Schwarz: Dees need more change

David Schwarz has forecast more change at the Dees. Picture: Fiona Hamilton Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE great David Schwarz has forecast more change than just the sacking of chief executive Cameron Schwab at his old club, following the Dees' disastrous start to 2013.

Schwarz highlighted Port Adelaide's undefeated opening to the season as proof of what rejuvenation could produce.

"There will be more changes. There has to be," Schwarz said on SEN.

Why Mark Neeld is under pressure

"You have to remember Cameron Schwab was a part of the recruitment of (coach) Mark Neeld,'' he said.

"He was one of four people involved in that recruiting process. He would be feeling responsibility.''

Last off-season the Power appointed a new president, new coach and invested heavily in youth at the national draft to plant the building blocks of its next era.

Schwab: The buck stops with me

Schwarz said Port Adelaide went through a similar predicament to the Dees last year before "coming out the other end".

"So, there might be light at the end of the tunnel."

Demons president Don McLardy asked Schwab to resign despite ensuring the club would make no rash changes on Sunday, just 12 hours after the record-breaking 148-point loss to Essendon.

He today gave similar support to Neeld, declaring: "Mark Neeld is not on notice.''

Schwab was re-signed on a three-year contract last year, while Neeld - 24 games into his coaching tenure - has a deal until the end of 2014.

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No Dee is safe

Melbourne FC has confirmed the resignation of chief executive Cameron Schwab after a disastrous start to the season

Melbourne CEO Cameron Schwab faces the media with club president Don McClardy after resigning his position at the Demons. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Picture: David Mcarthur Source: Herald Sun

OUSTED Melbourne chief Cameron Schwab may be just the first head to roll as the AFL's oldest club lurches deeper into its greatest crisis.

After Melbourne lost its first two games of the season by a total of 227 points, Demons president Don McLardy refused to guarantee anyone's job.

"Everyone in our football club is under extreme pressure. We're all accountable for what's happening at our club," McLardy said last night after accepting Schwab's resignation, two years into a four-year renegotiated contract.

Schwarz: Dees need more change

"The board will meet in the next 24 to 48 hours and we'll work out our pathway forward from here."

On whether coach Mark Neeld's job was under threat, McLardy said: "No, Mark Neeld is not on notice at all."

Neeld, his assistant coaches and the entire playing group met at Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula last night for a bonding session amid the turmoil.

Jack Grimes and Nathan Jones after the match Picture: Harman Stephen Source: Herald Sun

"We're all accountable. Our job as a board is to look at what's best for the footy club," McLardy said.

"For many reasons, we have a divided supporter base. We've got a lot of issues within our members and supporters who are looking at us and saying what is the pathway forward.

Why coach Mark Neeld should be nervous

"And we must offer them hope and change, and we need clear eyes to have a look at where we're at.

"The unity of our club is absolutely vital.

Melbourne CEO Cameron Schwab faces the media with club president Don McClardy after resigning his position at the Demons. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

"I'm not worried at all about the business side of the club. It's sound and solid, but clearly our football performance is not acceptable. And the CEO is head of the organisation."

Schwab, who spent 15 years at the Demons after starting as an office boy, said he accepted the decision that forced his hand yesterday.

"Am I a scapegoat?" he asked. "I know how the system works. My role as a CEO is to build a club which has an ultimate objective of winning games of footy.

"I'm four years in where we've lost by over 200 points in the last two games. And that's an unforgiving situation. I knew the pressure would be on.

"This game makes decisions on people's lives every day, and it just so happens we're here talking about mine today.

"We'll be talking about someone else's tomorrow because it's a performance-based industry.

"In terms of where the club is at the moment, it is difficult, the losses.

"And this club will bounce back, don't worry about that.

"It's a much better and stronger club than it's representing itself at this time."

McLardy said he planned to contact AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou today to discuss the Demons' plight.

"I've spoken to the AFL regularly. I left a message for him and I'll be speaking with Andrew over the next couple of days.

"We make our own decisions on our football club," McLardy said.

