Dr. Gonzo

I don't think so - what you say would be correct if this were the only issue the club had handled poorly over the last couple of years as is pretty much the case with Essendon (since Hird came on board). The difference between us and them is not only that they're winning and we're getting smashed its also that this is just another example of the clubs incompetent management under the current admin.

I don't think so - I don't have any inside knowledge by pretty sure I heard Freeman's name mentioned prior to all the current issues arising.

Would definitely get legs if it were about Hutchy having AOD's injected. I assume Freeman will take over, the article in the paper the other day hinted as much. It seems he is being groomed to take over later in the season or at the end but the way things are heading he may find himself in quicker than expected. Will he be any better? I can't say - I hope he wasn't hand-picked by the same people running the club at the moment or who put their weight behind McLardy because we need a new broom to sweep through. I am wrapt we got Jackson as interim CEO but spewing he won't stay on permanently. We need people who have run successful (not just profitable) clubs - at least if they fail we will know it is us and not them. Similar to the coaching situation we need an experienced coach who has been round the track before and will work with but not be directed by the admin. Another rookie coach finding his feet would be a disaster which is why I wouldn't mind getting Eade, Ratten or perhaps even Williams. I think the main thing we have to get away from is this entitled belief that we should be a power club - yes we were but the 50's & 60's were a helluva long time ago. We need leadership who can secure our future as a boutique club that can make sustained cracks at the flag not this profit one year, loss the next, finals one year, bottom 4 the next etc I would be modelling ourselves on the Swans and Cats rather than the Hawks/Pies/Blues/Bombers. Start of securing your future and having sustained success then worry about launching into being a power club and dominating the competition - don't think you can go from street sweeper to PM in one fell swoop.

The point is waiting til the end of the season will end up doing FAR more damage to the club - it's only round 4 FFS you want us to weather the storm for another 4.5 months after being belted from pillar to post for the last 6 years? The rot has to stop or it will do even further damage than will by done by making a swift cut and removing the people who have failed in their roles over the last few years.

Yep deflect deflect deflect. No-one likes complaining about the club, we'd rather be cheering it but at times like this the club leaves us little choice. Umm, get new people in who are far more competent to manage a FOOTY CLUB and not some insurance geeks. How about getting good FOOTY PEOPLE from successful clubs to lead the club and wipe out all the factions/cliques that seem to abound within the club. Neeld/Malthouse - "the MFC is about anything but football" - stop worrying which insider from the top end of town you can brown-nose in the Long Room and which factional foe you can point-score against and start worrying about leading the club and winning games of footy.

Why are you intent on shifting the blame? The AFL is the AFL and Demetriou will have to answer to the Commission, clubs and media. But I support the MFC and am worried about the management of my club who have themselves admitted they have failed to achieve the goals they set for themselves 4 years ago.

No, I long for the day this club is successful - do you really think the supporters and die hards on here like complaining about the club? We're just not bind to the fact it is being run into the ground by monkeys. I don't deny what is staring me in the face if that were the case I'd be a bible-thumping moron choosing faith over reason. I notice you continue to dodge this fairly simple question; Oh and by the way I'll make you a deal - I'll put together my ticket for the Board as soon as you lodge your application for the coaching position - because, you know, no-one is allowed to be critical of any aspect of the club unless they are willing to do the job themselves. I better not criticise Jamar ever again because at 179cm and 31 years old with a dodgy knee there's no way I'd ever be able to take over first ruck.

Yeah, I'll take that as an admission that you really have no idea what you're talking about. Getting rid of the people running this club into the ground is doing something constructive for the club, if only you weren't so blind you'd see that.

Precisely - they have decimated any goodwill they had, they no longer have the right to expect the supporters, media or AFL to take them at their word.

That was the spin surely not even you would be so dumb as to think that is the case?? Even if it were, I repeat what does that say about the decision making capabilities of McLardy & the Board if they are willing to sack a CEO who they believe is performing his job well just because the fans are restless? Oh dear, so publicly stating a "PR-friendly" reason for the sacking of the CEO is a conspiracy now?? Surely you can't believe the tripe you write. Do you also believe Schwab "resigned" and Bates decided to "step down" or do you think they were pushed? Uh oh more conspiracies!!! You're a fruit loop mate, I don't know how much you get paid to run this damage control on behalf of the club but it's not enough.

They may not have been specifically "banned" substances but that doesn't mean they were "approved" - there is a 3rd category "yet to be approved".

Here's some more "buzz words" for you - critical mass. It's not one event or issue that has so many people so [censored] off with those in charge.

The thing is they did acknowledge this in their statement re: Jackson and Freeman the other day. I posted this on Demonology last night; Contrary to what some may believe I love this club too as I'm sure everyone on here does or we wouldn't be here. Everyone on here is more than just a casual observer. Criticising the people running the club isn't tantamount to treason which is what some like stuie and Satyriconhome (and Dr. Who on Demonology) indicate when they criticise anyone critical of the running of the club. I agree that strong clubs are those with everyone pulling in the one direction (including supporters) but you can't expect the supporters to go along to get along when the direction they see they're being pulled in is to the bottom of oblivion. This isn't about mere wins/losses or even innocence/guilt, this goes to the heart of the governance of the club and looking at the last 4-6 years honestly you'd have to say those in charge have failed miserably which as I said before, they indicated in their statement re: Jackson & Freeman;

Disregarding all the other rubbish you spew I have to take you up on this point - you really think the only reason Schwab got the sack is because people on an internet forum (or even more general supporters) demanded it? If that's the case what does that say about the Board/President anyway that they're willing to roll over and make the wrong choice for the club after a little bit of heat from supporters?

Yeah pity he's only there for 6 months as a favour to Demetriou.

I'm not the biggest fan of the AFL but this isn't a conspiracy - we brought this on ourselves.

What's that saying, fool me once shame on you, fool me 83 times shame on me...

Haha ironic username.

As I said to Redleg it's no longer about guilt or innocence - it's about good governance. You may have failed to understand what that was 6 months ago but most people with a critical and analytical mind who use their capacities for logic and reason are able to comprehend it and understand when they're having the mickey taken out of them. Keep banging away trying to defend your mates on the board though, I however support the club, the personalities to me are irrelevant.

Politicians, PR/advertising companies and corporate stooges lie all the time - it's why we hate them.

How can anyone even begin to try and engage with anyone so far in denial? It is quite ridiculous what the Good Germans will do and say to defend their leaders despite the facts staring them straight in the face. And for Redleg, this is no longer about innocence or guilt, it's about good governance something which the leaders of our club are utterly bereft of. This is the reason we are where we are and why the members are now fed up and want change. It's got nothing to do with being weak or soft or any other ridiculous insults you wish to bandy about.

Yep it's the classic "Mates of Melbourne" syndrome - the rank & file don't matter, those at the top know what's best for us.

Well that's good if true because there's no point in McLardy hand-picking his replacement when the club has fallen apart under his watch.

Hahahaha spin spin spin You've got NFI just like your mate.

I'm the opposite. I said to m brother the other day that the worst thing about how disgraceful we have been over the last 6 years is that footy has never been better yet we are forced to watch mediocre rubbish week after week. I seriously considered going to see the Tigers/Pies game this week instead of ours as I was offered a free seat. I'll stick fat with the club and go on Sunday but it is so disappointing seeing the quality of footy going on and having to endure crap games where we get flogged and demonstrate no idea about the modern game in front of crap crowds every week for the last 6 years. Meanwhile Geelong, Hawthorn, Collingwood, Sydney and now even Essendon, Carlton, Richmond, North etc fans get to witness enthralling contests almost every week.