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Stockdale is 68. Bartlett about 50 Bartlett is a foundation member, not sure if Stockdale is. Stockdale says it is president or nothing. He has apparently been offered the vice presidency and refused. He apparently doesn't get on with Jackson. The AFL and the MFC apparently prefer Bartlett, who has a strong relationship with Demetriou. The AFL will give us the help both financial and on field that they decide to. We are not in a position to have a fight with the AFL or get them offside. Stockdale and a few of his best people would be welcomed onto a unified Board. Apparently this is not acceptable to him unless he is president. Everybody except Stockdale seems happy with the changes happening at the MFC at the moment. Every new Board member is up for re election at the next AGM under the club's constitution. If Stockdale cares about the club why doesn't he just shut up now and challenge at the AGM like every other MFC member has the right to do and not make this a public fight while we are trying to make the most important appointments for the future of the club. I fear this distraction could cost us the best coach and maybe even Jackson. I fear this is about a person's personal ambitions rather than what is best for the MFC.

I think the last 8 weeks or thereabouts since Jackson has been in his current position has shown the benefits of good governance, stability and sound decision making. I consider the previous period of destabilsation at the club when Stockdale was involved. I don't like the idea of I'm president or I'm nothing this is about the club I don't want a person leading us where it's all about me! I have been happy with Jackson thus far and want him to stay, already todays story shows heading back to the past will see us leaking like a sieve to the media again and failing to learn from our problems of the past. This is about the club Alan not about you

The prospect of In-fighting at this time leaves me numb with disbelief.

Jackson understands corporate governance and he understands his duties within that relationship. Clearly he's not as certain that a Stockdale led Board is one that is necessarily going to steer the club down a prudent path.

I probably am to a degree. I certainly don't like the bit about him not getting on with Jackson. That spells real trouble to me if true. It would be a pretty outlandish statement to make, if untrue, BTW. Our fate in the short term is undeniably tied to the AFL. I don't want to pi-s them off. That doesn't mean we cow tow, but we need to work hand in hand with them for the next period, until we are off and running. I want every benefit they will give us. ATM we need to be united and I totally agree with the one ticket one MFC point. If you really cared about the club, why wouldn't you take a position as vice president if it was offered to you? Why wouldn't you bring a few of your best people and work with the existing board? Why do you have to be President or nothing? Sounds like ego to me. That is a trait of the politician. Similar view to Kennett. If you are unhappy with the Board challenge at the AGM. Imagine a prospective Coach or Footy Manager reading the paper today and what they would think about the stability of the place.

I'm not sold on Stockdale at all, however after reading the article I get a different perspective on the situation. I don't think what he's saying is bad at all, he has a really good point. PJ is answerable to a board and it is interesting that he's trying to choose who that board will be, effectively he's hiring his boss. Corporate Governance? The circumstances are complicated because of the AFL basically running the club so the reality is that we don't have a choice but Stockdale is right. But again, I'm not sold on Stockdale, I agree with others that I'd prefer someone with a younger and more vibrant 'brand' (god I hate that term)

Why can't there ever be stability at this club, these high rollers show nothing but contempt for us supporters, they make me sick.

Does anyone else think it's a disgrace that GWS keep talking about keeping/trading THEIR number 1 pick when there's still 7 games to go in the season? If MFC did this we'd be hit with another $500k fine...

The club needs to stop looking in its rear view mirror and start looking forward. Leave the past in the past, Stockdale belongs in the past.

Stockdale is a highly competent lawyer and as a politician is known for his role as State Treasurer in implementing Jeff Kennett's revolution of privatisation and cutbacks when in government in the 1990s. Some would say he and Jeff saved the state, others that they left it without a heart and a soul. As an MFC board member he was up to his neck in the intrigue that led to the overthrow of Joe Gutnick and the subsequent destabilisation of the club. Personally, I would prefer others as Stockdale represents a step back in time to an era when the club languished. The knifing of Joe brought us the Szondy regime and we know where that got us. Nevertheless, he's apparently put his hand up although it appears that he won't make an official move until after the federal election (given that he's National President of the Liberal Party). He has yet to speak about his vision for the club and, dare I say it, we have no idea as to who will form his team which I guess makes them all "faceless" men at this point in time. In that respect, it's all a bit hazy. The jury's well and truly out and I'm sure we'd all like to know how he plans to unify the club and restore its fortunes.

Why wait till the end of the year? Because the rules relating to draft assistance don't allow the Commission to consider it until the end of the year. The concept of giving assistance to clubs is based on helping clubs with longer term issues than those confined to a single season or part of a season. This overcomes the situation whereby a club like Collingwood could have one bad season as it did in 2005 allowing it to pick up a Daisy Thomas as well as a Scott Pendlebury or as the Eagles did a few years ago when they picked up a PP on top of a single bad year not long after winning a flag, then making a Prelim Final the following season. The Saints and the Bulldogs were not so long ago members of the top four. It's too early for them to be entitled to assistance. Further, if Melbourne suddenly has a further spike in performances and wins a couple of games it doesn't alter the fact that our list has been so poor over such a long period that assistance is urgently needed.

