Read the full transcript from Tom Scully’s media conference held at AAMI Park on Friday
This has been in the headlines for about a month now. Where’s everything at with your contract and GWS?
“Obviously the club has a stance that we don’t comment on contracts and I’m taking that stance as well. I’ve got full confidence in the club and my management that we’ll work through that in due course. My main role is to get out there and play footy every week. I’m a contracted Melbourne player and I’m loving my time at the club. I look forward to the season ahead.”
How have you handled the last month?
“It’s been a learning experience for me. I was talking to Cameron Schwab yesterday and I was saying: ‘I’m just a 19-year-old guy in my second year of football’. I just want to get out there and play footy week-to-week. The contract is the furthest thing from my mind. My role is to play footy week-to-week and getting the best outcome for the Melbourne footy club.”
Can you confirm if there has been an approach from GWS to your management?
“No there has been no approach. Absolutely not.”
It must be tough to escape it? I’m imagining people are asking you everywhere you go and the season hasn’t even started yet.
“That’s right, but my main focus is playing footy week-to-week and all of that stuff is external and my main focus is just playing footy and getting out there and I’m really looking forward to season 2011.”
Are you prepared to deal with this all year, if you do put it off until the end of the season?
“I’m focused and driven on playing footy. The odds are that there are going to be players from all other clubs who fall out of contract and come under this speculation, so there’s not much you can do about it. I’ll keep saying that I’m playing footy and let the club and my management deal with that and I’ll put full trust and confidence that they’ll do that in due course.”
Why have you put off contract negotiations? Why not just get it sorted?
“Well in August last year, my management and I decided that I just wanted to play out my full two years at the club and just see how it goes. I’m half-way through my first contract, so again it’s not a focus of mine - I’ll leave that to my management and the club to sort out. Again, I’ve confidence that they’ll work through that and get the best outcome for everyone.”
At the end of careers, players talk about how pleased they were to be one-club players. How important is that to you?
“Absolutely important. I’d love to end my career and say that I was a one-club player and I anticipate that’ll be the case. The Melbourne footy club has given me a great opportunity and I’m very thankful that I’m in the position that I am. I wake up in the morning and I come to work and I love what I do. I’m just really looking forward to playing footy this year as well.”
Tom, who’s idea was the media conference and why?
“I met with the club and I thought it would be a good idea to give my stance on where I sit. The club has been very supportive of me and has given me the opportunity to speak and I’ve got absolutely nothing to hide. I feel that I should come out and say something and this is my stance.”
Have you got sick of the speculation?
“That’s not something I really think about. It’s up to you how much you read into it and look into it. I admit I read the papers sometimes, but I don’t really read into it too much. My main focus, as I say again, is just playing football and getting out there. I love the club and I love all of my teammates and I want to be part of the future going ahead at the Melbourne footy club.”
Do people say anything in the street or do your teammates give you a ribbing or anything?
“Everyone is pretty respectful, especially my teammates. They understand the situation. I’ve got full trust in my teammates and I’m sure they’ve got trust in me as well.”
Are you concerned that the speculation might eventually affect your form? You’re only human and like you said, you do read the papers and take it in.
“No doubt. I’ve played bad games before and I’ll play them again. But I can assure you it won’t be because of all of this stuff, which is going on. I can’t help what the media is writing and they’ll continue to write that. Again my main focus is that if I play a poor game, I can’t blame it on this, because I know it definitely won’t be because of this reason.”
Tom, what do you think when you read the papers and listen to the discussion on radio and they’re talking about $5 million for five years for a teenager?
“It’s absolutely surreal. Obviously someone like Gary Ablett or Chris Judd are probably worth that money, but in all honesty, it’s not something I think about. All of this money is just speculation. People are going to say that and write about it, but again, I’m not focused on that and I’m just focused on the things I can control.”
When you said you’ve had no approach, what about your father? He has been approached?
“No, absolutely not.”
So you’ve had no contact between GWS and the Scully family?
