Swans warn of funds struggle

[i'm-uninformed2]

Ummm, can a few of the slower ones on here actually move beyond the literal and instead focus on the real intent of Colless' comments?! The first part which a few people seemed obsessed with - subtle digs about retention of membership, hospitality, general revenues, etc - is nothing more than a device to set up his real point.

That comes in the second batch of quotes - that the AFL is completely and utterly out of its head if it thinks a second team is going to fly anytime soon.

Get over your petty concerns for five minutes and understand the bloke is doing exactly what he should be doing - framing the debate in a way that preserves the Swans long-term.

Go Colless, I say.

[AnnieH]

C'mon Kanga ... you know I'm only having a go don't you??

The more teams the merrier ... it's just that Sydney is not the place for them.

Darwin ... Tasmania ... FNQ .... there are plenty of other places.

[SwansFan1972]

Ummm, can a few of the slower ones on here actually move beyond the literal and instead focus on the real intent of Colless' comments?! The first part which a few people seemed obsessed with - subtle digs about retention of membership, hospitality, general revenues, etc - is nothing more than a device to set up his real point.

That comes in the second batch of quotes - that the AFL is completely and utterly out of its head if it thinks a second team is going to fly anytime soon.

Get over your petty concerns for five minutes and understand the bloke is doing exactly what he should be doing - framing the debate in a way that preserves the Swans long-term.

Go Colless, I say.

"Petty concerns" as you put them include shedding members who now feel alienated from the club. It is pretty funny that what you deem as "petty concerns" and "subtle digs" are exactly the same things Colless is apparently sweating over now. And if highlighting such "petty" outcomes are part of some cunning device to "show the AFL" who knows best about Sydney, then it is clear that none of the key players have much of a clue.

Which means the Swans will continue merrilly on a path of accruing "petty concerns" like losing members and money, safe in the knowledge that sugar daddy AFL will be compelled to bail them out (until the Pies get fed up with it and cause uproar about special provisions) and the AFL will continue with its Alice in Wonderland beliefs about west Sydney. The powers that be stopped listening to the Swans yonks ago, and nothing in the club's recent history of decision making will make them want to pay attention any time soon.

Take the AFL safety net out of the picture and show me on what basis there should be any confidence about the club's current management. They have been banging on for years about the importance of creating revenue streams that can hold up independent of on field performance, but where are the results? Club Swans is the glittering cubic zirconia in a rather tarnished (and non-money making) crown!

I'm glad it provides comfort to you that "colless is framing the debate in a way that preserves the swans long term". At least that is SOMETHING he is doing in that direction! Woo bluddy hoo.

[AnnieH]

Wish I had a sugar daddy.

[connolly]

Ummm, can a few of the slower ones on here actually move beyond the literal and instead focus on the real intent of Colless' comments?! The first part which a few people seemed obsessed with - subtle digs about retention of membership, hospitality, general revenues, etc - is nothing more than a device to set up his real point.

That comes in the second batch of quotes - that the AFL is completely and utterly out of its head if it thinks a second team is going to fly anytime soon.

Get over your petty concerns for five minutes and understand the bloke is doing exactly what he should be doing - framing the debate in a way that preserves the Swans long-term.

Go Colless, I say.

So a hopelessly inept bumbling musing that admitted he didnt have clue was really a full blooded tooth and claw attack on Vlad's evil empire. He has been an AFL time server for so long that it is simply unbelievable that Tricky Dicky would even cryptically criticise the loony tunes down at the crazy cottage. How about Dick making a crystal clear statement that the Western Sydney frolic is sheer lunacy. And then issues his resignation letter and an apology to the loyal members who have keep this club alive despite inept management.

[Vonsteinman]

And then issues his resignation letter and an apology to the loyal members who have keep this club alive despite inept management.

Come on now Connolly. This statement is surely a joke. While perhaps some of his more recent decisions will be looked back upon as questionable (at best), when he took over as chairman the club was just about cooked. You can hardly say it has survived in spite of his management.

Bottom of the ladder, membership in the thousands - not 10s of thousands. Within two years of him becoming chairman, a grand final and a run that sees us miss the finals twice in 12 years, three grand finals, a premiership...

Fair enough to criticise his bad decisions, but he has to take some credit for the success.

[i'm-uninformed2]

He has been an AFL time server for so long that it is simply unbelievable that Tricky Dicky would even cryptically criticise the loony tunes down at the crazy cottage. . . . . And then issues his resignation letter and an apology to the loyal members who have keep this club alive despite inept management.

OK - I will bite at these two, as they basically feed into a narrative that Colless has bludged off the system and done nothing for the club.

So, a bloke who took over as chairman when the club was a basketcase, gave it some stability and purpose, took some shrewd risks (eg: signing Lockett when others baulked), doesn't get or need any significant personal or financial reward, signed off on key initiatives (Roos, Ireland, etc) that all combined to deliver us the first flag in 72 years, and is now carefully shaping a public argument against the premature entry of a second team . . . is a selfish dud who has never done anything??

