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So I spent first semester doing a subject called "People and Change", which is a theoretical look at organizational change and how people adapt and react to it. Fascinating -- but challenging -- stuff. I decided to do the "advanced" version of this subject this semester, and decided to choose Melbourne Football Club as my case study, at the support of my lecturer, who said it was a great example (after I showed her evidence to back up my case, as she is American and didn't understand the situation or sport). Fascinatingly, there is an uncanny correlation between the issues the club has faced in the past 16-or-so months, and the issues that company's face when they fail to adapt to change. Basically, going by what I've learnt in the subject, the Melbourne Football Club has failed miserably in its effort to change, but I don't need to tell you all that. The problem I see immediately -- I haven't analysed the situation extensively enough yet -- is that the club isn't quite sure whether it's implementing an "evolutionary" or "revolutionary" change: it's taking a little from column A, and a little from column B. For your records: Evolutionary - Slow, but persistent change and progress, far more reliable and stable. Revolutionary - Immediate change, the hardest to deal with, far more unstable. So what's the problem? The club's "boys club" culture would suggest a slow, evolutionary change would be more beneficial to avoid a complete collapse of the like we've seen over the past two season...however, that same culture would be hostile to change, so a slow, evolutionary change would be equally good and bad, and equally as risky as a revolutionary change. It's a mind-f*** of a challenge for anyone in charge. I've developed sympathy for McLardy, and even Schwab to a degree. The club, however, as adopted a revolutionary change, which would explain the collapse. 1. Neeld came in with a clear, direct idea of what needed to be changed. 2. McLardy drove these changes home, and argued for a completely clean slate for the club (a diplomatic way of saying they're completely changing the fabric of the club -- awfully risky considering the club's persistently unstable financial situation -- a double-edged sword because change was needed). 3. Older, leading players struggled to adapt to the changes (Moloney) and were therefore made the equivalent of redundant: I'd argue that being traded or given the freedom to sign elsewhere is the same in active AFL playing terms as being made redundant by your employer. 4. New, young faces are unsure how to incorporate the changes, or how to embrace the club, because it's at such a low point and struggling to form an identity. Imagine going to an organisation as an intern, only to learn the organisation is bleeding money, is far, FAR behind its competitors, and has no clear future. I'm sure you might be regretting your decision. Now, this is all a very mechanically theoretical way of looking at how change happens at a football club. The fabric is different because the teammateship is far more embedded into the foundations of the organization than it would be in a corporate world, where individualism can still take priority: you want to eventually strive for the benefit of yourself, rather than for the success of the wider team. I'm still very early in my case study and have months of reading ahead of me, but I am really looking forward to applying different theoretical frameworks to the club, its recent changes, failures, successes and challenges. I also hope the final outcome will provide more of an insight into how the club has gone wrong, and perhaps how it can adapt to change in a more efficient, effective manner. Although, Peter Jackson may do this more promptly than I can between now and November. /thesis

be on the lookout...

Is this a "Black Ops" situation Code??

..not be surprised.

Once Upon a Time in Essendon, A Fist Full of Peptides, A Few Peptides More and The Good the Bad and the Indifferent.

Liam Jurrah stuffed himself up. The fact that we couldn't stop it doesn't make us to blame.

you smoke and eat at the same time?

Best thread on Demonland.

Winter is coming...

i don't understand hird first he say he can't wait for the public to learn the "truth" now he has hired a qc to try and bring an injunction to stop the asada report going public so james, what is it? the truth or secrecy?

the word "g un" is censored now??

You can guarantee that as Roos has talked up Trengove, he sure as hell isn't a Demonland member.

Both Eddie Obeid and James Hird have been using the line where they cant wait for the truth to come out to show how innocent they are. Their speeches have been nearly identical. Now James is getting ready to go with "I cant discuss it until the report has been fully released", while employing the most expensive QC in the land to stop the report from being released. Yet his supporters (including it would seem Andrew D) keep on keeping on.

... I will punch Kumar Dharmasena.

I rather like that a thread on Evolution v Revolution has a post by 'old dee' immediately followed by one from 'Young Dee'

Thanks NSC. Please stay sufficiently sober to remember the essential details.

Is this some kind of a cryptic thread or are we all supposed to know who your golfing mate is?

Which is one of the reasons why the likelihood of a CEO being a sociopath is about four times that of the general population.