“I definitely haven’t spoken to GWS and I most certainly haven’t signed anything - certainly not.”
If you did sign something, would you let the club know? What’s your stance on that?
“Well, I haven’t signed anything and I haven't even had an approach. If I did have an approach, the club would be the first to know. I’ve been open and transparent with the club and they’ve been the same with me. We continue to have a great relationship.”
Is there any chance you’ll sign a new contract with Melbourne before the end of the season? Or is it definitely the end of the season, before you make any commitment?
“That’s [for] my management and I’ll leave that for my management and the club to sort out. They’re having ongoing discussions and I have full trust and confidence that they’ll come up with an outcome in due course.”
Do you understand where the speculation has come from if you’ve had no contact with Greater Western Sydney and you’re the player we’re (the media) constantly talking about?
“Absolutely not. I’ve got no idea where it’s coming from.”
Do you sense any frustration from Dean Bailey or the coaches or Tim Harrington about this hiatus in your career? And that they just want to move forward?
“Absolutely not. The club has been absolutely understanding of the situation and they’ve been fantastic towards me. Me and Dean [Bailey] have a great relationship and he’s a great mentor to me and we’ll continue to work together. I just want to learn as much as I can off him and all of the coaches and staff around the club have been fantastic.”
Have you had a chat with Jim Stynes about this at all? And if so, what has he said to you?
“Me and Jim had a chat last week and that was purely just to catch up and see how I was going. Obviously with his experience and knowledge of working with youth - it was a great opportunity, given the situation that Jim’s in. To take time and spend a bit of time with me was invaluable and I definitely take a lot away from that. It was very valuable time I spent with Jim.”
He lent on you a bit didn’t he?
“What about?”
He actually exerted some pressure about you - that you belong here and you should stay here and you should commit here?
“Of course. Jim’s the president of the club and he wants the best outcome for the club and for me to stay at the club would be a great outcome. I really feel like I want to repay the club for showing faith in me. To speak to Jim about that was fantastic, but I’m not going to go into what we discussed.”
How did it make you feel when there was that kind of pressure on you?
“I don’t feel pressure from the club at all.”
Would you consider an offer from GWS? The figure that has been thrown around is amazing for a 19-year-old? Is it something that you do have to consider?
“Well, if the time did come - and it hasn’t - I’d have to look into it, but again, it’s not a focus of mine and I’ll leave that to my management and the club to sort out.”
New clubs don’t come into the AFL every day? Someone is going to get rich at GWS? Is the money something that rolls around in your head?
“Absolutely not.”
How do you resist that kind of money though?
“Well, it goes back to your values. The Melbourne footy club gave me an opportunity and I do love the club and I do love playing here. And you can see where we’re going - we’re heading in the right direction both on and off the field. I want to be part of the future here.”
You’re saying all of the right things and Demon fans have got reason to be excited after what you’ve said today?
“No doubt, they should have confidence in the club and myself.”
Can we just clarify, you haven’t been approached and your family hasn’t been approached? Has you management been approached by GWS? “Absolutely not.”
Are you frustrated by the position you’re in?
“It’s inevitable. As I said, players are going to fall out of contract and with these new teams coming into the competition, players are going to be approached. But I haven’t been one of them.”
All of that aside, you must be stoked to be playing your first game of the year (drawing laughter from the media)?
“I thought that’s what we were here to talk about (drawing further laughter). I can’t wait to get there. It’s been a bit frustrating [because I missed] the NAB Cup with a knee niggle, but I’ll be out there tomorrow playing against Brisbane. I’m looking forward to it and hopefully the boys can get in some good form before round one.”
Do you feel you can let loose tomorrow or is the knee going to hold you back somewhat?
“No, it feels good. I’ll have a runaround later this morning and hopefully I’ll get out there and do my bit for the team.”
What happened with the knee? Was it something [that happened] at training?
“It was just a slight knock on the knee during the intra-club game and I pulled up a bit sore. So I obviously just wanted to make sure I got it really right before I started playing.”
