CHIEF executive Cameron Schwab says Melbourne’s 2011 season was a reality check.
Speaking at Melbourne’s AGM at the MCG on Wednesday night, Schwab said the club was back on track after a disappointing and much-publicised season.
“For much of the 2011 year, the game actually reminded us about how tough and challenging it is,” he said.
“It was a year of hope, but in the end it was remembered more for the disappointments - and that’s at many levels.
“It was also a year where, for one reason or another, our integrity as a club was also questioned, in a way which no one thought was possible.”
Schwab said Melbourne, under new coach Mark Neeld, is hungry to bounce back hard in 2012 and beyond. But he acknowledged that riding some bumps along the way was part of it.
“We’re a very determined football club,” he said.
“It’s never been as easy for Melbourne as perhaps people think it is. And there is a determination that we’ve actually got, which has been modelled by our President.
“It’s hard to imagine a more determined individual on the greatest ground out there [on the MCG] than Jim Stynes. And it’s a determination that won’t be swayed by public opinion, particularly from those who don’t necessarily share the vision we have for our club.”
Speaking at Melbourne’s AGM at the MCG on Wednesday night, Schwab said the club was back on track after a disappointing and much-publicised season.
“For much of the 2011 year, the game actually reminded us about how tough and challenging it is,” he said.
“It was a year of hope, but in the end it was remembered more for the disappointments - and that’s at many levels.
“It was also a year where, for one reason or another, our integrity as a club was also questioned, in a way which no one thought was possible.”
Schwab said Melbourne, under new coach Mark Neeld, is hungry to bounce back hard in 2012 and beyond. But he acknowledged that riding some bumps along the way was part of it.
“We’re a very determined football club,” he said.
“It’s never been as easy for Melbourne as perhaps people think it is. And there is a determination that we’ve actually got, which has been modelled by our President.
“It’s hard to imagine a more determined individual on the greatest ground out there [on the MCG] than Jim Stynes. And it’s a determination that won’t be swayed by public opinion, particularly from those who don’t necessarily share the vision we have for our club.”
