rumpole

I agree with Eddie's aggressive approach. At worst, he'll ensure that his club gets the best possible compensation. His comments about Melbourne are spot on. We silently take what's given to us and many of our supporters are prepared to cop the hits without fighting back. That has to change.

Choko, Are you suggesting that the only option available to Scully at his presser in March and then on several subsequent occasions to the media, his club and his teammates was to tell lies?

"I was a second-year player and I couldn't work out why everyone was constantly talking about me, instead of other players." This has to be the biggest insult or, if you like a lie. By what measure can this kid make the claim that he didn't understand what was going on? Did he not live through 2010 and all of the turmoil that hit Geelong with the constant speculation and disruption to that club throughout the year? If he wasn't aware, he is either naieve or stupid but for mine, I think he was aware and that comment condemns him more than anything else.

Is there anyone there who can give us a rundown of training. At Gosch's Paddock now.

I've reached the point where I don't believe anything that's said or written about this Scully person.

I stand by what I wrote. Bailey was a good bloke but everyone bangs on around here about how for two years we tanked and if that's the case then he wasn't a serious coach and certainly not as serious as what we have now. That's a fact and I think it's poor form for people to bag Jimmy for talking up our new coach. That's exactly what he should be doing IMO.

We usually find out a few hours after the session's over.

If we concede Melbourne tanked then Bailey was not a serious coach. Anyone who sees the new coaching regime in operation, even in these early days, knows that it's far more professional and serious than what we've had in the years when we were a failure on the field. Jim is rightfully entitled to talk up the current coaching department and I admire him for it. Those who want to think back in terms of those dark moments when we lost games by 186 points and celebrate that achievement are the ones who should harden up. What do you think of Denham's views on Wona? What would you do if you had to decide on who to keep on your list and a player was three weeks late keeping an appointment with surgeon who operated on his ankle? Even his manager accepted Melbourne made the right decision. Denham is ill-informed and fighting someone else's battle. He needs to try to understand all sides, not just the one he's being fed.

Good luck to the land and my wishes for a speedy recovery. Any medicos out there who know how long it will take him to get back on the track?

"The GWS family that lives together, spivs together." With thanks to Paul Keating, former Australian Prime Minister.

Saints seem to be in a bit of disarray with their delistings. There have been some leaks suggesting the club is struggling to do their delistings and control their salary cap issues.

So you're suggesting that if Scully goes but is concerned at the level of compensation that Melbourne is going to get, he can say ... "I'm prepared to sign with GWS but only if GWS sees to it that Melbourne gets proper compensation and not the unfair deal the AFL is offering"?

I love my local suburban newspaper but must say I was caught by surprise with this story about Caseys drubbing at the hands of Port Melbourne in the qualifying final - VFL: Undermanned Casey Scorpions thrashed This was the part that got me: "The Scorpions were missing a large chunk of the team that impressively thrashed the Northern Bullants the previous week, with several regular VFL players being called up for Melbourne's trip to Perth to play West Coast." Huh! I thought we played over at Subiaco or whatever they call it these days back in April.

Now let me see. That leaves them with Sheedy, Choko Williams, Phil Davis and ...

Notwithstanding all of the criticism of Cameron Schwab which has incidentally been all based on rumour and innuendo, I reckon he's doing a great job as the CEO.

I would be dead set against holding a seat vacant for Malthouse during 2012. The season would end up shyte like 2011 and it would be start from square 1 again. We need to sort out the coaching appointment and get rid of those who aren't pulling together for the common good. We have to put 2011 behind us asap and get on with life.

If that happens and the club receives two compensatory draft picks then my guess is that no more than one (if any) would be uses in this year's shallow and compromised draft.

Much will depend on Austin's attitude and commitment to returning in 2012 and beyond and to the position a new coach takes on him. I can see the possibility of him being delisted with a view to him being picked on the rookie list if he really wants to remain at the club and make a renewed tilt at remaining an AFL footballer.

The lack of a strong key position forward has been an issue at the MFC for years and has been constantly swept under the carpet since Dean Bailey became coach and David Neitz was forced to retire soon after. This controversy has been well documented on Demonland from time to time over the past years and was ignored by the coach who developed a style of play which made the key positions redundant. One of the things I'm going to enjoy watching for under a new coaching regime will be a change of approach to our forward set up, the lack of which has IMO caused to the collapse of the team in the last half of 2011.

Did you wake up wet?

Thankfully, we're not $15m in the red like one AFL club is according to my mail.

The article says the dinner is on tonight.

You've actually pointed out an important benefit from the early change of coach. Players who perceived their cards were marked under Bailey now get their chance to play without inhibition. If they come out of their shells and perform at their best, careers might be saved. Having said that, it's a big jump from playing out in the sticks and bullying some kid from Sandringham to playing at Etkhad against players destined for finals in the AFL.

Ah yes ... the innuendos and lies spread. Germany's propaganda minister during the war was Joseph Goebbels. His policy was that if you repeat a lie often enough the ordinary punter would believe it. There have been lots of unsubstantiated stories about CS. Now it's the $80k desk. Next week it's going to be the fact that he kept a dozen concubines holed up in an office near the Long Room. I agree with this People get a grip. These stories are becoming more and more ridiculous!!!

Sorry but that line from Caroline Wilson simply beggars belief. It serves her argument well but doesn't hold water on a number of levels. If the Age sports reading public accept this then they believe in the tooth fairy and Father Christmas (sorry kiddies). What an absolute disgraceful piece of reporting from someone so senior in their newspaper! Shameful.