This has been in the headlines for about a month now. Where’s everything at with your contract and GWS?
“Obviously the club has a stance that we don’t comment on contracts and I’m taking that stance as well. I’ve got full confidence in the club and my management that we’ll work through that in due course. My main role is to get out there and play footy every week. I’m a contracted Melbourne player and I’m loving my time at the club. I look forward to the season ahead.”
How have you handled the last month?
“It’s been a learning experience for me. I was talking to Cameron Schwab yesterday and I was saying: ‘I’m just a 19-year-old guy in my second year of football’. I just want to get out there and play footy week-to-week. The contract is the furthest thing from my mind. My role is to play footy week-to-week and getting the best outcome for the Melbourne footy club.”
Can you confirm if there has been an approach from GWS to your management?
“No there has been no approach. Absolutely not.”
It must be tough to escape it? I’m imagining people are asking you everywhere you go and the season hasn’t even started yet.
“That’s right, but my main focus is playing footy week-to-week and all of that stuff is external and my main focus is just playing footy and getting out there and I’m really looking forward to season 2011.”
Are you prepared to deal with this all year, if you do put it off until the end of the season?
“I’m focused and driven on playing footy. The odds are that there are going to be players from all other clubs who fall out of contract and come under this speculation, so there’s not much you can do about it. I’ll keep saying that I’m playing footy and let the club and my management deal with that and I’ll put full trust and confidence that they’ll do that in due course.”
Why have you put off contract negotiations? Why not just get it sorted?
“Well in August last year, my management and I decided that I just wanted to play out my full two years at the club and just see how it goes. I’m half-way through my first contract, so again it’s not a focus of mine - I’ll leave that to my management and the club to sort out. Again, I’ve confidence that they’ll work through that and get the best outcome for everyone.”
At the end of careers, players talk about how pleased they were to be one-club players. How important is that to you?
“Absolutely important. I’d love to end my career and say that I was a one-club player and I anticipate that’ll be the case. The Melbourne footy club has given me a great opportunity and I’m very thankful that I’m in the position that I am. I wake up in the morning and I come to work and I love what I do. I’m just really looking forward to playing footy this year as well.”
Tom, who’s idea was the media conference and why?
“I met with the club and I thought it would be a good idea to give my stance on where I sit. The club has been very supportive of me and has given me the opportunity to speak and I’ve got absolutely nothing to hide. I feel that I should come out and say something and this is my stance.”
Have you got sick of the speculation?
“That’s not something I really think about. It’s up to you how much you read into it and look into it. I admit I read the papers sometimes, but I don’t really read into it too much. My main focus, as I say again, is just playing football and getting out there. I love the club and I love all of my teammates and I want to be part of the future going ahead at the Melbourne footy club.”
Do people say anything in the street or do your teammates give you a ribbing or anything?
“Everyone is pretty respectful, especially my teammates. They understand the situation. I’ve got full trust in my teammates and I’m sure they’ve got trust in me as well.”
Are you concerned that the speculation might eventually affect your form? You’re only human and like you said, you do read the papers and take it in.
“No doubt. I’ve played bad games before and I’ll play them again. But I can assure you it won’t be because of all of this stuff, which is going on. I can’t help what the media is writing and they’ll continue to write that. Again my main focus is that if I play a poor game, I can’t blame it on this, because I know it definitely won’t be because of this reason.”
Tom, what do you think when you read the papers and listen to the discussion on radio and they’re talking about $5 million for five years for a teenager?
“It’s absolutely surreal. Obviously someone like Gary Ablett or Chris Judd are probably worth that money, but in all honesty, it’s not something I think about. All of this money is just speculation. People are going to say that and write about it, but again, I’m not focused on that and I’m just focused on the things I can control.”
When you said you’ve had no approach, what about your father? He has been approached?
“No, absolutely not.”
So you’ve had no contact between GWS and the Scully family?
