No Dee is safe

Melbourne FC has confirmed the resignation of chief executive Cameron Schwab after a disastrous start to the season

Melbourne CEO Cameron Schwab faces the media with club president Don McClardy after resigning his position at the Demons. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Picture: David Mcarthur Source: Herald Sun

OUSTED Melbourne chief Cameron Schwab may be just the first head to roll as the AFL's oldest club lurches deeper into its greatest crisis.

After Melbourne lost its first two games of the season by a total of 227 points, Demons president Don McLardy refused to guarantee anyone's job.

"Everyone in our football club is under extreme pressure. We're all accountable for what's happening at our club," McLardy said last night after accepting Schwab's resignation, two years into a four-year renegotiated contract.

Schwarz: Dees need more change

"The board will meet in the next 24 to 48 hours and we'll work out our pathway forward from here."

On whether coach Mark Neeld's job was under threat, McLardy said: "No, Mark Neeld is not on notice at all."

Neeld, his assistant coaches and the entire playing group met at Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula last night for a bonding session amid the turmoil.

Jack Grimes and Nathan Jones after the match Picture: Harman Stephen Source: Herald Sun

"We're all accountable. Our job as a board is to look at what's best for the footy club," McLardy said.

"For many reasons, we have a divided supporter base. We've got a lot of issues within our members and supporters who are looking at us and saying what is the pathway forward.

Why coach Mark Neeld should be nervous

"And we must offer them hope and change, and we need clear eyes to have a look at where we're at.

"The unity of our club is absolutely vital.

Melbourne CEO Cameron Schwab faces the media with club president Don McClardy after resigning his position at the Demons. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

"I'm not worried at all about the business side of the club. It's sound and solid, but clearly our football performance is not acceptable. And the CEO is head of the organisation."

Schwab, who spent 15 years at the Demons after starting as an office boy, said he accepted the decision that forced his hand yesterday.

"Am I a scapegoat?" he asked. "I know how the system works. My role as a CEO is to build a club which has an ultimate objective of winning games of footy.

"I'm four years in where we've lost by over 200 points in the last two games. And that's an unforgiving situation. I knew the pressure would be on.

"This game makes decisions on people's lives every day, and it just so happens we're here talking about mine today.

"We'll be talking about someone else's tomorrow because it's a performance-based industry.

"In terms of where the club is at the moment, it is difficult, the losses.

"And this club will bounce back, don't worry about that.

"It's a much better and stronger club than it's representing itself at this time."

McLardy said he planned to contact AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou today to discuss the Demons' plight.

"I've spoken to the AFL regularly. I left a message for him and I'll be speaking with Andrew over the next couple of days.

"We make our own decisions on our football club," McLardy said.

Melbourne CEO Cameron Schwab faces the media with club president Don McClardy after resigning his position at the Demons this morning. April 9, 2013. Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

SCHWAB FILE
CEO: 451 games
WINS: 164
WIN-LOSS RATIO: 36%
FINALS SERIES: 3
COACHES SACKED: 4 (Kevin Bartlett, Neil Balme, Chris Connolly, Dean Bailey)

REPLAY THE LIVE CHAT BELOW

On a mobile? Click HERE for a better chat experience
 

20.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hannebery set to sign with Swans

Daniel Hannebery will re-sign with Sydney. Source: The Daily Telegraph

PRIZED Sydney midfielder Daniel Hannebery has turned his back on a potential return to Melbourne, committing to the Swans.

Sydney's Grand Final hero is expected to sign a new three-year deal today.

Hannebery was a priority signing for the Swans.

The midfielder won the Rising Star award in 2010 and sparkled in the Swans' premiership last year, finishing second in Norm Smith Medal voting behind teammate Ryan O'Keefe.

Hannebery was a target for Melbourne-based clubs when his contract expired at the end of the year.
But the Swans have long viewed Hannebery as a future leader and were quick to move on a new deal this season, tying him to the club until the end of 2016.

Hannebery's manager Nick Gieschen, from Elite Sports Properties, said the 22-year-old was thrilled to stay in Sydney.

