THE WILSON FILE - the arrogance at the heart of the innuendo

[Sir Why You Little 34,432]

I often wonder whether Wilson actually goes to a football match.

She just wants everybody sacked. Wish it would include herself.

[biggestred 4,281]

I often wonder whether Wilson actually goes to a football match.

She just wants everybody sacked. Wish it would include herself.

ive long thought that caro has no idea how a team environment works. she certainly hasnt ever been part of one.

she writes articles saying "so and so would be upset by this" - eg how our developing players by playing them out of position has "wrecked their careers" - but this is the nature of any team sport. you play where youre told to and where you have to do to do your job for your team, even if it isnt where you think your best position is. kids in the under 10s know this, but she has no clue.

[Sir Why You Little 34,432]

ive long thought that caro has no idea how a team environment works. she certainly hasnt ever been part of one.

she writes articles saying "so and so would be upset by this" - eg how our developing players by playing them out of position has "wrecked their careers" - but this is the nature of any team sport. you play where youre told to and where you have to do to do your job for your team, even if it isnt where you think your best position is. kids in the under 10s know this, but she has no clue.

Of course.

Sheedy and Barassi have both won flags because their players were multi skilled over the ground.

But Caro would not be interested in that "fact"

I could easily smash my TV tonight if she makes any smart comments at G Lyon.

[monoccular 16,042]

In breaking news from Ms Wilson "It is rumoured that Robson may have at some stage spoken with Cameron Schwab, providing further incontrovertible evidence that there has been serious malpractice occurring at Essendon, and by association at Melbourne, who after all play in the same competition as Essendon, under Schwab's watch."

[daisycutter 28,485]

In breaking news from Ms Wilson "It is rumoured that Robson may have at some stage spoken with Cameron Schwab, providing further incontrovertible evidence that there has been serious malpractice occurring at Essendon, and by association at Melbourne, who after all play in the same competition as Essendon, under Schwab's watch."

for the sake of the game, all young players and their parents these meddling and corrupt ceo's must be expunged

[timD 994]

You know what Tim, you're right...

There is no evidence that this club is not united and that we have any former staff working against those still at the club, and that the former board is fully behind the current board, and that there is zero behind the scenes dissent...

But every club always has elements of all this and we are no different.

I have seen in this investigation former employees use a threat of Zulus to take down the club, and I have seen Gardner in the press with a misguided view of when the club tanked (especially considering it started under him).

That much I can substantiate.

WJ can obviously give his own account and we can all make judgements on the veracity of his words.

This is no conspiracy, but this is not a united club and former Demons are more of a hindrance than a help at the moment.

Don't be facetious. There is no evidence of a conspiracy. If there is, back it up. Everyone here wants to know.

Gardiner has spoken out and maybe prendergast and flack. That is not a conspiracy. Prove the former board has problems with this board- other than gardiner, no-one has said 'boo'. Don't be a smart-alec about this stuff- it gives me the shits. Either back up the "forces out to get us" shpeil or back off. Need I remind you about reputations and how precious they are?

And don't try logical fallacies. I've no patience for them.

[rpfc 27,436]

I never said there was a conspiracy.

Just a few select people who were using events to their own ends.

And conspiracies are usually successful...

[Jens Lehmann 75]

I often wonder whether Wilson actually goes to a football match.

She just wants everybody sacked. Wish it would include herself.

I've seen her only a few times in the flesh, each time when I'm running late to get to a match, and she is leaving the MCG midway through the 1st quarter.

She has little interest in the game itself, only the politics surrounding it.

[Sir Why You Little 34,432]

I've seen her only a few times in the flesh, each time when I'm running late to get to a match, and she is leaving the MCG midway through the 1st quarter.

She has little interest in the game itself, only the politics surrounding it.

yeah right, that wouldn't suprise me at all.

Pity the chief football writer has no passion in her writing or for the game

Typical.

[Moonshadow 16,162]

Geez her latest Age bio article about AD is nothing but p!ssing in his pocket. Pretty clear that he is beyond any real criticism by her. She's certainly not going to bite the hand that feeds her.

[Biffen 12,323]

yeah right, that wouldn't suprise me at all.

Pity the chief football writer has no passion in her writing or for the game

Typical.

