Rhino Richards

The MFC Board Election is being characterised by some as an opportunity to merely endorse the current Board because our teams have been performing well on the field over the last two years. It seems to me that the area where we chronically underperform off the field is in relation to securing a home base for our players and members. The current Board clearly don't have the skills to resolve this issue so maybe it is time for a new face on the Board. A close look at Phil Reed's business webpage would suggest that he might be able to deliver something our club has lacked since we left the MCG nearly 40 years ago - a home for us all.

We got so many of our picks wrong that Harry Houdini as player development manager would not conjure a capable AFL player out of them. To have failed to convert so many top 20 picks to capable AFL footballers is embarrassing. IMO we have failed on character judgment in determining the capability to make it AFL level. Morton, Watts, Cook, Gysberts Blease are all examples of this. And 2ndly IMO we have been screaming out for quality midfielders over the past 7 years we have recruited a number of players who are tweeners ( Tapscott,Bennell),that cant cut it in the midfield and dont have the skill to cut it elsewhere. We took too few true midfielders when we had the picks. While we took Watts and Jetta (pick 50s) in the 2008 draft, we could have a solved our midfield issues in one draft but we comprehensively shot blanks in a quality and deep in talent draft. There is no doubt we have stuffed the player development in a couple of cases but we drafted many of our problems before we had a chance to develop/ mould them

Agree. The folly of throwing Grimes and Trengove to the captaincy of an underwhelming side when so young has damaged the confidence and development of both players. Roos is to be applauded for allowing Salem to build his football confidence in the VFL where Trengove and Toumpas are seeking to resurrect their confidence.

Notwithstanding the lack of resources at hand, it was an error for ASADA to have agreed to perform an early joint investigation with the AFL. I agree about dragging out the pain but Duttons farcical oversight just undermines confidence in the process particularly when the seven member panel appeared ably qualified and experienced.

*sigh* I never said that about Murdoch. It's just that particular paper is hardly an impartial judge off political issues given it's insidious record And the ACC launched an ASADA unprecedented investigation into two clubs/codes concurrently. As an event confronting a resource strained Govt body like ASADA, this ACC report was a tsunami of a project. I don't blame Andruska expressing uncertainty at the magnitude of what was involved.

You are correct about Governments changing personnel. But if they chose to do that at this 11th hour to ASADA then it would represent interference on due process at a critical time. And FWIW, the panel constituents seem impressive in their skill sets and experience. The reality is likely to be an embarrassing avoidable administrative bungle in not contracting panel members whose contracts had expired. And who would have thought a politically impartial, fine upstanding quality journal like the Daily Tele would attack the Labor Party....wow

Easier in a 2 club city.....

Agree. But both organised crime and match fixing are alot more insidious and difficult to pin or limit to Australia. And ASADAs brief is narrow concerning doping. There would be a number of authorities involved in tracking organised crime. The Purana taskforce did nab low level soccer match fixing. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-15/police-uncover-alleged-soccer-match-fixing-ring/4958946 And you only have to look at the debacle of world cricket with the impotent ICC and the Indians to know the sport at the international level is impacted. I am not aware of evidence that Australian cricketers are specifically involved. But the World cup in 2015 will be interesting. You are splitting hairs if the Government would even do as you suggest. It has the same impact.

Due process requires that it goes through the legal system. The process was frustrated by Pratts illness. It's a pity he was not brought to justice as his actions were disgraceful and he was responsible for and owned Visy. Had they got Pratt guilty they would have got Visy.

The report was serious given the implications for the integrity of Australian sport. Richard Inge needed a soapbox. Neither Government has properly funded ASADA for an investigation that unprecedented, complex and was always going to time consuming especially given the profile of the codes and the media glare. The ACC report was about the importation and distribution of illegal substances within sporting clubs. The evidence found about Essendon and Cronulla has damaged their respective codes and put Australian sport under question globally. Gutting/closing down/removing resources has the same impact....nobbling an anti doping investigation.... No clear thinking Government could be that stupid. This should be a short term embarrassment that can be readily addressed by Dutton to re contract those panel members who's contract have expired

The blackest day in sport was a quote from the human mouthpiece Richard Inge. This whole issue highlighted by the ACC is an embarrassment for Australian sport and sporting bodies impacted. It had nothing to do with the previous Government who only did what it should have done. I am not sure about panning ASADA until the review is completed. Regardless of what went before it, the current Government is responsible for ASADA and are responsible for the conduct of ASADA now. They can't walk away from ASADA without global sporting condemnation. If the Goverment were to bizarrely walk way from ASADA then why did it appoint a federal court judge to assist in the review and assessment of the accumulated evidence?

Agree. Rather incredible none the less at crucial stage it should not have happened. Storm in a teacup. Dutton should get them re contracted and let's move on.

Pratt is not a good example at all. While not denying the gravity of his crimes you are poorly informed on the sense of justice and any cynicism he got away with it. Pratt had terminal cancer when the case commenced. His health deteriorated as a consequence of the cancer during the trial. There was no sense sentencing him to term beyond his rapidly shortening natural life.

Do you reckon the AFL would spend that sort of money if it has already pizzed $3m on a failed effort on Roos. Money talks but it does not grow on trees.

I should have said for a period. I think if there is enough outrage over the number of players infracted and the length of their ban. If it's a few players and a 2 year ban then Hird won't have much to coach!