The Norm Smith sacking? Was there ANY just reason?

[Kelvin Templeton 0]

I have been watching the Tony Charlton interview with Norm Smith from 1965. It just seems incredible that he was sacked in 1965. There have been some reasons put forward - the clash with the field umpire, he supposedly tolerating Barassi's defection to Carlton.

They are some reasons put forward =by non- Melbourne supporters.

However are there any Melbourne fans who played devils advocate at the time and supported his dismissal or at the least accepted or tolerated it? It is arguably the most famous and controversial sacking since the start of the war- and I mean 1914.

[WonnaJurah 5]

all i can say is i wish i was alive during norm smiths reign , but from videos ive seen of it the poor guy was close to tears

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Yep... a big enough moment to make my signature...

I'm not much of a Melbourne historian, and in a fantastic 2-3 hour MFC history DVD I was given they describe the Norm Smith years, and they even describe the events, but they NEVER say WHY the board sacked him... they just say it was a shock, was not fair, and that it broke his heart etc etc...

I'd love for someone to tell us where the sacking originated from... There are many demons people, myself included who are just WAY too young to ever have a hope of understanding without our elders telling us...

[Kelvin Templeton 0]

Yep... a big enough moment to make my signature...

I'm not much of a Melbourne historian, and in a fantastic 2-3 hour MFC history DVD I was given they describe the Norm Smith years, and they even describe the events, but they NEVER say WHY the board sacked him... they just say it was a shock, was not fair, and that it broke his heart etc etc...

I'd love for someone to tell us where the sacking originated from... There are many demons people, myself included who are just WAY too young to ever have a hope of understanding without our elders telling us...

I reckon that the departure of Tommy Hafey from Richmond at the end of 1976 was probably the 2nd biggest coaching mystery but it is still behind the number 1 which is Norm Smith in 1965.

[bush demon 2,062]

I reckon that the departure of Tommy Hafey from Richmond at the end of 1976 was probably the 2nd biggest coaching mystery but it is still behind the number 1 which is Norm Smith in 1965.

Part of it may lie in the natural rise and fall of clubs. Aside from minor slumps and the war, melbourne had been up since the 30's with two triple premierships and then the amazing run from '54 to '64. Smith himself said he drove the players very hard during 1964 and it may be that in his one last attempt for glory he just burnt up. Remember that Barassi left Carlton and North shortly after taking them through great premiership eras. Barassi was a hothead in the vein of Smith. In those days it was often the passion of the coach that got the players through. I think Barassi jumped before the ship sunk and I think that Smith was caught as she was going down. I am greatly interested in the opinion of others, though.

[Rogue 585]

There was an interesting thread on Demonology not too long ago about the sacking.

I think one of the old timers wrote a long post and/or article about it - can't remember the name but he isn't a regular poster there.

[demonfanjezza 1]

Found this the demonland archive

It contains a video of Norm Smith's sacking and the demonlogy article