rpfc

This is what I want to know - were all the players involved/aware of the "leaders" grievances? I am exhausted with Green, Rivers, Moloney, Davey, Sylvia, and, to a lesser extent, Jones. And I know this may mean McLardy gets another phone call from Brad Green of Brighton - but I want to see the Leadership Group removed at the end of the season and the under 24 brigade told to choose their leaders for 2012 and beyond. I don't want to be unreasonable when it comes to our 'senior' or older players, but at same point they are failures as leaders and we must evolve past them.

I don't know if it was that explicit, but I can see how a decree similar to that would engender resentment. But there has to be a balance between playing those players who will be around in the future and making sure you reward good form in the reserves of the older players.

He is in the top 5 players at the club. Just shows you the issues we have...

Brent Moloney averages 29.1 touches a game in 2012 when we win. He averages 18.9 when we lose. Not including the Geelong game. He averages 18 when we get beaten by 41 points or more. Not including the Geelong game. That is unacceptable. Yes, he will win the Bluey, but that just illustrates our issues doesn't it?

Ashamed? I'm still proud. I'm a little worried but I know that everyone's heart is in the right place even if their nose isn't. I not only think this club can be slavaged, I think this season can be salvaged. That isn't to say we will make finals - it's to say that the players, the coaches, the admin, and the board can have their say and get their issues out in the open so that 2012 can be spared these issues.

Melbourne's playing list just heavenly. Apparently... OD - I thought this piece to be a little too upbeat about the list for you...

There is a need for some clearing of the air (understatement) but you are assuming the players are all unified in their distaste with Schwab and Connolls, and that they are the ones 'in the right' (if anyone is...). The senior players seem to have issues with the direction of the club - namely that they are not good enough players to be apart of that direction, Schwab gets his head in places he shouldn't, and god knows what Connolls has [censored] off people about. The club will settle, Tom will make his difficult decision and we will move on either way.

I'll do a no-no and reply to myself... These two we have discussed in the past - and I can see them as issues for senior players. This is why we should have grown a pair and moved past our current 25+ players and given the reigns to the younger talent. You cannot expect the senior group to pull in the same direction if they don't see themselves in that direction. That being said - it is pretty weak for a player to be [censored] off at the club talking about how they will win a flag...

Yes.

Mick would probably say 'good riddance' - I don't believe he likes the way the MFC evolves around this fixture...

I'm exhausted about their behaviour aswell. This can be the thread we have a look at the grievances - keeping in mind they might be inferred BS by Caro. Over the past year those grievances have included: ■The manner in which several senior players, notably former captain James McDonald, were unloaded last season. ■Ongoing uncertainty among the senior line-up that they too will fall victim to the Schwab-Connolly ''premiership model'' of list management. ■The long and expensive post-season trip to China during which Tom Scully chose to return home early. ■Schwab's inconsistent comments regarding Scully, most recently that the Demons could match the annual $1 million Greater Western Sydney terms. ■Delays in the re-signing of talented young players. ■The lack of consistent structure in the football department and lack of clarity over development resources, headed up earlier this year by Viney. Several players and coaches and other staff have become increasingly disenchanted after being interviewed by consultant Ray Andrews, whom the Demons' board paid $80,000 to review the club's entire operation. Having opened up, most believed their constructive criticism had been ignored. Further, they felt the report had been buried for political expediency Discuss.

I very much doubt Cale had any idea about the senior players - apparently Green, Rivers, and Jones - going to see McLardy.

We are all inferring to a certain extent here so we know hot to take everything as gospel but I understand how the players can be annoyed with Schwab and possibly his interference in the footy side of things but Connolly is the head of footy... And the list of grievances in Caro's post is worth a thread itself... The players don't like the Premiership Model? The probably don't like it because it will cost them cash in the short term and their jobs in the long term. And I couldn't care less. From where I sit - everyone needs a rebuke. Schwab needs to stay in the front office, Viney needs to keep him there, Connolly needs to placate the players and their 'development worries,' and the players need to grow a pair and not let this simmer and explode like it obviously did last week and weekend. The way the senior players handled this is an interesting juxtaposition to the way they play - they waited for things to get better through someone else's intervention, they were brought into the 'game' by others, and they come off looking self-interested and misguided. And they ended up getting smashed... I hope Schwab, Connolly and Green are having a chat in that theatrette at AAMI Park right now and telling the players what they are going to do to fix this BS.

I agree. I had been of the opinion that he could coach the season out but that was with the proviso he still had a chance to be coach in 2012. That ended on Saturday. Therefore, there is no reason to delay the inevitable and end up with a Danny Frawley style slow-burn demise that saps the energy of all involved. It was a disappointing decision but the right one.

It's funny how 'we' have backflipped purely because she had said it was going to happen when it didn't. Journos... They're so cute.

Please elaborate HSOG.

You have got to be kidding me... Bailey is gone because we have not progressed this season. The last straw was the realisation he has no chance to keep his job - ipso facto - he must go. Your reasoning that Garry Lyon precipitated the sacking of Bailey is specious. You seem to always think there are unseen reasons for the things that occur around the MFC. You should try and stop reading between the lines and just read the effing lines...

Are you new? ADC is trying to sh!t stir.

Why don't you speculate, tell us it's the 'truth' and claim that our heads are in the sand when we disagree. That's how this works isn't it?

That is such specious reasoning that you should really think about deletion of the post... The reason Bailey is gone is because he had no chance of coaching in 2012 and when that is the case - you cut ties. Garry Lyon is a former great who is never going to be far from the ear of whoever is running the club, but to say he precipitated Dean's axing is rich - even for you...

Oh, please... He obviously has the ear of a couple of people but 'calling the shots' is a bit rich. To me, the trouble looks to be poorly defined roles and Schwab micro-management, coupled with players who are terrible on-field leaders but eloquent enough off the field to air grievances to the highest level.

I wouldn't think so.

Reprehensible. They left with a sour taste in the mouth did they? I had a sour taste in the mouth watching them play. They can say what they like, but that doesn't mean I cannot judge them on it. Pathetic.

Why? It's a minor annoyance compared to the obvious problems with Schwab intefering with the footy dept, Connolls interfering in the coaching, Bailey having lost the faith of some of the directors, the club having obvious problems with leaking, the senior players being a pathetic, listless bunch, and the issue of the admin being at odds with a seemingly mutinous playing group. Forgive the rest of us if the Tom Scully Saga has been superseded, RR. This doesn't suit your agenda, nor mine, what is happening with regard to the Tom Scully Saga so just let it lie for the time being?