Steven Smith Knocks Back Dees (for now)

[Demonland 70,166]

Former Melbourne great and ex-Melbourne Cricket Club president Steven Smith has emerged as a leading candidate to join the Demons’ board and potentially become their next president.

Smith, who is highly respected for his four-year reign as president of the MCC, has strong support within AFL circles to nominate for a board position.

Current president Kate Roffey is under significant pressure after a heavily-criticised radio interview about Christian Petracca’s future on Thursday.

A successful lawyer, Smith played 203 games and kicked 144 goals for Melbourne and won a best and fairest for the club in 1981.

The 68-year-old was previously a Melbourne director between 1990 and 1992 and rose through the ranks at the Melbourne Cricket Club as part of a decorated stint between 1998 and 2019.

One of Smith’s proudest achievements was helping the MCG secure the AFL Grand Final until 2057 as part of a landmark deal with the AFL in 2018.

Smith continues to have close links to the Demons who are under siege for their on and field struggles since the 2021 premiership.

Petracca recommitted to the Demons on Saturday, ensuring he will play at the club next year despite his concerns about the Demons’ culture and standards.

Melbourne has been stalled over the past decade trying to establish a new training base, but has zeroed in recently on a site inside Caulfield Racecourse.

Any changes to Melbourne’s board would occur before the end of the year at the annual general meeting.

Melbourne was contacted for comment.

UPDATE 9/9/24

 

[BDA 22,233]

before my time so i don't know anything about this man but a 200 gamer, BNF winner and ex president of the MCC sounds like a great resume for joining our board.

looks like Kate's days are numbered. 

[Bitter but optimistic 22,053]

Can't read the article but does this mean goodbye Kate ?

[BoBo 2,912]

If anyone can provide a summation of the article I will be most grateful 

[DeeSpencer 24,673]

68, had a go in the 90’s, his time at MCC involved a lot of slipping standards with nonsense like provisional members.

Call me unenthused.

 

[John Demonic 5,481]

3 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

68, had a go in the 90’s, his time at MCC involved a lot of slipping standards with nonsense like provisional members.

Call me unenthused.

 

The (Old) Boys (Club) are back in town?

[dazzledavey36 52,648]

@BLWNBA called it early. Well done.

[Swooper1987 3,202]

Interesting.  Smith has some strong alliances with the AFL leadership. 

[BoBo 2,912]

9 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

68, had a go in the 90’s, his time at MCC involved a lot of slipping standards with nonsense like provisional members.

Call me unenthused.

 

 Can you elaborate more on the slipping standards and the provisional members thing?
 

I don’t know anything about this time period.  

[bush demon 1,989]

Stephen Smith, great player for the DeeS. Infamously wore a heavy hit from Leigh Matthews.

[Redleg 39,941]

9 minutes ago, bush demon said:

Stephen Smith, great player for the DeeS. Infamously wore a heavy hit from Leigh Matthews.

You left out the word "king" between heavy and hit.

[Bitter but optimistic 22,053]

4 minutes ago, bush demon said:

Stephen Smith, great player for the DeeS. Infamously wore a heavy hit from Leigh Matthews.

Yep, happened right in front of me.

Deadset coward king hit!

[DutchDemons 1,422]

I personally would prefer he goes back to bat at number 4.

[Sir Why You Little 36,576]

18 minutes ago, bush demon said:

Stephen Smith, great player for the DeeS. Infamously wore a heavy hit from Leigh Matthews.

Still has trouble sleeping…heard him speak about it a few years ago…

[John Crow Batty 8,763]

Well at least it’s not Shaun Smith.

[Fritta and Turner 4,166]

Crumbs he is my age.  Still he has the credentials.

[DeeSpencer 24,673]

20 minutes ago, BoBo said:

 Can you elaborate more on the slipping standards and the provisional members thing?
 

I don’t know anything about this time period.  

Honestly I go back and forth on whether provisional membership is bad but it’s an extra category of membership for waiting listers to go to the less popular games. I feel like it cheapens the club aspect.

Otherwise my issues with his time in the MCC: Too many bogans crawling the place barely passing dress standards or with their shocking tattoos. Too many pre sold reserved seats. The bar service is often a mess.

The whole place just has a commercial feel rather than the club vibe.

Much worse since covid but I think trend had already started.

Feels like they gave up a fair bit to get the grand final deal.

[The heart beats true 17,734]

16 minutes ago, DutchDemons said:

I personally would prefer he goes back to bat at number 4.

That’s some very good work.

[BLWNBA 684]

For what it’s worth, my understanding is that there were several ex-players approached for a potential board challenge, with their sights set on the presidency. 
 

We may find that Pert also moves on if there are sweeping changes, with another ex-player being sought to fill that role. 

[BoBo 2,912]

5 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Honestly I go back and forth on whether provisional membership is bad but it’s an extra category of membership for waiting listers to go to the less popular games. I feel like it cheapens the club aspect.

Otherwise my issues with his time in the MCC: Too many bogans crawling the place barely passing dress standards or with their shocking tattoos. Too many pre sold reserved seats. The bar service is often a mess.

The whole place just has a commercial feel rather than the club vibe.

Much worse since covid but I think trend had already started.

Feels like they gave up a fair bit to get the grand final deal.

Ahhhhh ok I see. Thanks!

[waynewussell 4,834]

Admired him as a player and had total respect for his contribution to the MCC. An excellent addition to any Board. If this comes to fruition, can only enhance MFC/MCC relationship.

[Monbon 1,784]

1 hour ago, BDA said:

before my time so i don't know anything about this man but a 200 gamer, BNF winner and ex president of the MCC sounds like a great resume for joining our board.

looks like Kate's days are numbered. 

He was a genuinely great player!!!!

[BangBnagBang 578]

10 minutes ago, BLWNBA said:

For what it’s worth, my understanding is that there were several ex-players approached for a potential board challenge, with their sights set on the presidency. 
 

We may find that Pert also moves on if there are sweeping changes, with another ex-player being sought to fill that role. 

Full Back??

[Timothy Reddan-A'Blew 4,732]

49 minutes ago, Demonland said:

Former Melbourne great and ex-Melbourne Cricket Club president Steven Smith has emerged as a leading candidate to join the Demons’ board and potentially become their next president.

Smith, who is highly respected for his four-year reign as president of the MCC, has strong support within AFL circles to nominate for a board position.

Current president Kate Roffey is under significant pressure after a heavily-criticised radio interview about Christian Petracca’s future on Thursday.

Another topic, another round of media-lity (invented word for my purpose; like trivia-lity), Fresh from 4 weeks of 'that' other topic, and before I jump in to thinking this article is true, complete and meaningful,

What are Big Footy's credentials?

What do 'has emerged', 'leading', 'candidate' and 'potential' mean?

What is the 'strong support' and who are 'AFL circles'?

Apart from being in adjacent paragraphs, what connects the claims about Smith with the observations about Roffey?

What do 'significant' and 'pressure' mean? From whom?

'Any changes to Melbourne’s board would occur before the end of the year at the annual general meeting.' Drama? Not.

'Melbourne was contacted for comment.' Implies they didn't. However...?

Accompanying out-of-context pic of Roffey looking worried. See invented word above.

 

[Monbon 1,784]

46 minutes ago, bush demon said:

Stephen Smith, great player for the DeeS. Infamously wore a heavy hit from Leigh Matthews.

I was there that day- Hawthorn's temporary home ground then....