http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/young-demon-tom-scully-facing-devil-of-a-dilemma/story-e6frf9jf-1226014386966By Mike Sheahan
TOM Scully's dilemma, which will get worse before it gets better, is one not of his creation.
Basically, he is a young man driven by the desire to be a great footballer, regardless of the colours he wears.
The truth is he grew up following Richmond - passionately - not Melbourne, the club that grabbed him at No. 1 in the 2009 draft.The same Melbourne that manipulated results in 2009 to ensure a priority pick, meaning it was guaranteed Scully and Jack Trengove.
Scully now finds himself under enormous pressure as speculation mounts he has committed to Greater Western Sydney from 2012. Or will do so immediately he completes his contract with Melbourne after this season.If he fronts the media later this week, as expected, it will be a daunting assignment for a young man of 19 with just 21 games to his name.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
Not that he is likely to be specific. He will be advised to say nothing more than "I'm contracted to Melbourne in 2011 and I will do the best I can for the football club this year".
Really, there can be no criticism of either party.
Melbourne took advantage of a flawed, if well-intentioned, rule; Scully, if he ends up at GWS, will have done what is commercially expedient.
In pragmatic terms, how could he reject an offer for up to three times as much as Melbourne might offer?
The romantic notion says kids of Scully's age should play for the love of the game and let the dirty business of money take care of itself.
Reality says anyone with a special talent should secure his future on the best possible terms, which means availing himself of as much money as he can get for as long as he can get it. Just for the purposes of the argument, what about $5-6 million for five years?
Those who know say there is more than a little of Nathan Buckley in Scully, and we all know the young Buckley was prepared to endure plenty of pain to get to Collingwood, where he saw opportunity, money and success.The simple fact is there is a growing divide between players and supporters.
Players play, happy to ply their trade at whichever club offers them an opportunity. Then, if another club comes along with an offer they can't resist, they grab it and run: refer Gary Ablett, Campbell Brown and Jarrod Harbrow.
Maybe Scott Pendlebury or Dale Thomas will follow suit and join GWS, for they will be offered more than double what Collingwood would consider prudent in terms of salary cap constraints and pay relativities with other players.
Supporters, though, inevitably feel cheated. As if the system is failing them. Just like those who went before them - parents and grandparents - they adopt and embrace anyone and everyone who wears their colours.
For better or for worse. It's a marriage. It's forever. Particularly when it's a good player. Which Scully is.
What is even more galling for Melbourne supporters is the thought Scully might be the superstar they have craved for a generation.
Who is the last Melbourne great? The name that always comes up when people discuss legends and heroes.
With due respect to Garry Lyon, Jim Stynes and David Neitz, it probably goes all the way back to Robert Flower, who retired in 1987.
That's why Melbourne supporters are hurting. Scully might be another Flower ... and he might blossom at another club because that's where he can set himself up for life.
I get the feeling that Mike is implying that Scully wants to come to Richmond and he will get to Richmond via GWS if he cant do it any other way. If Scully goes to GWS and his contract is for 2 or 3 years rather than 5 than its on the cards IMHO. It seems to me he doesnt want to be at Melbourne anyway.