"The club has looked after him really well since they drafted him as a bottom-aged player back in 2008. He loves the club and everything it stands for," he said.

"There's a great culture up there, he's settled and he's obviously really close with his teammates.

"He's excited to stay at Sydney to continue to improve his football and help them push towards continued success over the next few years."

Hannebery has played 79 games for the Swans since arriving at the club with the 30th pick in the 2008 national draft.

Now in his fifth season, the tough and hard-running playmaker collected 23 and 24 possessions in the Swans' first two games of the season.
 

20.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Johnson still in frame for Blues clash

Geelong star Steve Johnson is on the verge of returning from injury. Source: Getty Images

STEVE Johnson believes he's right to play his first game of the season against Carlton on Saturday night, but coach Chris Scott says the final decision will be left to the club's medical staff.

The Cats are set to see a group of players return to the field over the next fortnight, with Johnson still in the frame for the Blues clash at Etihad Stadium.

The forward had knee surgery on March 26, but could line up this weekend if he convinces medical staff that he's ready.

Daniel Menzel and Cameron Guthrie will play in the VFL this week, while Josh Hunt and Nathan Vardy are expected to return through the reserves team next week.

The news is not as good for defender Jared Rivers, who could miss another three games with a posterior cruciate ligament strain.

Geelong coach Chris Scott yesterday said a decision on Johnson would be made later in the week.

"He's some sort of chance. He'll be disappointed that I've rated him some sort of chance, he's very confident that he'll play, our medical staff think he's a chance but there's just more work that needs to be done before we can make a definitive judgement," Scott said.

"Steve has a bit of input but the medical staff has more, they're the ones that need to make that judgement.

"Only he knows how he feels so that's where he comes into the decision-making process and I'm clearly third in line when it comes to making that decision.

"In terms of his preparation to play AFL football through the pre-season, he's got a lot of work behind him and we're confident that if he's available and he comes into the team, that he'll be able to perform to a high level based on that preparation."

Scott said there would be no rush on Rivers, who missed Sunday's comeback win over North Melbourne after injuring his knee in the season opener against Hawthorn.

"He had a little bit of a strain to his PCL. The prognosis was somewhere between two and four weeks, so we're banking on three but if it is four it wouldn't surprise us," he said.

"He won't play until he's absolutely ready to play his best footy."

It had been anticipated that Hunt may return to the VFL this week after battling glandular fever and a related shoulder injury, but Scott said he was no certainty to play this week.

Scott said of a Vardy return this week: "It's unlikely but it's not impossible, I'm expecting that he will play the week after."

Guthrie will definitely play in the VFL after overcoming a calf injury sustained in the warm-up to Geelong's last practice match of the pre-season against Collingwood.

20.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Garlett's AFL dream still alive

Dayle Garlett returned to senior football for Swan Districts on Saturday. Pcture: Kerris Berrington. Source: PerthNow

AFL RECRUITERS are refusing to put a definitive line through bad boy Dayle Garlett despite overlooking the mercurial talent in all three drafts last year and following his turbulent start to this season.

Garlett made a low-key return to senior football on Saturday and has quietly impressed his Swan Districts teammates with a radical attitude reversal.

It followed the prodigious talent failing to turn up to training or keep fit in the fallout from his AFL snub.

Garlett was rated as a top-10 talent for most of last year before talk of his off-field troubles spread like wildfire.

Draft Watch: This year's No. 1 pick has stardom in his blood

The West Australian was axed from the AIS-AFL squad at the start 2012, before photos of him drinking and smoking emerged on social media to further damage his reputation.

Source: HWT Image Library

After missing out at the national draft, Essendon invited Garlett to train at Windy Hill on the premise it would consider handing him a lifeline should he show the necessary commitment.

But the Dons overlooked Garlett after he went on a 4am bender in Perth only three days before the pre-season draft.

Garlett then knocked back invitations to join the VFL, instead opting to stay at WAFL club Swan Districts this year.

The smooth-moving midfielder racked up 13 disposals and booted 2.2 in his senior return on Saturday after starting the season in the reserves due to his poor work ethic.