Essendon have also said Robinson is "Discredited" Really by whom??? Essendon....

The MFC remind me a lot of KODAK as a company. Kodak were the film company of the 50's through to the 90's. they were even the first company to design a digital camera. But chose to not go with it sticking with the roll of film. They went out of business, no longer exist.

"One of us has got a gun & one of us has got a shovel....Now start digging.." Clint.

This is another case of whatif, posters bemoan the fact that we don't develop players and point at Hawthorn, Geelong. Sydney etc as to what we should be dokng, finally we are trying to do that, why do think that the players brought in at the above Clubs (with the occasional exception) look like they belong, because they haven't been rushed, they have been steadily learning their craft and developing in the lower levels, Barry will be fine, he is getting better and better, personally don't care if he plays all year at Casey including the finals, rather than bringing him in for a couple of games, and if last Saturday is an example, going backwards at an alarming rate

I did not have relations with that needle!

My money is on him not being specific, probably going only so far as to say we need an experienced coach and nameing 4 or 5 coaches. The bloke is as vanilla and uninteresting as Garry Lyon when asked his opinion on things. e.g What do you think of the doping saga Paul? well on the one hand you have blah blah, then on the other hand you have blah blah... snore fest.

And how Hird has hired Julian Burnside QC to take on his interests. Jimmy had better be hoping that Kumar Dharmasena is involved in the final judgement.

From the very first time I read about the Wade Lees case, this is what stood out in my mind. As a VFL player, Lees simply didn't have access to the information that AFL players get on the issue of drugs, nor do they have the infrastructure behind them that should, in the normal course, provide them with safety from exposure to banned substances. Yet Lees was suspended for the better part of two years and with that, went his chances of carving out an AFL career. It was reported that he couldn't afford the cost of mounting an appeal against the ruling that led to his banning.Compare that to the might and power of Essendon and the AFL. The parties are gathering together a strong array of legal fire power. Hird's team includes expensive human rights QC Julian Burnside and the legal maneuvering threatens to be massive one way or another. And despite what seems to me to be the obvious, it's still not cut and dried whether an adverse finding against the players will be handed down. I would have thought that the Bombers are cooked unless they can produce what we have yet to see - a document from ASADA suggesting that it was permissible for the players to be injected with AOD-9604. It seems to me that Danks and co were well aware from the very outset that they needed this in place to validate that part of their programme - Dank urged to check on drug legality. The emails previously leaked to the media don't seem to do that and mysteriously, the Bombers don't seem to have the required documentation among their records.

