Club direction

[Warhorse]

Yeah - this is a negative one. What is going on at our club at the moment.

• Stengle
• Bailey Smith

Beginning to look like West Coast from 2 decades ago. Now we are chasing JUH, Clayton Oliver and previously enquired about Tarryn Thomas. Investigations happening in the background. Red flags everywhere

Is anyone else concerned about the direction the club is taking?

 

[Cataholic]

Happy to pass on both Oliver and JUH.

I think our minders might already have their hands full, and probably don't need the extra workload.

 

[Warhorse]

Happy to pass on both Oliver and JUH.

I think our minders might already have their hands full, and probably don't need the extra workload.

And at the moment the club is leaking like a sieve. Everything seems to be getting out.

 

[Cataholic]

And at the moment the club is leaking like a sieve. Everything seems to be getting out.

Lots of rumour, suspicion and innuendo atm.

Not sure what happened to 'sleepy hollow'.

Hopefully none of it proves true.

 

[frggr]

Thomas was hardly a serious interest.

The club said it investigates possibilities with all players - that it's almost duty bound to do so.

Smith's "issues" are more likely to be the Bulldogs than his own personally. And he's had one slip up a few years back and none since arriving.

There's a reason the exodus from the Dogs has been as heavy as it has and it's not Bailey Smith.

Stengle got on the booze a bit too heavily after what was likely a long stint off it - disappointing but not the end of the world. Didn't miss training. Didn't miss a game.

As for the "unnamed mid" - you can't exactly predict that kind of thing.

 

[Warhorse]

Smith's "issues" are more likely to be the Bulldogs than his own personally. And he's had one slip up a few years back and none since arriving.


Stengle got on the booze a bit too heavily after what was likely a long stint off it - disappointing but not the end of the world. Didn't miss training. Didn't miss a game.

As for the "unnamed mid" - you can't exactly predict that kind of thing.

When talking about Stengle and Smith I am talking more recent occurrences - this year

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Yeah - this is a negative one. What is going on at our club at the moment.

• Stengle
• Bailey Smith
• An un-named midfielder

Beginning to look like West Coast from 2 decades ago. Now we are chasing JUH, Clayton Oliver and previously enquired about Tarryn Thomas. Investigations happening in the background. Red flags everywhere

Is anyone else concerned about the direction the club is taking?

That third point seems a little outside of club control. You can't assume behaviour based on someone being a good or bad bloke.

Stengle has genuinely been through a lot and while I would have internally suspended him for a game after the incident he has been mostly quiet for 2 years and i can accept that maybe the club did the right thing there. I would have given him a shorter contract though.

Smith i would keep on a short leash. We didn't give up a massive amount of picks for him just cash, so I don't think the club would hesitate to kick him to the curb if he misbehaves. It's not a red flag yet but could turn into one.

In and of themselves i think they're a bunch of amber flags not individually a red flag. Maybe the accumulation is an additional amber flag.

We sign JUH though and I would start worrying

 

[Cataholic]

That third point seems a little outside of club control. You can't assume behaviour based on someone being a good or bad bloke.

Stengle has genuinely been through a lot and while I would have internally suspended him for a game after the incident he has been mostly quiet for 2 years and i can accept that maybe the club did the right thing there. I would have given him a shorter contract though.

Smith i would keep on a short leash. We didn't give up a massive amount of picks for him just cash, so I don't think the club would hesitate to kick him to the curb if he misbehaves. It's not a red flag yet but could turn into one.

In and of themselves i think they're a bunch of amber flags not individually a red flag. Maybe the accumulation is an additional amber flag.

We sign JUH though and I would start worrying

Rumour is the club is already having to knuckle down on Smith, and Stengle continues to push boundaries.

Not sure we can throw JUH in the mix.

 

[cats_09]

Rumour is the club is already having to knuckle down on Smith, and Stengle continues to push boundaries.

Not sure we can throw JUH in the mix.