It's only the fans - not the Chair, nor his Board, nor management (and certainly the players and coaches got no mention) - but only the fans who have kept the club alive.

Yes, right, he should put a gun to his temple, blow his brains out and say, Vlad, take that! That'll really win the argument for us.

[connolly]

OK - I will bite at these two, as they basically feed into a narrative that Colless has bludged off the system and done nothing for the club.

So, a bloke who took over as chairman when the club was a basketcase, gave it some stability and purpose, took some shrewd risks (eg: signing Lockett when others baulked), doesn't get or need any significant personal or financial reward, signed off on key initiatives (Roos, Ireland, etc) that all combined to deliver us the first flag in 72 years, and is now carefully shaping a public argument against the premature entry of a second team . . . is a selfish dud who has never done anything??

It's only the fans - not the Chair, nor his Board, nor management (and certainly the players and coaches got no mention) - but only the fans who have kept the club alive.

Yes, right, he should put a gun to his temple, blow his brains out and say, Vlad, take that! That'll really win the argument for us.

This is a bloke who squeezed out an outstanding coach who took us to a grand final and will probably win one with another club, a bloke who attempted to line up another coach who is a self promoting over paid pretender (yes Terry thats you son) and who if he had his way (and thank the football gods and the loyal bloods supporters that he didn't) wouldn't have appointed the best coach of the last decade. We won a premiership in spite of him. Now in the modern depression he signs off on a deal that would make Bernie Madoff blush, whereby the majority of the members are price gouged, families with kids are hammered and our collective intelligence is insulted with a patently transparent cheap marketing ploy. He did and said nothing during the grossly unfair attack on our playing style, discriminatory policy umpiring and general high handedness shown to the club by the AFL Sun King. Apparently his brilliant latest strategy against the Go West lunacy of the Sun King is to send us into insolvency and then put out the begging bowl. Time to go Dickie boy and lets get someone with a clue. My nomination is Jason Ball.

[AnnieH]

This is a bloke who squeezed out an outstanding coach who took us to a grand final and will probably win one with another club, a bloke who attempted to line up another coach who is a self promoting over paid pretender (yes Terry thats you son) and who if he had his way (and thank the football gods and the loyal bloods supporters that he didn't) wouldn't have appointed the best coach of the last decade. We won a premiership in spite of him. Now in the modern depression he signs off on a deal that would make Bernie Madoff blush, whereby the majority of the members are price gouged, families with kids are hammered and our collective intelligence is insulted with a patently transparent cheap marketing ploy. He did and said nothing during the grossly unfair attack on our playing style, discriminatory policy umpiring and general high handedness shown to the club by the AFL Sun King. Apparently his brilliant latest strategy against the Go West lunacy of the Sun King is to send us into insolvency and then put out the begging bowl. Time to go Dickie boy and lets get someone with a clue. My nomination is Jason Ball.

I'm sure Bally played under Colless at the criminal budgies (before they were criminals).

Someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

[Kanga]

Don't have an opinion on any of the above..... but it is interesting reading!

[connolly]

Don't have an opinion on any of the above..... but it is interesting reading!

Pouchman Tricky Dicky rates only slightly above the blue and white gnome in terms of his capacity to pull the wrong rein.

[i'm-uninformed2]

This is a bloke who squeezed out an outstanding coach who took us to a grand final and will probably win one with another club, a bloke who attempted to line up another coach who is a self promoting over paid pretender (yes Terry thats you son) and who if he had his way (and thank the football gods and the loyal bloods supporters that he didn't) wouldn't have appointed the best coach of the last decade. We won a premiership in spite of him. Now in the modern depression he signs off on a deal that would make Bernie Madoff blush, whereby the majority of the members are price gouged, families with kids are hammered and our collective intelligence is insulted with a patently transparent cheap marketing ploy. He did and said nothing during the grossly unfair attack on our playing style, discriminatory policy umpiring and general high handedness shown to the club by the AFL Sun King. Apparently his brilliant latest strategy against the Go West lunacy of the Sun King is to send us into insolvency and then put out the begging bowl. Time to go Dickie boy and lets get someone with a clue. My nomination is Jason Ball.

OK, a few things.

On the financial side of things, I'll grant you, yes, there are some struggles and the revenue flow from the Kings X Club is not what he would have hoped. But as for the cost of memberships - well hell, the price of things go up sometimes, particularly when they hadn't for years. As for the last part - that he is deliberately going out of his way to send the club broke to make a point . . . I want some of what you're on.

Now, on the football side of things . . .

Yes - he got rid of Eade who actually hasn't won anything yet

Yes - he kept competitive tension in the selection process for the new coach

Yes - he got Roos (and I love this mad narrative that says six clowns and a dog on Driver Ave made him submit against his will)

So, so far, so good.

Then we have the notion he said nothing during the 'ugly debate'. Mmm . . .

Colless backs Roos in Sydney tactics debate - AFL - Sport - smh.com.au

And, what was the end result of Colless and Roos' collective calm during all that? Oh, that's right, rather than run round like headless chooks namecalling, they were composed enough to go on and win a flag.

