A CLUB IN CRISIS ... THE AFL MUST STEP IN

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

It all seems plausible that most of the group haven't been impressed with Neeld and perhaps wanted out of the MFC, and that is why we have lacked such ticker. IF that is the case however, it does not excuse any individual one bit.

If you are in that situation you suck it up and play 100% professionally, for your teammates and your supporters, and simply for your own sense of pride and desire to win. You do not drop your head and serve up half-arsed efforts, if I was coach I would drop a player straight away for doing that and when asked by the media I would make it clear that I don't tolerate 'dummy spitters' putting themselves before the team and disgracing the jumper in the process. Why would you keep it under wraps, and continue to pick the player in the side, while he continues to sulk and wrecks your career. Neither the media nor the supporters could criticise you, even for dropping apparently important players, because you have supplied the ultimate justification for doing so. Then you would get to see how that player responds to being publicly 'outed' as a pea-heart. The onus would be back on them to prove to everybody that they are a footballer and demand a spot back in the side. They could forget about getting interest from other clubs once the word is out they are not commited footballers and are playing down at Casey. Once an example is made of one or two watch the others pull their finger out to avoid the same fate. Am I crazy or is this the obvious course of action MN should be taking at this point? NAME AND SHAME THEM MARK.

[Goodvibes 3,596]

It's a bitter, bitter pill to swallow, I understand. Embarrassing, humiliating. All of it.

Blame the people put us in this position. Not the media. And certainly not some poster on an Internet forum.

Actually I'm not interested in blame. It's a waste of energy. I want us to get to the root of the problem and make sensible decisions about our future in a professional manner. Talk of protests and strikes and mass sackings will do little to change the perception in the media that we are a basket case. We need to ride out the on-field crap and make decisions that bring us closer together rather than ripping us apart. Those decisions need to me made but not right now when we are at an emotional high point. The reason I mention the media is because they are viewing us as an easy kill right now (a bit like you on this forum) and if we're to roll over and start wielding the axe then they will have won and the perception of weakness will have been reinforced. If we instead bunker down (as it appears we're doing) support the footy dept and then see an improvement on the field over the next month we'll have grown as a club. At the end of the season we can make sound strategic decisions about the direction of our club and our footy department. I appreciate the danger of things not getting better but I'm willing to bet that this week we'll see a much better showing and we may even have a win on the board in less than 11 days. The world is a different place after a win! And I'm certainly not blaming you for what has happened over the past two rounds but right now you're the cheerleader for negativity and sniping on this site and as a consequence people like me might speak out occasionally. You don't seem to like being challenged. You seem to struggle with alternative views. And you're yet to give me any substance apart from the handing over of our entire organization (as if we've gone into liquidation) to the AFL to do with as they please. It's the type of thing a club in their death throws would do. We're not there yet as last nights membership drive shows. Hanging tough in the bad times is difficult RR. I understand if you're not up to it.

[Range Rover 1,935]

Actually I'm not interested in blame. It's a waste of energy. I want us to get to the root of the problem and make sensible decisions about our future in a professional manner. Talk of protests and strikes and mass sackings will do little to change the perception in the media that we are a basket case. We need to ride out the on-field crap and make decisions that bring us closer together rather than ripping us apart. Those decisions need to me made but not right now when we are at an emotional high point. The reason I mention the media is because they are viewing us as an easy kill right now (a bit like you on this forum) and if we're to roll over and start wielding the axe then they will have won and the perception of weakness will have been reinforced. If we instead bunker down (as it appears we're doing) support the footy dept and then see an improvement on the field over the next month we'll have grown as a club. At the end of the season we can make sound strategic decisions about the direction of our club and our footy department. I appreciate the danger of things not getting better but I'm willing to bet that this week we'll see a much better showing and we may even have a win on the board in less than 11 days. The world is a different place after a win! And I'm certainly not blaming you for what has happened over the past two rounds but right now you're the cheerleader for negativity and sniping on this site and as a consequence people like me might speak out occasionally. You don't seem to like being challenged. You seem to struggle with alternative views. And you're yet to give me any substance apart from the handing over of our entire organization (as if we've gone into liquidation) to the AFL to do with as they please. It's the type of thing a club in their death throws would do. We're not there yet as last nights membership drive shows. Hanging tough in the bad times is difficult RR. I understand if you're not up to it.

