McLardy, Schwab and Co must go

[stuie 7,374]

Opinion.

Facts. Direct quotes form YOU.

[Range Rover 1,935]

Facts. Direct quotes form YOU.

What about Schwab and his abominable record of failure?

What about Don McLardy rolling over to the AFL?

What about a 500k fine for not tanking?

What about our stinking culture?

What about the hammering we are going to cop tomorrow?

And the week after?

Talk about it ... Quit making me the issue.

[stuie 7,374]

What about Schwab and his abominable record of failure?

What about Don McLardy rolling over to the AFL?

What about a 500k fine for not tanking?

What about our stinking culture?

What about the hammering we are going to cop tomorrow?

And the week after?

Talk about it ... Quit making me the issue.

That stuff has been talked about ad nauseam and you know it.

You're the one deflecting now that you've been proved as a hypocrite.

[Range Rover 1,935]

That stuff has been talked about ad nauseam and you know it.

You're the one deflecting now that you've been proved as a hypocrite.

And it will continue to be talked about until such time as they are gone.

Good night Stu.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,266]

An overview of the club and Schwab's "achievements" since returning to MFC;

SPONSORS

- failed to secure Mission Foods who were signed by Bulldogs

- lost Hankook sponsorship despite De La Rue being a long time Demons supporter due to his dissatisfaction with the manner he was treated by the club

- Kaspersky signed due to a supporter approaching them

- EnergyWatch signed without due diligence of background checks which would have revealed poor prior business practices, problems with the ACCC & an unlikely ability to meet payments - deal subsequently fell apart for other reasons

- Webjet signed due to a supporter referring them

- Opel signed as a major sponsor

- NT Tourism signed as a minor sponsor with an understanding MFC will play additional games in Darwin in the future

- Several minor sponsors still unsigned going into 2013 season with club resorting to emailing Foundation Heroes and running an ad in the newspaper to try and lure sponsors

- Despite continued comments the club is close to signing a major Chinese sponsor nothing eventuates and the matter peters out

BUSINESS MODEL

- Have cleared $5M debt

- Club continues to be reliant on AFL handouts and supporter donations to make a marginal profit

- Have significantly increased our asset base by merging with the Leigh Oak club at Oakleigh

- Have acquired several hundred pokies machines at a relatively bargain price following changes to government legislation

- Have overhauled FD and increased FD spending though have failed to make ground on larger clubs

- Club is fined $500k following an AFL investigation into alleged tanking in 2009

MEMBERSHIP/SUPPORTERS

- Membership increased to record levels over 2009-2011 though declined in 2012 and likely to decline again in 2013

- Anecdotal evidence of some Foundation Heroes unhappy with treatment by the club and withdrawing their significant financial support

- Club has embarked on trying to develop a support base in the Casey region including community programs, partnership with Casey Scorpions and second training base at Casey - this is signed on as a 30 year relationship thoughthere appears to be get-out clauses if required

CLUB UNITY/RELATIONSHIPS

- Significant fracturing of the club between admin & FD leading to decision not to renew Schwab's contract at end of 2011 - decision subsequently overturned following 186 as coach was sacked instead and didnt want to spill both leadership positions

- Club remains disjointed/fractured with admin based at MCG & FD based at AAMI Park

- Schwab has effectively disappeared publicly (including shutting down even his Twitter feed) due to either being told to do so by the board or electing to do so due to the increase in supporter agitation due to continued poor performance of the team

- Several senior players dissatisfied with the way the team was coached in 2009 believing the club was trying to "tank" games in order to secure priority draft pick

- Several senior players sacked by the club most notably captain James McDonald who was told unexpectedly at the end of 2011 his contract would not be renewed. The club is criticised morefor its handling of the de isions rather than the decisions themselves

- The club commissions an independent review of the club, dubbed the Andrews Report, prior to the 2011 season - senior players were allegedly interviewed for the purposes of gathering info for the report -the report is subsequently shelved when it comes back allegedly critical of the running of the club particularly by the CEO