Melbourne CEO Cameron Schwab faces the media with club president Don McClardy after resigning his position at the Demons this morning. April 9, 2013. Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

SCHWAB FILE
CEO: 451 games
WINS: 164
WIN-LOSS RATIO: 36%
FINALS SERIES: 3
COACHES SACKED: 4 (Kevin Bartlett, Neil Balme, Chris Connolly, Dean Bailey)

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Magpies probe racist slurs on Yarran

Carlton star Chris Yarran in action on Sunday. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

TWO Collingwood members face an indefinite ban over allegations they racially abused Carlton player Chris Yarran during Sunday's AFL blockbuster at the MCG.

It is claimed that one of the men called Yarran a "petrol sniffer" and the other said he was a "black ----" after he scored a goal.

Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert said last night the club had launched an investigation after receiving a formal complaint from a Magpie member that offensive language was used towards a Carlton player.

"We have been advised of the seat numbers of the two club members who allegedly racially vilified the Carlton player," Pert said.

The alleged slurs happened during Sunday's AFL match between Collingwood and Carlton. Photo: Getty Images

"Several members of the crowd have claimed the language was highly offensive and we are now making contact with other members who may have been within earshot. I would encourage anyone who was at the game and witness to the alleged behaviour to contact the club.

"Our position on vilification is absolute. If the allegations are proven, memberships of the offenders will be cancelled indefinitely."

The Magpies have zero tolerance to racism and withdrew the membership of a 20-year-old who called Nigerian-born Gold Coast player Joel Wilkinson a "monkey" during a game at the MCG last July.

Collingwood member Ray Stewart, with wife Jacqui, labelled the slurs "disgraceful". Picture: Jon Hargest

Magpie Dale Thomas pledged his support to Wilkinson as they walked off the ground and then lodged an official complaint.

Another Collingwood member, Ray Stewart, said yesterday he contacted the complaint line at the MCG on Sunday to report the racial abuse and, while MCC security staff and police spoke to a person, they did not ask him to leave the ground because it is understood they could not positively identify him.

Mr Stewart, who was with a group of friends and family, said the offending person always sat in the same reserved seat in an area set aside for Collingwood members at home games.

"I was disgusted that he wasn't escorted out," he said.

"The security and police never asked anyone their opinion. It's just so wrong."

Mr Stewart said he was about three metres away from the man at the time.

"People like this should not be allowed to go to another footy game . . . it was just so disgraceful," he said.

Mr Stewart said the man, aged about 50, was wearing football shorts, a T-shirt and thongs.

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Menzel ready for VFL return

Daniel Menzel. will suit up for some VFL action after his third knee reconstruction. Source: Herald Sun

GEELONG coach Chris Scott chooses not to view Daniel Menzel as a down-on-your-luck story.

Instead he prefers to remember the young forward who booted five goals against Collingwood in the final round of 2011 and two goals the next week in a final against Hawthorn before his knee buckled under him

Menzel, 21, will return to the VFL on Sunday, following his third knee reconstruction, the latest a LARS procedure after he re-injured his knee late last year.

"He's had a long time to face his football mortality and the time's come now that he's absolutely ready to play," Scott said.

"I'm quite prepared to say this publicly, if at some point he hurts his knee again, we'll just go through the same process and he'll be back because the medical staff are telling us that there's no reason he can't be."

Scott says there would be no big expectations on Menzel this week and he would spend "a few weeks" in the VFL.

"He's an outstanding prospect and the information I get from the experts is that there's no reason he can't come back and be the player he was," Scott said.

"We're still confident he'll play pretty well."

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Hannebery set to sign with Swans

Daniel Hannebery will re-sign with Sydney. Source: The Daily Telegraph

PRIZED Sydney midfielder Daniel Hannebery has turned his back on a potential return to Melbourne, committing to the Swans.

Sydney's Grand Final hero is expected to sign a new three-year deal today.

Hannebery was a priority signing for the Swans.

The midfielder won the Rising Star award in 2010 and sparkled in the Swans' premiership last year, finishing second in Norm Smith Medal voting behind teammate Ryan O'Keefe.

