Norm Smith's Curse

Remember that MFC's board contains QCs.

I just cant believe that Caro knows more - how? what primary evidence other than hearsay can she offer? Why doesnt she spread he knowledge-gaining activities to the other clubs that can probably better afford to cop it?

The club will fight this tooth and nail. They know this is a make or break scenario. We go down we may forever.

Premiership points and next years draft. But the rumour isnt from a particularly reputable source. Club contact says the club isnt actually very concerned which seems surprising. And might suggest there is some substance to that rumour. Mark Fine was quite good and echos what most rational observers would say. Too many clubs involved, dees shouldnt take the fall, if we do it will be an outrage, afl caused the problem. All the 'throw the book at them' group are holier-than-thoughs and 'chip-on-shoulders'. Did Greg Denham crack a woodie on SEN? Rabble?

This is how it is and how it will go: 1. If push comes to shove and this drags out legally its just going to make the whole league look corrupt and more dirt will come out. Fev's already yelling about the Blues tanking to anyone who will listen and Libba wont be long before he does the same. It will be in MFC's interest to drag out the investigation ATLEAST until after this years draft for fear that we will lose pick 4 or other implications. 2. If push still comes to shove there may be a fallguy offered to satiate the AFL. 3. Draft restrictions just guarantees that the club will need more financial and draft assistance later. Hurt supporters who are already scathing with the last 18 months. Trust me by my sentiments and those of all the SEN calling demons supporters in the last week the AFL will be effectively losing all financial interest of around 40,000 supporters if they try and make an example of us knowing full well that atleast six other clubs did the same thing. 4. Unconfirmed rumour that the AFL have already told the club what the penalty will be and that it has to be seen to take the fall for what they now accept was a failure of administration rather than anything else.

What caro knows - unless she was there or has a paper copy of a memo telling the players to try and lose she could know anymore. She makes numerous claims that cannot be substantiated and some of the facts she originally quoted in her article arent even correct (gysberts delisted? pick 1 and 2? - both which she corrected after the fact).

I second the bloke who says he will turn his back on the AFL forever if they penalise us or penalise us alone as the only club that allegedly tanked. Its a farse. We actually resisted tanking in 2007 and were ridiculed by the media for winning too many games. Most likely if we are held up on this a patsy will emerge and Sheahan will get his board tilt.

I thought the viney pick at 26 and the statue of Norm might have eased the chaotic karma of this club and made Neeld's ride a little smoother. hard to concentrate on your preseason training regime when the papers are full of stories of our potential demise...

if they try to compromise out access to this year's draft we could potentially lock up the whole draft with longwinded legal process.

According to Caro - caro is running the agenda at the club and the AFL investigation. Remember her track record is all Ill say.

Bushdemon - good post. Some of the rest - utter drivel. No one has EVER SUGGESTED or shown any evidence to support an argument that any players were ever involved. Meetings about potential outcomes does not equate to hardline orders to tank. AFL and media can $%^& if they think they can make this stick...

it is hearsay. It is a meeting. No directive was ever given to the players to lose games. case closed. Can we get on with trying to not have a stressful freaking time supporting this club?

But agree that the club has never recovered from scotty thompson leaving and has been dismal since the Daniher years. changes are required and I have it in the mail that a tilt is already on the cards (and may even partially be behind the current agenda)

Whole post based on the premise that: 1. the drivel that Caro writes has some basis in fact when there isnt actually that much evidence that it does; 2. the players we have let go are a loss

listen to the commentary in the last 2 minutes or so: 'If anyone thinks these teams werent trying they need to go and watch this last quarter'

Open revolt at 3 quarter time. remember the game quite well and you can check youtube - I am utterly convinced this is a lie.

If they do its a disgrace and I will have no hesitation in turning my back on it permanently.

mentions picsk 1 and 2 and says we would lose viney which is bullsh!t unless we lose ALL our picks. This is the biggest witch hunt of all time.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150573/default.aspx

Dont worry - most of the fair weather supporters of the dees I know havent been back since Jnr was given the flick...

there are nearly 40K members who pump money into the dees and by virtue of that the AFL who through no fault of their own may well turn their back permanently on the league if we are royally and utterly unfairly shafted in this investigation.

Exactly...

'That club's players, administrators and ever member of that club should be hung, drawn and quartered.' - count how many times you hear the word rabble...

Not that I am in any way condoning this, but the best of tanking would have been to take all the players to a pub, get them [censored] and then suspend them for inappropriate behaviour...

There is a rule but it is quite ambigious. Whispers are that it will people rather than the club that pays. Idea being the players and supporters don't deserve it. Even heard that we traded our picks because we knew it was coming and that the AFL may delay the decision until after the draft. Rumour abound. All questionable of course. But I agree with Eddie and Ian Collins. The AFL created the loop hole and punishing us now will just mean more handouts later but with more dejected supporters