"The pereception in the media that we are a basket case", you say?

Mate, here's the straight dope ... we are a basket case.

You call me a cheerleader for negativity? I call myself a champion for change.

Anything else? Good. Now go and sit down and let the men do the fighting.

[Range Rover 1,935]

"President" McLardy passes the buck ...

"Maybe the issue is the football department and the talent on our playing list and we are just not getting them to perform," he said.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/melbournes-massive-losses-and-tank-fine-go-straight-to-the-clubs-bottom-line/story-fndv8pdq-1226615247188

"Meanwhile ... McLardy has conceded the club's woeful start to the season and $500,000 "tanking" fine have the Demons on track for a $1 million loss this year."

What kind of a leader is this?

"Delusional" Don.

[Satyriconhome 10,880]

"The pereception in the media that we are a basket case", you say?

Mate, here's the straight dope ... we are a basket case.

You call me a cheerleader for negativity? I call myself a champion for change.

Anything else? Good. Now go and sit down and let the men do the fighting.

One of your best Rangey.......wow OK MEN!!!!!!.....leading from the rear..what are you going to change, haven't you noticed you are becoming isolated, sad but true I'm afraid, put the arm down, take the black glove off.......ring Caro invite her for a coffee and you can both sit and cry into your soy latte

[Range Rover 1,935]

One of your best Rangey.......wow OK MEN!!!!!!.....leading from the rear..what are you going to change, haven't you noticed you are becoming isolated, sad but true I'm afraid, put the arm down, take the black glove off.......ring Caro invite her for a coffee and you can both sit and cry into your soy latte

Plenty on here agree with me. Even a few of the 'conservatives' are starting to come 'round.

30 year members are handing back their memberships.

If you want to scoff at that then you've got problems.

[Goodvibes 3,596]

"The pereception in the media that we are a basket case", you say?

Mate, here's the straight dope ... we are a basket case.

You call me a cheerleader for negativity? I call myself a champion for change.

Anything else? Good. Now go and sit down and let the men do the fighting.

Could the champion of change provide us with a little substance. Tell me about these changes and how they'll shape the club. Or has your thinking stopped at the point where you realized things aren't good and because they're not good we therefore need a change?

[Range Rover 1,935]

Could the champion of change provide us with a little substance. Tell me about these changes and how they'll shape the club. Or has your thinking stopped at the point where you realized things aren't good and because they're not good we therefore need a change?

I have said it in many threads. The MFC is incapable of running itself and the AFL must step in. I said it before Rohan Connolly wrote his op-ed piece yeterday.

We need new non-MFC personnel at administrative level. Competent people with the clout and backing of league HQ.

We can't and won't do it ourselves. We are incapable of change from within.

[Goodvibes 3,596]

I have said it in many threads. The MFC is incapable of running itself and the AFL must step in. Is said it before Rohan Connolly wrote his op-ed piece yeterday.

We need new non-MFC personnel at administrative level. Competent people with the clout and backing of league HQ.

We can't and won't do it ourselves. We are incapable of change from within.

So at the end of the day, that's where your point starts and ends? We're stuffed - bring in the AFL?

[Sir Why You Little 37,342]

All i know right now is that i cannot watch 100+ point losses every week. I will end up hating my club. I don't want that too happen.

We have no midfield. Modern football is based around midfield players.

The beltings will continue and the President is taking no blame.

[Range Rover 1,935]

So at the end of the day, that's where your point starts and ends? We're stuffed - bring in the AFL?

Until the incompetents are wrenched out of the club ... yes, we are stuffed.

How was McLardy and Schwab passing the buck to the footy department? No accountability at all.

None.

[Goodvibes 3,596]

Like Fifty-5 I've read the tea leaves and I don't like what I see and agree that change is inevitable. The challenge is in the timing. Mass sackings two weeks into a season is not a good look. This playing list has shown that a change of coach won't necessarily result in a change to our on-field fortunes. I don't think it's fair to judge a coach on what he says immediately after a game. Not many people could put a positive spin on what has happened over the past two weeks and not many could communicate effectively the reasons why we're where we're at. I think he deserves an opportunitity to fight his way out of this mess. The odds are stacked against him but he's worked hard (as Rangey ironically said) to get this senior coaching gig and clearly hasn't thrown in the towel. I'll be at the G on Saturday and I'm interested to see what he comes up with yet. One good quarter or even a good half of footy and our confidence will grow. A week later we may have 4 premiershp points and the landscape will have changed and the media spotlight will be on another team. Our young team will continue to develop and when the dust settles we'll decide on who is best equipped to take us forward. And not because the entire football world has decided our destiny for us but because that's exactly what we have chosen to do.

