Jump to content

Caroline Wilson's descent into gutter journalism


titan_uranus

Recommended Posts

Schwab, McLardy and Connolly. Better start making arrangements to clear your offices.

I wonder what the recently departed former leadership group have to say about all this?

They became the fallguys for the inept recruiting, development, coaching and administration. Would include Junior, Bruce and a few high potential players just lost in the fallguy category.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Morally, we won that match against the tigers she was talking about.

In front at the final siren only to be done by the only straight kick Jordan McMahon did that day.

What part of that game suggests we tanked?

It's bulltish. The players were trying to win that day. tanking would have to prove corroboration at all levels.

I was there that day, not cheering at the siren but rather incredulous at the ridiculous position we were in (i.e. you loose, you win). In essence the AFL and their inaction on teams that went before us is to blame.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The other thing is the question of what weight do you put on the evidence of coaches and players, some of who are now former employees who might not have left the club in happy circumstances? Were their actions sanctioned by clear instructions from club officials or were they acting off their own bats in the belief that they were seeking the best outcome? I note while the article says "league investigators re-interviewed several players and coaches", it does not indicate whether club officials or administrators have been interviewed.

If a key official (no not Brock) was prepared to sign a stat dec and his statements align with questionable actions on field then its trouble.

Whichever way this plays out, I suspect that heads will roll including possibly some high up and some of the witnesses themselves might also be in a spot of bother. If any of the coaches have admitted to involvement in tanking, I think they can kiss goodbye to their careers. One also can't dismiss the possibility of this playing itself out in a court of law if Melbourne finds itself punished hard for something that might have happened 3½ years ago.

This will apply to some club officials if found guilty.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Melbourne v Carlton - round 22, 2007 is the clearest example of tanking in any game in which I've ever seen the MFC participate.

You missed the Richmond game then?

We've traded all our draft picks away anyway. What are they gonna take off us?

Pick 4 and future drafts if found guilty.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Did we tank = definately. (Stick your head back in the sand if you think we didn't)

Argument that we won game against tiges with kick after siren = we would have lost to freo a few games later if mcmahon had missed

What stinks = All the other clubs that have tanked before us but we seem to cop the shite for it

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would plead guilty on the terms that we would be stripped of our Pick number 4 in the 2007 draft.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites


Guest fitness

Don't blame Caro writing this story. It's a solid story and obviously newsworthy. Blame the AFL for actually continuing to pursue such a farcical investigation, particularly in light of their admission that the system was flawed (evident by their changing of the priority pick rules at the start of this season).

Here's a more recent analogy for you (there are hundreds of examples): When Dani Pedrosa fell off his bike at Phillip Island on Sunday, Jorge Lorenzo knew that all he needed to do in order to win the 2012 Championship was not to fall off. So he decided that attempting not to pass Casey Stoner and not win the race was his best course of action for his long-term goal. So he didn't try to win. And in the end, he won :)

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Don't blame Caro writing this story. It's a solid story and obviously newsworthy. Blame the AFL for actually continuing to pursue such a farcical investigation, particularly in light of their admission that the system was flawed (evident by their changing of the priority pick rules at the start of this season).

Here's a more recent analogy for you (there are hundreds of examples): When Dani Pedrosa fell off his bike at Phillip Island on Sunday, Jorge Lorenzo knew that all he needed to do in order to win the 2012 Championship was not to fall off. So he decided that attempting not to pass Casey Stoner and not win the race was his best course of action for his long-term goal. So he didn't try to win. And in the end, he won :)

solid story...get real...full of holes and inaccuracies.... Solid as sh!t !!

funny she regurgitates this vomit the minute a bad press story comes out of Richmond...Aaron says hello Caro

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We have just lost about 9 players off our list. Do you think that perhaps 1 or more of them decided to speak up since they were no longer on the list?

Bate? Moloney? Petterd?....Morton?

Edited by olisik
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Melbourne v Carlton - round 22, 2007 is the clearest example of tanking in any game in which I've ever seen the MFC participate.