Just heard a story from a guy that told me he was at a party in Sorrento and Caro was asked a footy question to which she replied

"I am on holidays and i don't discuss football on my holidays".

Real passion .

Another rumour I have heard ,and i am not usually a dealer in nasty rumours but it is her stock in trade ,is that she became very exited about her time with a former golfer on tour here and told The Age office all about it .Different level of passion .

She is clearly an Aussie woman! Only passionate when she feels like it and has a head-ache the rest of the time .

[rjay 23,888]

Just heard a story from a guy that told me he was at a party in Sorrento and Caro was asked a footy question to which she replied

"I am on holidays and i don't discuss football on my holidays".

Real passion .

Another rumour I have heard ,and i am not usually a dealer in nasty rumours but it is her stock in trade ,is that she became very exited about her time with a former golfer on tour here and told The Age office all about it .Different level of passion .

She is clearly an Aussie woman! Only passionate when she feels like it and has a head-ache the rest of the time .

As we know she has no idea about football, the game. So if it was a question about the playing of football I would suggest she is permanently on holidays.

[45HG 1,539]

I heard she steals millions from charities, caused the GFC, was the real reason Braniston split up and it was her who shot Bambi.

Honestly, the squabbling and snide comments from the very same people who complain about her squabbling and snide comments is a little ridiculous and certainly tedious.

Time to move on people, I think,

[Sir Why You Little 34,432]

Reading her article today..."Demetriou did concede that the AFL contributed unwittingly to the club's off field behavior with the introduction of the priority pick for clubs failing to win more than 4 games in a season."

That makes me sick. The AFL should take 100% responsibility towards the tanking that went on since 1999. 7 clubs.

And some people on here think we got off lightly.

The other 6 sure did.

[Whispering_Jack 27,960]

Slightly off topic but by way of demonstrating the decline in standards at Fairfax Media is the Real Footy Poll currently running in the Age:

Where will Adelaide finish on the AFL home and away ladder in 2013?

There are two options given - yes and no.

To date, 53 people have voted and the yes vote is currently trailing the no vote by 26% to 74%.

Thankfully, there is a disclaimer which tells us that these "polls are not scientific and reflect the opinion only of visitors who have chosen to participate".

Almost on a par with Wilson's opinion that Melbourne had a good legal case against tanking but should be punished heavily anyway.

[Cards13 9,117]

Slightly off topic but by way of demonstrating the decline in standards at Fairfax Media is the Real Footy Poll currently running in the Age:

There are two options given - yes and no.

To date, 53 people have voted and the yes vote is currently trailing the no vote by 26% to 74%.

Thankfully, there is a disclaimer which tells us that these "polls are not scientific and reflect the opinion only of visitors who have chosen to participate".

Almost on a par with Wilson's opinion that Melbourne had a good legal case against tanking but should be punished heavily anyway.

Saw a story on online polls recently where a gentleman stated he was rigging a number of polls with a computer program he developed. He would have a poll rigged to a 50/50 outcome, then let the reporter or editor know what had happened... Funnily enough they still "reported" poll results in the article claiming half of people responded believing blah blah blah... Really highlighted again the lack of integrity in that industry.

[Deeman 1,399]

I think the question was meant to be - "Will Adelaide finish on the AFL home and away ladder in 2013?".

Surprised at the strength of the yes vote.

[rpfc 27,436]

Hey, someone removed my Hitler joke.

It wasn't tasteless, I was just trying to work this in:

[Blistering 490]

Jack, I said 'supposedly' because I did not for a minute think that Jimma did actually fix rifts. I think Jimma did a lot of good but to suggest that he somehow magically fixed everything is a fantasy that exists in the mind of some of the posters here. I'd have hoped that you'd remember that I spoke about Jimma being done in his role a few years ago. Great as he was, he was not the second coming. It's sad. I think it is quite apt that you talk about misunderstanding...things are hard to do by text only, who'd have thought?

It is naive to believe that there are no rifts or resentments. But are they leading to trouble? As for former board members, I have heard only gardiner criticise us in public. I've heard no others. Sorry, I remember Dr. Michael Coglin cracking the sads at Jimma's invention of a sexist MFC that Jimma personally saved. But other than than, nothing. I'd expect wounds or resentments between boards and have been amazed that so little has been said. 186 could have given rise to enormous media-lambasting of the MFC fed by disgruntled sources...and it didn't.

