig Cameron, Barry Prendergast and even Szondy and Gardiner were supported at the time as well. It was only after they left that people began to realise "hang on these guys actually haven't been doing what we were paying them for."

EDIT - I sincerely hope this post is not deleted in a vain effort to stifle discussion about a serious issue. I accept we shouldn't have outright bagging of MFC players and employees but critical discussion should be something that is important in regards to ALL aspects of our club.

Great post mate. It was what I wanted to say in two threads although fear of it being removed stopped me. Well said, serious issues and time will tell but Schwab is in a spot of bother one would think. I have also heard the freo members saying he's a club wrecker.

@Jose Murinho They could act on it's recommendations - or at least let us know why they thought it was worth spending $100K on it and then ignoring it.

Edited April 9, 201213 yr by Dr. Gonzo

I think Eddie's pro-Melbourne sentiment yesterday is more indicative of good PR than it is of good ol' patrionising Eddie just making a mockery of the club. I think after some particular anti-Melbourne rhetoric ("This isn't Melbourne where you can just come in and take out players"), Collingwood media team probably told him to tone down the patrionising negativity towards the club.

I believe he's genuine. I don't think anyone likes seeing this club being consistently awful.

Eddie is the pies PR .

Only a few short weeks ago he was threatening to cripple us by taking our sponsors ,taking the QB game off us , talking Demetriou into giving us less money etc.

If what you say is true , none of that would've happened.

Then he undermines the club and nabs Jurrah for the scoop.

When Jimmy died , there he was front and centre spruiking about he and Jim could get the QB game as big as it was back in the days.

Eddies a [censored] , like all journos , any which way the wind blows for a headline.

I'm sure the club have the report.

What exactly do you expect them to do with it?

Make it available to the public?

Would be nice to read some of it....it won't happen, but the alternatives have been brilliant haven't they

Speaking of Knobs , hows Grant Thomas's form on FC tonight.

Dancing around Carro's interrogation about the Misfud saga.

Refused to admit he'd made a monumental buck up by throwing his mate in the shite.

You're fighting a losing battle here Sue...the populist view on Demonland says that if Eddie's involved, then regardless of what it is, he cannot be trusted. I'm with you on this as our present circumstances are exceptional and unfortunately we are in no position to pick and choose. So rather than put our pride ahead of an almost certain fall, why not hear him out.

You are exactly correct - I do not understand the paranoia here - any assistance from a wider pool of contacts can only be positive - fair dinkum, we have bigger issues that worrying about Eddie's motives

we have bigger issues that worrying about Eddie's motives

not sure about that...

@Jose Murinho They could act on it's recommendations - or at least let us know why they thought it was worth spending $100K on it and then ignoring it.

Where have you been?

Have you not noticed the wholesale changes to the football dept?

What evidence do you have of how much it cost or that is has been ignored?

Would be nice to read some of it....it won't happen, but the alternatives have been brilliant haven't they

Just because we don't understand the impact of that report yet, does not mean it hasn't had a valuable one.

The club will never make the contents available for public consumption, nor should they.

Edited April 10, 201213 yr by Jose Murinho

Speaking of Knobs , hows Grant Thomas's form on FC tonight.

Dancing around Carro's interrogation about the Misfud saga.

Refused to admit he'd made a monumental buck up by throwing his mate in the shite.

That's not the issue at all, and Caro is being mischievous.

The issue is that either:

- Mifsud made it up and was knowingly spreading lies about Neeld;

- or that he breached the confidence of a player (whether they were lying about telling him that, or there was an honest miscommunication).

So lies, or breaching a player's confidence in a highly sensitive issue.

And not just once to Grant Thomas, but also to Caroline Wilson and others.

Thomas is not at fault here - he just made public something that was already common knowledge among the AFL fraternity BECAUSE OF MIFSUD.