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

[Range Rover 1,935]

AFL MUST SAVE DEMONS

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-must-save-demons-20130407-2hezf.html

This is about far more than Neeld's competence as a coach, and more than Melbourne's financial status. The club has an inherently weak culture that any number of new regimes has failed to strengthen. Direct intervention from head office may be Melbourne's last hope ... it shouldn't mess around any longer waiting for the club bearing this city's name to fix itself. Because the Demons themselves can't, and won't.

One of the most respected football writers in the game is now onto us. He's not on his Pat Malone let me tell you.

For the good of the club it has to happen.

[Lordweaver 235]

if you want to cut players then we have to replace them and we are not too good at that, also get the AFL in if they can help, it couldn't hurt.

[CBDees 3,162]

3AW this morning said that they have already stepped in. [At least we see what the $500,000 (proactive) fine was for now; they crystal-balled that we would be a disgrace last Saturday nigh and bring the AFL into disrepute!]

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

This is all very depressing.

[old dee 22,930]

This is all very depressing.

I agree RB.

Too hard for me at present.

There is more to life than the pain created by the MFC

[Range Rover 1,935]

Connolly will be on SEN this morning between 8am and 9am (they didn't say when exactly).

Dees fans should listen.

[old dee 22,930]

Connolly will be on SEN this morning between 8am and 9am (they didn't say when exactly).

Dees fans should listen.

Why RR do I need more pain?

[Range Rover 1,935]

Why RR do I need more pain?

You don't OldDee. That's why we (the fans) must be rescued from those who keep inflciting it (MFC admin).

It's a bitter pill to swallow. But we must take our medicine if we're to get better.

Edited April 7, 2013 by Range Rover

[Range Rover 1,935]

Robbo ... http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/dees-battling-on-and-off-field-as-the-names-are-different-but-the-plot-is-familiar/story-fndv8pdq-1226614403126

"Clearly, the question about the coach is not the only question hovering above this footy club. Chairman McLardy said yesterday the performance on the field was not the fault of the office-holders off the field, or a reflection on them. That's baloney. Firstly, and most critically, good clubs share the responsibility. You win together and you lose together. Secondly, there has been a stench around this football club since 2007."

[Sir Why You Little 34,615]

I heard Conolly on SEN. I agreed with him.

The club needs help. 50 years is long enough.

Our biggest loss at the 'G is the catalyst.

[Sir Why You Little 34,615]

Robbo ... http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/dees-battling-on-and-off-field-as-the-names-are-different-but-the-plot-is-familiar/story-fndv8pdq-1226614403126

"Clearly, the question about the coach is not the only question hovering above this footy club. Chairman McLardy said yesterday the performance on the field was not the fault of the office-holders off the field, or a reflection on them. That's baloney. Firstly, and most critically, good clubs share the responsibility. You win together and you lose together. Secondly, there has been a stench around this football club since 2007."

Foolish words Don.

Out of his depth.

[Range Rover 1,935]

Foolish words Don.

Out of his depth.

I've heard he's a nice man. That's great. But he can't lead a football club.

Schwab needs to be frogmarched out of there if he won't willingly leave.

[Sir Why You Little 34,615]

I've heard he's a nice man. That's great. But he can't lead a football club.

Schwab needs to be frogmarched out of there if he won't willingly leave.

This is not personal. It's about getting the right people to run a 21st century football team.

[Weedster 174]

On game plan I agree. A pre match speech means nothing to me.

At the risk of sounding ridiculous, what is the game plan ?

We have had all of 2012 and a preseason starting in October to define / refine it and I just don't see it.

The players simply look completely confused.

[old dee 22,930]

At the risk of sounding ridiculous, what is the game plan ?

We have had all of 2012 and a preseason starting in October to define / refine it and I just don't see it.

The players simply look completely confused.

That will happen when you don't have the required skill level.

[Thehardtackler 785]

I think that Sylvia should have gone with Moloney. If there is a player revolt against the administration then he is certainly behind it. He was so disinterested in all things football when I spoke to him at training and he has never wanted to conform or put in. He only suits a superstar team where he can get an easy kick. Get rid off this bloke and then judge Neeld when he has the players full confidence.

[titan_uranus 22,522]

People whinge about Schwab's 'plan' revolving around subsisting off donations and handouts.

Those same people want the club to be run by the AFL.

Hypocritical nonsense.

[Hero1 74]

Jack watts is a psychological mess caused by the media and the booing idiots. Many of these on Saturday were essendon fans around our player's race. We need a big crush of positive supporters around the race next game to stop the idiots who boo from doing it. The young boys need to get back to enjoying the game and feeling good about themselves. Making them feel bad about themselves will make them more psychologically screwed up, go into their shells and mess up the game play even more. Much if the game is played "above the shoulders". Psychology is very important.

[daisycutter 28,612]

RR, you still haven't answered what the AFL will actually do when they take over? Bake sale? Handball drills?

We are only a mess on the field. The AFL doesn't have a gun midfield training at a secret location waiting for a club to be bad enough to warrant them. But please, enlighten me with what the league will do?

some things the afl could do

1. priority pick(s)

2. MFC mini draft rights (I like this one)

3. Salary cap increase a'la Swans for multiple years

on top of finding a new CEO and assisting in getting an experienced coach

just some thoughts

[alias275 259]

I think it goes a little more deeper than just not booing the players to keep up their spirits lol.

I agree with everyone else, there is something horribly wrong at the club and if no one is talking, then someone has to step in and fix this.

[rjay 23,932]

People whinge about Schwab's 'plan' revolving around subsisting off donations and handouts.

Those same people want the club to be run by the AFL.

Hypocritical nonsense.

I don't want the AFL to run the club but I do want them to put in an administrator.

[felixdacat 459]

I agree there is something wrong with the club. We keep losing by big margins and we are uncompetitive for large parts of the game through lack of confidence or resilience,

How will the AFL help this by stepping in?

How will injecting people into administration help the players on the field ?

What possible magical solution does the AFL have to solve a problem like MFC?

Has it ever done something similar in similar circumstances to any other club in history?

If they do this to the MFC what would other clubs think? Does it set a dangerous precedent?

RR I think if you call in the AFL to solve your problems it's a bit like running crying to your parents as a 21 year old when life gets hard. MFC just has to work its way through this situation and solve it own issues. How will it ever become resilient and grow in confidence.

[PJ_12345 1,098]

I don't want the AFL to run the club but I do want them to put in an administrator.

What would they administrate rjay?

[titan_uranus 22,522]

I don't want the AFL to run the club but I do want them to put in an administrator.

What's the difference?

[rjay 23,932]

What would they administrate rjay?

Similar to what happened at GWS last year and Sydney before, I don't think we as a club are able to sort out the mess we are in. We are divided by factions who seem to be more interested in preserving their own ego's than the club. An administrator would run the club, take the factions out of play and provide the best environment for success.

What's the difference?

There is a difference although I'm sure you won't agree. The administrator is appointed by the AFL but employed by the club to look after the interests of the club. Of course there will be talk of conflict of interest but I think it would be much better than the current situation that is built on self interest.