rjay

Not sure what you are getting at here, but there is nothing back room about my post it's there for you to see.

Right with the first but you could hardly include the other 2 as decision makers in the late 90's.

Today's game is yesterday's game, with changes coming to the interchange numbers it is important to have players with a big tank. Nicho has plenty of body strength, pace and endurance. It's his disposal and decision making that needs to be brushed up, I'm sure he will be working hard to get it right. Evans just needs to get his body right, showed a bit with the few senior games played. Both must be hard workers or this FD would empty them out.

Who is the one constant in all of this?

The mystery player! who cares? it's not a player that will sink us unless he comes out with proof to say the coach told the players to throw the game.

'Robbie' love your posts and love your passion for the club but the board made a very bad decision here, I have nothing to payback except for what I believe are people in charge who are bad for the club and need to be moved on ASAP, the only thing they've done is screwed the club that I passionately support. If that is an "agenda" so be it. I may be wrong but so far I think all the crap we have had to endure probably says I am close to the mark. The decisions that have been made have also ensured that there is no way known this would play out in the privacy of the board room.

...and they should have gone.

Connolly's future at the club is now in doubt and even chief executive Schwab may not survive if his role in the tanking - if any - is established. Schwab's new three-year deal is said to have a six-month payout clause. Pay him out and get on with it.

I think he is his own man 'cali' and would have made his own calls. Of course he has made mistakes, it's just part of the human condition particularly when you are striving to do something worthwhile and also a first year coach but they are not hanging offences. He deserves to do his job without the millstone around his neck and then after a couple of years at the helm we will see if he can coach. I'm with him at the moment until he proves different, I just don't think he has been given a clear run.

...and what a laughable decision that was. Will bring stability to the club, pigs....look at it now.

I don't agree with you on Neeld and believe the reason the old leadership were moved on is simply because they weren't good enough not just as leaders but as players to take this club forward. Results of the last 5 years would bare that out. I do want CS & CC out of the club as I feel they will always be divisive and attract bad news like a lighting rod. I think the board have been derelict in their duties and should be held to account. Because I want Schwab and Connelly out doesn't make me part of any secret agenda or group or anything but someone who believes whole heatedly that they are bad for the club. I don't agree with the view that we should support people who have screwed our club at this time in the name of stability, this view has been made at other times over the last year and a bit and all it has done is create more instability and I'm sick of it. I think our best option is for the AFL to step in and appoint an administrator to defuse the vindictive attacks on us and create a breathing space to allow the FD time to do what they do without all the drama that has surrounded it since they have been appointed and let the players play. Sorry but democratic has us in nowhere land at the moment, I wouldn't trust any of our supporter group to step up at this time but hope once things settle the right people will become obvious to all. It will also let us get back to supporting the club and getting back to normal football arguments like should Clarke spend more time in the ruck should we pick Wines or O'Rourke, all the good stuff that people who support normal clubs do.

...and he's right, the individuals should face the music in this case and not just scapegoats.

If only that was the truth of the matter 'Ron', then we would have nothing to worry about. Her sources are a lot more than these 2 and we now have an issue because of the way the club has been run.

Unfortunately they are; unless someone comes forward with a lot of credibility, an Ian Dicker like person then I would prefer the AFL to appoint an administrator, a well qualified and experienced football person with the runs on the board to get the club back on track. I have no faith in this board to make good decisions.

Dear Don I can't believe that you have led the club into this position in regard to the AFL's tanking investigation. The appointment of someone as CEO who's actions cost us draft picks in a previous tenure was bad enough but to reappoint for a further 3 years just beggars belief. The decks needed to be fully cleared after the Geelong debacle in 2011 and only half the job was done, this has set up a huge division in the club that is now back to bite us on the bum, in fact it derailed the 2012 season. I have never been in favour of Cam Schwab being at the club and my justification for that is now vindicated, Schwab and Connelly must go now. Hopefully with consultation from the AFL we can get through this mess. Our club cannot afford to have another season derailed, anyone who thinks we should test any sanctions in court is totally misguided. We need to get on with playing football and rid ourselves of any distractions, going to court will be the death of the club.

If the AFL thinks this is hurting their image, the thing most important to them then they will take action, we are in serous trouble. The only way we can avoid sanctions is to go to the AFL with the heads responsible and involve them (the AFL) in the decision for replacements, a legal battle with the AFL will only hurt us and draw the matter out further. A quick resolution helps both parties. The issue is not going away and has gone way past the justification of list management and or development. The board have been absolutely derelict in their duty to oversee the governance of our club. If it is correct that Gary Lyon had so much influence that they turned around the decision to sack CS then that just beggars belief. Go to the AFL today with the heads of the key players, CS & CC probably TH and ask for assistance to pay out contracts unless their actions can void those contracts. No more time to be spent on this and let the playing group play football without another pre season/season being derailed.

...as much as most won't like it the AFL may well need to appoint someone to oversee the club and that may well be Gillon as a mentor to some new blood. My preference is Cook, maybe it's another challenge he would relish to rebuild the MFC and he would have the AFL stamp of approval. This does presuppose that the MFC is important to the competition. The AFL will need to be seen as proactive and if we are to avoid tough sanctions then this may be the answer. From my point of view we can't go on as we are with the bad blood that seems to still be attached to the club.

The board took sides; when kiddies fight they both get sent to their rooms. Both sides of this fight should have been sacked immediately, then at least we could have moved on. So bloody angry about this mess that should have been sorted out in 2011.

If true, and it is now more likely than not then I couldn't agree with you more. In the words of my old man "when more than one person knows it's no longer a secret". 10 or more is just plain dumb. They need all the votes they can get, looks like their internal polling company will be working overtime on this. If there are votes in it they will come out swinging like true pollies.

I don't know the people involved 'stuie' but always find these types of things sad and extremely difficult for all involved. I can understand the offence you feel to some of the BS here.

I feel the same way 'Roost It' and have for a fair while now. I think Neeld and the new FD will always be pushing up hill unless changes are made, we had the chance to clean the slate after 186 and blew it by taking the easy option to sack the coach. He should have been joined by another couple at that time. Yes it would have caused a level of instability but nothing like the instability we have faced over the last year and a bit that is still not settled.

You are probably right mate, should have used the words if proved true... I am however worried about the governance of the club if it is and surely nobody would be stupid enough to have a meeting, a quiet word in the ear should be enough.

Total incompetence by the people running the club at the time. Anyone really think we can go on with the same people now? and who in their right mind would give a 3 year contract extension this year? and how involved are members of the current board and who is overseeing the interests of us the members? I'm beyond totally p...... with this and will leave it there.

Yep, I probably do, try 'Jacks' link

Thanks 'Mono', that clears it up a bit more for me. I knew he wouldn't come under a free agent but wasn't sure of the technical reasons why.