Follow Sam Landsberger on Twitter @SamLandsberger

"He's actually been training well and his behaviour is much, much better," one of his Swans teammates told SuperFooty yesterday.

One AFL scout said he would be surprised if Garlett didn't generate serious interest in this year's draft, partially owing to the reduced depth in the pool.

Another club's chief recruiter said: "It's very, very early, but if he can show sustained improvement for not just the season, but the months that follow, he'll be back in the mix."

Swan Districts coach Greg Harding last week described Garlett's revival as "fantastic" after his tumultuous summer.

Source: HWT Image Library

Garlett's manager, Jason Dover from Stride Sports, last year told the Herald Sun the left-footer could become an "extraordinary" pick-up for a club "with the right resources".

"There's not many guys that have come along at senior WAFL level at his age and had the impact that Dayle Garlett has had,'' Dover said.

"Steve Coniglio maybe. Daniel Wells - that type of footballer. He's almost unmatched at that age."

The 19-year-old was named All-Australian last year along with top-10 draftees Jimmy Toumpas, Nick Vlastuin, Ollie Wines, Lachie Whitfield, Jono O'Rourke and Joe Daniher.

AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan described Garlett as a "left-footed medium forward-midfielder who can find space to win the ball and shows great evasiveness through traffic. Very smart goalkicker and stoppage player as well."

20.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Magpies probe racist slurs on Yarran

The alleged slurs happened during Sunday's AFL match between Collingwood and Carlton. Photo: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

TWO Collingwood members face an indefinite ban over allegations they racially abused Carlton player Chris Yarran during Sunday's AFL blockbuster at the MCG.

It is claimed that one of the men called Yarran a "petrol sniffer" and the other said he was a "black ----" after he scored a goal.

Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert said last night the club had launched an investigation after receiving a formal complaint from a Magpie member that offensive language was used towards a Carlton player.

"We have been advised of the seat numbers of the two club members who allegedly racially vilified the Carlton player," Pert said.

Carlton star Chris Yarran in action on Sunday. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

"Several members of the crowd have claimed the language was highly offensive and we are now making contact with other members who may have been within earshot. I would encourage anyone who was at the game and witness to the alleged behaviour to contact the club.

"Our position on vilification is absolute. If the allegations are proven, memberships of the offenders will be cancelled indefinitely."

The Magpies have zero tolerance to racism and withdrew the membership of a 20-year-old who called Nigerian-born Gold Coast player Joel Wilkinson a "monkey" during a game at the MCG last July.

Collingwood member Ray Stewart, with wife Jacqui, labelled the slurs "disgraceful". Picture: Jon Hargest

Magpie Dale Thomas pledged his support to Wilkinson as they walked off the ground and then lodged an official complaint.

Another Collingwood member, Ray Stewart, said yesterday he contacted the complaint line at the MCG on Sunday to report the racial abuse and, while MCC security staff and police spoke to a person, they did not ask him to leave the ground because it is understood they could not positively identify him.

Mr Stewart, who was with a group of friends and family, said the offending person always sat in the same reserved seat in an area set aside for Collingwood members at home games.

"I was disgusted that he wasn't escorted out," he said.

"The security and police never asked anyone their opinion. It's just so wrong."

Mr Stewart said he was about three metres away from the man at the time.

"People like this should not be allowed to go to another footy game . . . it was just so disgraceful," he said.

Mr Stewart said the man, aged about 50, was wearing football shorts, a T-shirt and thongs.

20.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mullett, new kid on the block

Essendon skipper Jobe Watson ran amok against a below par Melbourne outfit. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

WE have a mullet, not of the Walker or Maric variety, plus an Irishman and dancing prodigy in my latest Team of the Round.

The mullet is North Melbourne defender Aaron Mullett who continues to grow into a senior player with his dash and penetrating kicking.

The Irishman is Brisbane's Pearce Hanley who should end up alongside Jim Stynes and Tadgh Kennelly as the best Irishman to play AFL.

And the dancing prodigy is the fresh-faced  small forward from Collingwood in Jamie "Billy" Elliot, a kid from Euroa who belies his 175cm frame.