Pity it was Carlton that tanked it though.

As a result, we got Cale Morton with pick 4. Carlton managed to get Kreuzer AND Judd.

Straighten up Ms Wilson - you strike me as not particularly astute. Bring some balance to your reporting - at present, it's far too inductive.

People may say she's an okay AFL journalist, but let's face it - sports journalism in this country sets a pretty low bar. In fact, I find the standard of all journalism to be depressingly bad in this country, but AFL journalism sets lows that make the weather systems over New York at the moment look like they might bring reasonably clear skies.

Are you suggesting we've already been punished enough?

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The truth about tanking is there is NO tanking. There are practices to benefit your list, there are practices and strategies to 'experiment' and expose your weaknesses, but this can be argued as a legitimate fact finding exercise. if you arent up for a September gig there are no rules,. There is NO one way to play the game.

Of all people even Vlad understands the vagaries implied and utilised to further your position. its called tactics. People simply fail to want to understand the game is a season, indeed seasons, not just a singularity in isolation. BOOKIES might think that way but personally f#*k them !! its not about them.

There are far too many subtleties to the game that unless there is a clear directive, an unmistakable instruction or clear cut ruse then the reality is its all fair game.

There is but one real goal..The premiership and youre surely entitled to do what you can and must to position yourself for the best shot at it.

Some people just dont get so much is sometimes scares me.

  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites


There is a germ of a new and possibly damaging story in Caro's article. She refers to a meeting occurring at which something relevant to tanking might have been discussed. If that meeting existed and was not disclosed to the AFL during the previous investigation there is a secondary but important issue of the club failing to be honest with the AFL. As Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton both found out, it's not necessarily the initial action which can bring you undone - it's being caught out lying later on. Nevertheless, there are a few 'ifs' to be resolved first...did such a meeting happen? was it relevant to tanking? if it happened, did we not mention it, or worse, did we deny it took place?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't see why they're is any angst against Caro here. As some posters have already posted when writes on a situation/issue she usually has a pretty good handle on it and has some facts on it.

We all know we tanked. Everyone knows we tanked!

We all know Carlton, Collingwood etc tanked.

The only reason why we're being investigated is because we have past players/coaches/admin staff that might have been burnt at the Club therefore have no reason to stick fat by us. They couldn't care less if they put us in the shite..

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We have just lost about 9 players off our list. Do you think that perhaps 1 or more of them decided to speak up since they were no longer on the list?

Bate? Moloney? Petterd?....Morton?

Not enough to be the smoking gun. Look to the coaching panel or senior executives.

The truth about tanking is there is NO tanking. ...Some people just dont get so much is sometimes scares me.

Me too. Its just a pity that the truth may be different than what you want it to be.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would expect that if there are sanctions handed out the the MFC over this BS that we will end up in court. That is real court not the AFL's Kangaroo Court!!

There is no way we should feel the brunt of any 'statements' being made by the AFL without not only undeniable solid evidence that we were guilty, but also that we are alone in the past decade of similar actions.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The way this year has been going i wouldnt be surpised if we get a punishment. But you cannot base the tanking on the richmond game. WE were winning with 2 seconds to go. I still maintain the siren went before Jordans mark. ALso you cant say the supporters were cheering when the goal went through. The fans are different from the players.

Also whats wrong with players in different positions. Clearly its called experimentation. YOu want to know if they can play in different roles. geez did we tank this year because we played Rivers and GAland up foward.

Also was Brian Royal part of the coaching staff then? Has he been interviewed because he is the only assistant left.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We have just lost about 9 players off our list. Do you think that perhaps 1 or more of them decided to speak up since they were no longer on the list?

Bate? Moloney? Petterd?....Morton?

And say what ? I would not be as bold to suggest that a "strategy" was not discussed at the highest level and even with Bailey. But I cannot believe that Bailey would have told players not to win or try. Unless players heard something of that nature from the coaching staff then what they have to say is as interesting as what Brock said - " geez no one said tanking but some of the positional moves were funny". Yet more opinions with no foundation.