- In July 2011 senior players are again spoken to about their opinions on the club/admin - they feel they have been marginalised again which leads some to allege they play a game in protest losing by 186 points to Geelong - their protest has the unintended effect of saving the CEO and sacking the coach which is the opposite of what they had wanted

- Relationship with Casey FC sours at times particularly during 2011 when the VFL side recruits Brendan Fevola and the MFC again withdraws players from the squad as Casey embarks on a finals campaign

- Andrew Leoncelli quits the board in 2011 leaving his position as conduit between the FD & admin vacant for the remainder of the season

- Head recruiter Prendergast leaves at start of 2012 leaving his position to be temporarily filled by Todd Viney (who has minimal if any experience in this area) until the clubs preferred candidate finishes his contract with Collingwood which doesn't occur until after the National Draft

- Defensive coach Sean Wellman is re-signed to a new contract on the back of a great performance in 2010 which sees Frawley become AA and the backline lauded for its work - he subsequently advises he wishes to rejoin his old club Essendon following Hird being appointed coach and the club releases him from his contract without hassle

TEAM PERFORMANCE

- Schwab develops the "Red & Blueprint" a document which details the Premiership model the club will undertake which focuses on slashing senior players and rebuilding solely through the draft by obtaining as many first round picks as possible

- Player development is hindered with draftees being played in senior matches before they are physically or mentally prepared - this is exacerbated by a dearthnof leadership on-field during games

- The initial rebuild fails culminating in 186 which sees the coach sacked - a new coach is appointed who undertakes another rebuild, slashing the list again and repeating the same mantra of needing to get games into players with the addition this time of stating the players are unfit and require 3 pre-seasons to get up to AFL fitness levels

- In 2012 the team goes backwards winning only 4 games, 3 of which are against the new franchises GC & GWS

- Prior to round 1 the CEO makes comments to he effect of round 1 being only one game in 22 and its no big deal if we lose as we can always rebound next week

- After making significant changes to the list at the end of 2012 supporters are hopeful of increased performance in 2013 - in the first game MFC loses to PA who finished low on the ladder in 2012 and had appointed a new coach over the summer - the players look listless in their loss leading to supporters venting their frustration during and after the game - the performance is made worse by the fact several other teams including GC, GWS & the Bulldogs put in spirited round 1 performances with fans fearful these clubs will overtake them as Richmond, North Melbourne, West Coast & Essendon have previously

- Following the round 1 defeat several players address the team in the rooms after the game including debutante Jack Viney - at the press conference the coach & captain look bewildered stating they couldnt understand the performance considering how well they'd trained over the pre-season

- No. 1 pick in the 2008 draft Jack Watts makes comments lamenting a lack of leadership on-field seemingly unaware that it is each players responsibility to lift the team and not rely on others to do so first - this is on the back of getting only 2 kicks & 5 handballs playing loose in defence after being drafted as a key forward

I think that is fairly comprehensive though I have likely overlooked some things which I am happy to edit in if anyone cares to point them out. I have tried to be fair and include the positives as well but the negatives comprehensively outweight them from my assessment. Others can make up their minds on what this all means but for me it points to a dearth of leadership at the top of the club and a dysfunctional relationship between the CEO and the rest of the club.

Edited April 5, 2013 by Dr. Gonzo

[Redleg 41,398]

An overview of the club and Schwab's "achievements" since returning to MFC;

SPONSORS

- failed to secure Mission Foods who were signed by Bulldogs

- lost Hankook sponsorship despite De La Rue being a long time Demons supporter due to his dissatisfaction with the manner he was treated by the club

- Kaspersky signed due to a supporter approaching them

- EnergyWatch signed without due diligence of background checks which would have revealed poor prior business practices, problems with the ACCC & an unlikely ability to meet payments - deal subsequently fell apart for other reasons

- Webjet signed due to a supporter referring them

- Opel signed as a major sponsor

- NT Tourism signed as a minor sponsor with an understanding MFC will play additional games in Darwin in the future

- Several minor sponsors still unsigned going into 2013 season with club resorting to emailing Foundation Heroes and running an ad in the newspaper to try and lure sponsors