Is there more to come out about Caro and her involvement, with whom and to what degree? I think its' unlikely. Who would know? Those involved have no incentive to speak up. What evidence could we rely on?

There are people who left - flack and prendergast in particular - they might have spoken. That has nought to do with club 'rifts' and much to do with man management I would have thought.

So again we come to proof. We know there are rifts. We know that they might have led to Caro to being fed something. You've implied Caro is/was being fed info from ex-board members who were close enough to know what was going on and when - enough for Caro's story to have more than just a ring of truth at times. That risks tarring a few (Say Andrew Leoncelli for example) with no clear sense as to who I can rule in and who I can rule out - or what they've said. And it doesn't address things like Caro being told by a current director about the state of affairs which was suggested on this site by a poster whose name eludes me at this time - rumors of a text or email? I cannot remember the specifics, but, I read the rumor here and was amazed that it didn't create more horror.

It is the frustration of it all: whom to I trust?

OK so we've got Gardner, the former president talking to the media and throwing the club under a bus over tanking and we've got Mick Coglin going to the media with a complaint about Jimma instead of dealing with it in house. As for some others, you really don't get around much, do you?

I would expect former board members to respond better when questioned about an issue like tanking (which has the potential to cause damage to the club in terms of monetary sanctions, loss of jobs to employees and loss of draft picks) comes up with a no comment. People ask why Carlton or Richmond aren't being investigated. Well perhaps it's due to the fact that, at such times you stick fat with the club. Jack Elliott and Ian Collins never said anything publicly about tanking.

If he has to say anything, this is how I expect a former club chairman to discuss his club (and I wish him well in his battle with cancer) - Former Essendon chairman Graeme McMahon slams AFL drug policy as 'hypocritical'.

And you ask who you should trust?

[timD 994]

OK so we've got Gardner, the former president talking to the media and throwing the club under a bus over tanking and we've got Mick Coglin going to the media with a complaint about Jimma instead of dealing with it in house. As for some others, you really don't get around much, do you?

I would expect former board members to respond better when questioned about an issue like tanking (which has the potential to cause damage to the club in terms of monetary sanctions, loss of jobs to employees and loss of draft picks) comes up with a no comment. People ask why Carlton or Richmond aren't being investigated. Well perhaps it's due to the fact that, at such times you stick fat with the club. Jack Elliott and Ian Collins never said anything publicly about tanking.

If he has to say anything, this is how I expect a former club chairman to discuss his club (and I wish him well in his battle with cancer) - Former Essendon chairman Graeme McMahon slams AFL drug policy as 'hypocritical'.

And you ask who you should trust?

Wow, what a rejoinder.

Gardiner said stupid stuff. So what. Mick Coglin quite rightly put a lie to rest. So what. Where is the conspiratorial disloyalty Jack implies is present? Who are these people? What have they done? Gardiner mouthed off. That is all. Unless you have proof of more. And you don't, so that is it. It is stupid and disloyal and disappointing. But that is it. If I hadn't raised Mick's comments, no-one here would have even remembered them. Not much there, Blistering. And you reckon I don't get around much? What is there to 'get around'? If you have information about who is undermining the club, then spit it out! Just like Caro - tell us the current director feeding you!

And you'll give nothin.

Basically, your entire post could have been done it three words: "I don't reckon". Would have been a better post.

Now I am aware that absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. What I now want is substance. From anyone. Jack, where is your " stay tuned" info? A lot has been implied, none of it has been substantiated and frankly I'm pretty unimpressed. Hazy needs to put up or shut up. ADC needs to put up or shut up. On internet forums, it is the only credibility - the anonymity destroys a transfer of reputation which would otherwise carry credibility.

What's the story?

[Blistering 490]

Wow, what a rejoinder.

Gardiner said stupid stuff. So what. Mick Coglin quite rightly put a lie to rest. So what. Where is the conspiratorial disloyalty Jack implies is present? Who are these people? What have they done? Gardiner mouthed off. That is all. Unless you have proof of more. And you don't, so that is it. It is stupid and disloyal and disappointing. But that is it. If I hadn't raised Mick's comments, no-one here would have even remembered them. Not much there, Blistering. And you reckon I don't get around much? What is there to 'get around'? If you have information about who is undermining the club, then spit it out! Just like Caro - tell us the current director feeding you!