(I repeat - I would not dismiss that a strategy on how to get top picks into the club was discussed at the higher levels - just not with the players)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    2024 Player Reviews: #31 Bayley Fritsch

    Once again the club’s top goal scorer but he had a few uncharacteristic flat spots during the season and the club will be looking for much better from him in 2025. Date of Birth: 6 December 1996 Height: 188cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 149 Goals MFC 2024: 41 Career Total: 252 Brownlow Medal Votes: 4

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 8

    2024 Player Reviews: #18 Jake Melksham

    After sustaining a torn ACL in the final match of the 2023 season Jake added a bit to the attack late in the 2024 season upon his return. He has re-signed on to the Demons for 1 more season in 2025. Date of Birth: 12 August 1991 Height: 186cm Games MFC 2024: 8 Career Total: 229 Goals MFC 2024: 8 Career Total: 188

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    2024 Player Reviews: #3 Christian Salem

    The luckless Salem suffered a hamstring injury against the Lions early in the season and, after missing a number of games, he was never at his best. He was also inconvenienced by minor niggles later in the season. This was a blow for the club that sorely needed him to fill gaps in the midfield at times as well as to do his best work in defence. Date of Birth: 15 July 1995 Height: 184cm Games MFC 2024: 17 Career Total: 176 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 26 Brownlow Meda

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 7

    2024 Player Reviews: #39 Koltyn Tholstrop

    The first round draft pick at #13 from twelve months ago the strongly built medium forward has had an impressive introduction to AFL football and is expected to spend more midfield moments as his career progresses. Date of Birth: 25 July 2005 Height: 186cm Games MFC 2024: 10 Career Total: 10 Goals MFC 2024: 5 Career Total: 5 Games CDFC 2024: 7 Goals CDFC 2024: 4

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 6

    2024 Player Reviews: #42 Daniel Turner

    The move of “Disco” to a key forward post looks like bearing fruit. Turner has good hands, moves well and appears to be learning the forward craft well. Will be an interesting watch in 2025. Date of Birth: January 28, 2002 Height: 195cm Games MFC 2024: 15 Career Total: 18 Goals MFC 2024: 17 Career Total: 17 Games CDFC 2024: 1 Goals CDFC 2024:  1

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 15

    2024 Player Reviews: #8 Jake Lever

    The Demon’s key defender and backline leader had his share of injuries and niggles throughout the season which prevented him from performing at his peak.  Date of Birth: 5 March 1996 Height: 195cm Games MFC 2024: 18 Career Total: 178 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 5

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 1

    2024 Player Reviews: #13 Clayton Oliver

    Lack of preparation after a problematic preseason prevented Oliver from reaching the high standards set before last year’s hamstring woes. He carried injury right through the back half of the season and was controversially involved in a potential move during the trade period that was ultimately shut down by the club. Date of Birth:  22 July 1997 Height:  189cm Games MFC 2024:  21 Career Total: 183 Goals MFC 2024: 3 Career Total: 54 Brownlow Medal Votes: 5

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 17

    BLOODY BLUES by Meggs

    The conclusion to Narrm’s home and away season was the inevitable let down by the bloody Blues  who meekly capitulated to the Bombers.   The 2024 season fixture handicapped the Demons chances from the get-go with Port Adelaide, Brisbane and Essendon advantaged with enough gimme games to ensure a tough road to the finals, especially after a slew of early season injuries to star players cost wins and percentage.     As we strode confidently through the gates of Prin

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 3

    2024 Player Reviews: #5 Christian Petracca

    Melbourne’s most important player who dominated the first half of the season until his untimely injury in the Kings Birthday clash put an end to his season. At the time, he was on his way to many personal honours and the club in strong finals contention. When the season did end for Melbourne and Petracca was slowly recovering, he was engulfed in controversy about a possible move of clubs amid claims about his treatment by the club in the immediate aftermath of his injury. Date of Birth: 4 J

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 21
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...