Is this where as a club you have to say "Bugger it", and simple make a statement with a 1 or 2 game suspension, noting it's for disciplinary reasons, rather than trying to somewhat cover things up when folks generally have a good idea what's going on behind the scenes

 

[Cataholic]

Is this where as a club you have to say "Bugger it", and simple make a statement with a 1 or 2 game suspension, noting it's for disciplinary reasons, rather than trying to somewhat cover things up when folks generally have a good idea what's going on behind the scenes

I'm thinking so.

There are moments in time where a club has to - should - take a stance on what it represents, what it tolerates, what it won't.

What it stands for.

A strong club will do it, pointedly mark it down as 'disciplinary' to send a message, but are we that strong as a club?

I'd like to think so, but then I lack confidence in the club, and Scott, to be so forthright.

It's not in their DNA.

 

[cats_09]

I'm thinking so.

There are moments in time where a club has to - should - take a stance on what it represents, what it tolerates, what it won't.

What it stands for.

A strong club will do it, pointedly mark it down as 'disciplinary' to send a message, but are we that strong as a club?

I'd like to think so, but then I lack confidence in the club, and Scott, to be so forthright.

It's not in their DNA.

We've done that in the past with Stevie J and then Matty Stokes and not sure it hurt the club

Based on the suggestions of a few things that have been happening of late, would think that maybe it's time to make something of a stand again - players are people and they make mistakes, but when it's a repeated behaviour that's when it can become a bigger issue

And don't care how big of a name a player may be, no one should be seen as being bigger than the club - we've got some younger, lesser known players who have had positive starts to their VFL seasons... Maybe reward not just the effort on the field but also the behaviour off it

 

[Munich]

When talking about Stengle and Smith I am talking more recent occurrences - this year

Maybe elaborate or stop bringing up innuendo.

Do we really need a thread about this.

 

[Cataholic]

We've done that in the past with Stevie J and then Matty Stokes and not sure it hurt the club

Based on the suggestions of a few things that have been happening of late, would think that maybe it's time to make something of a stand again - players are people and they make mistakes, but when it's a repeated behaviour that's when it can become a bigger issue

And don't care how big of a name a player may be, no one should be seen as being bigger than the club - we've got some younger, lesser known players who have had positive starts to their VFL seasons... Maybe reward not just the effort on the field but also the behaviour off it

Agreed.

We need to reinforce standards.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

We've done that in the past with Stevie J and then Matty Stokes and not sure it hurt the club

Based on the suggestions of a few things that have been happening of late, would think that maybe it's time to make something of a stand again - players are people and they make mistakes, but when it's a repeated behaviour that's when it can become a bigger issue

And don't care how big of a name a player may be, no one should be seen as being bigger than the club - we've got some younger, lesser known players who have had positive starts to their VFL seasons... Maybe reward not just the effort on the field but also the behaviour off it

That last paragraph is the thing for me that gives me confidence. Smith is the biggest risk there and if he goes off the rails and we push him to a 3rd club then what do we lose? Pick 20 and 40? Pushing him won't make or break the club and i assume the club would correspondingly have the bargaining power to push him into line.

 

[cats_09]

That last paragraph is the thing for me that gives me confidence. Smith is the biggest risk there and if he goes off the rails and we push him to a 3rd club then what do we lose? Pick 20 and 40? Pushing him won't make or break the club and i assume the club would correspondingly have the bargaining power to push him into line.

The other thing that can go towards is future recruitment

It seems we're seriously into Rowell and I'm thinking we're all hoping he's seriously into us, but could off field issues be seen as a concern and give reason for second thoughts?


If we start to be seen as a club were there's a few little things happening off field, could that raise questions about the leadership and standards been set - I don't recall too many negatives been said about clubs who are prepared to take a stand, but I think we've all read of players wanting out of clubs where the standards aren't meeting their expectations

 

[Generalissimo]

OK, so the one confirmed incident involving Tyson Stengle was suboptimal, but given he didn't hurt anyone or jeopardise his form or even miss a training session, I think overreacting is not called for. As for the other things from "this year" regarding Stengle and Bailey Smith, they're just unsubstantiated innuendo for the moment. Let's wait and see. Regarding the last issue, the one we're meant to tiptoe around, given there's a directive from the courts to be very circumspect I think the club's hands are tied.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

The part about the unnamed mid is as much GFC's fault as Balta's assault is for Richmond...

