It seems that not a day can go by without an article being published debating the impending Tom Scully decision and frankly, I’ve had enough.
There is little if any doubt that this will certainly be the biggest talking point once the footy off season commences – at least when Melbourne commences theirs.
However, the constant scrutiny and speculation that continues to hound Scully has become tiresome and dare I say it, boring. Not to mention the effect it must be having on the 20 year old himself.
On numerous occasions both Scully and his management have insisted any decision made by the player will be made public at the end of Melbourne’s 2011 campaign. That should be where it starts and ends.
This week it was officially announced that GWS have in fact made an offer to Scully – as if we didn’t already know.
Despite this, those in the player’s corner remain defiant that no announcement will be made yet.
There are so many chiefs weighing in to the decision Scully must make on his future that one wonders whether they are forgetting he is not only a young boy with an AFL career in its infancy but is still at present contracted to the Melbourne Football Club.
The AFL has instigated this entire situation with the concessions and draft picks afforded to the two new franchises.
Whilst we all understand that they were and still are hell bent on not reliving the Brisbane Bears debacle, what they have created is an unfair and intrusive environment for young players like Scully.
The rules clearly state that the new franchises must not sign any player until the end of the season but there is no rule that outlaws initiating discussions with the management of all targeted players. Therein lays the problem.
Scully has said all season that he has not signed any deal with GWS and it’s time he was taken at his word.
It has been reported by those in Melbourne’s inner sanctum that Scully has become distressed that the footy world, media and public believe he has lied from day one.
How on earth must this young boy be concentrating on his current role at Melbourne with the endless speculation and innuendo of where his future lies?
Surely, what should be front and centre in Scully’s mind is Melbourne’s next opponent not sitting in the offices of his employer in a distressed state.
Now, there are reports of third party deals to assist in keeping him a Demon – much like those that led Chris Judd to Carlton.
In the same paper, Eddie McGuire has again thrown his two cents in – as only Eddie can – and slammed what others believe to be adequate compensation for the Demons if Scully is to depart.
Of course McGuire was only making comment to compare the compensation to what the Magpies might be entitled to if Dale Thomas opts for more money at GWS. But that’s Eddie for you.
Scully is grappling with being labeled disloyal or money hungry for the rest of his career. How unfair. Imagine that sort of pressure for a 20 year old.
The bottom line is this. Tom Scully is a kid doing his darndest to forge a successful career as an AFL footballer.
He should be allowed to do this until the end of the season when he is free and able, with a clear head, to make whatever decision are in his best interests – not Melbourne’s and not GWS.
The enormous sums of money he could earn in Sydney will surely be making him excited but he has a job to do and that is playing great footy for Melbourne.
The huge cash offer and GWS aren’t going anywhere. Neither is Scully and neither is Melbourne. So why not leave the kid alone for eight weeks.
At least then, he will have had some time without unnecessary distractions to talk with his family and his own club to work out what is best for him and no one else.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
He doesn't have any obligation to sign a contract until the end of the season, and has said that he wants to wait until the end of the season before making a decision. As such, the story should be on hold until then.
jim taylor
Guest
I believe that this young man will stay at melbourne football club and will one day captain this famous club Jim Taylor
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
18.7 When a first year Player is first drafted by an AFL Club, that Player and the AFL Club shall enter into a playing contract for a minimum term of two years except in the case of a Player who has previously been drafted as a Rookie or where the Player is over 23 years of age by 31 December in the year in which he is selected by a Club. Thats the relevant CBA clause. Says it has to be a minimum term of two years, and nothing about a maximum length. http://aflpa.com.au/sites/all/files/AFLPA_AFL_CBA_2007_2011_FINAL.pdf
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
AlfredC, He was a number one draft pick. The best kid in the country, in Melbourne's scouting staffs opinion. Melbourne protected their football club from the risk of their scouting staff being utterly inept, and thus took the risk of the kid going elsewhere. How often do we hear of players told to 'back themselves' ? Melbourne refused to back their own scouting staff, and now they are either going to have to overpay to keep him, or lose him to GWS.
Alfred Chan
Expert
That's a big call Ian. 4-5 years for a professionally unproven player whom the club has had no previous ties with. Melbourne offered both Trengove and Scully 3 years contracts. Scully rejected it and while Trengove accepted it. It's not a matter of letting a player get out of contract, It's about protecting your football club from the risks of drafting players. Take Nic Natanui for example. He was signed onto the regular two year contract but he was resigned a few games into his career for a contract extension. I can't say this with any authority but based on Scully first dozen games, Melbourne surely offered a contract extension which Scully would have rejected meaning he had a GWS back up plan from as early as his draft day. Dustin Martin was faced with the identical issue and Richmond managed him excellently. He has now become my favorite player at Richmond. I still feel Scully has bought all this upon himself. With his potential salary at GWS, the stress may only be a minor cost. For all we know, there may not be any stress at all. He might be rolling around in a room full of $100 notes as we speak.
Matt F
Guest
In fairness to Melbourne it was Scully who requested to delay talks until the end of the season. It's all well and good to say "don't let them get out of contract" but you can't negotiate with a player who, for now at least, doesn't want to come to the table. Also aren't all draftees automatically put on a 2 year contract? I wasn't aware melbourne were able to offer him a 4-5 year deal at the time he was drafted. I don't think it's unreasonable for Melbourne to wait until a draftees' second year before renegotiating a contract.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
AlfredC, And if Melbourne had shown an ounce of loyalty to him he would not have been on a two-year, rent-a-player contract - he'd be on a four- or five-year deal with mutually agreed salary escalators based on performance statistics. If you dont want to lose your good players, dont let them go out of contract.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Scully's decision has further impact on other clubs beside GWS and Melbourne. There is so much speculation from 3rd party onlookers because his decision may have a major impetus on their club too. If Scully turns down $5m over 5 years, that money will then be offered to some another up-and-coming youngster. No one wants to loose their next potential captain so if Scully takes the money and the title of marquee player, other clubs can breathe a sigh of relief. Scully had the option of avoiding all the stress and speculation which has followed him and will continue to follow him. All he had to do was sign on with Melbourne and the story would be over.