- Despite continued comments the club is close to signing a major Chinese sponsor nothing eventuates and the matter peters out

BUSINESS MODEL

- Have cleared $5M debt

- Club continues to be reliant on AFL handouts and supporter donations to make a marginal profit

- Have significantly increased our asset base by merging with the Leigh Oak club at Oakleigh

- Have acquired several hundred pokies machines at a relatively bargain price following changes to government legislation

- Have overhauled FD and increased FD spending though have failed to make ground on larger clubs

- Club is fined $500k following an AFL investigation into alleged tanking in 2009

MEMBERSHIP/SUPPORTERS

- Membership increased to record levels over 2009-2011 though declined in 2012 and likely to decline again in 2013

- Anecdotal evidence of some Foundation Heroes unhappy with treatment by the club and withdrawing their significant financial support

- Club has embarked on trying to develop a support base in the Casey region including community programs, partnership with Casey Scorpions and second training base at Casey - this is signed on as a 30 year relationship thoughthere appears to be get-out clauses if required

CLUB UNITY/RELATIONSHIPS

- Significant fracturing of the club between admin & FD leading to decision not to renew Schwab's contract at end of 2011 - decision subsequently overturned following 186 as coach was sacked instead and didnt want to spill both leadership positions

- Club remains disjointed/fractured with admin based at MCG & FD based at AAMI Park

- Schwab has effectively disappeared publicly (including shutting down even his Twitter feed) due to either being told to do so by the board or electing to do so due to the increase in supporter agitation due to continued poor performance of the team

- Several senior players dissatisfied with the way the team was coached in 2009 believing the club was trying to "tank" games in order to secure priority draft pick

- Several senior players sacked by the club most notably captain James McDonald who was told unexpectedly at the end of 2011 his contract would not be renewed. The club is criticised morefor its handling of the de isions rather than the decisions themselves

- The club commissions an independent review of the club, dubbed the Andrews Report, prior to the 2011 season - senior players were allegedly interviewed for the purposes of gathering info for the report -the report is subsequently shelved when it comes back allegedly critical of the running of the club particularly by the CEO

- In July 2011 senior players are again spoken to about their opinions on the club/admin - they feel they have been marginalised again which leads some to allege they play a game in protest losing by 186 points to Geelong - their protest has the unintended effect of saving the CEO and sacking the coach which is the opposite of what they had wanted

- Relationship with Casey FC sours at times particularly during 2011 when the VFL side recruits Brendan Fevola and the MFC again withdraws players from the squad as Casey embarks on a finals campaign

- Andrew Leoncelli quits the board in 2011 leaving his position as conduit between the FD & admin vacant for the remainder of the season

- Head recruiter Prendergast leaves at start of 2012 leaving his position to be temporarily filled by Todd Viney (who has minimal if any experience in this area) until the clubs preferred candidate finishes his contract with Collingwood which doesn't occur until after the National Draft

- Defensive coach Sean Wellman is re-signed to a new contract on the back of a great performance in 2010 which sees Frawley become AA and the backline lauded for its work - he subsequently advises he wishes to rejoin his old club Essendon following Hird being appointed coach and the club releases him from his contract without hassle

TEAM PERFORMANCE

- Schwab develops the "Red & Blueprint" a document which details the Premiership model the club will undertake which focuses on slashing senior players and rebuilding solely through the draft by obtaining as many first round picks as possible

- Player development is hindered with draftees being played in senior matches before they are physically or mentally prepared - this is exacerbated by a dearthnof leadership on-field during games

- The initial rebuild fails culminating in 186 which sees the coach sacked - a new coach is appointed who undertakes another rebuild, slashing the list again and repeating the same mantra of needing to get games into players with the addition this time of stating the players are unfit and require 3 pre-seasons to get up to AFL fitness levels

- In 2012 the team goes backwards winning only 4 games, 3 of which are against the new franchises GC & GWS

- Prior to round 1 the CEO makes comments to he effect of round 1 being only one game in 22 and its no big deal if we lose as we can always rebound next week

