I'm looking at the photograph on the back page of today's Herald Sun which shows a dejected looking Aaron Davey after the siren sounded to end the Sydney Swans v Melbourne game in 2009.

That is not a picture of a man who is tanking.

I'm looking at the photograph on the back page of today's Herald Sun which shows a dejected looking Aaron Davey after the siren sounded to end the Sydney Swans v Melbourne game in 2009.

That is not a picture of a man who is tanking.

He was just pretending.

yep. we have been pretending to be garbage for 6 years.

No-that was a picture of a guy who does NOT have a tank.

I don't think anybody is suggesting it was the players...

I don't think anybody is suggesting it was the players...

and THIS comment is the crux of it.

This is AD's definition of tanking. I believe his view is that if the players are throwing it, or the coach is intentionally instructing the player not to win then THAT is the definition of tanking!!!

and THIS comment is the crux of it.

This is AD's definition of tanking. I believe his view is that if the players are throwing it, or the coach is intentionally instructing the player not to win then THAT is the definition of tanking!!!

Correct. Or if the coach is carrying out instructions from his superiors, that are then passed down to the box.

This is the part where we maybe concerned.

See... this is the bit that for me is like the proverbial needle in a haystack, or the smoking gun. I just can't see it appearing.

The HUN photo was deceptive insomuch as it focused on the players rather than the real target of the 'investigation' - senior MFC brass. It's them the heat is on.

I can barely bring myself to read the sin but there is one golden rule. Disregard anything that Mark Robinson (the illiterate uninformed DH) has had a hand in.

I recall Garry Lyon commenting on the Footy Classified show that followed the Richmond v Melbourne game. He said he was watching the game thinking in disbelief of what he was seeing. He went on about the system that was in place and the fact there was a decent prize awaiting at the end if the team finished on 4 wins or less. IIRC he jokingly quipped of wishing he had a direct line to the box to remind them of the possibility of a P-pick.

It was the thought of virtually every Melbourne supporter I gather.

It was a long time ago now, but I remember his thoughts vividly and cringed when he said it.

I recall Garry Lyon commenting on the Footy Classified show that followed the Richmond v Melbourne game. He said he was watching the game thinking in disbelief of what he was seeing. He went on about the system that was in place and the fact there was a decent prize awaiting at the end if the team finished on 4 wins or less. IIRC he jokingly quipped of wishing he had a direct line to the box to remind them of the possibility of a P-pick.

It was the thought of virtually every Melbourne supporter I gather.

It was a long time ago now, but I remember his thoughts vividly and cringed when he said it.

Of course the emotions of every Demons supporter were split as the siren went between wanting a win versus the reward if we didn't. Can't blame anyone but the AFL for putting clubs and the supporters in that position.

The sensible outcome of all this should be that the AFL states that the rules at the time could lead to the appearance of tanking (or some other word better defined) so we have changed the rules and will change them further and we are setting up a working party to examine options like those used in the USA.

The HUN photo was deceptive insomuch as it focused on the players rather than the real target of the 'investigation' - senior MFC brass. It's them the heat is on.

The thing is that the AFL has consistently allowed clubs over more than a decade to experiment with team selection and placement of players in situations where winning isn't necessarily paramount (e.g Fremantle against the Hawks in the final round a couple of years ago). Demetriou's pronouncements have always been about players and that is where the focus ultimately has to lie. Unless the goalposts are moved and the AFL opens Pandora's Box.

And in case anyone doesn't believe me - AFL again denies tanking exists

The thing is that the AFL has consistently allowed clubs over more than a decade to experiment with team selection and placement of players in situations where winning isn't necessarily paramount (e.g Fremantle against the Hawks in the final round a couple of years ago). Demetriou's pronouncements have always been about players and that is where the focus ultimately has to lie. Unless the goalposts are moved and the AFL opens Pandora's Box.

And in case anyone doesn't believe me - AFL again denies tanking exists

Actually it has been a lot longer than a decade and it will continue long after the PP's have gone. Teams that are out of the finals race will experiment to find out who can play and where and who can't and should go. That will continue as long as we have salary caps and limited lists.