Or Nick Stevens
Or G.Ablett Sr
Or Wayne Carey
Or Marlion Pickett
Or Andrew Lovett.

Footballers committing criminal acts is hardly the fault of their employer.

 

[Warhorse]

The part about the unnamed mid is as much GFC's fault as Balta's assault is for Richmond...

Or Nick Stevens
Or G.Ablett Sr
Or Wayne Carey
Or Marlion Pickett
Or Andrew Lovett.

Footballers committing criminal acts is hardly the fault of their employer.

That's fair. Just thought the club would go harder on what other behaviours are acceptable for the playing group with that floating in the background.

 

[Mr Meow]

That's fair. Just thought the club would go harder on what other behaviours are acceptable for the playing group with that floating in the background.

Why even add that midfielder to the list? The issue you are speaking of specifically relates to Stengle and Smith partying. You said that the poster on the rumours board revealing those rumours had a good source, suggesting your own intel.

So I guess you should simply state what punishment you would have liked to see for those two players and then we can go from there. Bit of a stretch to suggest we have some West Coast mid 2000s culture across our whole organisation though, isn't it?

 

[Warhorse]

OK, so the one confirmed incident involving Tyson Stengle was suboptimal, but given he didn't hurt anyone or jeopardise his form or even miss a training session, I think overreacting is not called for. As for the other things from "this year" regarding Stengle and Bailey Smith, they're just unsubstantiated innuendo for the moment. Let's wait and see. Regarding the last issue, the one we're meant to tiptoe around, given there's a directive from the courts to be very circumspect I think the club's hands are tied.

I am confident on the Smith and Stengle ones. I have heard of others in the playing group I am not as confident in naming so have left them out.

 

[Mr Meow]

I am confident on the Smith and Stengle ones. I have heard of others in the playing group I am not as confident in naming so have left them out.

So what did they do and what should their punishment have been? Give the thread some direction.

Vague "Hmmm where is our club headed? Why are we becoming West Coast 2005?" thread remains pointless otherwise.

 

[Warhorse]

Why even add that midfielder to the list? The issue you are speaking of specifically relates to Stengle and Smith partying. You said that the poster on the rumours board revealing those rumours had a good source, suggesting your own intel.

So I guess you should simply state what punishment you would have liked to see for those two players and then we can go from there. Bit of a stretch to suggest we have some West Coast mid 2000s culture across our whole organisation though, isn't it?

I admit the West Coast comment was a little bit of hyperbole, unless we continue to chase players like JUH and Oliver.

Should have punished Stengle last year and he would have missed a game. We didn't and no surprises that his behaviour hasn't improved.

I would drop Smith and say it is for disciplinary reasons. Make a statement and put a stop to this behaviour before things get potentially ugly with the court stuff mid year.

 

[Mr Meow]

I admit the West Coast comment was a little bit of hyperbole, unless we continue to chase players like JUH and Oliver.

Should have punished Stengle last year and he would have missed a game. We didn't and no surprises that his behaviour hasn't improved.

I would drop Smith and say it is for disciplinary reasons. Make a statement and put a stop to this behaviour before things get potentially ugly with the court stuff mid year.

Okay fair enough. I wasn't really having a crack, it's more so if we take stuff from the rumour board to here then we might as well be specific.

The court thing I just don't see the connection or relevance. Same with the audit. This is its own thing. The recruitment targets, its a bit of a long bow to draw but I accept a POV where it fits into this picture.

Remember, for two party boys there's a lot who aren't. If you feel it has spread, you have to be prepared to state it or else not give a vague "there could be other troubling examples too" vibe. That stuff would be better left on the rumours board IMO.

Personally I'm not too invested in the club's "brand" or PR. But I do want them to perform best duty of care and standard setting to help both these men in general, and on field performance. I feel a bit too out of the loop on specifics to make sweeping condemnations and recommendations though tbh.

 

[Cataholic]

On a side note, when might we expect an outcome of the audit?

 

[D BRIDGE]

The AFL needs to tighten up on its policy.

Players are taking the piss.