If you think the Tigers or Dees are close to a flag, you're dreaming: Sheedy

[one-eyed]

If you think the Tigers or Dees are close to a flag, you're dreaming

  * Kevin Sheedy
  * Sunday Herald Sun
  * April 18, 2010

Caption: Kevin Sheedy believes Trent Cotchin should be Richmond's next captain.



RICHMOND and Melbourne have been so poor we'll start talking about the Melbourne Tigers soon.

That's the sad reality of where these clubs are at. It would mean one less team in the competition and opens the door for a Tasmanian side to come in.

This situation is an indictment on recruiting, personnel and direction.

For both clubs.

The message now has to be - if you don't get it right in the next two to five years you will be under severe pressure.

Neither of them have excited fans and neither has a player who we widely tout as the next Ablett, Hird or Carey.

The word premiership cannot even be mentioned. They are kidding themselves if they are even thinking about it.

So let's look at Richmond first. I've heard so many noises about five- year plans that I'm starting to wonder where they begin and finish. They need to learn what winning means and they need to think about recruiting and development.

Invest in this department like never before because you just can't afford to keep getting it wrong.

Poor decisions have blighted the club but I don't believe Ben Cousins was one of those. He can still lead and help the younger players. And he is better than half the players on the list anyway.

Too many players get easy games and even though they're young it still needs to be earned.

That brings me to Melbourne. It is good to see Tom Scully and Jack Trengove stepping straight into the big time.

I spoke to Melbourne about coaching when I finished up at Essendon because I thought it was an opportunity to really grasp.

Dean Bailey won the job on merit and he's building a club. That's more important than winning a premiership.

It's exactly what Hawthorn did after averting a merger. Melbourne is still struggling to get back on its feet, but it has been in a better position than Richmond for quite some time. That's why the Tigers went after Craig Cameron who was recruiting manager at Melbourne.

The thing I can't understand is how both clubs have consistently picked up midfielders. In my mind you err on the side of height.

And I think Jack Watts will be a terrific player for the Demons, but I wouldn't have looked past Nic Naitanui. He is a guy who hits the ball and runs after it like it's on a string. A guy who brings people through the gates. A guy Melbourne will regret not taking.

Then there's Lance "Buddy" Franklin. The Tigers chose Richard Tambling and he's a fantastic person who perhaps has suffered from not being in a good side. But how you could overlook a prodigious talent like Franklin still bewilders me.

And now the landscape is changing so the access to early draft picks will dry up.

Melbourne has had the lion's share of early picks in the past three drafts and the jury is out.

These two teams are four yards apart in their home grounds but are so closely aligned in regard to their dire predicaments.

Both of these proud clubs should not be in the unenviable position they find themselves in today. It is sad how they haven't adapted since we moved from the VFL to the AFL.

Melbourne has at least got to a Grand Final in the past decade but poor decisions have cost the club a decade. Richmond has been set back even longer.

 
RICHMOND'S FAB FIVE

BRETT DELEDIO
Has won two best and fairests in a bad side. An obvious shining light.

TRENT COTCHIN
Needs to play more footy.

JACK RIEWOLDT
Enthusiastic forward but needs to find consistency.

NATHAN FOLEY
Forgotten midfielder who adds a touch of class.

KELVIN MOORE
A damn good, honest player. Hopefully Alex Rance stands up alongside him.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/if-you-think-the-tigers-or-dees-are-close-to-a-flag-youre-dreaming/story-e6frf9ox-1225855008213

[Ramps]

stuff Off Sheeds

[peggles]

eff Off Sheeds

if u think GWS is close to a flag, you're dreaming: peggles

[Ramps]

I think its a disgrace that old players raise issues such as mergers, its just a disgrace.

[jackstar is back again]

Would say the article is spot on.
Like it or not, I know for a fact that GWS recruiting team is scouring the country for the best talent.
They go to EVERY game that you would want them to be at.
All staff are paid on a monthly basis.
Gold Coast and GWS are closer to a flag than RFC.and MFC.
Its no secret that the AFL wants to"'change the landscape "" of the location of teams etc.
Reality is now its up to RFC and MFC to perform, time waits for nobody.

[Ramps]

Would say the article is spot on.
Like it or not, I know for a fact that GWS recruiting team is scouring the country for the best talent.
They go to EVERY game that you would want them to be at.
All staff are paid on a monthly basis.
Gold Coast and GWS are closer to a flag than RFC.and MFC.
Its no secret that the AFL wants to"'change the landscape "" of the location of teams etc.
Reality is now its up to RFC and MFC to perform, time waits for nobody.

no club with 40,000 members will merge and in a crisis, more would come on board. Sheedy has no right to be peddling this poo.

[Mr Magic]

but Kev you thought we had a chance of winning the flag at the beginning of 2009?

[jackstar is back again]

but Kev you thought we had a chance of winning the flag at the beginning of 2009?

I agree, that was a weird statement

[Smokey]

but Kev you thought we had a chance of winning the flag at the beginning of 2009?

I agree, that was a weird statement

From a weird man.  Sheedy lost it a few years back and got the sack from Essendon because his performance in recruiting and developing young players had become poor.  A poor dig from a jilted lover methinks.

[tigersalive]

What a stuffwit, who actually suggests we are close to a flag????   ???   everyone knows we aren't so why bother Sheeds? 

But just because we are a few years away doesn't mean we should have to merge with anyone and Melbourne, after two very competitive games in a row must be even more flabbergasted by the timing of this article.

[WilliamPowell]

If you think K Sheedy isn't one bitter bloke you are dreaming - WPowell

Another poor effort by Sheeds who just seems to want to sink the boots into the RFC.

FACT = from a monetary sense the club looked after him very well last year in his "ambassador" role and this is the thanks we get because he thought he'd get the senior coaching good handed to him on a platter.. BITTER

[mat073]

Wow....really embarrassing Sheeds.

Kevin should just worry about his soon to be "white elephant"

[jackstar is back again]

you are all missing the point, forget about personal agendas, he actually is correct.

[jackstar is back again]

If you think K Sheedy isn't one bitter bloke you are dreaming - WPowell

Another poor effort by Sheeds who just seems to want to sink the boots into the RFC.

FACT = from a monetary sense the club looked after him very well last year in his "ambassador" role and this is the thanks we get because he thought he'd get the senior coaching good handed to him on a platter.. BITTER

Not really,during his time there as an ambassador , he realised he couldnt work with the nuffers there, and the  problems were too great
You all must think that the RFC is currently in a ""good place"'
ITS IN A MESS.
Members will start to vote with there feet.

[Go Richo 12]

you are all missing the point, forget about personal agendas, he actually is correct.

Jack, we will not be forced into a merger! Simple! There is too much support for us even if we are just a bunch of internet nuffers supporting a club run by nuffers! The loyalty, i wish everyone on here had, is too strong!