7 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

As long as he can stay awake while the boys sing the song post-match 🙄

What’s this?

8 hours ago, Ted Lasso said:

This is honestly getting a bit silly now! Can anyone actually see us passing on Nathan Buckley and signing James Kelly?

That feels as unlikely as Nathan Buckley to waste his or our time interviewing for a job he doesn’t want.

we want him, he wants us, the whole footy world needs it. Just make the call and save our time, effort and money and respect these 5 assistants time.

No I want Bucks clearly front and square ahead of ANYONE

I want Buckley for a variety of reasons CV, hunger to win a flag, media acumen, to lead and unite. If assistant coach x pips him my view will be how impressive must x have been for us to take the higher risk, less expected road.

The only thing that will not sit well with me on a decision is if Buckley chooses to not proceed at a point and the perception we are then left with next best.

9 hours ago, GawnOfTheDead said:

Sign him up. He’s already an expert at not answering direct questions.

A very awkward position to be in last night.

Just get Bucks.

Get Caulfield.

CEO sounds good. Steve Smith.

Finally feel like we are getting serious as a footy club.

1 hour ago, Lil_red_fire_engine said:

I want Buckley for a variety of reasons CV, hunger to win a flag, media acumen, to lead and unite. If assistant coach x pips him my view will be how impressive must x have been for us to take the higher risk, less expected road.

The only thing that will not sit well with me on a decision is if Buckley chooses to not proceed at a point and the perception we are then left with next best.

I keep reflecting on this and Nathan Buckley as a person and i just can't see him being someone to string us along, i don't think he'd be engaging in any sort of process with us unless he was very close to 100% sure he wants the role

11 hours ago, YesitwasaWin4theAges said:

I've racked my brain as to why Alan Richardson has been retained in his position as GM of football when quiet frankly he has overseen most of the [censored] that has taken place in the last 3-4 year period with our culture.

Is it the reluctance of another soft cap pay out?

Is it the optics of futher upheaval in our footy dept.

Is it to retain him to pass on knowledge of each player to the incoming coach?

Or is it to pick his brain on a relationship with a contending candidate for the coaching job?

A candidate that SS and PG like and to facilitate meetings with a certain NB?

You've come up with a lot of scenarios here, but left out an obvious one.

Perhaps, and I have no clue, the club recognises that many of the issues at the club were beyond Richardson's control and that they think things could have been worse if not for his guidance and stewardship.

If you're not within the club on a daily basis you wouldn't know.

SEN newsbreaker Tom Morris thinks that the vacant Melbourne coaching job is Nathan Buckley’s if he wants it.

The former Collingwood coach has long been considered a frontrunner for the role after Simon Goodwin’s sacking, and Buckley himself has confirmed he’s going through the process as the Demons narrow down their shortlist of candidates.

While it’s believed that all of Brendon Lade, Hayden Skipworth, Steven King and James Kelly are also speaking to the Demons, Morris says the hot seat already has Buckley’s name on it if he tells the club he wants the job.

“I keep saying the same thing, if Buckley wants it, it's his,” Morris said on SEN Breakfast.

“What has been underestimated, though, people have been saying, ‘Well, what are these other assistant coaches doing?’.

“I think it actually bodes well for Brendon Lade, who I know Alan Richardson really rates, if he comes second in this race.

“Yes, I am saying it (with a degree of certainty). If Buckley wants it, it’s his and I haven’t wavered from that view.”

While Morris is strong in his belief, Melbourne great Garry Lyon’s understanding is quite different after speaking to key people at the club.

Lyon believes that the race is still wide open to the half dozen candidates and that a decision hasn’t already been made.

“He said definitively that the decision has been made,” Lyon said.

“My understanding is that is not the case, and the messaging coming out of Melbourne is that is 100 per cent not the case.

“Now, Tom might be proven to be right in time, I don't know, but my understanding right now this second, is that is not the case. A decision hasn't been made.

“The process is to unfold, and they've shortlisted, I understand it to be somewhere in the vicinity of half a dozen applicants, and the process starts now.

“I will tell you this, Nathan Buckley doesn't think that's the case… he said last night that he's 100 per cent in for the process.”

Lyon is also concerned for the other candidates if Morris’ report is to be believed.

With the club putting together a panel of key club figures Brad Green, Steve Smith, Paul Guerra and Alan Richardson as well as Jobe Watson, Frank Ponissi and Meahan Callaghan to pick the next coach, Lyon is certain that Melbourne haven’t made an early call with so many voices set to offer their input.

“You know how much time I've got for Tom…. but if people believe that, or people around the people who are in for these jobs start to believe that, then they get questions on the back of it… ‘Why would I be putting my hand up if this decision's already been made?’,” Lyon said.

“The Melbourne Football Club are definitive in saying that that is not the case.

