Rats In The Ranks ... On The Couch attack was 'staged'

[John Crow Batty 8,879]

I put it to you that a number of players who were agitating for Schwab's dismissal a couple of years ago (Jared Rivers I know was one of them), have orchestrated a penalty-free way of throwing shite at those administrators who were (and perhaps still are) interfering with on-field matters.

Neeld will remain; the Melbourne Football Club will grow strong, and everyone else can just eat _shit_ and die.

Perhaps there is some reverse tanking going on. Not for drafts but to remove someone. The bombers are a prime recent example.

[Range Rover 1,935]

I think that if any conspiracy exists, it has been initiated by people who support Neeld and want to get the old administration out of the club. Everyone knows that the AFL will never admit that tanking exists, because of the inevitable blowback that would occur.

I put it to you that a number of players who were agitating for Schwab's dismissal a couple of years ago (Jared Rivers I know was one of them), have orchestrated a penalty-free way of throwing shite at those administrators who were (and perhaps still are) interfering with on-field matters.

This cohort of dissatisfied MFC loyalists have used On the Couch as a decidedly public forum to attack the existing members of the administration, in an attempt to once and for all eradicate the last vestiges of the amateur culture that has pervaded this club for nigh on fifty years.

I'm willing to bet that the AFL will not impose any sanctions, that Neeld will not be fired, and that the current CEO and President will both be sacked.

We will finish either second last or third last, and pick up a number of hard-working, mature, disciplined players. We will overturn our list and board, and finally remove every soft, amateur mind from the bowels of our great club.

Neeld will remain; the Melbourne Football Club will grow strong, and everyone else can just eat _shit_ and die.

Why would you even suggest the possibility of Neeld being fired. This isn't his gunfight.

And you're looking in the wrong place for the perps. No player is going to play around with this stick of dynamite, unless of course they've got nothing or very little to lose (ie. they know they won't be at the club next year or are destined to languish at Casey for the rest of their sure-to-be-final contract).

[Range Rover 1,935]

Perhaps there is some reverse tanking going on. Not for drafts but to remove someone. The bombers are a prime recent example.

The word 'selfish' doesn't begin to describe an act which puts in jeopardy the future of the football club.

The 'patriots' involved should hang their heads in shame. They are a disgrace to the jumper.

[John Crow Batty 8,879]

The word 'selfish' doesn't begin to describe an act which puts in jeopardy the future of the football club.

The 'patriots' involved should hang their heads in shame. They are a disgrace to the jumper.

Rats shall inherit the Earth.

[Range Rover 1,935]

Rats shall inherit the Earth.

No, that's the meek.

Rats live out their miserable days hiding in the shadows of the gutter.

[Jerry Lundergard 420]

Whan i was flicking between the Olympics and OTC on Monday night and heard that Brock was coming up next, I immediately thought "Uh-oh, Brock is going to talk about tanking", he didn't let me down. Clearly by the guests the usually have on the show(AFL coaches, or the games superstar players), that this was a sting.

The reasons why are a little muddier.

The simplistic view would be that it is clearly a ratings grab for the show, however, because my mind goes to cynical places I have come up with my own pelican brief.

This event was actually set up by the AFL themselves in cohorts with OTC. Why?

The first week of the Olympics have just arrived while Andrew is away, and instead of the airwaves and other media being dominated by the games, media watchers will have the AFL once again way ahead with a derived scandal driving proceedings.

The AFL will investigate the tanking and find nothing conclusive, after all, the only one who is the link to the board is Bailey, and he had already been cleared by the AFL last year. Brocks thoughts are just his opinion, and he is just a docile pawn in the whole beat up.

This will also have a two pronged effect of just letting other clubs know this time of year that head office is watching them for strange events on the field, and tanking will no longer be tolerated.

Sounded better in my head than written down, but it's not out of the realms of possibility.

[John Crow Batty 8,879]

No, that's the meek.

Rats live out their miserable days hiding in the shadows of the gutter.

I'm talking post meek.

If some one high up does shifty business they better well do it right and make sure they don't get caught out. Because if they get it wrong there is a huge price for the club to pay. Looks like CS has got his hands dirty twice now and been found out and is ducking for cover. Most stupid ever decision to bring him back to the club after the damage he did the first time round.

[Range Rover 1,935]

This event was actually set up by the AFL themselves in cohorts with OTC. Why?

The AFL are too clever to directly implicate themselves in such a sh1tfight. But no doubt they'll happily take advantage of it.

[H_T 3,049]

I think the term is "dogging".

Well that is obvious, I thought DA might be referring to something else against Brock...

[Range Rover 1,935]

I'm talking post meek.

If some one high up does shifty business they better well do it right and make sure they don't get caught out. Because if they get it wrong there is a huge price for the club to pay. Looks like CS has got his hands dirty twice now and been found out and is ducking for cover. Most stupid ever decision to bring him back to the club after the damage he did the first time round.

Schwab has done nothing unless accused and proven to have done so.

Whoever constructs the bomb better be damned sure they have constructed it with precision. Such things have a tendency to blow up in peoples' faces.

[John Crow Batty 8,879]

Schwab has done nothing unless accused and proven to have done so.

