Monday's Football Classified

[alpha33 325]

I taped Football Classified last night but only had the opportunity to watch it tonight. Here are some snippets from the programme:-

Early in the programme, Caroline Wilson suggested there had been an MFC board meeting that evening and it was claimed that the coaching position wasn't discussed (didn't say who made that claim). She also stated that Melbourne is a club in trouble but didn't elaborate there and then.

Later she said that when the Demons interviewed Kevin Sheedy last week they were impressed with what they saw in him and that there would be a further interview next week. The feeling of the panel was that Ratten would get the Carlton job and Harvey was virtually assured of the Freo position. Caro suggested that despite suggestions made by some Fremantle people, Sheedy wouldn't be an Alex Ferguson type of manager. Essentially, they were suggesting that Sheeds would fit Melbourne well.

There was also some discussion of Mark Riley and the Pickett coin toss. Apparently the Sydney media savaged Riley over the political correctness of his statement about Pickett's decision to kick against the wind having something to do with indigenous beliefs. She said this was stupid because Riley's record with indigenous players spoke for itself. There was also some criticism of the statement he had made about not "inheriting Phar Lap". This was also explained on the basis that the team he inherited was the injury riddled team of the last half of the season and not the one that was touted as possible top four at the start of the year.

CEO Steve Harris was on a panel that faced the press. Caro asked him if he felt under the pump given the club’s "poor relationship with the AFL." and its poor financial performance. Harris said that this was absolutely not the case and that you have to understand that the club has had injuries and performed poorly on the field and as a result this affected off field results. It's correct that the club wouldn't make budget this year and that's what often happens when you have a poor season.

Asked if the club needed a person to coach who was a marketing coach or a football coach he answered that it was looking for someone who is primarily a football coach because although selling the club is one of the dynamics of being a coach these days, its off field success comes from on field success so it’s important to get the team to perform consistently.

Harris was asked how much does he listen to what the supporter base wants (in relation to the coach) and he said that he listens but tries not to take too much on board because it's not a popularity contest.

Finally, he said that the coaching announcement would be made within a month.

I hope I got that pretty well right.

[beelzebub 23,383]

Yep you covered it pretty well

I thought Harris was sufficiently circumspect. Of course he's not going to give anything away. Having just watched Essendon stuff up I bet he wasnt about to follow them down their path..lol.

Thought it interesting that the journos wanteda different set of rules, hardly surprising though is it

Was intereting that given some reporting had it Melbourne was supposedly ( well someone in the press was anyway..lol ) concerned about Sheedy's age going forward and as to how this fits with the Dees, that this wasnt put point blank to Harris. Kinda interesting Harris's comment that Fagan had never spoken to Voss, put Caro on the back foot..lol.

Also thought very relevent Pert's comment that the media were drivng football agenda and not the clubs. somehow this seemed lost on the journos. Very insular really are journos in their appreciation of how they fit into things and their accountability. Seemed all very Headline front page; retractions on page 43 didnt it !!

The Duck impresses me more and more with his intuition and knowledge of the game. Certainly more than the fool that sits next to him

[deeboy 40]

I also watched the program, and I thought that Harris handled himself excellently! However, I thought he said that a coach would be appointed by the end of the next month (September), not in one months time. If you still have it on tape can you please check this?

[beelzebub 23,383]

I also heard it as."in a month"

[Nicho 1]

I also heard it as."in a month"

He def said it would be within a month.

[Madness 44]

Not a popularity contest? Last time I checked a popular coach would attract more members, more members= $$$...

[BrownlowBruce 1]

slightly of topic... they also talked abit about freo

and how they were ruthless and really took it too westcoast.... josh carr especially.... in last few weeks i have not been condoning stupidity but i admitted to not being overally dissapointed by daveys actions...... i do like the way freo fire up they have a bad record.... but a happy medium would be good to see at the MFC.... and take on the opposition phyically

neitz miller jones brock pickett holland carrol syliva i wanna see these guys be ruthless... maybe the daniher nice guy has rubbed of on them abit......

[Gorgoroth 13,021]

I was positive he said the end of next month, meaning the end of September.

[alpha33 325]

I also watched the program, and I thought that Harris handled himself excellently! However, I thought he said that a coach would be appointed by the end of the next month (September), not in one months time. If you still have it on tape can you please check this?

He said within a month.

[AzzKikA 2,371]

I didn't see the program but it sounds as if Harris did a good job in leaving it all wide open and not giving too much away. Seems to me that he does want Sheedy to coach, did he mention speaking to anyone else?

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Not a popularity contest? Last time I checked a popular coach would attract more members, more members= $$...

A team playing well attracts more members...

[re draft molan 1]

Not a popularity contest? Last time I checked a popular coach would attract more members, more members= $$$...

Bull Shite! More wins and a bright future attracts more members.

[Jarka 767]

Caro is right, the club is in trouble, we are very vulnerable right now.

[Pates 9,660]

It's correct that the club wouldn't make budget this year and that's what often happens when you have a poor season.

Does this mean we'll return a loss, break even, or a minor profit. Because just over a month ago he claimed that we'd make a $500,000-$700,000 profit, then that was down graded to a minor profit of about $200,000, and if he is now saying that we'll make a loss than i will not be a happy chappy. :angry:

Good to see the coach hunt is at full speed, a month seems so close.

[Jarka 767]

Does this mean we'll return a loss, break even, or a minor profit. Because just over a month ago he claimed that we'd make a $500,000-$700,000 profit, then that was down graded to a minor profit of about $200,000, and if he is now saying that we'll make a loss than i will not be a happy chappy. :angry:

Good to see the coach hunt is at full speed, a month seems so close.

It may just be a case of as the season has gone on our performances have gotten worse and worse which is obviously goign to affect crowd numbers, it would be difficult to predict these things early in the season.

[Madness 44]

A team playing well attracts more members...

Kevin Sheedy would attract more members with an anverage year then having a good year next with a bit of an unkown coach, mark my words...

[demonfanjezza 1]

Thanks for that, since i live in sydney we dont get FC. Very interesting, espcially steve harris making known coaching appointement wil be known in a month time, in addition to the other news.

[WonnaJurah 5]

we dont get fc in brisbane:(

[beelzebub 23,383]

my understanding is we will make a smallish pfit 2-250,000..instead of the forecast 750000 - million.

Caro would say we're in trouble when you consider her bucket of dead fish club !!! lol

We are nt as rosey as we'd like to be, but its all mamageble; unlike previous eras where we'd be panicking right now. Its just a poorer show than previously hoped for...not wrist slitting time anymore.

[QueenC 74]

CEO Steve Harris was on a panel that faced the press. Caro asked him if he felt under the pump given the club’s "poor relationship with the AFL." and its poor financial performance.

Thanks for the summery Alpha.......

But if you will all excuse my naivety, could someone please explain to me why we (if we in fact do) have a "poor relationship" with the AFL?

Thanks in advance :D !!!

[True Believer 1]

The Duck impresses me more and more with his intuition and knowledge of the game. Certainly more than the fool that sits next to him

[Deeatribe 0]

Thanks for the summery Alpha.......

But if you will all excuse my naivety, could someone please explain to me why we (if we in fact do) have a "poor relationship" with the AFL?

Thanks in advance :D !!!

Boris and the Kremlin don't tolerate dissent.

I wonder if the strong stance taken by the MFC and Gardner in particular against the farcical three strikes policy endorsed by Boris called for payback - big time.