And you'll give nothin.

Basically, your entire post could have been done it three words: "I don't reckon". Would have been a better post.

Now I am aware that absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. What I now want is substance. From anyone. Jack, where is your " stay tuned" info? A lot has been implied, none of it has been substantiated and frankly I'm pretty unimpressed. Hazy needs to put up or shut up. ADC needs to put up or shut up. On internet forums, it is the only credibility - the anonymity destroys a transfer of reputation which would otherwise carry credibility.

What's the story?

Bollocks.

Talk about pot, kettle, black.

Where did I say a current director is feeding me?

I don't even know a current director or a former director.

Do you?

Edited March 5, 2013 by Blistering

[jnrmac 18,948]

Wow, what a rejoinder.

Gardiner said stupid stuff. So what. Mick Coglin quite rightly put a lie to rest. So what.

What lie did he put to rest?? I just read the article that he initiated back in 2009. No wonder we have disharmony when knobs like Gardner and Coglin - 2 ex-Board members go running to the media to cry about irrelevant stuff just to get their name in the paper. If they had any integrity they would take any complaints they have and air them internally, not to the media.

Edited March 8, 2013 by Demonland
unnecessary personal attack

[Hannibal 5,814]

What lie did he put to rest?? I just read the article that he initiated back in 2009. No wonder we have disharmony when knobs like Gardner and Coglin - 2 ex-Board members go running to the media to cry about irrelevant stuff just to get their name in the paper. If they had any integrity they would take any complaints they have and air them internally, not to the media.

Top bloke is Mick.

Jimmy's comments that the club hadn't been inclusive to women obviously hit a raw nerve when one considers the club's Pink Lady initiative and the fact that they'd had 3 women on the Board - no other club has matched this. To sit and listen to a recently elected President cast aspersions on the club's previous attitude towards women when he knew the situation to be the opposite and was in fact proud of the club's efforts would have rightly riled him.

[Whispering_Jack 27,960]

Top bloke is Mick.

Jimmy's comments that the club hadn't been inclusive to women obviously hit a raw nerve when one considers the club's Pink Lady initiative and the fact that they'd had 3 women on the Board - no other club has matched this. To sit and listen to a recently elected President cast aspersions on the club's previous attitude towards women when he knew the situation to be the opposite and was in fact proud of the club's efforts would have rightly riled him.

I endorse that although it's regrettable that the issue had to be played out in the media and also, to be fair to Paul Gardner, we don't know whether the media sought him out for comment or vice versa.

My information was that the person who went to the investigators was put up to it by someone else previously involved with the club, not necessarily a former board member. What gives credibility to the information was that the person named was not even on the radar in late October when Wilson was giving her opinion about the club as a result of her "vault" information. My informant is dealing with the information she got in her way and, as I have previously mentioned there are some aspects of confidentiality that I need to abide by.

The bottom line is that there's been much damage done to the club over the past 12 - 18 months by people with axes to grind and hopefully, it will now cease and we can concentrate on supporting our coach and our players improve its core business - the on field stuff.

[Longsufferingnomore 1,463]

I endorse that although it's regrettable that the issue had to be played out in the media and also, to be fair to Paul Gardner, we don't know whether the media sought him out for comment or vice versa.

My information was that the person who went to the investigators was put up to it by someone else previously involved with the club, not necessarily a former board member. What gives credibility to the information was that the person named was not even on the radar in late October when Wilson was giving her opinion about the club as a result of her "vault" information. My informant is dealing with the information she got in her way and, as I have previously mentioned there are some aspects of confidentiality that I need to abide by.

The bottom line is that there's been much damage done to the club over the past 12 - 18 months by people with axes to grind and hopefully, it will now cease and we can concentrate on supporting our coach and our players improve its core business - the on field stuff.

WJ my problem is that whoever instigated the passing on of information will not be satisfied with the result and will still be stirring the pot in the background. I am of two minds whether we should name that person and therefore flush him out into the open.