Melbourne FC. Tanks for the memories.

[MrMahatma]

Re: Melbourne FC. Tanks for the memories.

Age said there could be an emergency hearing with the AFL on 19 Nov. Before the draft.

Also said that sanctions would most likely be for 2013 but I live in hope.

[GVGjr]

Re: Melbourne FC. Tanks for the memories.

Melbourne appear to be mounting the Lance Armstrong defense strategy of deny, deny, deny to all the reports that are indicating that they did take measures to ensure they didn't win some games.

If the AFL has the courage to find them guilty then they need to hit them hard to make sure the balance of the league understand that there is consequences with going down this road.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Melbourne FC. Tanks for the memories.

Melbourne appear to be mounting the Lance Armstrong defense strategy of deny, deny, deny to all the reports that are indicating that they did take measures to ensure they didn't win some games.

If the AFL has the courage to find them guilty then they need to hit them hard to make sure the balance of the league understand that there is consequences with going down this road.

If they come down hard on Melbourne, what do they do to Carlton?

Or do we have a Melbourne Storm type scenario where one side gets smashed because someone blew the whistle but other sides who - despite everyone knowing they were guilty as hell - get away with it because no-one broke ranks?

That's a sure fire way of making sure no-one ever comes clean in the future.

[GVGjr]

Re: Melbourne FC. Tanks for the memories.

If they come down hard on Melbourne, what do they do to Carlton?

Or do we have a Melbourne Storm type scenario where one side gets smashed because someone blew the whistle but other sides who - despite everyone knowing they were guilty as hell - get away with it because no-one broke ranks?

That's a sure fire way of making sure no-one ever comes clean in the future.

I see it in a different way.

All season long there was speculation that Melbourne was tanking games. I have not read one thing where Stynes or anyone of the board got the coaches together and said very simply something along the lines of "You are to pick sides every week that gives this club the best chance of winning every game"

Surely that is the responsible thing for a board to do to make sure the coaches were very clear that was the expectation of them especially given all the media speculation.

If they cannot demonstrate that then the evidence is strongly indicating that they weren't interested in wins.

[jeemak]

Re: Melbourne FC. Tanks for the memories.

Does that mean they were interested in losing though?

I liked how Kennett has come out spinning his standard indignant crap. Hawthorn seemed to have benefitted from some priority picks in 2004 and 2005 from what I can remember.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/kennett-slams-disgusting-melbourne-tanking-20121101-28lw5.html

They wouldn't have tanked though, no way, not his club.

[Murphy'sLore]

Re: Melbourne FC. Tanks for the memories.

It just seems crazy to have gone through all that just for the sake of one extra pick! No one's that good -- not even Tom Scully

They seem to have completely ruined the club culture, dug themselves into a hole they can't get out of, and ultimately it's all been for nothing. It's almost like a self-punishing crime.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Melbourne FC. Tanks for the memories.

Murphy's lore good point! Scully is not even THAT GOOD.

Another thing; Lost in all of this are the fans. What about those loyal Melbourne fans who went to the G during that period. Who stuck by their team and rocked up, paid good cash to watch a game of footy, believing their club really needed their support. I'd be asking for my money back.

[Bornadog]

Re: Melbourne FC. Tanks for the memories.

Of course, common sense to manage your club. Resting stars, playing the kids when the season is dusted.

It would however, make me livid if my coach dragged me if I was fit and playing well, for some speculative pic. Murphy's lore good point! Scully is not even THAT GOOD.
Think about the players perspective; young blokes, they have a window of 5-6 years on average to enjoy pro AFL. To not be allowed to ply your trade to the best of your abilities. What a drag.

Another thing; Lost in all of this are the fans. What about those loyal Melbourne fans who went to the G during that period. Who stuck by their team and rocked up, paid good cash to watch a game of footy, believing their club really needed their support. I'd be asking for my money back.

All good points and true.

Unless the AFL can prove there was a coordinated plan by the coaches to lose games, it will be hard for the AFL to prove there was tanking.

There is nothing wrong with playing youth when the seasons all but gone or sending injured players off to have surgery and get them ready for next year.

Once a game starts, players don't want to lose and will put in 100%. Of course the coach can make some strange moves but again, how do you prove he was trying to deliberately lose a game?

[Bulldog4life]

Re: Melbourne FC. Tanks for the memories.

All good points and true.

Unless the AFL can prove there was a coordinated plan by the coaches to lose games, it will be hard for the AFL to prove there was tanking.

There is nothing wrong with playing youth when the seasons all but gone or sending injured players off to have surgery and get them ready for next year.

Once a game starts, players don't want to lose and will put in 100%. Of course the coach can make some strange moves but again, how do you prove he was trying to deliberately lose a game?

It appears there might have been and I believe witnesses have come forward confirming this. Then of course there was that infamous meeting.

[Mofra]

Re: Melbourne FC. Tanks for the memories.

Murphy's lore good point! Scully is not even THAT GOOD.

The extra pick was pick #2 - Trengrove.
In theory if they didn't tank they would only got Scully

[Murphy'sLore]

Re: Melbourne FC. Tanks for the memories.

Sorry, my mistake.

So maybe it was worth it?

[comrade]

Re: Melbourne FC. Tanks for the memories.

Murphy's lore good point! Scully is not even THAT GOOD.

Another thing; Lost in all of this are the fans. What about those loyal Melbourne fans who went to the G during that period. Who stuck by their team and rocked up, paid good cash to watch a game of footy, believing their club really needed their support. I'd be asking for my money back.

Plenty of Melbourne supporters that I know went to these games hoping they'd lose. The Jordan McMahon goal was one of their favourite moments of the last 5 years.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Melbourne FC. Tanks for the memories.

Plenty of Melbourne supporters that I know went to these games hoping they'd lose. The Jordan McMahon goal was one of their favourite moments of the last 5 years.

I had a story conveyed to me by a Richmond supporter who was at that game. A Melbourne supporter stormed out disgusted by the teams winning position a couple of minutes before the end. After Jordan kicked the winning goal he stormed back, embraced my mate and jubilantly exclaimed "bring on the draft!"....

Funny story, sad situation.

[Bulldog4life]

Re: Melbourne FC. Tanks for the memories.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/jobs-on-line-dees-warned-20121101-28mx2.html

More damming reports in today's Age.

[Mofra]

Re: Melbourne FC. Tanks for the memories.

Sorry, my mistake.

So maybe it was worth it?

Culturally I'd argue no, it wasn't worth it - then there are repurcussions of the AFL investigation, which seem likely to involve some form of punishment.