A large percentage of the remaining team members came from the usual suspects, players such as Corey Enright, Heath Shaw, Grant Birchall, Nathan Fyfe, Jobe Watson and Cyril Rioli.

If you want to debate this week's team along any lines you feel passionate about, join the live chat with Jon Anderson from 10am.

On a mobile device? Click here for a better viewing experience

B: Corey Enright (Geelong): Just another sublime display from a master of his craft.

Ben Rutten (Adelaide): When it got tough in the going the big truck excelled.

Aaron Mullett: (North Melbourne): The lad from Port Douglas is a low-profile achiever.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 07: Heath Shaw of the Magpies celebrates a goal during the round two AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Carlton Blues at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 7, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) Source: Herald Sun

HB: Heath Shaw (Collingwood): Can influence games in so many different ways.

Grant Birchall (Hawthorn): Is there a better 193cm running defender in the game?

Pearce Hanley (Brisbane): Is rapidly becoming one of the finest Irish recruits.

C: Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle): The icing on the Fremantle cake.

Jarrad McVeigh (Sydney): Begun the season in career-best form.

Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide): When you need something special, ask Patrick.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 07: Cyril Rioli and Lance Franklin of the Hawks celebrate a goal during the round two AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Hawthorn Hawks at Patersons Stadium on April 7, 2013 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

HF: Michael Walters (Fremantle): Since he dropped the kgs, Sun Sun has been a revelation.

Justin Westhoff (Port Adelaide): On his day the beanpole can clunk with the best.

Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn): Big ground, sunny afternoon equals Cyril.

F: Jamie Elliott (Collingwood): Looks like a choir boy with Tatts, plays like a terrier.

Jack Riewoldt (Richmond): Was the difference between winning and losing for the Tiges.

Lindsay Thomas (North Melbourne): Now that he has found his kicking boot, 40-goals plus beckons.

R: Tom Bellchambers (Essendon):  Are we now seeing the maturation of this young talent?

Jobe Watson (Essendon): Yes, it was only Melbourne but you still have to get the ball.

Dyson Heppell (Essendon): The back flanker has become a well-oiled midfielder.

Tom Liberatore tackles Ryan Crowley during the 3rd qtr of the Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle Dockers match at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. April 6, 2013. Picture: Klein Michael Source: Getty Images

I: Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn): Just keeps on keeping on.

Tom Liberatore (Western Bulldogs): Prolific, accurate, durable and tough.

Reece Conca (Richmond): Needs to string a few together but the signs are positive.

Substitute: Matthew Stokes (Geelong): Extraordinary impact but Adam Schneider is unlucky.

Coach: Alastair Clarkson (Hawthorn): For dominating despite travelling west after a six-day break.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 07: Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson walks the boundary at half time during the round two AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Hawthorn Hawks at Patersons Stadium on April 7, 2013 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

20.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

I like the sunshine: Demetriou

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou says he likes the sunshine at Etihad Stadium. Source: Herald Sun

THE Etihad Stadium roof will remain open when fair weather is forecast, despite calls for it to be closed for all AFL matches.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou said yesterday he liked a "bit of sunshine".

His comments follow calls by Chris and Brad Scott for the roof to be closed for all fixtures.

Following Geelong's win over North Melbourne on Sunday, the Scotts said an open roof was bad for players and supporters in both fair and foul conditions.

But Demetriou yesterday made light of the coaches' complaints.

"It's going to be open. It's open during the day if it's not raining," he said.

"It's not that bad - a little bit of rain. We had a bit of rain at the MCG and we didn't have a roof. I wouldn't worry about it.

"I love Brad and Chris; they are fantastic for the game. They are both great coaches. It was remarkable to see two twins coaching against each other in what was a remarkable game.

"But I like a bit of open sunshine."

The practice for AFL games at Docklands is that the roof can not be moved once people are inside the venue.
Neither the AFL nor Etihad would explain why it could not be closed mid-game.

"It's the policy that's been agreed by us and the AFL,"

Etihad Stadium spokesman Bill Lane said.

"It needs to be understood it's a large piece of machinery, it's not a play toy.