Whoever constructs the bomb better be damned sure they have constructed it with precision. Such things have a tendency to blow up in peoples' faces.

he did enough to get the sack the first time round.

next week might be interesting.

[old dee 23,872]

It was this time last year CS was given a twelve month extension.

From memory his contract runs till the end of October

That being the case it is an amazing coincidence that at a similar time to last year's sacking, 186 and reinstating this all rears its head.

Is he getting a new contract or what?

[John Crow Batty 8,879]

It was this time last year CS was given a twelve month extension.

From memory his contract runs till the end of October

That being the case it is an amazing coincidence that at a similar time to last year's sacking, 186 and reinstating this all rears its head.

Is he getting a new contract or what?

You may be to something there old dee

[beelzebub 23,383]

I think the term is "dogging".

and its not looked upon too kindly either.

[beelzebub 23,383]

It was this time last year CS was given a twelve month extension.

From memory his contract runs till the end of October

That being the case it is an amazing coincidence that at a similar time to last year's sacking, 186 and reinstating this all rears its head.

Is he getting a new contract or what?

are you suggesting there are indeed conspirators at large ?

Theres nothing accidnetal or coinciddental about any of this but just who are the collaborators and what of their motive I'm still not sure.

[Macca 17,034]

Gardner's comments are disgusting and potentially damaging . A past President and all . He should be ashamed of himself with this unnecessary act of disloyalty . Is he bitter ?

We beat GC this Sunday and the story hopefully dies . Won't want to lose though . It's interesting that this story emerges (again) just before a 16th vs 17th encounter . In normal circumstances , we might be excused for losing this match (given our terrible form and long injury list) . We just have to win this game for obvious reasons .

It will be fascinating to note the comments from other clubs on this whole tanking issue . Many clubs have benefited from priority picks and they may not want to draw attention to themselves . Maybe Eddie and Jeff will come out with the 'No comment' line . EE's in London but he would normally find a way to stick his bib in .

The Pies last 8 games of 2005 might come into question in all this . They sat on 5 wins from round 14 that year . Thomas and Pendlebury came with the prized picks that followed . Who says tanking doesn't pay off ?

The AFL changed the priority pick 'Rules' after that year's National Draft . Yet , at the same time , trotted out the old 'There's no such thing as tanking' line . Why change the rules then ?

[John Crow Batty 8,879]

The Pies last 8 games of 2005 might come into question . They sat on 5 wins from round 14 that year . Thomas and Pendlebury came with the prized picks that followed . Who says tanking doesn't pay off ?

The difference is they did not waste two whole seasons and suck the life and energy out of their spirit. They made the best of a bad year.

[daisycutter 29,738]

and its not looked upon too kindly either.

HWFUA - you know who

HWDOU - Turtle McLean

HWCOS - Sooky Gardner

[Range Rover 1,935]

The difference is they did not waste two whole seasons and suck the life and energy out of their spirit. They made the best of a bad year.

Turning one priority pick (Scully) into two (picks 4 and 12 this year). Now that's making the best of a bad situation.

Schwab did well there wouldn't you say?

[John Crow Batty 8,879]

Turning one priority pick (Scully) into two (picks 4 and 12 this year). Now that's making the best of a bad situation.

that could be a good line to include in his epitaph.

Edited August 1, 2012 by america de cali

[Macca 17,034]

The difference is they did not waste two whole seasons and suck the life and energy out of their spirit. They made the best of a bad year.

Well , my take on it is the Pies possibly/probably tanked . Yet we hear very little about it . Back then tanking was going on but nobody seemed too concerned about it . 9 teams received priority picks between 2003 and 2005 . Then they changed the rules .

That round 22 game in 2007 changed everything . I was at the game and it was a joke . Blues fans singing 'It's a Grand old Flag' remains a vivid memory . And they were singing it before the game .

In terms of fairness , this whole fiasco is laughable . I can't see it coming to anything . Huge can of worms otherwise . Libba and Terry have blown the whistle to an extent . More would come out of the woodwork . Especially those involved who may have been 'Moved on' and are no longer involved at club level .

[biggestred 5,138]

Lance whitnall in his final game takes a mark 30 out straight in front and it goes out on the full. Ok once, but not twice - first q

[Range Rover 1,935]

that could be a good line to include in his epitaph.

Sure, why not. Along with overseeing a Demon revival and hopefully a premiership.

Wouldn't that be great! No-one in their right mind would not want that.

[Diablo Deemon 220]

All I know is

I'm sick of being irrelevant

sick of being in a [censored] storm

and sick of losing

Where has this club gone since Jim's passing we seem rudderless

[old dee 23,872]

are you suggesting there are indeed conspirators at large ?

Theres nothing accidnetal or coinciddental about any of this but just who are the collaborators and what of their motive I'm still not sure.

BB I have no inside knowledge.

Just the timing is interesting

I was however at a function on the weekend and someone raised the subject of Football that progress to the MFC

This is Long before Monday night.

This person is involved in the media at a production level ( not a commentator or journalist )

I asked why so many in the media seem to have it in for the MFC.

The response was they have a very strong dislike for a high up official.

When I pursued this all I got was smiles and No comment.

Clearly the likes of Venom Denham have someone at the MFC in the Gun.

As I said Interesting timing.