[Satyriconhome 10,880]

Until the incompetents are wrenched out of the club ... yes, we are stuffed.

How was McLardy and Schwab passing the buck to the footy department? No accountability at all.

None.

So, that is WHERE your point starts and ends.....how do you know members are handing memberships back in, been on the phone out, no didn't think so, sitting on the sidelines crouched below your keyboard,, sniping........let the men do the fighting.....really you are now just beginning to sound sad Rangey.......it's getting down to you and your able sidekick WYL....hope the two of you enjoy your isolation.....real supporters are getting behind the Club like Don McLardy asked, until you replace him as President I'll follow him if you don't mind...........I am a realist...yes we are up to our neck in [censored], but together we will get out of it........

[Range Rover 1,935]

Like Fifty-5 I've read the tea leaves and I don't like what I see and agree that change is inevitable. The challenge is in the timing. Mass sackings two weeks into a season is not a good look. This playing list has shown that a change of coach won't necessarily result in a change to our on-field fortunes. I don't think it's fair to judge a coach on what he says immediately after a game. Not many people could put a positive spin on what has happened over the past two weeks and not many could communicate effectively the reasons why we're where we're at. I think he deserves an opportunitity to fight his way out of this mess. The odds are stacked against him but he's worked hard (as Rangey ironically said) to get this senior coaching gig and clearly hasn't thrown in the towel. I'll be at the G on Saturday and I'm interested to see what he comes up with yet. One good quarter or even a good half of footy and our confidence will grow. A week later we may have 4 premiershp points and the landscape will have changed and the media spotlight will be on another team. Our young team will continue to develop and when the dust settles we'll decide on who is best equipped to take us forward. And not because the entire football world has decided our destiny for us but because that's exactly what we have chosen to do.

You sound like a gambler heading back to the casino.

[Goodvibes 3,596]

Until the incompetents are wrenched out of the club ... yes, we are stuffed.

How was McLardy and Schwab passing the buck to the footy department? No accountability at all.

None.

McLardy and Schwab are obviously under the pump. They've helped us to wipe out our debt, re-align with the MCC, improve our training facilities and create increased revenue flows and brought some impressive sponsorship deals to the club at a difficult time. They've channeled much of their funds towards the footy department. They chose the coach. We have more assistants than ever before. We now have one of the best fitness/conditioning guys in the business. Our footy department has never received this level of financial support before.They know that if the team keeps failing they'll be out and they'll fall on their sword because at the end of the day they've got to live with their decisions. Is it unfair that they place a little pressure on the coach and the rest of the footy department to get things right on the field? You call that passing the buck. We all talk and talk and talk about being ruthless and the minute we put a little pressure on the footy department to improve our on-field fortunes, they're passing the buck. McLardy and Schwab aren't there to get the footy team playing good footy. They're there to allow the footy department to get the best out of their players. As far as I see, that's exactly what they've done. If they've chosen the wrong people and we continue to lose, they'll be out but in the mean time they have every right to put pressure on those they placed their trust in.

[Sir Why You Little 37,342]

So, that is WHERE your point starts and ends.....how do you know members are handing memberships back in, been on the phone out, no didn't think so, sitting on the sidelines crouched below your keyboard,, sniping........let the men do the fighting.....really you are now just beginning to sound sad Rangey.......it's getting down to you and your able sidekick WYL....hope the two of you enjoy your isolation.....real supporters are getting behind the Club like Don McLardy asked, until you replace him as President I'll follow him if you don't mind...........I am a realist...yes we are up to our neck in [censored], but together we will get out of it........

Really?

This President & CEO have presided over a very dark period in our history.

Do you really believe they want to lead us out of it or just save their own positions of power.

I am not a RR lacky btw. This club has been delusional since we hired Dean Bailey rather than Sheedy. We needed experience not apprentices.

