Blinkybill

I should elaborate on my earlier post. Everybody knew that Fitzroy was dead, and this is what the AFL wanted. Unlike Melbourne. Fitzroy in it's last two years barely had a player any other club wanted. Unlike Melbourne. Fitzroy had no fan base to speak of, and the base it had, had little money. Unlike Melbourne. Fitzroy had no future income stream at all. Unlike Melbourne (with TV rights). Fitzroy had virtually no corporate sponsors. Unlike Melbourne. I could go on and on. There is a future for Melbourne. There wasn't with Fitzroy.

As a Fitzroy supporter at the time, Shaw is talking rubbish.

Correct. I've never seen an organisation with such confused areas of responsibility and reporting arrangements work effectively.

Is this the time and place to remind everybody that the Board overlooked Stuart Fox twice as CEO?

Thanks. Personally I have serious problems with the coach reporting to the GM. He should be insulated as far as possible from the politics/distraction of the running of the club.

For what it's worth, I have a background in organisation restructure. The existing structure is a classic example of one created to fit in individuals, not one designed for efficiency of control and communication. The proposed one, while more coherent, suffers from similar faults - it doesn't start from basic principles of good organisation design. To start with, there should be two, and only two, positions reporting to the CEO. The head of the Football Department, and the head of the Administration Department. Pretty basic stuff. I should add, that if a business set out to undertake a major restructure like this, all senior positions should require re-advertisement. This should definitely not apply to positions down the line, and other staff should be placed in similar positions wherever possible, provided new senior staff agree. A spill of every position would paralyse the whole organisation. I should also add that a major restructure should happen off-season.

Spot on. There's no evidence the Board or Management should be sacked and/or controlled by the AFL. It will simply not happen, and anyone who thinks that this a possibility, let alone a benefit, is delusional.

It sure does. Sadly the team tanked. Time to cop it sweet.

Evidence that a finding like the one reported would jeapordise polkie licences please?

Seriously? Accept it. Move on. No more distractions.

Hope so

I wonder if this has been a negotiated outcome. Connolly being thrown on the fire isn't such a bad outcome.

I have family who work with the club. Make no mistake, $500k will hurt very badly.

CW is guessing, but if this is the penalty, take it.

Is there a point to this thread?

One person's pessimism is another person's realism.

A fair bit of denial in this thread. The statement was designed with one purpose. To delay the investigation finding beyond the draft. I doubt it will work, but hope it does.

Well I have seven kids, so there are sure to be ankle biters galore. Just hurry up kids Sorry, off topic.

Fair enough, and I was moved by your earlier, now famous, post. Sorry if I misinterpreted your intent, but there have been quite a few "but it wasn't just us" posts, and I unfairly lumped yours in with them. BTW, I'm roughly your age (no grand kids yet, bugger it) and only a recent convert to the Demons. One of my boys is in a fairly senior position with the club, despite his young age, and it was only when they played my former team Brisbane (former Fitzroy supporter) and I was barracking for the Ds that I knew that "blood was thicker than water". Anyway I am passionate about the team, and sincerely hope we aren't sanctioned. I also understand the political dimensions of this whole issue, and fear the worse.

I'm sorry but this "we broke the rules, but others did before us" strategy is something that people normally grow out of by about 12. If there's an adverse finding, and I fear there will be, we should follow the Storm's example. Accept the sanctions; forget about enriching lawyers; show unity and strength; and work hard to succeed.

Interesting that the club has not been given an assurance that natural justice will apply.

McLardy has made a statement: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/150671/default.aspx “The Board of the MFC is concerned to ensure that the MFC is treated fairly and properly. The Board will fully co-operate with an independent, lawful and transparent process. The Board has sought an assurance from the AFL that natural justice will be afforded to the MFC, its players, employees and staff through the investigation.

Some punishment of the club is inevitable. It can't be rationally argued that only the individuals should be punished - CC and DB were in key positions, and it's an issue of corporate responsibility. The only way individuals could be punished is if it was proven that one or two acted contrary to the wishes of management. Does anyone seriously think this?

Carlton lost two years worth of draft picks. We could lose pick 4, Viney and Hogan.

Are you seriously suggesting the club (not the players) didn't want to lose to finish with only four wins???? Of course they did. The only question is whether they did so within the rules of the game. It's not looking good. And cut out the personal attacks.