- After making significant changes to the list at the end of 2012 supporters are hopeful of increased performance in 2013 - in the first game MFC loses to PA who finished low on the ladder in 2012 and had appointed a new coach over the summer - the players look listless in their loss leading to supporters venting their frustration during and after the game - the performance is made worse by the fact several other teams including GC, GWS & the Bulldogs put in spirited round 1 performances with fans fearful these clubs will overtake them as Richmond, North Melbourne, West Coast & Essendon have previously

- Following the round 1 defeat several players address the team in the rooms after the game including debutante Jack Viney - at the press conference the coach & captain look bewildered stating they couldnt understand the performance considering how well they'd trained over the pre-season

- No. 1 pick in the 2008 draft Jack Watts makes comments lamenting a lack of leadership on-field seemingly unaware that it is each players responsibility to lift the team and not rely on others to do so first - this is on the back of getting only 2 kicks & 5 handballs playing loose in defence after being drafted as a key forward

I think that is fairly comprehensive though I have likely overlooked some things which I am happy to edit in if anyone cares to point them out. I have tried to be fair and include the positives as well but the negatives comprehensively outweight them from my assessment. Others can make up their minds on what this all means but for me it points to a dearth of leadership at the top of the club and a dysfunctional relationship between the CEO and the rest of the club.

Wow!

[Whispering_Jack 30,573]

Wow!

Yes, much of what's there is capable of differing interpretation depending on where you stand in all of this.

Plus there are lots of other factors that come into play.

But if we are going to sack the lot of them then what next?

[Sir Why You Little 37,119]

Bottom line is that all these guys have worked hard, but after 7 years we are going backwards again. Yes they did some good things, but the reversal of strategy on the Tanking issue with the acceptance of a $ Half Mill not guilty verdict overshadows their entire reign.

To then refuse to speak to the shareholders about it is to me simpy untrustworthy.

It was their strategy to follow & they f$&@dd it up but remain in the cone of silence.

Not good enough for me, but i do understand we need an alternative plan.

Dr. G's above rundown is compelling reading

[Range Rover 1,935]

An overview of the club and Schwab's "achievements" since returning to MFC;

SPONSORS

- failed to secure Mission Foods who were signed by Bulldogs

- lost Hankook sponsorship despite De La Rue being a long time Demons supporter due to his dissatisfaction with the manner he was treated by the club

- Kaspersky signed due to a supporter approaching them

- EnergyWatch signed without due diligence of background checks which would have revealed poor prior business practices, problems with the ACCC & an unlikely ability to meet payments - deal subsequently fell apart for other reasons

- Webjet signed due to a supporter referring them

- Opel signed as a major sponsor

- NT Tourism signed as a minor sponsor with an understanding MFC will play additional games in Darwin in the future

- Several minor sponsors still unsigned going into 2013 season with club resorting to emailing Foundation Heroes and running an ad in the newspaper to try and lure sponsors

- Despite continued comments the club is close to signing a major Chinese sponsor nothing eventuates and the matter peters out

BUSINESS MODEL

- Have cleared $5M debt

- Club continues to be reliant on AFL handouts and supporter donations to make a marginal profit

- Have significantly increased our asset base by merging with the Leigh Oak club at Oakleigh

- Have acquired several hundred pokies machines at a relatively bargain price following changes to government legislation

- Have overhauled FD and increased FD spending though have failed to make ground on larger clubs

- Club is fined $500k following an AFL investigation into alleged tanking in 2009

MEMBERSHIP/SUPPORTERS

- Membership increased to record levels over 2009-2011 though declined in 2012 and likely to decline again in 2013

- Anecdotal evidence of some Foundation Heroes unhappy with treatment by the club and withdrawing their significant financial support

- Club has embarked on trying to develop a support base in the Casey region including community programs, partnership with Casey Scorpions and second training base at Casey - this is signed on as a 30 year relationship thoughthere appears to be get-out clauses if required

CLUB UNITY/RELATIONSHIPS

- Significant fracturing of the club between admin & FD leading to decision not to renew Schwab's contract at end of 2011 - decision subsequently overturned following 186 as coach was sacked instead and didnt want to spill both leadership positions