Why do we keep employing newbies? Ego?

50 years and the attitude is similiar.

[Range Rover 1,935]

So, that is WHERE your point starts and ends.....how do you know members are handing memberships back in, been on the phone out, no didn't think so, sitting on the sidelines crouched below your keyboard,, sniping........let the men do the fighting.....really you are now just beginning to sound sad Rangey.......it's getting down to you and your able sidekick WYL....hope the two of you enjoy your isolation.....real supporters are getting behind the Club like Don McLardy asked, until you replace him as President I'll follow him if you don't mind...........I am a realist...yes we are up to our neck in [censored], but together we will get out of it........

And you sound like the card dealer.

It's okay. We're on to you.

[Range Rover 1,935]

Really?

This President & CEO have presided over a very dark period in our history.

Do you really believe they want to lead us out of it or just save their own positions of power.

I am not a RR lacky btw. This club has been delusional since we hired Dean Bailey rather than Sheedy. We needed experience not apprentices.

Why do we keep employing newbies? Ego?

50 years and the attitude is similiar.

Patronizing in the extreme isn't WYL, that they don't think you can think for yourself.

[Satyriconhome 10,880]

Really?

This President & CEO have presided over a very dark period in our history.

Do you really believe they want to lead us out of it or just save their own positions of power.

I am not a RR lacky btw. This club has been delusional since we hired Dean Bailey rather than Sheedy. We needed experience not apprentices.

Why do we keep employing newbies? Ego?

50 years and the attitude is similiar.

I didn't say lackey, I said sidekick, using delusional so the influence is there, how do you know Sheedy even applied for the job, what were his demands, financial etc, seem to recall we had a bit of debt then, so if we had hired him and he didn't succeed how much more debt would we have had.......you and the Range man keep putting up arguments and posters including me keep shooting them down, but that doesn't deter you, let's find another angle.....give it away......stay away from games, tear your membership up if it makes you feel good.......just leave the supporters to rally around the Club and get us out of this hole we are in

[Satyriconhome 10,880]

Patronizing in the extreme isn't WYL, that they don't think you can think for yourself.

Rangey you would know that word, you are getting off topic again, what's wrong lost this one as well, you can always start another one.....maybe try GO MUST SCHWAB this time.....don't quite understand the card dealer analogy must be above me.....

[Sir Why You Little 37,342]

I didn't say lackey, I said sidekick, using delusional so the influence is there, how do you know Sheedy even applied for the job, what were his demands, financial etc, seem to recall we had a bit of debt then, so if we had hired him and he didn't succeed how much more debt would we have had.......you and the Range man keep putting up arguments and posters including me keep shooting them down, but that doesn't deter you, let's find another angle.....give it away......stay away from games, tear your membership up if it makes you feel good.......just leave the supporters to rally around the Club and get us out of this hole we are in

Do you have faith in the present administration after the strategies they have presided over in the last 6 years?

Yes or No?

[Satyriconhome 10,880]

Do you have faith in the present administration after the strategies they have presided over in the last 6 years?

Yes or No?

Yes

[titan_uranus 25,212]

An offensive post this one. Very, very weak.

I'll put it down to ignorance and leave it at that.

You whinge about an 'offensive post' (it wasn't. It was completely spot on), and then you write this:

And you sound like the card dealer.

It's okay. We're on to you.

Making someone sound like a gambling addict, someone who, by virtue of being different, you are 'on to'.

Everything Goodvibes said about you, from the one-liners to the divisiveness, was fair, reasonable, and based on evidence.

Everything you say is the complete opposite.

[Sir Why You Little 37,342]

Yes

Fine. We disagree.

The Tanking Rollover and the denial spin that anything is wrong i heard on sunday gives me no faith.

We need outside help now.

[Satyriconhome 10,880]

I support the current administration because

I trust Don McLardy, because he has done nothing to betray it

I, along with every other poster or reader of this Board, do not have any idea as to what has occurred in the Club during the last five years, we only have ponfificating journalists and commentators telling us what they think occurred

I am happy considering where we have been on the field, that we have 3 sponsors this year, we turned a profit last year, the membership has not taken a massive hit, the Footy Dept is getting the cash it needs (they are FACTS)

The playiing group has a crisis of confidence at the moment, they will get over it