Limited time this week will make the preview minimal, feel free to add! AFL Round 19 North Melbourne v Geelong Form: Good vs Exceptional Head to head: Cats with 8 of the last 9 (North beat them last year, though, and lead by 40 points earlier this year) Eye on the Roos: This could well be the game that makes up, somewhat, for so many near misses. Have been eying off a top-4 win all year and will love the home Friday night game. Eye on the Cats: Predictably struck back with a vengeance last week, will need to be at their best. Verdict: Cracker. This game should be close throughout. Cats seem to have a few too many goalkickers and a bit much class but I’m expecting North to be dogged throughout and, potentially, pinch the upset. Tip: North by 1 GWS v Melbourne Form: Plucky vs Pathetic Head to head: Dees 3-0 Eye on the Giants: This’ll either be the eventual win that has been in the air for weeks or the massive letdown after two very good performances. Hard to predict. Eye on the Demons: Disgraceful last week, disappointing the previous. This will either be the retaliation of lost pride for a fighting win or a capitulation against a plucky, youthful side looking for their first win. Verdict: This could be anything. I could see either team winning by 50. I could also see it being close. Giants have the motivation, Dees have the greater experience. In my opinion, this is the hardest game to tip for some time. Toss a coin. Tip: Draw Hawthorn v Richmond Form: Very good vs Inflated Head to head: Hawks with 3 of the past 4 (Tigers with the last) Eye on the Hawks: They know September so well and seem primed to partake in the festival deep into the month. Eye on the Tigers: The anticipated reality check arrived last week for the Tigers, and I think the exclamation mark may just be made this week if they don’t tighten up their ball movement and stoppage work. Verdict: Hawks will win. Richmond match up OK against them, but they were exposed last week and Hawthorn would love to wedge that open - especially after being rolled by this mob last year. Tip: Hawks by 34 West Coast v Gold Coast Form: Shocking vs OK Head to head: Eagles 2-0 Eye on the Eagles: The pretenders have been pantsed and, if they don’t get some names back, could really struggle this week.They’ve hated home this year - going 2-7 (with one win by 2 points after the bell and their 6 worse losses all being recorded at home). Eye on the Suns: They don’t particularly like to travel but they’ve been solid all year. Indeed, their worst loss was by a meagre 52 points at the Cattery - and that only came about because of one poor term. GC suffered their worst loss of 2012 out West but both teams a markedly different this time round. Verdict: Hard to go against the home team for that simple reason. They are the home team. Having said that, their poor aggression, poor home record and use of the footy this year matched with Gold Coast’s improvement could spell trouble for the Weagles. Will be watching team sheets closely for this one. Tip: Eagles by 21 Carlton v Freo Form: Middling vs Tops Head to head: Carlton with the last 2 - Freo with the previous 2 Eye on the Blues: They’ll need to be at their best. Haven’t really been smashed in any game this year (thanks, in part, to a good first term against the Pies) - they promise to keep this close but, ultimately, will find it hard to score enough to roll the Dockers. This game has reminders of the Swans clash and, oddly, a clash the Dees had with the Swans back in ’04 (for some bizarre reason). Eye on the Dockers: Getting it done. Like the Eagles, I’ll be keeping a close eye on their team sheet but they should head in as favourites all things being equal. Verdict: This should be a fascinating game. Both sides love the counter attack and don’t mind a tussle. Look for not many easy goals and a low-scoring game. Tip: Dockers by 11 Brisbane vs St Kilda Form: Good vs putrid Head to head: Saints with the last 4 Eye on the Lions: Their chance of finals slipped with a goalless last term and a dodgy decision. They’ve been in reasonable form, however, and they’ll be looking to let loose on a weakened Saints on their home turf. Eye on the Saints: It’s looking sad for the Saints. Very sad. Verdict: Brisbane, if they’re up for it, will be too crisp, too sharp and too brutal. Tip: Lions by 51 Western bulldogs vs Sydney Form: Meh vs Tops Head to head: Swans with the last 4 Eye on the Dogs: A feel good win last week, albeit against poor opposition. It’s hard to dislike the Dogs and they’ve got a couple coming through. They’ll come back to Earth with a thud this week, however, as they face the mighty Swans midfield. Will be great to watch Libba go toe-to-toe with them, nonetheless. Eye on the Swans: Just like the Hawks, they are hitting top gear right at the right time. Verdict: Too many goalkickers and too many mids, the Swans will get this done easily. Tip: Swans by 43 Adelaide vs Port Adelaide Form: Odd vs Up Head to head: Crows with 3 of the past 4 Eye on the Crows: Their strange season rolls on and, with the return of the ‘Mouse, they’d love nothing more than to dent Port’s season...just a little! Eye on the Power: Equally, but oppositely, strange has been Port’s season. Finals bound you’d think, the Power need to keep the momentum rolling into September. Verdict: Port enter this match higher on the ladder, in better form, more to play for. Adelaide will win - it’s just how it works. Tip: Crows by 23 Collingwood vs Essendon Form: Meh vs Precarious Head to head: Pies with 7 of the last 8 (Bombers with the last) Eye on the Pies: Thrown under the bus by the enemy - if they’re not up for this game they never will be. Eye on the Bombers: Last game? All on the line! Verdict: This could be absolutely huge. Dust-ups/goals/marks/hits and a huge crowd should round the weekend out beautifully. This could be a corker - another toss of the coin job it will depend which Collingwood shows and how much fight Essendon have left in them. Tip: All things equal - Bombers by 17. On the day - Pies by 5 Game of the Round: Bombers Pies and, potentially, Dockers Blues Thrashing of the Round: Lions Saints Upset of the Round: North Closest tip last week: Missed the Power by 8

Reading that article has turned my mood slightly. Its almost like he is telling everyone what he wants done before he takes the job. I believe he is strongly and seriously considering the job but as he said a president needs to be installed first. Interesting he said if he got a priority pick he would trade for a star midfielder. And Roos is the type of Coach that will attract good players!