The most amazing thing about our pre-season training in Darwin was how badly our marketing people managed the photo opportunities. Who was the genius who thought it would be a good idea to have a photo with players sitting in and on an army tank when the club was being investigated for alleged tanking?

Wonderful when they get to nearly 3 Stays with us most Friday nights. You probably wont believe this but has today taken to Demon a red and blue teddy I bought her mother 30 years ago.

Totally agree with you old dee. Just hope they put in that effort like they did with the Swans. That's been my favourite game to watch all year. They really put in.

Mark Williams please. Make it happen MFC.

There are three types of people I don't trust: Lawyers, Polititians and used car salesmen. Stockdale ticks too many of these boxes for my liking. A more divisive person I couldn't imagine...

That is a bit unrealistic. You are asking us to recruit actual footballers.

Back off Stockdale. Let PJ do his job. If you rock the boat PJ leaves. We are under AFL administeation. Get used to it. You sold the state. Don't sell my club.

I didn't realise Stockdale was still alive. Good on him! If he is going to be Prez and front the cameras he is going to need to take the whipper snipper to those eyebrows or they may interfere with the television signalling. Personally, I wouldn't be keen on heading back into the past. We have decided to go to the AFL for assistance. We have done a sh%t job on our own. They/we have appointed Jackson as CEO and I hope the new Prez would be in sync with Jackson and the AFL.Let's see what sort of recovery they can bring about for the MFC. At the end of the day the AFL hold all the strings as to whether we make a fist of the football caper going forward or not. It's a no vote from me!

Don't start this again

Your right, really the only players that could come in and make that a better team is Clark and Jamar, McKenzie would be on the fringe. No issues if we don't perform we have Clisby, Kent, Terlich, Toumpas, Viney, Gawn, Fitzpatrick add in Blease, Watts, McDonald, Howe, Grimes and Trengove with plenty of improvement in them if we can get the right people in our football department.

A win. Make it happen Melbourne. Do it.

We aren't much far behind with some shockers we have brought up on here.

Really good start Alan and you haven't even got the job Has the term Control Freak written all over it Not Interested in his services if that's the way he operates

Certainly is a convincing read. I would still like to see craig stay on in some capacity if melbourne ran with eade or choco.

I'm not so sure that the headline matches the content of the article but if there is going to be friction between Stockdale and his wannabe board on the one side and the AFL and Peter Jackson on the other, then I'm definitely against it.

Nup, in true MFC fashion he's Gone Ski...ing

Sorry, we don't need to draw any more attention to ourselves, imagine the sponsers right now, they are sponsering the biggest basket case in the AFL and add to this we have a wannaby president airing is opinion in the news paper. The old boys club is no more, great they support but we need new blood.

Equally, it was rare to look at the ins and think: 'yeh, he should be promoted'..

People must realize. We are under full AFL administration at present. Previos MFC Boards have run the club into the ground. If the MFC get offside with the AFL we are stuffed Stockdale. Do you understand this????

It's also been a breathe of fresh air since Jackson was appointed. Things finally being done professionally! We do however have to have strong people at the club that keep Jackson and the AFL at least slightly accountable and making decisions that are 'in the best possible interests of the MFC' first and foremost.

Everything Stockdale said made sense.....except why did he have to say it!! Although in some ways it's good to see he's not running from issues or sweeping them under the rug, and in other ways it's nice to see if he does get on the board he actually has interest in running the club not just turning up to a few meetings!

I like the fact Craigy has only made the 1 change this week and that's because Viney is ready to go (glad it was Nicholson omitted) Let the boys gel, play some back to back footy and we actually may win some games. Never liked the 5-7 player changes that Mark Neeld use to do.

Is there any evidence that jackson is in fact selecting the board and esp the president? I'm sure the afl is trying to influence/approve it but the afl doesn't equal jackson in all cases stockdale may be drawing a long bow re the ceo selecting the board

What a stage. Froome showing signs of being human, started to crack on the final ascent. Where would he be without Porte? Quintana into 3rd, not far behind Contador now. Aussie rider Adam Hansen enjoys a donated beer. Priceless!

Melbourne presidential wannabe Alan Stockdale doubts he can work with chief executive Peter Jackson MELBOURNE is poised for internal war, with presidential wannabe Alan Stockdale challenging the authority of chief executive Peter Jackson. [censored] off Stockdale you muppet.

Once a politician, always a politician. Regardless of what side of politics, thereis generally too much "me" involved. Not the right choice for mine.

