“DON’T underestimate the ability of an AFL club to move on quickly and that’s our responsibility now. Our responsibility is to get the best compensation we can and we believe the rules will look after that.”
CHIEF executive Cameron Schwab wasn’t beating around the bush when he spoke about Melbourne’s prospects of gaining maximum compensation for losing 2009 No.1 NAB AFL Draft pick Tom Scully to Greater Western Sydney.
Schwab, speaking at AAMI Park on Monday, said the system of attracting players to expansion clubs Gold Coast Suns and Greater Western Sydney was always going to hurt rival clubs at some point.
Despite this thought, he remains adamant Melbourne will gain some strong compensation in return.
“When you’re bringing in two new teams into the competition, there is going to be pain at some point,” Schwab said.
“Pain was felt by clubs last year when they lost senior players and it’s been felt by our club and other clubs this year, when they’ve lost younger players.
“You don’t invent two new teams out of nothing in regards to the actual player list and they have to come from somewhere.
“That is a price our competition has paid for expansion over the years.”
Schwab acknowledged clubs were aware the rules could come back and hurt clubs.
“We got through it last year with the Gold Coast and we’ve paid a price here, but in the meantime, we’ve managed to sign every other player on our list,” he said.
“We’re now protected from this particular issue and we’ve still got the great optimism of what our list can actually produce.”
Although Scully had long been linked with GWS, Schwab was positive the now former Demon would stay at Melbourne until last weekend.
“When we realised the offer had gone out to a sixth year and the amount of money, which was actually brought into the first year, we got a bit shaky at that point,” he said.
“We were asking and pushing with him for a decision to be actually taken and last weekend was going to be an important time for us.
“It seemed to me that there was a big push in the last 24 hours or so and that’s when our confidence started to wane.”
Scully, who signed a six-year deal with GWS, informed coach Todd Viney and football director Garry Lyon about his decision to leave Melbourne.
Schwab confirmed Scully was offered a five-year contract by Melbourne.
He also said he could understand Melbourne supporters being frustrated with Scully's decision.
“I can understand our fans being disappointed, but I think there is a more resilient group of fans than the Melbourne Football Club fans,” Schwab said.
“The supporters of our club have found around $6 million of their own money to ensure that the club was actually debt free - they’ve shown their love of the club.
“And they’ll bounce back.”
CHIEF executive Cameron Schwab wasn’t beating around the bush when he spoke about Melbourne’s prospects of gaining maximum compensation for losing 2009 No.1 NAB AFL Draft pick Tom Scully to Greater Western Sydney.
Schwab, speaking at AAMI Park on Monday, said the system of attracting players to expansion clubs Gold Coast Suns and Greater Western Sydney was always going to hurt rival clubs at some point.
Despite this thought, he remains adamant Melbourne will gain some strong compensation in return.
“When you’re bringing in two new teams into the competition, there is going to be pain at some point,” Schwab said.
“Pain was felt by clubs last year when they lost senior players and it’s been felt by our club and other clubs this year, when they’ve lost younger players.
“You don’t invent two new teams out of nothing in regards to the actual player list and they have to come from somewhere.
“That is a price our competition has paid for expansion over the years.”
Schwab acknowledged clubs were aware the rules could come back and hurt clubs.
“We got through it last year with the Gold Coast and we’ve paid a price here, but in the meantime, we’ve managed to sign every other player on our list,” he said.
“We’re now protected from this particular issue and we’ve still got the great optimism of what our list can actually produce.”
Although Scully had long been linked with GWS, Schwab was positive the now former Demon would stay at Melbourne until last weekend.
“When we realised the offer had gone out to a sixth year and the amount of money, which was actually brought into the first year, we got a bit shaky at that point,” he said.
“We were asking and pushing with him for a decision to be actually taken and last weekend was going to be an important time for us.
“It seemed to me that there was a big push in the last 24 hours or so and that’s when our confidence started to wane.”
Scully, who signed a six-year deal with GWS, informed coach Todd Viney and football director Garry Lyon about his decision to leave Melbourne.
Schwab confirmed Scully was offered a five-year contract by Melbourne.
He also said he could understand Melbourne supporters being frustrated with Scully's decision.
“I can understand our fans being disappointed, but I think there is a more resilient group of fans than the Melbourne Football Club fans,” Schwab said.
“The supporters of our club have found around $6 million of their own money to ensure that the club was actually debt free - they’ve shown their love of the club.
“And they’ll bounce back.”
