TOPIC:

DD wrote: It's a classic case of mental health being so front and centre these days I have no doubt that is behind McLaughlin's decision to offer him the opportunity to present the Norm Smith. I assume that is if Essendon make the GF and an Essendon player wins it? Won't happen anyway. But it's way too early for mine. Let Essendon welcome him back to the club by all means. I think he's already writing a column in one of the rags over there and no doubt he'll pop up in a media gig in some capacity soon, most likely on radio at first.

But he shouldn't be one bit surprised if many or most have not forgiven him. If I was an Essendon fan I certainly wouldn't have forgiven him. But more importantly Essendon are on the right track and putting it behind them.

What I find most interesting is the players, those affected most by the entire debacle are generally still very warm towards Hird. From observation they continue to show support and respect towards James which would indicate they do not lay the blame at his feet. The big issue for me is how can the AFL let the Weapon Dean Robinson back in to their system. Now that decision has me completely baffled

Dirty Weekender wrote:

DD wrote: It's a classic case of mental health being so front and centre these days I have no doubt that is behind McLaughlin's decision to offer him the opportunity to present the Norm Smith. I assume that is if Essendon make the GF and an Essendon player wins it? Won't happen anyway. But it's way too early for mine. Let Essendon welcome him back to the club by all means. I think he's already writing a column in one of the rags over there and no doubt he'll pop up in a media gig in some capacity soon, most likely on radio at first.

But he shouldn't be one bit surprised if many or most have not forgiven him. If I was an Essendon fan I certainly wouldn't have forgiven him. But more importantly Essendon are on the right track and putting it behind them.

What I find most interesting is the players, those affected most by the entire debacle are generally still very warm towards Hird. From observation they continue to show support and respect towards James which would indicate they do not lay the blame at his feet. The big issue for me is how can the AFL let the Weapon Dean Robinson back in to their system. Now that decision has me completely baffled

I believe he is at NRL club Roosters where his brother is coach DW...nothing should suprise about that so called sport!

Beasley Hutton wrote:

Dirty Weekender wrote:

DD wrote: It's a classic case of mental health being so front and centre these days I have no doubt that is behind McLaughlin's decision to offer him the opportunity to present the Norm Smith. I assume that is if Essendon make the GF and an Essendon player wins it? Won't happen anyway. But it's way too early for mine. Let Essendon welcome him back to the club by all means. I think he's already writing a column in one of the rags over there and no doubt he'll pop up in a media gig in some capacity soon, most likely on radio at first.

But he shouldn't be one bit surprised if many or most have not forgiven him. If I was an Essendon fan I certainly wouldn't have forgiven him. But more importantly Essendon are on the right track and putting it behind them.

What I find most interesting is the players, those affected most by the entire debacle are generally still very warm towards Hird. From observation they continue to show support and respect towards James which would indicate they do not lay the blame at his feet. The big issue for me is how can the AFL let the Weapon Dean Robinson back in to their system. Now that decision has me completely baffled

I believe he is at NRL club Roosters where his brother is coach DW...nothing should suprise about that so called sport!

Read somewhere the AFL gave recommendation that he be allowed to continue working in his field. How this bloke wasn't banned for life is the real stain of the whole saga for me...on the inside of afl was tagged the weapon for good reason

As an aside I wonder if the AFL and their HR dept will be involved in the process of choosing the new WA Colts coaches?
Considering the events of the last week or so out of AFL House it would be a sure bet that the likes of Robert Muir & Wayne Carey would be high up in their candidates!

I wonder what Norm Smith would think? To find out, all you have to do is read a little bit about Max Walker. The reason Max does not drink was because, he and Smith's son received a dressing down by him for coming in piddlled one night. It was a severe tongue lashing on the best way to live apparently, and it stayed with Max all his life. For that reason alone, it should not happen as you are affectting someone else's good name through no fault of his own. The medeal is about rememberring Norm Smith. It is ridiculous idea to even consider Hird presentting such a medal.

Why is there are past player involved anyway? As usual the Victorians have it the wrong way around, the medal should be presentted by someone from the Smith family or the Melbourne footbal club. That, is why in this state, John Todd presents his own medal. The whole thing is very civlised indeed as a result.

