Caroline Wilson's descent into gutter journalism

[titan_uranus 25,212]

No tanking action that you believe is tanking can be exclusive to the intention of losing.

We didn't ask the players to lose and we didn't tank.

Weak argument.

If the AFL can prove that our board, or coaches, or anyone at the club, made a decision that we would engage in the conduct you stated (list management, player rehab, experimentation), and that we did this because we thought that by doing so it would mean we'd end up with a priority pick, then that is tanking.

The question is whether or not our actions can be linked to an actual desire for us to finish with less than 4 wins. Proving that intention, and that link, is the key. We will win if they can't prove we had that intention, and we will also win if all they can show is those actions but can't link them to a purpose of finishing with 4 wins or less.

[titan_uranus 25,212]

Am I the only one that finds this part a little odd:

So the AFL has resorted to coercing witnesses to make a case??

My guess is that that is poor wording from Caro (wouldn't be the only instance of it in this article).

Benefit of the doubt here, but I'm assuming what she means is that the witnesses have chosen to come forward or offer more information after the AFL made it clearer how serious the investigation was, or what the penalty could be for withholding information, or something like that. I don't think the AFL has been coercing witnesses.

[Sir Why You Little 37,342]

It is now time for any persons within the club who were involved or agreed to the strategy of "Tanking" to quietly leave the building. I do not discriminate as to who you are.

But if pick 4 is swiped from our possession then your position can no longer exist.

IF we lose pick 4 will the club have the balls to fight to the death?

"This is it folks...over the top"

[heartbeatstrue 57]

Caroline Wilson's Tigers are not squeeky clean on this.

But first and foremost, the AFL should be investigated for gross incompetency and hypocrisy in all this. They set the rules and clubs have responded accordingly, the most blatant example in my opinion being Carlton at the end of the 2007 season (Kreuzer Cup). Did they consider "investigating" that one? Will they now?

Here's my list of suspected 'tankers' for the AFL to investigate, and it's just quickly from memory. Fill in all that I've missed:

2004 Richmond

2005 Collingwood (early player surgery, the Pendlebury/Thomas draft)

2004/5? Hawthorn

2006 Kangaroos (early "medical management")

2007 Carltank (Kreuzer Cup)

2008

2009 MFC ("player experimentation")

2010 West Coast

[PaulRB 6,435]

I wonder what Tom Scully thought during the Melb Vs Tigers game.

Perhaps some of his disrespect for the MFC came from the manner of him arriving there?

Karma is a [censored].

[Hannibal 5,814]

We can't afford to lose pick 4. A player played in the GF years ago by taking out an injunction against the AFL due to a suspension he and his club disputed and Melbourne must do something similar should the need arise so that nothing happens prior to this draft. Surely we can get any penalty put off until next year's draft at a minimum.

The club must fight any penalty in the courts. Even Stynes' legacy demands such an action.

[Sir Why You Little 37,342]

If this vault garbage turns out to be true then you can't say we don't deserve punishment. To have a big round table on how to lose games is beyond belief in the stupidity and integrity stakes..

i know. It is beyond belief. If true the board & Schwab must pack up & go.

If true that is. The club has to give a statement after this allegation.

[Undeeterred 3,127]

Apparently stated on 3AW that Pick 4 will be taken off us? Taken with a grain of salt at this stage but worrying times.

No big deal - that will upgrade our pick 49 to 48.

[Sir Why You Little 37,342]

We can't afford to lose pick 4. Just like a player played in the GF years ago by taking out an injunction against the AFL due to a suspension the club must do something similar so that nothing happens prior to this draft. Surely we can get any penalty put off until next year's draft at a minimum.

The club must fight any penalty in the courts. Even Stynes' legacy demands such an action.

absolutely. It is now or never.

The black cloud has not lifted yet. We supporters deserve better.

[The Lobster Effect 896]

Well I knew Caro hated James Brayshaw, Sam Newman and the Fev... now we can add Melbourne to that list

[mjt 640]

This club is run by morons, if Bailey was any kind of coach he would have said NO, i coach to win, now 3yrs later he rolls over and gives a statement, they cant even cheat properly, what stinks the most is us paid up members are the people that will be punished, CS, CC, DM need to go.

