Norm Smith's Curse

In his comments during the year about us and our games he would often say that 'they seem an unhappy club, Melbourne' and talked about our pressure or lack there-of at times. Generally had a lot to say that was positive about specific players and tactics.

I think Buckley was mindful that he could be paid massively if he got the Tassie gig with almost no pressure whereas while he might have thought of the idea of winning a premiership as attractive, a lot of things can - by historical evidence - go wrong at the dees. I was warming to Buckley mainly because I was impressed with how detailed his awareness of game plans, tactics and even obscure players on every list and I also thought he might help to attract talent. But Kingie comes out of the club that just never bottoms out and that turns middle-range players into guns.

Loyalty? They hate everything that doesnt have the surname Hird, and then they were willing to help pay the legal fees of someone who resided at that time in Toorak.. Matthew Knights on the other hand was at risk of being lynched.

Brad Scott is actually too good for the current culture that is Essendon. But how much support did Matthew Knights get?

'Im telling you now. As it stands Windhager will not be at St KIlda next year and will be playing for the Melbourne Demons' [because his manager wants either another year or a bit more coin and he was never leaving' Mind you imagine being coached by Lyon...

I play golf weekly with a person who works in the sports management industry and is a coterie member at Carlton (and he is also my boss although in something completely different). There is a major thing going on with people knowing internally what might happen and the external 'public' optics. If someone comes out and says I put my hand up for job x while hearing via the inner circle of management teams that someone has likely been earmarked for the role then there is no career upside for putting their hand up. Whereas by coming out and saying you cant or are not interested in role x, everyone wins. As an example if Horse had said 'yeah maybe im interested' and then Nathan Buckley comes in as prince charming all that does is suggest that Buckley was a better candidate than Horse. If however Horse is 50/50 and asks his manager what people in the industry are saying of his chances and they say Buckley is the leader by a fair bit he will just say 'i cant coach now, good bye' and all is well.

i distinctly remember reading that Mark Neeld's powerpoint presentation was amazing.

Get it done Dee's we need the gravitus of Nathan.

The original story sounded just like the manager trying to prize more out of the saints. The comments from Nick sound better as it sounds like he is trying to talk down his trade value. But long way to go.

Any of the peeps with the inside mail hear anything juicy? Other than with the surname Newton?

Sorry was pretty tired last night haha.

Looks like evidence is increasing that this is legit future footage. Done deal: smallish_121008.mp4

Juice Newton has been a huge success since he left Is that you Colin from Camberwell?

100% what a moment.

Sorry meant the midfield now but presume he would be an ideal balance for our future midfield of the same age bracket. Still feel that Harmes should have stayed as he played the same role to a degree. I must admit the whole story did sound a bit like what you would get from a manager trying to nudge contract length or $$$ rather than a 'he sees his future at Melbourne' vibe.