Okay I will admit I have really doubted that Roos is intrested in the MFC posiotion but the article was intresting... "One thing a senior coach would be looking at however before he makes the decision to take the job is stability within the football club." (was that a hint) I love the way he sums up our situation: Have a back line - Frawley, Garland, MacDonald etc. Have a forward line - Clark, Dawes, Hogan, Watts, Fitzy etc. Midfield sucks...... - Jones, Sylvia (but has some potential in Trengove, Viney Toumpas) Once a new coach comes in and can give the group confidence and a couple already established good young mids (trade pick 1,2 or 3) the team will improve tenfold. As Roos stated it is not only offensive but also defensive where we are hurt due to our poor midfield. "The midfield is clearly a major concern. At the moment you have probably Nathan Jones as the only midfielder who would walk into most sides. As important as it is to have great defenders to stop the opposition scoring, the main defensive and offensive weapon is a hard running deep midfield. Your mids will create defensive pressure and dictate how many opportunities Clark, Dawes and Hogan will get. However, it is not all doom and gloom because the current list has three potential stars."

Not surprised at all. Their whole advertising campaign seemed to just revolve around the fact that they are German.

Get on to restoring that HK Panno I have in the shed!

be very very unhappy have another stubby !!

If Melbourne lose to GWS I will ... risk the ire of the Environmental Protection Authority and cause a thick haze of smoke to envelope my entire suburb by burning an effigy of Phil Scully.

Forgive me if this has been posted elsewhere in the forums, but in these "interesting times" it's great to see that The Daily Maggot is back. The Daily Maggot

Sorry Choko I don't agree.His stated message was to guage what members want. If you then limit what you want from them it is not guaging the desire of the membership. It is asking for the answer to suit your position. He could say look 5000 people want me to stand for the Presidency. When in actually fact 20000 might be trying to say "no Thanks Alan we do not want you." But their desires are not allowed to be given. Typical Political speak as far as I am concerned.

you can add craig thompson to the list of intrepid truth searchers

well i was going to suggest it ought not be regular NV...as it mightnt last the journey

Pederson was indecisive and is unfit. But he had only been in for one week and deserves the sane chances as others to get confidence after a few games - it did wonders for fitzy. Also with the injury to Frawley I think stability is important, especially amongst the back 6. Also re pederson, I won't defend his performance but he has a 3 year contract. There is no point nagging him out and labelling him a spud and sitting at casey for that time. We may as well see if we can utilise his strengths and make a player of him.

Good stuff, Cudi. In your case study, don't forget the impact emotion has on decision making. Until Peter Jackson arrived, everyone involved would have been unable to separate their love for the club with dispassionate decision making.

We will F#ck'n smash GWS this weekend!!!!!!! 30+ points. If not i will gladly except that we need a priority pick.

not be surprised. hahahahahaha

As is often the way the real truth , as opposed to various person's interpretations thereof , is invariably somewhere in the middle of things. Its about to get really ugly for some...... tsk tsk....shame ....lol

I heard on SEN this morning that AS is opening a web site today for people to communicate with him on the MFC Presidency. I cannot wait, he will not like my comments but Politicians have the skin of a Rhino so probably won't worry him. What they do respond to is large numbers of people disagreeing with them. So if you don't want him tell him so The alternative is wake up one morning with him as the President of the MFC.

Ive heard Krudd is just plain Bananas !!

I dont understand the Connelly hate. He was made a scape goat for what you'd assume was a whole Club or atleast a whole FD decision - to manage the list to ensure we were well positioned to capitalise on draft picks, at a time where we had no chance to make finals. Outside of this, he's a good bloke and passionate club man Why the hate?

Do you want to be third umpire for the next test?

Bartlett has played AFL and worked in the AFL industry as WAFL playwr association lawyer I believe. You say Stockdale is more qualified on the basis of his business and political background, but in terms of football industry it's the other way round. I won't do it now but we should line the two up against the criteria in the Trotter report and see who comes out ahead.

No that covers it. Close the thread Mods

Tom Mitchell - plays alongside O'Keefe, Jack, Hanneberry, Kennedy, McVeigh, Bolton & Mcglynn O'Meara - Ablett,Bennell & Prestia Crouch - Thompson, Dangerfield, Mckay, Sloane, Vince & Van Berlo Wines - Ebert, Boak, Hartlett, Wingard & Cornes I don't think I need to say anything else

I'm happy to be left in the dark, as long as the right decision is made in the end. We don't need to be updated every five minutes.