Open Letter from Don McLardy

[daisycutter 29,737]

You're honestly telling me if he bunkered down and did no media, and said nothing, that supporters would be happy with that?

He can't win, Don, he just can't win.

that's because he's not a winner. He's just a nice guy and we've got too many "nice" guys.

We need some mongrel and change-makers who will make hard decisions and clearly communicate without spin

[old55 23,687]

He can't win, Don, he just can't win.

But he can resign.

[Macca 17,032]

Just get rid of the coach, Don. Neeld is a poor coach. Make Rawlings the interim coach. That's a good start.

The club doesn't exist to make a profit, keep people gainfully employed or the like. It is there to play well and win football games. That's our primary goal and function. If you can't do that well then we're mainly a business.

You don't support a company, a business or a firm. But that is what we are supporting at the moment. This business doesn't necessarily need to win games. That's why they never talk about winning. Until the tipping point is reached, of course. We've been at the point with our on field performances for quite some time.

Our club merely exists to keep x amount of people gainfully employed (many of whom are earning a truckload of dollars)

Need a total clean out and it should have happened a long time ago.

If Neeld is kept on and can somehow coach a lot better in the future and we start winning consistently, then that would be great for all of us. I'm only commenting on what we've seen so far and it hasn't been good.

Edited April 10, 2013 by Macca

[Range Rover 1,935]

He can't win, Don, he just can't win.

The first accurate thing you've ever posted. Well done.

[titan_uranus 25,043]

that's because he's not a winner. He's just a nice guy and we've got too many "nice" guys.

We need some mongrel and change-makers who will make hard decisions and clearly communicate without spin

Now to me, this is bias. 'I want McLardy gone, therefore if he says something it's wrong, and if he doesn't say anything, that's also wrong. In fact, whatever he does, it's wrong'.

Whether you think McLardy is the man for the job or not, give him credit for doing pretty much the only thing he could, which is to front up to the crisis we're facing, and dealing with it in a professional and appropriate manner.

[titan_uranus 25,043]

The first accurate thing you've ever posted. Well done.

Me 1. You 0.

[beelzebub 23,383]

You're honestly telling me if he bunkered down and did no media, and said nothing, that supporters would be happy with that?

He can't win, Don, he just can't win.

What he ought to have said is:

We the Melbourne Football club apologise to our members sponsors and supporters.

Words now are meaningless. We will resolve this.

Thats it.

But no we get more waffle. The Melbourne masses;whats left are well and truly waffled out !!!

[titan_uranus 25,043]

What he ought to have said is:

We the Melbourne Football club apologise to our members sponsors and supporters.

Words now are meaningless. We will resolve this.

Thats it.

But no we get more waffle. The Melbourne masses;whats left are well and truly waffled out !!!

And then people would have said 'We will resolve this = what? They have no plan!!'

Like I said, people are taking their pre-conceived notion of what they think of DM, and they are judging his response based on that.

Impartially, his response is fair and reasonable.

[Vandenberger With The Lot 238]

I have sent my reply directly to Don and the board by email.

To those wishing to get through to these people directly, their club email follows the following structure:

[email protected]

To The Collective Staff At The Melbourne Football Club:

Don McLardy opens his letter stating that the last two weeks have been trying for the club and it's stakeholders. I contend that the last seven years have been a staggering disappointment.

I, like you, do not believe that the results to date are a true reflection of the quality of our playing list, or the effort and improvement they have shown over a tough and demanding pre-season campaign. The question must then be asked, where is the problem?

It is clear from watching the performance and body language of the players that they do not care for this football club. The players that actually show a love for the club are few and far between, and this says to me that the club has lost the players.

As a club we need to now make the changes required to rectify the situation, lest we end up going the way of Fitzroy. I am not sure what you are referring to as external pressures, but as a member, I consider myself an internal part of the club, and I count myself among those demanding radical changes.

We have dropped two coaches now in the search for improvement and nothing has changed. We have suffered a huge array of on and off-field issues over the last seven years, including but not limited to: two tanking scandals, the loss of a number one draft pick, two record breaking defeats, failing to develop ANY elite talent despite the amount of first round draft picks the club has had.

It preplexes me and every other Melbourne supporter I have spoken to in the last few days how some on the board are still on the board. It is even more astounding how our CEO, is still in his job after everything the club has been through since his appointment.

I therefore ask the following of the president, the board and the CEO: If you truly love the Melbourne Football Club, then hand in your resignation and give control of the club to AFL administrators.

This is the only way the club can recover from it's dire position. A clean slate is what is needed at this football club, not more politics and blame games. Let the club move on, or be destined to fold like other clubs before us.

Sincerely,

A Melbourne Football Club member.

[Sir Why You Little 37,125]

BOTTOM LINE...

AFTER 7 YEARS WE ARE NOW NOT AFL STANDARD AS A CLUB.

AND SOME WANT MORE PATIENCE????

No.

[beelzebub 23,383]

^^^^^^^

did i write that ??? Lol

Must be the other me lol

Its good though

Edited April 8, 2013 by belzebub59

[Pink Freud 370]

But he can resign.

... and what happens then?

Guy Jelland steps in?

The AFL steps in?

Paul Gardner steps in?

Range Rover steps in?

Yze Magic steps in?

[old dee 23,871]

You're honestly telling me if he bunkered down and did no media, and said nothing, that supporters would be happy with that?

He can't win, Don, he just can't win.