“I definitely haven’t spoken to GWS and I most certainly haven’t signed anything - certainly not.”
If you did sign something, would you let the club know? What’s your stance on that?
“Well, I haven’t signed anything and I haven't even had an approach. If I did have an approach, the club would be the first to know. I’ve been open and transparent with the club and they’ve been the same with me. We continue to have a great relationship.”
Is there any chance you’ll sign a new contract with Melbourne before the end of the season? Or is it definitely the end of the season, before you make any commitment?
“That’s [for] my management and I’ll leave that for my management and the club to sort out. They’re having ongoing discussions and I have full trust and confidence that they’ll come up with an outcome in due course.”
Do you understand where the speculation has come from if you’ve had no contact with Greater Western Sydney and you’re the player we’re (the media) constantly talking about?
“Absolutely not. I’ve got no idea where it’s coming from.”
Do you sense any frustration from Dean Bailey or the coaches or Tim Harrington about this hiatus in your career? And that they just want to move forward?
“Absolutely not. The club has been absolutely understanding of the situation and they’ve been fantastic towards me. Me and Dean [Bailey] have a great relationship and he’s a great mentor to me and we’ll continue to work together. I just want to learn as much as I can off him and all of the coaches and staff around the club have been fantastic.”
Have you had a chat with Jim Stynes about this at all? And if so, what has he said to you?
“Me and Jim had a chat last week and that was purely just to catch up and see how I was going. Obviously with his experience and knowledge of working with youth - it was a great opportunity, given the situation that Jim’s in. To take time and spend a bit of time with me was invaluable and I definitely take a lot away from that. It was very valuable time I spent with Jim.”
He lent on you a bit didn’t he?
“What about?”
He actually exerted some pressure about you - that you belong here and you should stay here and you should commit here?
“Of course. Jim’s the president of the club and he wants the best outcome for the club and for me to stay at the club would be a great outcome. I really feel like I want to repay the club for showing faith in me. To speak to Jim about that was fantastic, but I’m not going to go into what we discussed.”
How did it make you feel when there was that kind of pressure on you?
“I don’t feel pressure from the club at all.”
Would you consider an offer from GWS? The figure that has been thrown around is amazing for a 19-year-old? Is it something that you do have to consider?
“Well, if the time did come - and it hasn’t - I’d have to look into it, but again, it’s not a focus of mine and I’ll leave that to my management and the club to sort out.”
New clubs don’t come into the AFL every day? Someone is going to get rich at GWS? Is the money something that rolls around in your head?
“Absolutely not.”
How do you resist that kind of money though?
“Well, it goes back to your values. The Melbourne footy club gave me an opportunity and I do love the club and I do love playing here. And you can see where we’re going - we’re heading in the right direction both on and off the field. I want to be part of the future here.”
You’re saying all of the right things and Demon fans have got reason to be excited after what you’ve said today?
“No doubt, they should have confidence in the club and myself.”
Can we just clarify, you haven’t been approached and your family hasn’t been approached? Has you management been approached by GWS? “Absolutely not.”
Are you frustrated by the position you’re in?
“It’s inevitable. As I said, players are going to fall out of contract and with these new teams coming into the competition, players are going to be approached. But I haven’t been one of them.”
All of that aside, you must be stoked to be playing your first game of the year (drawing laughter from the media)?
“I thought that’s what we were here to talk about (drawing further laughter). I can’t wait to get there. It’s been a bit frustrating [because I missed] the NAB Cup with a knee niggle, but I’ll be out there tomorrow playing against Brisbane. I’m looking forward to it and hopefully the boys can get in some good form before round one.”
Do you feel you can let loose tomorrow or is the knee going to hold you back somewhat?
“No, it feels good. I’ll have a runaround later this morning and hopefully I’ll get out there and do my bit for the team.”
What happened with the knee? Was it something [that happened] at training?
“It was just a slight knock on the knee during the intra-club game and I pulled up a bit sore. So I obviously just wanted to make sure I got it really right before I started playing.”