Would it? Instead of throwing talented individuals at a problem and finding roles for them later, we should define the role and attempt to get the people that suit that role the best.

Roos was never going to start 'ASAP'. What precedent in the AFL is there for a midseason appointment of a new coach, after the interim coach has been installed, and after the original coach has been sacked? A new coach needs a Pre Season to get anything accomplished in terms of how a team plays and getting better personnel. They would be voiding their 'fresh start' if they took over in the middle of a horrible season. I think Jackson asked Craig to be caretaker, gave no promises and little talk of 2014.

might depend on what sort of PEP talk the Bombers are given

I just posted this elsewhere but think it appropriate for here also In an article by Smith in the Aussie where he notes the lamentable success (sic ) of the Giants he notes that this season they havent struck the same chord as last and he makes this observation winning just 10 of 60 quarters this season and three 100-point-plus losses during the past 10 rounds has been disappointing. Insiders put that down to the players missing popular development coach Mark Williams, This is entirely the nature of a coach we need to come onboard. Roos tweaked an already happening club, albeitly got them the next level up but some might say all thehard was was already done ( by Rocket ) . Choco can probably take full credit for Ports success. I hope we get Choco, still my first pick.

Bloody soft. Alot softer than you sitting behind your computer. This soft kid was so weak that he was seniors football at the age of 16. What a bloody [censored] putting his teenage body up against men!! Now at 18 backing into a pack against the biggest bodies in the comp, knowing us with no voice from his teammates he lowered his head slightly.. Well holy [censored]. Josh hunt weighs 100 kilos and is built like a brick out house and he did a deplorable head drop last year. A three time premiership player. I love posters who came out with lines like this because it allows me from now on to ignore every post you make. Thank you. Hope your courage behind your desk is in top form also..

Here's the win stats for every team over the past 7 years. I haven't included finals or mentioned draws. Geelong: 123/147 Collingwood: 103/147 Hawthorn: 99/147 St Kilda: 86/147 Sydney: 84/147 Adelaide: 77/147 North Melbourne: 74/147 Bulldogs: 71/147 Carlton: 70/147 West Coast: 70/147 Essendon: 69/147 Freemantle: 69/147 Brisbane: 58/147 Port Adelaide: 57/147 Richmond: 53/147 Melbourne: 34/147 GC: 11/59 GWS: 2/37 I've highlighted the Bulldogs record as they seem to be generating a bit of discussion over their eligibility for a potential priority pick.

Baring injury or rest I can't see Jordie getting back in the side this year.

How does Byrnes get a game every week? Why do we give a has been a game when we have numerous young guys we could be testing and giving experience? If the guy made a meaningful contribution and helped the kids but he does bugger all.

Or he is waiting to see that the structures and foundations which can support success, are in place at the MFC, before he considers his position further. As has been said by other posters, nothing can possibly be finalised until at least October

http://www.espncricinfo.com/newzealand/content/current/story/652325.html Quote: "He's obviously still very keen and committed to play for New Zealand". Do I get Jesse back???

I once went to the footy with a mate of mine who was bemused by my antics during the match. This guy was a Psychologist by profession and had only started following the dee's since recently moving to Melbourne. He said that during the match I visibly aged a couple of years. He said that I displayed every symptom of a host of psychological conditions but in particular from the bipolar spectrum, e.g. depression, elation, anxiety, bravado, humiliation, aggression and ultimately self loathing. He was quite intrigued the state of my football Record, (it resembled confetti ). From that point on I always aware that he was in some way watching me and so I toned down my antics when in his presence, but somehow despite my best efforts the footy record would always end up looking like confetti, which he would duly note. Fast track to couple of years later and I run into the same guy leaving the "G" after a nail-biter.We talked for a couple of minutes and consoled our selves in the knowledge that we were robbed when I noticed the state of his footy record. What was left of it looked like it had been used to clean something a sick dog had done. I couldn't help myself and smiled somewhat insanely at him, to his credit he immediately knew where I was coming from and promptly hit me over the head with record and stormed off yelling "You did this to me you bastard". Thanks to him and my kids I have learned to control my self somewhat but you are right ingeniokinetic, I am a fraud, just ask my footy record.

Bit of positive here but isn't it great to see Aussie back in red and blue. And one thing that really surprised me was he actually looks in better shape now then he was in his last year at the club I reckon. Kudos to the MFC on keeping that relationship with Aussie and still accept him as one of our own still. People who say our relationship with indigenous players is crap needs to rethink again.

I'd prefer we got Sydney style support, an extra Million on the salary cap... or GWS / GC style support unfettered access to any other clubs players... or the favourable financial deals clubs out West get... or the multiple night game, blockbusters that the"Big Four" Melbourne clubs get... Etc... And they complain about us being tossed a couple of early picks after 6 years in the doldrums.