Of course the emotions of every Demons supporter were split as the siren went between wanting a win versus the reward if we didn't. Can't blame anyone but the AFL for putting clubs and the supporters in that position.

The sensible outcome of all this should be that the AFL states that the rules at the time could lead to the appearance of tanking (or some other word better defined) so we have changed the rules and will change them further and we are setting up a working party to examine options like those used in the USA.

One of the best summaries of the situation.

IF there is a perception that something was amiss, and it can never be proven, but changing the system -- but pleaaaassse NOT to the current one where priority picks are "at the discretion of some (questionable) joker at AFL HQ" -- would be a good way of stopping this.

The thing is that the AFL has consistently allowed clubs over more than a decade to experiment with team selection and placement of players in situations where winning isn't necessarily paramount (e.g Fremantle against the Hawks in the final round a couple of years ago). Demetriou's pronouncements have always been about players and that is where the focus ultimately has to lie. Unless the goalposts are moved and the AFL opens Pandora's Box.

And in case anyone doesn't believe me - AFL again denies tanking exists

Are you suggesting that perhaps the AFL should have some, any, influence or say over team selection and placement of players???

Actually it has been a lot longer than a decade and it will continue long after the PP's have gone. Teams that are out of the finals race will experiment to find out who can play and where and who can't and should go. That will continue as long as we have salary caps and limited lists.

There's nothing wrong with experimenting. Just this year we have discovered that both Colin Garland and Jared Rivers can kick goals. How was this discovery made? By the coach shifting them to roles they haven't been doing at this club - experimenting in other words. It worked. He shifted Watts to the backline, and he had a couple of good games. What is wrong with that?

I also read the article and giggled to see the big deal that was made of the fact that the doctors chose NOT to fill players up on painkillers and send them out to play when the game wasn't going anywhere. Should players EVER be injected with drugs that will mask an injury and possibly allow them to make it worse? I would say no, but then I am not a doctor. However, when there is no hope of making the finals, it is only logical not to put added stress on players. How is that tanking? If 'tanking'= list management, then there are 18 clubs out there tanking right now, because they all have made changes due to injury.

The AFL will have to be very careful with what it decrees to be tanking, if it does at all, because so many clubs have done just what ours has done.

Edited August 17, 201212 yr by Suzanna

Correct. Or if the coach is carrying out instructions from his superiors, that are then passed down to the box.

This is the part where we maybe concerned.

true.

I stated during this terrible time (the last six years) that we were doing the best we could and Bailey was coaching as best he could

The fact is he is a shite coach and we had a terrible list

We have turned over a tremendous number of players. NONE (except Jolly) of whom have gone on to any success

We were not tanking we were garbage being coached by a nobody

Please let us win by more than 100 on the weekend

We were not tanking we were garbage being coached by a nobody

This is pretty much the truth of the matter. Spot on.

Well said earlier Suzanna reminded me of a player whom started at MFC deep in the back line, then moved forward kicked an avg 2-3 goals a game moved up to Brisbane and won 3 flags.... this is the biggest FUP of a system the AFL have known about but never bothered to fix in yrs. Obviously it hasn't worked, we have bottomed out and never recovered since 2009. Not saying it's right but just fix the system AFL it's clearly a joke, we don't have a relegation zone, and we reward mediocrity with the best talent in the country, WTF ... McFly!!!

The HUN photo was deceptive insomuch as it focused on the players rather than the real target of the 'investigation' - senior MFC brass. It's them the heat is on.

RR, we agree on something! Glad you have finally realised the source of the MFC problems!

No-that was a picture of a guy who does NOT have a tank.

you turd , the bloody cheek of ya , you are just a wanna be bad mouth us faithless fool dees supporter ive been a dees man for 52 years now and i never hung crap on any player that has played for us, some good some not so good , some great , but they are all demons , and who the f are you biffen ? well your a dog and you need a good biffen , im up for it , jump on carlton fool i dont like turning on my own , bugger off !

Biffen's in trouble.

Are you suggesting that perhaps the AFL should have some, any, influence or say over team selection and placement of players???

I don't think he is saying that at all but if the inquiry results in a decision against Melbourne then all lowly clubs will need to get that sort of permission to make changes.