Strawbs

Couldn't agree more WJ. I particularly like her last par: "But the club faces a tougher task repairing the damage done to Tom Scully and his once-perfect reputation. No wonder the player is so desperate to let his on-field work begin. Because off-field has been a messy thicket." For me, there's no coming back from this. His reputation has been damaged forever and that is the price he must pay for such dishonest behaviour. An appauling lack of judgement from him and his so-called advisors.

It reminds me of the decision to recruit Anthony Ingerson from Adelaide. We all know that Ingo turned out to be an excellent pick up. I have faith that James Sellar can do equally well.

I would love for some of the heat to be turned up on Scully's management, Velocity Sports here. They spun the web of deceipt all year, yet so far appear to be teflon coated. I've got no doubt that Peter Blucher, who was a sports journalist and Brisbane media manager in a previous life, has been crafting story after story on this. Did you like the most recent one about how tough things had been on Tom, and that had Melbourne been a bit more successful, he would have stayed? Don't need to think hard about where these articles about an "unprofessional Melbourne" starting appearing from. And as for Alastair Lynch commentating on Fox as well as appearing on "On The Couch" saying his client's mind wasn't made up - well I'm sorry, but that just doesn't pass the sniff test. I have said from day one, that they may have succeeded in filling Scully's bank account, but they have failed miserably in managing his reputation. Perhaps their slogan should be "Sports Management, Marketing and Deceipt."

I for one am just relieved that this sorry tale is over. It's one of the worst episodes I can remember involving our club. I cannot recall anyone treating us with such distain. From the moment his management put contract talks on hold and his subsequent refusal to hose down the speculation as it increased throughout the year, we all knew what was coming. And we knew, despite his weasel words in March when he said he loves the club and anticipates being a one-club player. For many people, speaking those words publically would be as good as signing a contract. What irritates me as a supporter is the amount of people who stuck their necks out for Scully and defended his integrity. Plenty of people spent hours backing him on this forum, but more to the point week in week out, players, coaches, administrators and above all else an ailing President stuck up for him, while he hid in the background. He was happy to let them take the heat. Then today, he didn't have the courage to tell those people who protected him publically for an entire season about his decision in person. Ironically, the man he didn't face, Jim Stynes, has more courage, integrity and moral fibre in his little finger than Scully has in his entire body. Adding insult to injury, our club's supporters even lowered themselves to displaying banners behind the goals pleading with him not to leave. That was just darn right embarrassing, And to think it was for a 19-year old who had played just a handful of games. To hear him say that it's exciting to be playing with such a promising young list is a disgrace when the group he was part of at Melbourne is on the same path but clearly more advanced. It makes me sick that he ever wore the 31 jumper - it clearly meant nothing to him. I for one hope that Cameron Schwab's assertion that club's bounce back pretty quickly is right.

Not sure if much should be read into this, but with Ross Lyon now being managed by the Craig Kelly-led ESP, he joins the same stable of clients as one G.Lyon. Garry remains Kelly's star client, so I'm sure he (Kelly) would be working behind the scenes to help him land a big fish given his rescue role with the MFC is so public and his reputation is on the line. Would be interesting to be a fly on the wall in those offices. Watch this space...

I'd like to see Robbie Campbell get a run. Stef will need some real support again Cox and Natinui, and Campbell certainly has more experience and bulk than Big Max. He may also give us more of that leadership that we so badly lack.

I doubt Port would let him go, but Travis Boak could be a good target. I know he's knocked back offers to come home before, but if we end up with suitable compensation for losing Tom Scully, perhaps we could use part of it to lure Boak back to Victoria.

Absolutely agree Range Rover. Would be an excellent choice. It's a shame he's not capable of pulling on a jumper these days. He's exactly what we need...

I'd love to see today's group of players introduced to John Northey. Certainly not as a senior coach, but perhaps as a consultant, someone who could run the occassional training session or team-building exercise, adding a fresh voice and helping instill some much needed passion in the jumper. When Swooper was in charge from 1986-1992 one of the things Melbourne teams never lacked was spirit, hardness or desire. He had a remarkable ability to galvanise teams - he did it with us, then Richmond and later Brisbane. I'd love to see some of that old Northey magic rub off on this group. By god we need it. He would be a hell of a lot more effective in developing players than this 'Leading Teams' rubbish.

We love you Big Fella and we're priviledged to have you represent our club. From the moment you pulled on the red and blue, you've inspired us with your determination, courage, desire and relentless pursuit of excellence. But most of all we are inspired by the the man that you are. You set an extraordinary example for all of us to follow. As always, we're barracking for you, mate.

Yep, I agree Ned. I'm starting to warm to the Choco idea too. I think our boys were mollycodlled for too long. Treated like babies. Choco would give them a reality check and based on what he did during the bulk of his time with Port, get us tough, a bit dirty and very competitive. And given he teamed up with Laidley at Port, perhaps he could employ him as his right-hand man at the MFC.

Did you guys read Mark Robinson's article online today about G.Lyon? I'm not a Robbo fan, but this time I think he's on the money. If you haven't see it, have a read. I think Garry could be the man for the job. Just need to convince him. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/garry-its-time-to-put-your-hand-up/story-fn5937w8-1226105733222

Did you guys read Mark Robinson's article online today? I'm not a Robbo fan, but this time around I think he's on the money. I think Garry can coach. Have a read... http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/garry-its-time-to-put-your-hand-up/story-fn5937w8-1226105733222

Clarkson would be the perfect fit. He's tough, gets his players to play with spirit, mongrel amd system. He's a premiership coach, a former MFC player and coming out of contract. He's the man for the job.

Would love for Garry Lyon to get actively involved. He's such a waste of genuine footy leadership hosting that crap program every Thursday night. It's an insult to intelligence. Doesn't mean that he has to coach, but would love to see him make a meaningful contribution to the club rather than playing king-maker behind the scences. We need his leadership one way or another.