Troubled AFL club Melbourne’s chief executive officer Cameron Schwab has resigned on Tuesday, the 2013 AFL campaign claiming its first victim.
Schwab’s departure comes after Melbourne’s disastrous start to the season, in which they have been heavily beaten in the opening two matches.
The Demons were booed off the MCG for the second consecutive week following a 148-point thrashing at the hands of Essendon on Saturday.
Melbourne’s season had looked ugly even before that loss, when it was hammered by 79 points by Port Adelaide in its opening clash six days earlier.
“[President] Don [McLardy] put it to me that it was in the best interests of the Melbourne Football Club that I resign of chief executive of the club and … I have tendered my resignation,” Schwab told reporters at the MCG.
McLardy said the Melbourne Football Club board would meet in the next 24 to 48 hours to discuss Schwab’s replacement.
“It was a difficult discussion with Cameron but I want to pay tribute to the mature way he handled the discussion,” McLardy said.
“We’ve been through a lot together, some of those things self-inflicted and some of those no problems of our own … but we fought those through.
“But we came to a point where I felt we had to put the best interests of our club first going forward.
“Our footy club off the field has endured an unbelievable two or three years, the business has grown in that time despite our on-field performance.”
Kev
Guest
What a strange decision. They extended his contract by 3 years at the end of last year and yet, a few months and 2 big losses later they suddenly decided that he isn't the best man for the job? Seems like an attempt to save face and show the public that they are doing something even if it's nothing.
checkside
Guest
Three thoughts. Has anyone considered an apology for Dean Bailey? He carried the can "alone" for a lot of this. When the club sacks Mark Neeld (and it should) who is crazy enough to do the job - maybe Paul Roos with Sheedy as a manager. Also if the Melbourne Demons cannot get themselves out of this hole in the future why not become the Tassie Devils.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
A man that was next to nowhere over the last few months in a time when they needed the people at the top to stand up and take responsibility. He stayed in the job far too long. Melbourne should have sacked BOTH Schwab and Bailey. The club may have looked like it had "imploded", but it could have turned out a lot better in the long run. I feel sorry for the players, especially the captains Trengove and Grimes. I feel sorry for the coach, Neeld hasn't got much to work with on and off field. I feel sorry for the fans, who have been on a return flight to hell on too many numerous occasions. Biggest question is - who really wants the job?
PortBoy
Guest
Merge with another team? Maybe Hawks -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
vocans
Guest
As a croweater I say a strong Dees in Melbourne is crucial.
Scuba
Guest
Could be proven wrong in a few weeks, but they can hardly sack Neeld - what decent candidate would take the job? The Dees got it wrong when they sacked Bailey and kept Schwab, hopefully this is the first step in the right direction. Connolly has to be next. I'm not a Melbourne supporter (Hawks through and through) but watching Melbourne last week was awful as a neutral.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Surely would.
langou
Roar Guru
I imagine his best mate Chris may be a little bit nervous right now
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Its a good start.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
When a club starts failing, there are steps to go through. First the coach mixes up the players. If turning over players doesn't work then you turn over the coaching staff. If turning over the coaching staff doesn't work then you turn over the CEO, President and other executives. This was entirely necessary and inevitable.
Rusty Of Fremantle
Guest
Schwab simply had to go, and deserves to hang his head in shame. He has a long history of failure, wasted draft picks, diabolical trades, and under achievement. Player development was virtually non-existent under Schwabs reign over 4 lengthy stints at 3 clubs. How he got back to Mebourne in 2008 is a mystery. The granting of a 3 year extension to Schwab in late 2012, however, following on from last season's results and club turmoil both on and off the field can only be described as being nothing short of bewildering. Those associated wth that extension should be the next escorted to the scrap heap. On a positive note, early repayment of Schwabs' personal loan of 140K should also help the Dee's balance sheet.
Glenn Mitchell
Expert
One of the few truly positive things the Melbourne FC has done in recent times. Surely no other AFL club will be game to touch a man with a track record like his.
Jason Cave
Guest
Should have gone last year after the Skilled Stadium massacre. What happened-instead of the Demons sacking the CEO, they sougt th easy way out and dismissed the coach. Now Schwab has gone, one year too late. How woul Dean Bailey be geeling now?
Australian Rules
Guest
Reasonable start.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
McLardy should be next