“I've got messages in the last 10 minutes that's saying that is categorically untrue. So, make of that what you will.”

The Demons hope to make their appointment ahead of the 2025 AFL Grand Final on September 27.

12 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Oooh sexy language from the probable incumbent. Already towing the MFC line of thorough diligent process and preaching it to the masses.

We ARE an upstanding organisation, full of great governance and culture.

2 minutes ago, Engorged Onion said:

Oooh sexy language from the probable incumbent. Already towing the MFC line of thorough diligent process and preaching it to the masses.

We ARE an upstanding organisation, full of great governance and culture.

Best coaching selection process Gary pert has seen in 40 years

12 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Interesting that he mentions 4 other guys (quoting those mentioned), which to me sounds like Ralph is correct that one (Gianceracusa?) has already dropped away and we're at 5 candidates.

4 hours ago, Superunknown said:

What’s this?

James Kelly was the [censored] who pretended to sleep during a rendition of the Geelong theme song in the club rooms after beating us down at Geelong one year. I'm glad I'm not the only one salty about that still, @Ghostwriter .

Wouldn't stop me from hiring him, but shows his arrogance.

Edited Monday at 23:503 days by Adam The God

2 minutes ago, Adam The God said:

James Kelly was the [censored] who pretended to sleep during a rendition of the Geelong theme song in the club rooms after beating us down at Geelong one year. I'm glad I'm not the only one salty about that still, @Ghostwriter .

Wouldn't stop me from hiring him, but shows his arrogance.

On this - people do mature... but if hired, I'd ask him directly about that and get him to reflect upon the optics....

Edited Monday at 23:523 days by Engorged Onion

1 hour ago, Pulp Fritschon said:

Just get Bucks.

Get Caulfield.

CEO sounds good. Steve Smith.

Finally feel like we are getting serious as a footy club.

I'm not saying you're wrong, but just changing people in roles does nothing unless they're good. Otherwise, it's merely deck chairs and the Titanic.

Just now, Engorged Onion said:

people do mature...

Thanks Dad, I know. 😂 Say hi to Jimmy for me.

39 minutes ago, Gator said:

You've come up with a lot of scenarios here, but left out an obvious one.

Perhaps, and I have no clue, the club recognises that many of the issues at the club were beyond Richardson's control and that they think things could have been worse if not for his guidance and stewardship.

If you're not within the club on a daily basis you wouldn't know.

This could well be true - Occam's razor. But I think it's pretty clear that given Guerra has indicated creating a role above Richardson in the FD, it's merely soft cap constraints keeping Richo here, and potentially a modicum of continuity.

7 minutes ago, Gator said:

You've come up with a lot of scenarios here, but left out an obvious one.

Perhaps, and I have no clue, the club recognises that many of the issues at the club were beyond Richardson's control and that they think things could have been worse if not for his guidance and stewardship.

Yep.

Dees fans complain about the media, but many happily amplify the gossip dressed up as news tge AFL football media spews.

And that gossip stems from a parasitic amplification of rumours that flow from the club.

Sure lots of people have good Intel and connections, and often that intel is of interest and worth considering.

But I reckon a key thing to keep in mind is no matter how good the intel and/or how reliable the source is any such intel is by definition hearsay and everyone has, consciously or unconsciously, their own agenda and perspective.

For me these things combined mean my starting point when i hear intel is scepticism and questioning its validity.

Sure it might prove to be true, or more likely part true (the best gossip always has a kernel of truth) or ir may not. Perhaps it was true at some point but no longer is.

And that scepticism does not necessarily mean im questioning the bona fides of the person sharing the intel (i say not nessesarily because some people are just bull****ters) - it's just that I choose not to accept hearsay as fact and even if the intel, on its face is accurate assume there's almost certainly nuance and shades of grey.

The implication that Richardson is part of the problem not part of the solution is a perfect example of intel that metastasises into accepted fact as it loops from rumour to media gossip and then back into the world as self reinforcing fact.

Perhaps it's true, perhaps it's not - or perhaps there's nuance that even those within the club feeding the Intel are unaware of - for example maybe Pert was a woeful manager who didn't provide Richardson with the support, resources or professional development opportunities to thrive.

The key thing is as Gator notes if you're not within the club on a daily basis any assessment of Richardson's performance is by definition based on incomplete information and is hearsay.

30 minutes ago, Demonland said:

SEN newsbreaker Tom Morris thinks that the vacant Melbourne coaching job is Nathan Buckley’s if he wants it.

The former Collingwood coach has long been considered a frontrunner for the role after Simon Goodwin’s sacking, and Buckley himself has confirmed he’s going through the process as the Demons narrow down their shortlist of candidates.

While it’s believed that all of Brendon Lade, Hayden Skipworth, Steven King and James Kelly are also speaking to the Demons, Morris says the hot seat already has Buckley’s name on it if he tells the club he wants the job.