"If the AFL wants to come to us and have a chat to us about the policy, (we're) more than happy to do so."

AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said: "We have always been told a decision had to be made (about closing the roof) before spectators were in the venue. That's not our call."

The AFL makes the decision before a match on whether the roof is open or closed. If rain is forecast, it is closed. It's shut for night games because of dew.

The AFL said Brad Scott would not be asked to explain his outburst at an AFL match-day official on Sunday, but the football operations department would talk to the North Melbourne coach.

Last September Scott was handed a suspended $5000 fine for comments made to Greater Western Sydney player James McDonald.

Earlier in 2012 Scott received a warning over an approach to umpires.
 

20.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hapless Dees set for $1m loss

Melbourne president Don McLardy and coach Mark Neeld. Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE president Don McLardy has conceded the club's woeful start to the season and $500,000 "tanking" fine have the Demons on track for a $1 million loss this year.

But McLardy yesterday labelled suggestions an AFL administrator should take over Melbourne as "fanciful" and "ridiculous".

McLardy said he would accept help from the league, with AFL bosses Andrew Demetriou and Gillon McLachlan making contact with Melbourne officials yesterday.

After four straight profits and with a board of business heavyweights, McLardy said the Demons administration had excelled and rejected calls for chief executive Cameron Schwab to step down.

He said the club would stand by coach Mark Neeld even if the heavy losses continued in the next two rounds against West Coast and Greater Western Sydney.

But McLardy conceded if on-field performances, which he described as unacceptable, did not improve, "we will have to look towards the end of the season at what has happened".

McLardy said the club was united despite a pair of losses totalling 227 points.

Schwab was reappointed in August on a three-year deal, but McLardy said criticism of him was misguided.

"What we saw on the ground on the weekend, you can't link it directly to our CEO and say if we sacked him it would solve our problems," McLardy said.

"The result on the field is unacceptable ... but everyone keeps linking it to Cameron and what has gone on in the past.

"That lacks understanding of what goes on in an AFL footy club," McLardy said.

Demetriou said yesterday he was concerned about Melbourne's performance.

"In a competition where you want every team to be competitive, it's not where we would like them to be and if you're a Melbourne supporter that's most disheartening," Demetriou said.

"Hopefully there's people at the club that understand what needs to be done to turn it around, and any support that we can offer we will. We're only a phone call away. As yet we haven't been asked for any help."

McLardy said he would welcome AFL help.

"If the AFL can help us in any way, absolutely we would seek assistance," he said. "But people keep saying we should get an administrator from the AFL to run our club. It's fanciful. It's ridiculous.

"The people sitting on our board are the CEO of the Bank of Queensland (Stuart Grimshaw); Guy Jalland, who is the legal counsel for James Packer; John Trotter, who is the ex-managing partner of Deloitte; Russell Howcroft, who is effectively running Channel 10; Karen Hayes, who runs the Guide Dogs Association of Victoria; and Peter Spargo, who is a successful businessman.

"And people suggest we should get someone from the AFL to come in and tell us how to run our business."

McLardy said the board had approved the club's list management strategy and accepted responsibility.

"Maybe the issue is the football department and the talent on our playing list and we are just not getting them to perform," he said.

He said the club would not blink even if the defeats continued, but signalled the board's patience with Neeld and company would not last for ever.

"I say look ahead and what happens if we beat West Coast? People will look silly then," McLardy said.

"But I understand we will have to look towards the end of the season at what has happened. Clearly, if we are still performing like this, we have got issues to address.

"I have no problem saying that, but (don't think) we would look at it after Round 2 or Round 4 and say, 'Holy crap, let's sack the CEO, let's sack the coach'. It just won't happen.

"We will be strong. Stability is critical. We just have to turn around what is happening on the ground."
 

20.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Off-season headlines steel Pies

Scott Pendlebury kicks the sealer against Carlton. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Jordan Russell and Collingwood skipper Nick Maxwell. Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD superstar Scott Pendlebury says the club's off-season poor behaviour headlines has tightened the Magpies like never before.

Leading Teams boss Ray McLean, who is credited with honing Sydney's "Bloods" culture, was called upon by Pies coach Nathan Buckley over the off-season to help arrest slipping standards.