You are right

He was VP before the CS disaster

He was VP when 186 happened

He was VP when the tanking was going on.

He was Pres when we surrendered to tanking

He was Pres when we recruited Neeld and this FD

He was Pres in 2012 when we won effectively one game

He was Pres when we recruited most of this poor list.

He was Pres we when lost the first two games of this season by an average loosing margin of 19 goals

Yes you are correct he cannot win

[rjay 25,086]

And then people would have said 'We will resolve this = what? They have no plan!!'

Like I said, people are taking their pre-conceived notion of what they think of DM, and they are judging his response based on that.

Impartially, his response is fair and reasonable.

Not so sure about your impartiality, your opinion might be a better thing to say.

My opinion and others is we need change.

Your opinion and others is we need to keep the status quo.

Nothing impartial from either camp I would have thought.

[old dee 23,871]

BOTTOM LINE...

AFTER 7 YEARS WE ARE NOW NOT AFL STANDARD AS A CLUB.

AND SOME WANT MORE PATIENCE????

No.

That pretty much covers it wyl

[Range Rover 1,935]

I have sent my reply directly to Don and the board by email.

To those wishing to get through to these people directly, their club email follows the following structure:

[email protected]

Great letter. But they're not listening.

Send it to the AFL. Send it to the media.

Put pressure on them from grassroots supporters to step in.

Edited April 8, 2013 by Range Rover

[Sir Why You Little 37,125]

We are now the 18th worst side in the league.

Fcuk Greg Denham was right. I hate to say it but i must.

To put a camera on Neeld with Schwab staring him down during the pre match was a disgrace.

Lambs to the slaughter.

[beelzebub 23,383]

Great letter. But they're not listening.

Send it to the AFL. Call tbe AFL. Put pressure on them from grassroots supporters to step in.

or Facebook it.

Seems like social media is the way, players thinks so .

Put it on the MFC site. Its a legitimate response . Its reasonable and rational.

[Vandenberger With The Lot 238]

I have now email bombed The Age, The Herald Sun, Channel 9, Channel 7 and the club with my letter, and I have shared it on Facebook.

I encourage those who agree with me to do the same.

[Sir Why You Little 37,125]

I have now email bombed The Age, The Herald Sun, Channel 9, Channel 7 and the club with my letter, and I have shared it on Facebook.

I encourage those who agree with me to do the same.

i can't get the link to work Too Late

Can you PM me your letter??

[rpfc 28,769]

... and what happens then?

Guy Jelland steps in?

The AFL steps in?

Paul Gardner steps in?

Range Rover steps in?

Yze Magic steps in?

Might be time for rpfc...

[old dee 23,871]

Might be time for rpfc...

You have my vote

[Range Rover 1,935]

I have now email bombed The Age, The Herald Sun, Channel 9, Channel 7 and the club with my letter, and I have shared it on Facebook.

I encourage those who agree with me to do the same.

I have forwarded your email on to key people at the AFL.

Keep hammering away Dees fans and the dam will burst.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,289]

I understand what Don is trying to say and believe he is coming from a good place. However a couple of issues I have with the letter;

1) He is talking about a "long term process" to ensure success - Don this isn't about a lack of success this is a lack of any semblance of competitiveness. We understand the team may not be ready to play finals or challenge for a flag yet but we don't think it's too much to ask to at least be competitive in each match we play. Look at the Dogs, Giants and Suns for example.

2) He refers to Hogan, a kid not even on our list yet. When will this club stop trying to annoint every teenage prodigy as the next messiah who will save the club?

3) He doesn't believe the results are a true reflection of our team - Don the scoreboard doesn't lie. Pre-season training counts for nothing all that matters is what goes in the record books and at the moment our team is about 10 goals worse than any other side in the comp (including the two new franchises).

[Vandenberger With The Lot 238]

WYL, I think your inbox is full, I cant send you a PM.

For any having issues, here is the letter.

To The Collective Staff At The Melbourne Football Club:

Don McLardy opens his letter stating that the last two weeks have been trying for the club and it's stakeholders. I contend that the last seven years have been a staggering disappointment.

I, like you, do not believe that the results to date are a true reflection of the quality of our playing list, or the effort and improvement they have shown over a tough and demanding pre-season campaign. The question must then be asked, where is the problem?

It is clear from watching the performance and body language of the players that they do not care for this football club. The players that actually show a love for the club are few and far between, and this says to me that the club has lost the players.

As a club we need to now make the changes required to rectify the situation, lest we end up going the way of Fitzroy. I am not sure what you are referring to as external pressures, but as a member, I consider myself an internal part of the club, and I count myself among those demanding radical changes.

We have dropped two coaches now in the search for improvement and nothing has changed. We have suffered a huge array of on and off-field issues over the last seven years, including but not limited to: two tanking scandals, the loss of a number one draft pick, two record breaking defeats, failing to develop ANY elite talent despite the amount of first round draft picks the club has had.

It preplexes me and every other Melbourne supporter I have spoken to in the last few days how some on the board are still on the board. It is even more astounding how our CEO, is still in his job after everything the club has been through since his appointment.

I therefore ask the following of the president, the board and the CEO: If you truly love the Melbourne Football Club, then hand in your resignation and give control of the club to AFL administrators.

This is the only way the club can recover from it's dire position. A clean slate is what is needed at this football club, not more politics and blame games. Let the club move on, or be destined to fold like other clubs before us.

Sincerely,

A Melbourne Football Club member.