- Club remains disjointed/fractured with admin based at MCG & FD based at AAMI Park

- Schwab has effectively disappeared publicly (including shutting down even his Twitter feed) due to either being told to do so by the board or electing to do so due to the increase in supporter agitation due to continued poor performance of the team

- Several senior players dissatisfied with the way the team was coached in 2009 believing the club was trying to "tank" games in order to secure priority draft pick

- Several senior players sacked by the club most notably captain James McDonald who was told unexpectedly at the end of 2011 his contract would not be renewed. The club is criticised morefor its handling of the de isions rather than the decisions themselves

- The club commissions an independent review of the club, dubbed the Andrews Report, prior to the 2011 season - senior players were allegedly interviewed for the purposes of gathering info for the report -the report is subsequently shelved when it comes back allegedly critical of the running of the club particularly by the CEO

- In July 2011 senior players are again spoken to about their opinions on the club/admin - they feel they have been marginalised again which leads some to allege they play a game in protest losing by 186 points to Geelong - their protest has the unintended effect of saving the CEO and sacking the coach which is the opposite of what they had wanted

- Relationship with Casey FC sours at times particularly during 2011 when the VFL side recruits Brendan Fevola and the MFC again withdraws players from the squad as Casey embarks on a finals campaign

- Andrew Leoncelli quits the board in 2011 leaving his position as conduit between the FD & admin vacant for the remainder of the season

- Head recruiter Prendergast leaves at start of 2012 leaving his position to be temporarily filled by Todd Viney (who has minimal if any experience in this area) until the clubs preferred candidate finishes his contract with Collingwood which doesn't occur until after the National Draft

- Defensive coach Sean Wellman is re-signed to a new contract on the back of a great performance in 2010 which sees Frawley become AA and the backline lauded for its work - he subsequently advises he wishes to rejoin his old club Essendon following Hird being appointed coach and the club releases him from his contract without hassle

TEAM PERFORMANCE

- Schwab develops the "Red & Blueprint" a document which details the Premiership model the club will undertake which focuses on slashing senior players and rebuilding solely through the draft by obtaining as many first round picks as possible

- Player development is hindered with draftees being played in senior matches before they are physically or mentally prepared - this is exacerbated by a dearthnof leadership on-field during games

- The initial rebuild fails culminating in 186 which sees the coach sacked - a new coach is appointed who undertakes another rebuild, slashing the list again and repeating the same mantra of needing to get games into players with the addition this time of stating the players are unfit and require 3 pre-seasons to get up to AFL fitness levels

- In 2012 the team goes backwards winning only 4 games, 3 of which are against the new franchises GC & GWS

- Prior to round 1 the CEO makes comments to he effect of round 1 being only one game in 22 and its no big deal if we lose as we can always rebound next week

- After making significant changes to the list at the end of 2012 supporters are hopeful of increased performance in 2013 - in the first game MFC loses to PA who finished low on the ladder in 2012 and had appointed a new coach over the summer - the players look listless in their loss leading to supporters venting their frustration during and after the game - the performance is made worse by the fact several other teams including GC, GWS & the Bulldogs put in spirited round 1 performances with fans fearful these clubs will overtake them as Richmond, North Melbourne, West Coast & Essendon have previously

- Following the round 1 defeat several players address the team in the rooms after the game including debutante Jack Viney - at the press conference the coach & captain look bewildered stating they couldnt understand the performance considering how well they'd trained over the pre-season

- No. 1 pick in the 2008 draft Jack Watts makes comments lamenting a lack of leadership on-field seemingly unaware that it is each players responsibility to lift the team and not rely on others to do so first - this is on the back of getting only 2 kicks & 5 handballs playing loose in defence after being drafted as a key forward

I think that is fairly comprehensive though I have likely overlooked some things which I am happy to edit in if anyone cares to point them out. I have tried to be fair and include the positives as well but the negatives comprehensively outweight them from my assessment. Others can make up their minds on what this all means but for me it points to a dearth of leadership at the top of the club and a dysfunctional relationship between the CEO and the rest of the club.

