Chris Connolly 2 year contract

[DeeSpencer 24,908]

Tanking scapegoat Chris Connolly in for long haul at Dees

Not sure how to feel about this.

Obviously he took the fall for the tanking saga which in someway helped the club.

But undoubtedly he was also a problem in the Bailey years as Bailey didn't trust him thinking he was a Schwab ally or even informant as such.

Strengths:

- Been around footy for a long time - brings the experience that PJ talked about even if its not within the footy department

- Will stick by us, a passionate Demon

- Is a vocal support

Weaknesses:

- Part of the Lyon and co boys club, this is more a perceived weakness we don't know if it's a problem or not

- Just as his willingness to promote the club is a strength his voice may be a weakness undermining a new coach

- Can we afford his role (do we have any choice not to).

All I can say is that I hope Peter Jackson approves of this role and it isn't just a pre-existing deal from the CS days that couldn't be undone.

[Young Dee 1,303]

did you really need to get that off your chest at 12:21am?

...Anyway I for one have no idea what Connolly brings to the table and I don't think many of us (demonlanders) know much when it comes to the inner sanctum.

We can't come to any conclusions without some facts or at least insights from people in the inner sanctum - any demonlanders have any first hand insight into Connolly?

[rjay 24,677]

Tanking scapegoat Chris Connolly in for long haul at Dees

Looks to be a pre existing deal according to the article. mmmmmm

There is likely to be a bit of movement at the club shortly and it looks like CC is trying to shore up his position with a bit of PR work.

[What 18,810]

gonna back PJ in on any moves he makes

[Whispering_Jack 29,333]

The headline says it all. He was the scapegoat and the target of a campaign from the very beginning when the On the Couch interview took place.

[Gorgoroth 12,752]

I like the fact he is away from the FD.

From all reports he does well at the fundraising/ morale building with supporters.

So not surprised the club has supported them after he copped the brunt of the clubs stupidity.

[jabberwocky 2,301]

As long as he is kept right away from the FD and holds little influence.

[McQueen 17,864]

As long as he is kept right away from the FD and holds little influence.

Or meetings...

[Craig Drinker 179]

Didn't see that coming!

[The Chazz 4,077]

Shows how little I know about the internal operations at the MFC. I for one thought he was nothing but a waste of space (and money), and couldn't wait to see him leave the Club. And he also was the main reason for us receiving a $500k fine (regardless of your views on the matter, I have mine and no-one will change them).

Given my lack of knowledge of the running of the Club, I expect Brian Royal to be given a 5 year extension.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

The headline says it all. He was the scapegoat and the target of a campaign from the very beginning when the On the Couch interview took place.

He was also the source of the only evidence the AFL had in the investigation.

[bluey 1,041]

Appears Peter Jackson has finally opened the top drawer, hope the poor bloke doesn't open the bottom one without a stiff drink.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Hardly a scapegoat but part of the problem.

A perfect case of loose lips .........

A failure in the FD and was moved out by Schwab/McLardy.

It will be up to the new CEO/Jackson to determine past his suspension whether he stays in a non FD.

Definitely not a must keep in my books.

[jnrmac 19,931]

He was also the source of the only evidence the AFL had in the investigation.

No there were multiple sources about the joke he made.....

And a realistic decision has to be made as to whether he is part of the problem or not. Remember the Andrews Report......

Edited May 30, 2013 by jnrmac

[DemonWA 3,889]

From the few times ive had a chat with Chris, i found him to be a quality Melbourne person. Happy with the new deal

[Barney Rubble 1,576]

If PJ gets rid of Connolly, the debt will go from $5m to $7m. Taking into account his payout and the job he does with the Foundation Heroes.

Who else do you get to run the heroes?

[Bay Riffin 1,454]

If PJ gets rid of Connolly, the debt will go from $5m to $7m. Taking into account his payout and the job he does with the Foundation Heroes.

Who else do you get to run the heroes?

I hope he isn't on good coin to be honest. Happy for him to be at the club, but hope the new deal doesn't overcompensate him for a years loss of earnings.

It's all these extra costs i get concerned about. Was Schwab paid out handsomely ?

By the way, did we ever resolve why Schwab got that personal loan using the clubs funds a few years ago ?