Life is not all about James, but James thinks life is about James, an attitude which got him into the touble in the first place.

ArkRoyal wrote: I wonder what Norm Smith would think? To find out, all you have to do is read a little bit about Max Walker. The reason Max does not drink was because, he and Smith's son received a dressing down by him for coming in piddlled one night. It was a severe tongue lashing on the best way to live apparently, and it stayed with Max all his life. For that reason alone, it should not happen as you are affectting someone else's good name through no fault of his own. The medeal is about rememberring Norm Smith. It is ridiculous idea to even consider Hird presentting such a medal. .

Life is not all about James, but James thinks life is about James, an attitude which got him into the touble in the first place.

Assume you know James personally to have such an opinion Ark...according to Kevin Sheedy James is one of the most honest integral people he's ever known...until you meet and know a man a bit unfair to judge him based on the opinions of others with an agenda in any walk of life.

DW: not harsh at all especially given the evidence, and the evidence that was destroyed during the saga -- even Essendon's own enquiry found that evidence had been destroyed. Keep in mind DW, I would be less oppossed if the medal did not have Smith's name attached to it. Like I said, it is not just about Hird.

ArkRoyal wrote: DW: not harsh at all especially given the evidence, and the evidence that was destroyed during the saga -- even Essendon's own enquiry found that evidence had been destroyed. Keep in mind DW, I would be less oppossed if the medal did not have Smith's name attached to it. Like I said, it is not just about Hird.

Yep Paul Hamilton has a lot to answer for

Did Hird win a Norm Smith fairly and squarely...I believe he did hence he gets to present it this year as per the normal practice. He is under no current suspension of the AFL. Has Hird paid penance for mistakes that were made at Essendon by the entire heirarchy of which Hird was one part. The fact that the opportunity to coach will never again be a possibility for him is a bloody big price he will have to carry all of his days. Do I want to see a man kicked over and over when he is down, no i do not. As for lance Hamilton he has absolutely no relevance to Australia or our football code so why would we have him awarding anything. In his field he has had his wins removed from the records whilst I believe Hird is still a recognised recipient of a norm smith. Will you boo Hird as he presents the medal or applaud the winner of the norm smith in his moment? As a lover of footy I hope you'll be applauding the winner rather than venting your hatred.

I'm not venting my hatred DW, I'm venting my disgust. The Lance Armstrong analogy is about - do we allow a drug cheat present an award? He's a great role model to the kids, isn't he???? And no DW, I would not and do not boo anyone. Dislike, yes. Boo, no. Anyway, I will agree to disagree with you on this.

Grassy wrote: Just backtracking a bit and I know it wasn't your motivation Shark,in calling the Award,The Victorian Medal.

But let's just remember who the Medal was named after and why.

Norm Smith aka The Red Fox.

4 Time Premiership Player and 6 Time Premiership Coach at Melbourne,providing the Red and The Blues with 10 of their 12 Senior Premierships.A Brilliant player and Genius Coach.

There may have been 1 or 2 other challengers on an All Round Basis,such as his Devout Pupil and Master himself in Ron Barassi and even Jock McHale.But the VFL chose Norm Smith to honour for the Best on Ground for the Grand Final and if there were any doubts,when it changed to the AFL after the 1989 Season,nothing changed then and for once,the AFL has it right,in not changing it ever.

We Resent Victorians and many within this State pushing for change to the WAFL,but seem somewhat Disrespectfull when it comes to the past History of Victorian Footy.

Grassy let's analyse the last few sentences in your post. The aforementioned player played in the VFL not the AFL. Why don't we name the medal the Simpson Medal or the SANFL's equivalent rather than the aforementioned medal? Personally, when the Victorians start respect our WAFL history, legends then I may be more inclined to treat their supposed legends with any thing more than indifference..

As for J Hird: I think that there would be a greater tendency to forgiveness if there had been some semblance of genuine contrition on his part.

As for the AFL's motivation perhaps best described without indulging in potential libel as nothing more nor less than self-interest.