Yeah, he's an absolute mug.

[connolly]

OK, a few things.

On the financial side of things, I'll grant you, yes, there are some struggles and the revenue flow from the Kings X Club is not what he would have hoped. But as for the cost of memberships - well hell, the price of things go up sometimes, particularly when they hadn't for years. As for the last part - that he is deliberately going out of his way to send the club broke to make a point . . . I want some of what you're on.

Now, on the football side of things . . .

Yes - he got rid of Eade who actually hasn't won anything yet

Yes - he kept competitive tension in the selection process for the new coach

Yes - he got Roos (and I love this mad narrative that says six clowns and a dog on Driver Ave made him submit against his will)

So, so far, so good.

Then we have the notion he said nothing during the 'ugly debate'. Mmm . . .

Colless backs Roos in Sydney tactics debate - AFL - Sport - smh.com.au

And, what was the end result of Colless and Roos' collective calm during all that? Oh, that's right, rather than run round like headless chooks namecalling, they were composed enough to go on and win a flag.

Yeah, he's an absolute mug.

There are more euphamisms there than in a Peter Costello pre-selection speech. Fair dinkum mate you do write the club's press releases dont you?
First of all Colless was not above board or honourable in the Eade removal. Nor was he above board, honourable or astute (getting sucked in by the Wallet should be an automatic removal test for football club presidents) in the "recruitment"of Wallace. Rodney Eade is a brilliant coach and decent human being who didn't deserve the mean spirited treatment meted out to him for which Tricky Dick bears final responsibility. Colless didn't want Roos as coach after he slippered Eade out the door. Roos coached despite Colless.
As for the ringing defense of our playing style this gem hardly ranks with a Churchillian call to arms.
.

"It's not my place to publicly lecture or reprimand the chief executive of the AFL," Colless said yesterday when asked by the Herald if he would complain to AFL commission chairman Ron Evans about Demetriou's comments. "But we all have to be accountable for our actions, and if he wants to come out and say the things he has, he has to be held responsible for that."

Well why didn't we make a formal complaint at least to the Commission. Demetriou did harm the code and the club with his absurd and gratuitous comments. His attack on the club's performance was not only wrong but it was outside his brief. The Sun King despite his pretentions is an employee of the Commission. It was appropriate to at the least request that the employer pull him into gear.


The Swans released a statement yesterday in which Colless said: "Whilst we are most disappointed with Andrew Demetriou's public comments, we do, however, agree with his statement that NSW is a vitally important This gutless snivelling whine was hopelessly ineffectual and typical of a club president who has failed to show strong leadership and gain a profile in NSW. As much as i despise the blokes politics at least Kennett has a go for his club. Even McGuire despite his manifest inadequacies intellectually, ethically and as a human being flies the maggots flag. But we get stone motherless nothing from Dick. And one last thing. I'll never forgive him for giving me something in common with McGuire, He has given both McGuire and myself as a loyal Bloods supoporter the finger. Say goodnight Dick.

[Cardinal]

There are more euphamisms there than in a Peter Costello pre-selection speech. Fair dinkum mate you do write the club's press releases dont you?
First of all Colless was not above board or honourable in the Eade removal. Nor was he above board, honourable or astute (getting sucked in by the Wallet should be an automatic removal test for football club presidents) in the "recruitment"of Wallace. Rodney Eade is a brilliant coach and decent human being who didn't deserve the mean spirited treatment meted out to him for which Tricky Dick bears final responsibility. Colless didn't want Roos as coach after he slippered Eade out the door. Roos coached despite Colless.
As for the ringing defense of our playing style this gem hardly ranks with a Churchillian call to arms.
.

"It's not my place to publicly lecture or reprimand the chief executive of the AFL," Colless said yesterday when asked by the Herald if he would complain to AFL commission chairman Ron Evans about Demetriou's comments. "But we all have to be accountable for our actions, and if he wants to come out and say the things he has, he has to be held responsible for that."

Well why didn't we make a formal complaint at least to the Commission. Demetriou did harm the code and the club with his absurd and gratuitous comments. His attack on the club's performance was not only wrong but it was outside his brief. The Sun King despite his pretentions is an employee of the Commission. It was appropriate to at the least request that the employer pull him into gear.


The Swans released a statement yesterday in which Colless said: "Whilst we are most disappointed with Andrew Demetriou's public comments, we do, however, agree with his statement that NSW is a vitally important This gutless snivelling whine was hopelessly ineffectual and typical of a club president who has failed to show strong leadership and gain a profile in NSW. As much as i despise the blokes politics at least Kennett has a go for his club. Even McGuire despite his manifest inadequacies intellectually, ethically and as a human being flies the maggots flag. But we get stone motherless nothing from Dick. And one last thing. I'll never forgive him for giving me something in common with McGuire, He has given both McGuire and myself as a loyal Bloods supoporter the finger. Say goodnight Dick.

Going to have to agree with Connolly - and then there was the Cousins debacle

[SwansFan1972]

Wish I had a sugar daddy.

Don't we all! Or Sugar Mummy - beats workin!