Cam Schwab

As you know, I keep an eye on Demonland as part of maintaining a feel for what our people are talking about. I haven't posted for a while, so I thought it might be worth clarifying a few matters. We will have a more in depth interview up on www.melbournefc.com.au shortly which covers some of the same topics in a little more detail. Second Major Sponsor: One thing I can say - I'm glad some of you guys aren't negotiating contracts on our behalf! We have explained the strategic importance of the sponsorship 'property' and we will do a deal when the deal is right, and by strategic we mean long term and having a significance beyond the revenue itself. We have locked away some very important deals over the last few years (in particular EnergyWatch) that now underpin our sponsorship revenue, and we have a number of contingencies from both a revenue and cost perspective in the event that we don't achieve our preferred outcome. We will not compromise the value by agreeing to a sub-optimal long term deal because of external or perceived time pressures. In the meantime, we proudly wear the Reach Logo on our jumpers. Compensation Picks: We are required to make a call on the GWS Compensation Selections later this month. Tim Harrington and Todd Viney have put together some detailed analysis, which is fundamentally a trade off between current and future value of the selections, taking into account the fact that we have a Jack Viney father/son selection in 2012. I cannot pre-empt this decision, but what it does show is that the choices are very valuable and will play a key role in the next phase of our list development. Tim and Todd know their stuff and they are working closely with Mark Neeld and Neil Craig in particular to map out our direction. Commencement Dinner: Surprised at some of the negativity. We received outstanding feedback on the night, which continued today. The evening is deliberately nostalgic, and will continue to be, as well as presenting the thoughts of our coach as a lead up to the season. We will never apologise for celebrating our heritage. As I said on the night: - We will look back – for that gives us our identity - We will focus on the now – for that is what our game demands - We will look forward – for that is our responsibility. The feedback from the players who received their blazers, modelled on the 1940's blazer worn by Harold Ball, was one of immense pride. This pride was beautifully articulated by Ron Barassi, Hassa Mann and John Beckwith. These videos by the way, were produced in-house by our new Digital Production man Jack McCowan who has captured the personalities and emotion of three legends. Unfortunately, the audio on the speeches is a bit rough. I won't comment specifically on Liam Jurrah, I think this has been covered off in many forums. I will say, that we are confident in the support he has received in the time he has been at the club, and continues to receive, as he deals with a number of challenging and complex issues. Finally, really pleased with how the football structure and personnel has come together. Capable, committed, directed and passionate, with clear standards and expectations that have been set very high. Importantly, they are loving our club. I won't answer any specific questions as I better head home, its been a solid week, but just to let you know we do follow Demonland, enjoy the by-play, love the passion and we do take on thoughts and suggestions. Cameron Schwab

Just to let everyone know, we will be officially announcing the jumper tomorrow with Brent Moloney modeling the outfit. The clash jumper is different to the one pictured above. They have got the gist of it, but it does have more blue on it. No cartoon characters.

I thought it was worth clarifying a few things. Firstly, it is the AFL who decrees the need for clash jumpers. As far as I am aware, they have never stated that they need be white, although that is a preference, consistent with other sports, particularly in the US. You might remember a few years ago, St Kilda had a yellow clash jumper. A red jumper still clashes with some clubs, which requires us to have three jumpers. In 2009 year we wore our traditional jumper, a red jumper and a white jumper. In 2010, we had the traditional strip, and the white jumper. Red is therefore not an option. As far as I’m concerned, a predominately red jumper is still not a Melbourne jumper. Simply, a clash jumper can’t clash. For the same reason, the royal blue Melbourne jumper doesn’t work, and given that we managed to wear the jumper for 12 years and not make finals, it is not held in any esteem. Given the lack of contrast, we are required to add a non-MFC colour into the design, which is the most disappointing aspect of this issue. We have chosen white. Personally, I don’t support clash jumpers, particularly for the original clubs. I think clashes are generally overrated. I don’t think people have difficulty with Melbourne vs Essendon/Carlton/Brisbane/Port, and now with Freo taking red out of their strip, I doubt whether that is now a clash. We will continue to argue this. In some cases, clashes are the result of clubs changing their designs and/or new clubs entering the competition. This was an issue when I was at Freo, and the club happily created the white jumper, which was very popular with Freo supporters. Collingwood is a non-issue in this debate, and a distraction. Apart from North, they are able to manage their situation with their alternate white back, black back options. Essendon is different, and they shouldn’t be exempted from any requirement to have an alternate strip although I can understand why they have stood firm. Unfortunately, we didn’t make this stand a few years back but neither did most clubs. Our new clash strip will be predominately white; the design is far more traditional and will be released shortly. It has an MCC feel about it, remembering that the MCC colours are navy, red and white. No cartoon characters. We will argue for navy shorts, and we will also argue that we shouldn’t have to wear it often, if at all. There you go.