Quick ... attack 'Range Rover' and bury Doc Gonz's post pronto!!

[Demon Stalwart 255]

Please forgive me for my naivety!.

I read all comments with Interest and I notice the strength of conviction by some here on this topic

However if one wants to see changes one must first get involved themselves

It cant always be left up to others

I am "not in the know at the Melbourne Football club" nor do I have any insight into the machinations that take place within the club, though others may .

I have found that if one wants changes one has to put themselves out there and take a stand on those issues that are important to them and at least try to make a difference.

Sometimes one will succeed other times the minimum you achieve is at least make others more aware of the issues

I believe from posts that I have read that many here are obviously extremely loyal to the Club itself, if not necessarily to those that run it and others have closer links to the club itself

then some.

If that is the case and they do feel strongly about what they claim then, they need to actually get involved themselves and try to make those changes .

It can start from members or it can start higher up the chain .

Something is wrong at the Melbourne Football club and has been now for quite some time. these issues need to be addressed wether they are real or just perceived.

It needs people who have the Interest of the club solely at heart to take a stand

I don't know if anyone here fits that Criteria and is in a position to do just that

But if someone doesn't try then all will continue the way it is regardless of how much is written about it and how much it is believed that change is needed

If things are as bad as some say it seems to be the only possible recourse available..

[Hatchman 539]

Schwab has to go

[demoniac 1,336]

Bottom line is that all these guys have worked hard, but after 7 years we are going backwards again. Yes they did some good things, but the reversal of strategy on the Tanking issue with the acceptance of a $ Half Mill not guilty verdict overshadows their entire reign.

To then refuse to speak to the shareholders about it is to me simpy untrustworthy.

It was their strategy to follow & they f$&@dd it up but remain in the cone of silence.

Not good enough for me, but i do understand we need an alternative plan.

Dr. G's above rundown is compelling reading

'why you little' do you have a legal background? What is your understanding of the repercussions to the Club if they fought all the way to the Supreme Court and lost? The Director who coordinated our response to the tanking charges is Guy Jalland (profile below). He is an extremely experienced corporate lawyer, has worked for the Packers for 15 years. For mine he and the board did the right thing in reaching a settlement and avoiding a finding of tanking and draft penaltys. Interested in your response.

Guy is 51 years of age and holds a Batchelor of Laws degree from Melbourne University.

Commencing in 1998, Guy was employed as a senior executive of Consolidated Press Holdings Limited. Between 2004 and 2007 Guy acted as Group Legal Counsel and Company Secretary of Publishing and Broadcasting Limited (then 38% owned by CPH). Following the demerger of PBL last year, Guy returned to CPH.

Before CPH, Guy Jalland was employed as a senior executive with Village Roadshow Limited; as a partner in a Melbourne law firm; and worked in various positions in Asia and Europe.

Guy commutes between Melbourne and Sydney. He is married with 4 children, and is a lifelong Melbourne supporter.

[Muvver Jones 64]

In the Age today it states that the AFL are very concerned about the state of our club. And Demetriou saying that he is hoping we do well tonight. against Essendon. On face value this looks like wishful thinking. This may be a precurser to AFL intervention if things don't improve.

[Spirit of '87 333]

Th Ch7 commentators last night were discussing Richmond seemingly being "on the way up", and attributed it to the club having a good president, good CEO, good captain and good coach, making the point that they have a good club, not just a good team. MFC give the impression that they are lacking across all this fronts at present.

[Range Rover 1,935]

'why you little' do you have a legal background? What is your understanding of the repercussions to the Club if they fought all the way to the Supreme Court and lost? The Director who coordinated our response to the tanking charges is Guy Jalland (profile below). He is an extremely experienced corporate lawyer, has worked for the Packers for 15 years. For mine he and the board did the right thing in reaching a settlement and avoiding a finding of tanking and draft penaltys. Interested in your response.

Garbage. What McLardy and Co wanted to avoid were the 'repercussions' of taking the AFL on. In other words they were scared and rolled over.

