Norm Smith's Curse

Our coaching panel is highly impressive. Bailey talks the talk on SEN but Scott West was never the answer in my opinion. Neeld comes across as a fairly inflexible character - infact to my mind he comes across as ideal for this club. What the Dees need now is to consider whether the large number of 'nearly theres' on our list will ever really take the next step - too many havent in the last few years and I honestly think our list under Daniher was better. And in 2012 I can see no reason why our membership wont exceed St Kildas - who lost members in each year of Lyon's contract and at 38K they are close to our 37. Ive dobbed in nine dees so far - even my wife! So get on board!

Hey do you reckon the song trailerpark on this site would work for a membership add? Id give it to the club for free if I thought they would use it: www.myspace.com/moodmarket

With us or GWS?

Ive got a really good feeling about Stef Martin and Bennell. Our list - already devoid of leadership - had the rest hatched-jobed by Bailey leaving a young group of stunned mullets running around with the big boys. Watch what a bit of direction and some size does to these boys.

I agree entirely. I made the point that he never ingraciated himself in the club or the other players in any way. I remember watching him singing the song after a game and he looked disinterested and bored to be honest. Two year deal, refusal to talk contracts. Before the smiles and 'delight' at being signed up at GWS Id never seen the kid smile. he never wanted to stay at melb and its probably for the good that he isnt and time will demonstrate this. Its been a huge distraction for some of our other kids that have shown just as much without the number 1 tag - Gysberts, Trengove and Scully's best mate Sam Blease. His been signed since the start. The fact that so many knew he had signed indicates that the smoke was near a fire.

Brent Moloney should have been captain already. he is made of the right stuff.

Stef Martin has really impressed me this year - and specifically its his composure in certain situations. He seems to keep his head and make the right decision in certain situations - whether its his delivery into the forward 50 or when he waits a little longer for the right time to kick a goal, etc. He doesnt panic and i think that if he keeps on this track and grows in confidence he could haev a bright future.

The only acceptable response to Scully's announcement and the year we've had in general is to solidify, unite and become ruthless and cutthroat in our direction in the future - as Ross Lyon put it we need to be unrelenting. I see this as the straw that broke the camel's back - its the final insult to a long stretch of bad luck, from Scott Thompson leaving, Judd and Aker chosing elsewhere, Ball sooner quitting a year than playing for us - this is the point where we have to all - as supporters and as a club say 'enoughs enough.' We need to tell Eddie that we will pursue malthouse if there is even a shred of a chance that he is available. We have no coach, they have two. We gave them ball and they can stick Queen's birthday. We need to be very calculating and very clear about our future. harden up and not take second best. If Hawthorn lost a player they'd have many more to take their place - Scully apparently had a professional, singleminded attitude to training, but that doesnt automatically mean he is the best natural talent; only that he goes about his training with large amounts of focus - at the end of the day he is just one player. He may be a champ but its more likely that he wont be simply considering the probabilities of the situation. When Woewodin left we all cursed the decision. But the mists of time can change perspectives and clarify things. This will just make the next premiership feel that little bit better.

From all these stories I keep hearing he seems pretty immature from what Im reading - highly sensitive. But I dont buy all that - his two year contract says what he intended from the start...

The first time I saw Scully smile was up there with Kevin Sheedy, previous to that he has been an sullen, withdrawn character who obviously never had any connection to the club or any intention of staying there (2 year contract as an example). Ask him how many sponsor functions he attended flying the flag for the team? the club bent over backwards for him. I would have just shown him the door earlier - letting it drag out on the small hope he might reluctantly be guilted into staying just made us look pathetic as a team. People can use the money as an excuse - and young people and those who to think only about the now and not the totality of their lives would jump at the chance. But here you have a young man who could have earned decent money staying at Melbourne, could have lead the Demons to a Premiership and be known throughout football circles and throughout Melbourne as someone with strong character, a one club player, a hero for an old and proud club that he did the right thing by, loved by the media and made in the home of footy. He could have been another Reiwoldt (assuming he has the talent). Instead he's decided to choose the coin over his reputation. When its all done and dusted he'll be remembered as a mercenary - whether that is a fair or unfair conclusion - with no real allegience to anyone but himself and the coin. he would earn less at the dees but with a sterling reputation as a genuine person. I have no doubt that he signed long ago - the promotional video wasnt made in a day. After listening to him on SEN Ive lost all respect for him. He seems naive, young and just caught in the moment. When the dust settles he'll just have his money. As for the club - gees we lose Scott Thompson, we cant get Aker, we cant get Judd, Ball (Scully senior) would sooner quit for a year than get drafted by us, last boon we had was Jeff White from Freo. We need to now consolidate where we stand - it looks bad for the club, but these are the moments that define any organisation - but more so a sports club that relies on the passion and emotion of its supporters (who find it hard to stomach pure business decisions that have consequences that effect our emotions). Now is the time to get behind the club and show some solidarity. And for ONCE can I please hear someone at the club have a go and someone about something!!