[deanox 9,771]

From what I can tell Connolly took a bullet for the club. Yes maybe some others should have gone with him, but it is much better for an individual to fall on their sword than for the whole club to fall apart, which could have happened if we were found guilty.

[deanox 9,771]

I hope he isn't on good coin to be honest. Happy for him to be at the club, but hope the new deal doesn't overcompensate him for a years loss of earnings.

It's all these extra costs i get concerned about. Was Schwab paid out handsomely ?

By the way, did we ever resolve why Schwab got that personal loan using the clubs funds a few years ago ?

Schwab got a 3 month pay out. And re the loan I thought it was above board, a business transaction which was completed, not particularly unusual to people familiar with the business world, although I am not fully across it.

[rpfc 28,075]

Hardly a scapegoat but part of the problem.

A perfect case of loose lips .........

A failure in the FD and was moved out by Schwab/McLardy.

It will be up to the new CEO/Jackson to determine past his suspension whether he stays in a non FD.

Definitely not a must keep in my books.

So I guess the first thing Jackson has done is a failure of leadership...

How many more of these decisions before Jackson is not a 'must keep?'

[Redleg 40,370]

Let me state my position again before I post, CC is a mate of mine. That said let me state the following:

Chris bore the brunt of the tanking punishment and we all know he is not the only one who had to be involved. He did so without recrimination. He has lost a year's salary as a result. He has a family to support.

He has been removed from the football side.

He is now in the marketing/membership/fundraising side. He is good at his role. He also does a lot of the community work and he is good at that as well. He is great with people and getting them involved with the MFC.

He is a former player who cares a lot about this club. He wants to see this club successful again and has suffered like few others as a result of the last few years.

I would be more likely to donate again if asked by Chris, someone who knows me and how I feel about the MFC, than some new kid I have never met before and who will leave as soon as he is offered a new job.

You want to build culture, you don't burn the CC's of this world. You use them to the best of their ability as part of the rebuild of this fractured club.

[DemonWA 3,889]

Let me state my position again before I post, CC is a mate of mine. That said let me state the following:

Chris bore the brunt of the tanking punishment and we all know he is not the only one who had to be involved. He did so without recrimination. He has lost a year's salary as a result. He has a family to support.

He has been removed from the football side.

He is now in the marketing/membership/fundraising side. He is good at his role. He also does a lot of the community work and he is good at that as well. He is great with people and getting them involved with the MFC.

He is a former player who cares a lot about this club. He wants to see this club successful again and has suffered like few others as a result of the last few years.

I would be more likely to donate again if asked by Chris, someone who knows me and how I feel about the MFC, than some new kid I have never met before and who will leave as soon as he is offered a new job.

You want to build culture, you don't burn the CC's of this world. You use them to the best of their ability as part of the rebuild of this fractured club.

Great Post Regleg, i dont know Chris personally but thats the way i see it too

[Redleg 40,370]

Hardly a scapegoat but part of the problem.

A perfect case of loose lips .........

A failure in the FD and was moved out by Schwab/McLardy.

It will be up to the new CEO/Jackson to determine past his suspension whether he stays in a non FD.

Definitely not a must keep in my books.

Do you honestly believe that we were fined because of the loose lips of CC's vault joke?

You would have to know that the AFL didn't want to be seen as stupid and lose face after a 6 month persecution and find nothing. So it fined us $500k for a joke, get real !

You also know that the Inquiry was dead on it's feet in about October, until a rat dogged on us and restarted it, he is the loose lips.

I suppose I shouldn't forget that CC was a friend of Jim Stynes and that clearly has a bearing on your view of him.

Don't bother replying/lecturing me on this subject, I don't need it and we will never agree on this topic.

Anyway this issue is over as far as I am concerned.

PS. I do agree with you on some other matters, especially that this administation has been less than brilliant.

[rpfc 28,075]

Let me state my position again before I post, CC is a mate of mine. That said let me state the following:

You want to build culture, you don't burn the CC's of this world. You use them to the best of their ability as part of the rebuild of this fractured club.

Well said.

As MFC supporters who have been around the club a bit CC knows my family too.

All of what he brings to the club is what binds clubs together. His passion, his demeanour, his fondness for people (and talking).

We are a fractured club, and as Redleg says, CC is, and should be, a part of building this club.

[DemonWA 3,889]

CC knows my family too.

So he knows cpfc?