Leading Teams centres on brutally honest feedback between the playing group and Pendlebury said it had worked at Collingwood, who are undefeated after two rounds.

"I think (the off-season innuendo) that is where we bonded and got closer together as a group," he said on Fox Footy's On the Couch last night.

"With Ray and Leading Teams, we aired it as a group.

"We asked each other what we thought about it.

"We said 'let's stick together and get through this together.'

"And we agreed if guys do need support, come and talk to us.

"I think we have remained pretty close from that."

Pendlebury said he was a fan of Leadings Teams and identified teammate Jarryd Blair as one who player who had thrived under the program.

"With meetings, it used to be the same voices always talking," he said.

"Blairy stood up in meetings and had a say.

"His first two rounds, and on the weekend in particular, he won some crucial 50-50 balls."

Pendlebury kicked the final goal on Sunday to seal Collingwood's dramatic victory over Carlton on Sunday, delivering coach Nathan Buckley a win over his former mentor Mick Malthouse.

The Norm Smith Medallist last night rubbished the Malthouse camp's suggestion that the former Magpies coach hosed down a player revolt in 2011 that wanted to keep him as coach.

"The petition is completely untrue," he said.

Pendlebury used his Herald Sun column on Sunday to reveal the players had begun to get a bit comfortable under Malthouse.

20.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

In a galaxy far, far away

Remember this? Jordan Gysberts back when he was with Melbourne. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

ENOUGH top-10 draft picks have sunk without a trace to prove it is not the ideal measure of a club's talent.

Rising Star nominations are another imperfect science but they provide a fascinating insight into a club's talent base and list-management strategy.

Think Jordan Gysberts, good enough to rack up two Rising Star nominations in his first 11 games after standout performances for Melbourne against Geelong in 2010 (26 touches on debut), and Essendon (30 possessions) in 2011.

Yet Gysberts is a symbol of Melbourne's diabolical position, another player who franked his junior talent with early promise but is now either delisted or at another club.

The list of Rising Star nominations from all clubs in the past six seasons makes interesting reading.
Melbourne, with 12 top-20 picks since the 2006 national draft, when its rebuild began, has had clearly the most nominees in that period - 14 from 12 players (Sam Blease has also received two nominations).

Of those 12 players, half of them have left the club.

Ricky Petterd is rejuvenated at Richmond, Cale Morton is at West Coast, Liam Jurrah and Austin Wonaeamirri are gone, Gysberts is at North Melbourne and Tom Scully took the cash at Greater Western Sydney.

What happened given Morton, Petterd, Gysberts and Scully were considered the building blocks of the team of the coming decade?

They were sucked into the vortex of poor development, bad culture and poaching by expansion clubs, with all but Scully turfed in the off-season by Mark Neeld.

Think five years is not representative? Go back six seasons, and Melbourne has had a competition-high 15 players nominated, with just seven remaining.

One of its players won the Rising Star - Jared Rivers in 2004 - but he left for Geelong as a free agent in the summer for almost no compensation.

Melbourne can try all it likes, and it might drag the margin back under 100 points every second week.

But the stark reality is that the Demons' list does not have enough talent to compete, especially when the high draft picks remaining are performing like Jack Watts and Jack Trengove.

Now consider which clubs Melbourne is up against as it seeks to rebuild - sides such as GWS, which amassed eight nominations last year and has poached four Rising Star nominees in Callan Ward, 2008 winner Rhys Palmer, Phil Davis and Scully.

Or sides such as Collingwood, which has played finals for the past seven years and has 10 nominees in the past six seasons (eight remain), with more exciting recruits already on show this year.

At the other end of the spectrum, St Kilda has managed just four nominations from 2007, underlining Ross Lyon's unwillingness to play youngsters and its list-management failings.

Of the 24 players put on to the senior list between 2008-10, only five Saints remain.

Yet at least its senior players keep performing.

Melbourne is at rock bottom, with non-competitive players, a list with little talent, and a coach desperately trying to dig himself out of the hole the club has created.
 

20.48 | 0 komentar | Read More