It was widely reported we had a very solid legal case. My own sources confirm this.

Right is right. And pea-heart is pea-heart.

[demoniac 1,336]

In the Age today it states that the AFL are very concerned about the state of our club. And Demetriou saying that he is hoping we do well tonight. against Essendon. On face value this looks like wishful thinking. This may be a precurser to AFL intervention if things don't improve.

Or its just a lazy journo needing to fill column inches and not prepared to get off his backside and do any hard work.

[demoniac 1,336]

Garbage. What McLardy and Co wanted to avoid were the 'repercussions' of taking the AFL on. In other words they were scared and rolled over.

It was widely reported we had a very solid legal case. My own sources confirm this.

Right is right. And pea-heart is pea-heart.

A Packer henchman scared of the AFL?

[Range Rover 1,935]

A Packer henchman scared of the AFL?

You're comparing the Packers to the MFC Board and Don McLardy? Please.

From henchman to hen.

[Chelly 827]

Running a case in the Supreme Court against the AFL for a month would have cost us $1m and more if the judgement went against us. You would have been livid had we fought and lost. Range Rover would have blamed Schwab for not negotiating a settlement and Hazy would have been calling for the death penalty.

Vlad would have had us playing home games at midnight in Snake Gully.

Not smart.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,266]

For the record, I'm not against the strategy the club undertook in 2009 & believe they handled the investigation and outcome as best they could. Taking the AFL to court would have been futile especially considering everyone knows what went on. It was a negotiated outcome which appeased all parties. We were scapegoated but that doesn't mean we were innocent.

[Range Rover 1,935]

Running a case in the Supreme Court against the AFL for a month would have cost us $1m and more if the judgement went against us. You would have been livid had we fought and lost. Range Rover would have blamed Schwab for not negotiating a settlement and Hazy would have been calling for the death penalty.

Vlad would have had us playing home games at midnight in Snake Gully.

Not smart.

"If we lost". "If the judgment went against us". "Vlad would have done this". "Vlad would have done that". Fear. Fear. Fear.

The Collingwoods and Hawthorns would never have copped that bullsh1t for a second.

Anyone who can't see the surrender mentality permeateing through the club owing to such weak leadership is a lost cause I'm afraid.

[Chelly 827]

"If we lost". "If the judgment went against us". "Vlad would have done this". "Vlad would have done that". Fear. Fear. Fear.

The Collingwoods and Hawthorns would never have copped that bullsh1t for a second.

Anyone who can't see the surrender mentality permeateing through the club owing to such weak leadership is a lost cause I'm afraid.

You would be prepared to foot the bill, I assume?

[Bossdog 2,002]

Rangy........can we please give it a rest?.....We all know your views.......We don't need reminding every post at every minute of every day.....

I haven't heard of any ground swell of a challenge coming for the board......If you are planning a revolution ....Please let us know....But until there is an alternative can you just let it go for a while........Your post are becoming depressing.....Thanks.....

[Range Rover 1,935]

You would be prepared to foot the bill, I assume?

The club and everyone involved in it would have been galvanized and emboldened by taking on the AFL.

One million is nothing compared to the ongoing damage to the club's morale and (whatever was left of) it's fighting spirit. The damage to its brand through lost memberships, kids turning away from us, jittery sponsors etc ... Not to mention the actual 500K fine we copped for exactly what who the hell knows!

It can't be stressed how critical a moment that was in the history of the MFC in terms of requiring strong leadership. But it didn't materialize.

Edited April 6, 2013 by Range Rover

[Range Rover 1,935]

Rangy........can we please give it a rest?.....We all know your views.......We don't need reminding every post at every minute of every day.....

I haven't heard of any ground swell of a challenge coming for the board......If you are planning a revolution ....Please let us know....But until there is an alternative can you just let it go for a while........Your post are becoming depressing.....Thanks.....

The truth is depressing Bossdog. The title of the the thread is "McLardy, Schwab and Co must go". If you don't like the content herein ... don't read it.

Edited April 6, 2013 by Range Rover