[P-man 13,367]

No big deal - that will upgrade our pick 49 to 48.

haha..kudos. A laugh is much needed at times like this.

[stinga81 210]

Well I knew Caro hated James Brayshaw, Sam Newman and the Fev... now we can add Melbourne to that list

Not a question of hate. Simple fact is we're farken awful at keeping this stuff behind closed doors and are getting taking through the cleaners accordingly.

[whatwhat say what 23,663]

This club is run by morons, if Bailey was any kind of coach he would have said NO, i coach to win, now 3yrs later he rolls over and gives a statement, they cant even cheat properly, what stinks the most is us paid up members are the people that will be punished, CS, CC, DM need to go.

seems like it.

what a thoroughly depressing state of affairs.

[Viney12 196]

Well I knew Caro hated James Brayshaw, Sam Newman and the Fev... now we can add Melbourne to that list

She's always hate Melbourne, Schwab in particular

[P-man 13,367]

Hate to say it but there would be many thinking if we just lost Pick 4, we'd be getting off lightly.

Assuming that there is factual evidence in existence, I second WYL's view on this. Anyone proven to have been directly associated needs to walk.

[Lucifers Hero 40,578]

seems like it.

what a thoroughly depressing state of affairs.

Just when we thought it couldn't get worse: an annus Horribilis!

[Undeeterred 3,127]

Seriously??

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/a-timeline-on-tanking-in-the-afl-20121030-28h8n.html

How ridiculous. The tanking 'timeline' goes back a hell of a lot further than August 2009, let me tell you...

[old55 23,848]

It's not Caro's fault - don't shoot the meesenger - she's got a legitimate scoop she's running with.

[Demon Stalwart 255]

Slow News Day at the Office

Carro has to do something to try and justify her pay

Besides we cant get all Mysogonyst now can we ?

Seems to me we just have to wait and see, as has been said here numerous times now

If we are found guilty though it should be with plenty of company and those who wish to give evidence will have to come forward and explain why it has taken them so long to develop a conscientious until now .

Maybe somone should invite Caro to Melbournes first game in 2013, Im sure she would enjoy it

[PaulRB 6,435]

I can't get the image of Chris Connelly doing a Dr Evil impersonation and saying "Everyone put it in "the vault" and zip it!" out of my head.

It can be so embarrassing being a supporter of this club.

[titan_uranus 25,212]

On this discussion of stripping us of pick 4 - I fail to see how that is an adequate penalty or punishment.

The offence was committed by the club in 2009 (if at all). That has no reflection whatsoever on our performance in 2012 (in fact it goes against it, in that, we didn't get pick 4 because we tanked, clearly, as if we'd successfully tanked, we'd be on top of the ladder now). To take a current pick off us causes us more harm than it does fix the issue.

Whilst a fine might not be the preferred option, it is more appropriate than taking pick 4 off us. A personal fine/suspension against any person who is still at the club and can be proved to be involved in taking would also be appropriate (e.g. Schwab, Connolly, McLardy).

However, I do not believe we tanked, so I don't think this will arise.

[sue 9,240]

What if a number of people at this alleged meeting have a completely different view of what was discussed and decided than the others. What then?

[P-man 13,367]

I can't get the image of Chris Connelly doing a Dr Evil impersonation and saying "Everyone put it in "the vault" and zip it!" out of my head.

It can be so embarrassing being a supporter of this club.

With a "zip it" motion over his thin dry lips.

Damn you, now I've got it too.

[olisik 4,060]

On this discussion of stripping us of pick 4 - I fail to see how that is an adequate penalty or punishment.

The offence was committed by the club in 2009 (if at all). That has no reflection whatsoever on our performance in 2012 (in fact it goes against it, in that, we didn't get pick 4 because we tanked, clearly, as if we'd successfully tanked, we'd be on top of the ladder now). To take a current pick off us causes us more harm than it does fix the issue.

Whilst a fine might not be the preferred option, it is more appropriate than taking pick 4 off us. A personal fine/suspension against any person who is still at the club and can be proved to be involved in taking would also be appropriate (e.g. Schwab, Connolly, McLardy).

However, I do not believe we tanked, so I don't think this will arise.

Doubt investigation will be done by the time the draft rolls around thank god.