Just to let you know guys I will be doing a ustream broadcast at 4pm. I will do my best to answer any questions. I received a good response last time, so give it a go. The link is http://www.ustream.tv/channel/camschwab Cam Schwab

I only had 140 characters to work with. Add Aussie, Ricky Petterd, Col Sylvia, Matthew Bate and perhaps a Col Garland going forward. We also think Jack Fitzpatrick is a real chance, and let's not forget Stef Martin. The point I was making is there is lots of scope.

Sam Blease will be brought along slowly. We have a high regard as everyone knows, but he is coming back from a serious injury. Getting a few sore spots, which is not unusual given the nature of his injury. Having a rest this week. Still very young and will be given plenty of time. Good group of young players who came through the Vic Metro system together including Watts, Scully, Strauss, Fitzpatrick, Blease and Gawn.

Rarely do I feel inclined to make comment on a topic on Demonland. As I have said many times, I enjoy Demonland and Demonology and encourage our staff to read the forums. I must say in this case, some of the comments are disappointing and well off-beam. We make a point of not being defensive in our attitude towards opinions on the merits of our performance, but I will also make a point of defending good young men who are committed to your football club. I have great confidence in our players, as well as the coaches and administrators who are guiding their careers.

I thought I would touch base in relation to what has become a somewhat confusing communication in relation to our club’s facilities, an issue which has challenged many generations of MFC administrators. I am a regular reader of Demonland and Demonology and enjoy the discussions. I have encouraged our staff to read the sites as we can learn a lot from what our supporters are saying about our club. Now that life has settled down a little, I will try and make a contribution from time to time. In relation to our facilities, the key points are as follows: The MCG is our home. A key component of our realignment with the MCC is to give the club a stronger presence at the ground (visually and spiritually) and a number of concepts are being discussed, with enthusiasm and understanding. We cannot underestimate the importance of the realignment, but at the most fundamental level it relates to the Melbourne Football Club and its ‘sense of place’. As I like to say, “if the MCG is the paddock that grew, it is the Melbourne Football Club who cultivated it”. Simply, we are no longer a tenant, we are home. The MCC have been tremendous, we could not have asked for more. Unfortunately, the MCG cannot be our training venue. It can however be our administrative base, at least in the foreseeable future, or until a better option presents. Anyone who has visited our offices would know we need to upgrade our facilities which are tired and we are fragmented over three levels. Our retail outlet is also problematic. For anyone who has experienced the Junction Oval in recent years, our football team is being severely compromised in relation to quality and access (summer). Our club has also suffered from the dislocation of the organisation into two parts (ie MCG and Junction Oval). The club also needs to establish a community base as a key part of our growth strategy. The likely next phase for the club is as follows: The club has signed a 30 year agreement with the City of Casey which will go before Council in the near future – hopefully for final approval. Once approved, this will be formally announced, in the meantime keep it amongst ourselves! We have built excellent goodwill with the City of Casey and they have been great to deal with. It promises to be a very strong relationship. This is an integrated agreement, very focused on community. The club will have access to the outstanding facilities in Casey, including Casey Fields as well as the Recreation and Aquatic Centre. An AFL quality facility will be built at Casey Fields for the MFC as part of an overall upgrade, to include gym, change-rooms etc - to be completed early next year. Community will be at the heart of what we are calling our ‘growth imperative’. Casey Fields will be utilised extensively by the club, particularly in the summer months, but also during the season where it is likely that we will spend at least one day integrating training and community activities. It will be known as our Casey Campus. As you would also be aware, we are a long way down the track in relation to finalising the establishment of an elite training centre at Olympic Park, within the new rectangular stadium, training at Gosch’s Paddock. Our Olympic Park Campus will be a shared facility, with Melbourne Storm and Melbourne Victory, and will house our football operations as well as the flexibility to co-locate some of our MCG based staff. Whilst still separated over two venues, we are only a few minutes walk across the footbridge and the facilities promise to be excellent. If all goes to plan, we will be in a position to move into the facilities in the first half of next year. In the meantime, we will operate between the Junction Oval and Casey as we did (quite successfully) this year. The Docklands’ opportunity is interesting, but it is only at a very early concept stage. We will explore the opportunity, as it could present a Hawthorn/Waverley Park option where it puts the entire organisation in one facility immediately adjacent to a training ground in the traditional AFL club model, rather than a shared facility within a soccer/rugby stadium with a non-exclusive training ground down the road. It would complement our Casey arrangement whilst not compromising our MCG heritage, where we would seek to maintain a strong presence. Given that it is a ‘green-field’ site, it presents many opportunities to integrate with local community and business in the heart of the ‘new’ Melbourne. It is an interesting concept, but that is as far as it has developed thus far. Hope this clears up a few things, and I look forward to seeing you all at the footy tomorrow. Schwabby.