“I keep saying the same thing, if Buckley wants it, it's his,” Morris said on SEN Breakfast.

“What has been underestimated, though, people have been saying, ‘Well, what are these other assistant coaches doing?’.

“I think it actually bodes well for Brendon Lade, who I know Alan Richardson really rates, if he comes second in this race.

“Yes, I am saying it (with a degree of certainty). If Buckley wants it, it’s his and I haven’t wavered from that view.”

While Morris is strong in his belief, Melbourne great Garry Lyon’s understanding is quite different after speaking to key people at the club.

Lyon believes that the race is still wide open to the half dozen candidates and that a decision hasn’t already been made.

“He said definitively that the decision has been made,” Lyon said.

“My understanding is that is not the case, and the messaging coming out of Melbourne is that is 100 per cent not the case.

“Now, Tom might be proven to be right in time, I don't know, but my understanding right now this second, is that is not the case. A decision hasn't been made.

“The process is to unfold, and they've shortlisted, I understand it to be somewhere in the vicinity of half a dozen applicants, and the process starts now.

“I will tell you this, Nathan Buckley doesn't think that's the case… he said last night that he's 100 per cent in for the process.”

Lyon is also concerned for the other candidates if Morris’ report is to be believed.

With the club putting together a panel of key club figures Brad Green, Steve Smith, Paul Guerra and Alan Richardson as well as Jobe Watson, Frank Ponissi and Meahan Callaghan to pick the next coach, Lyon is certain that Melbourne haven’t made an early call with so many voices set to offer their input.

“You know how much time I've got for Tom…. but if people believe that, or people around the people who are in for these jobs start to believe that, then they get questions on the back of it… ‘Why would I be putting my hand up if this decision's already been made?’,” Lyon said.

“The Melbourne Football Club are definitive in saying that that is not the case.

“I've got messages in the last 10 minutes that's saying that is categorically untrue. So, make of that what you will.”

The Demons hope to make their appointment ahead of the 2025 AFL Grand Final on September 27.

This is peak story manufacturing by Morris. How easy must it be to get a successful AFL journo career.

1. If Buckley gets the job, Morris is right.

2. If Buckley pulls out, Morris is right.

3. If Buckley wants the job and doesn't get it, which is extremely unlikely, then Morris was right until he wasn't.

43 minutes ago, Adam The God said:

James Kelly was the [censored] who pretended to sleep during a rendition of the Geelong theme song in the club rooms after beating us down at Geelong one year. I'm glad I'm not the only one salty about that still, @Ghostwriter .

Wouldn't stop me from hiring him, but shows his arrogance.

Folks dismissed it as a harmless bit of silliness. I took it as a sign of his character. It’s certainly not unforgivable but should he be given the job it would behove him to address this because clearly there are Dees fans who are still aggrieved by it.

4 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

Folks dismissed it as a harmless bit of silliness. I took it as a sign of his character. It’s certainly not unforgivable but should he be given the job it would behove him to address this because clearly there are Dees fans who are still aggrieved by it.

I'm totally with you, but Sam Mitchell isn't exactly a picture of humility either, and he's a decent coach. the whole jab thing at Essendon is one example.

I'd be happy enough with any of the candidates if the club thinks they're the best person, probably still hold a preference for Bucks as he does feel a little bit safer to me, but i'm really intrigued by Steven King as well

Didn't know about that Kelly thing. That's funny as hahaha.

1 hour ago, Engorged Onion said:

On this - people do mature... but if hired, I'd ask him directly about that and get him to reflect upon the optics....

I really really hope our panel are sensible enough not to ask one of the candidates why he had a cheeky laugh in the change rooms 15 years ago.

7 minutes ago, Ted Lasso said:

I'd be happy enough with any of the candidates if the club thinks they're the best person

Same. We’re not privy to the process and all it entails therefore we have to trust the club to select the best candidate.

7 minutes ago, KozzyCan said:

I really really hope our panel are sensible enough not to ask one of the candidates why he had a cheeky laugh in the change rooms 15 years ago.

absolutely spot on. Ridiculous some of the commentary here

18 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

Folks dismissed it as a harmless bit of silliness. I took it as a sign of his character. It’s certainly not unforgivable but should he be given the job it would behove him to address this because clearly there are Dees fans who are still aggrieved by it.

5 minutes ago, KozzyCan said:

I really really hope our panel are sensible enough not to ask one of the candidates why he had a cheeky laugh in the change rooms 15 years ago.

Ghosty, Tbh I couldnt care less about that, But I dont think there should be cameras in the change rooms. And I do not understand why people are still upset over this, what... 15 years ago? If he got the job I'd rather he never apologised for it.

KozzyCan, Absolutely agree.