Hannebery was a target for Melbourne-based clubs when his contract expired at the end of the year.
But the Swans have long viewed Hannebery as a future leader and were quick to move on a new deal this season, tying him to the club until the end of 2016.

Hannebery's manager Nick Gieschen, from Elite Sports Properties, said the 22-year-old was thrilled to stay in Sydney.

"The club has looked after him really well since they drafted him as a bottom-aged player back in 2008. He loves the club and everything it stands for," he said.

"There's a great culture up there, he's settled and he's obviously really close with his teammates.

"He's excited to stay at Sydney to continue to improve his football and help them push towards continued success over the next few years."

Hannebery has played 79 games for the Swans since arriving at the club with the 30th pick in the 2008 national draft.

Now in his fifth season, the tough and hard-running playmaker collected 23 and 24 possessions in the Swans' first two games of the season.
 

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Garlett's AFL dream still alive

Dayle Garlett returned to senior football for Swan Districts on Saturday. Pcture: Kerris Berrington. Source: PerthNow

AFL RECRUITERS are refusing to put a definitive line through bad boy Dayle Garlett despite overlooking the mercurial talent in all three drafts last year and following his turbulent start to this season.

Garlett made a low-key return to senior football on Saturday and has quietly impressed his Swan Districts teammates with a radical attitude reversal.

It followed the prodigious talent failing to turn up to training or keep fit in the fallout from his AFL snub.

Garlett was rated as a top-10 talent for most of last year before talk of his off-field troubles spread like wildfire.

Draft Watch: This year's No. 1 pick has stardom in his blood

The West Australian was axed from the AIS-AFL squad at the start 2012, before photos of him drinking and smoking emerged on social media to further damage his reputation.

Source: HWT Image Library

After missing out at the national draft, Essendon invited Garlett to train at Windy Hill on the premise it would consider handing him a lifeline should he show the necessary commitment.

But the Dons overlooked Garlett after he went on a 4am bender in Perth only three days before the pre-season draft.

Garlett then knocked back invitations to join the VFL, instead opting to stay at WAFL club Swan Districts this year.

The smooth-moving midfielder racked up 13 disposals and booted 2.2 in his senior return on Saturday after starting the season in the reserves due to his poor work ethic.

Follow Sam Landsberger on Twitter @SamLandsberger

"He's actually been training well and his behaviour is much, much better," one of his Swans teammates told SuperFooty yesterday.

One AFL scout said he would be surprised if Garlett didn't generate serious interest in this year's draft, partially owing to the reduced depth in the pool.

Another club's chief recruiter said: "It's very, very early, but if he can show sustained improvement for not just the season, but the months that follow, he'll be back in the mix."

Swan Districts coach Greg Harding last week described Garlett's revival as "fantastic" after his tumultuous summer.

Source: HWT Image Library

Garlett's manager, Jason Dover from Stride Sports, last year told the Herald Sun the left-footer could become an "extraordinary" pick-up for a club "with the right resources".

"There's not many guys that have come along at senior WAFL level at his age and had the impact that Dayle Garlett has had,'' Dover said.

"Steve Coniglio maybe. Daniel Wells - that type of footballer. He's almost unmatched at that age."

The 19-year-old was named All-Australian last year along with top-10 draftees Jimmy Toumpas, Nick Vlastuin, Ollie Wines, Lachie Whitfield, Jono O'Rourke and Joe Daniher.

AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan described Garlett as a "left-footed medium forward-midfielder who can find space to win the ball and shows great evasiveness through traffic. Very smart goalkicker and stoppage player as well."

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Johnson still in frame for Blues clash

Geelong star Steve Johnson is on the verge of returning from injury. Source: Getty Images

STEVE Johnson believes he's right to play his first game of the season against Carlton on Saturday night, but coach Chris Scott says the final decision will be left to the club's medical staff.

The Cats are set to see a group of players return to the field over the next fortnight, with Johnson still in the frame for the Blues clash at Etihad Stadium.

The forward had knee surgery on March 26, but could line up this weekend if he convinces medical staff that he's ready.

Daniel Menzel and Cameron Guthrie will play in the VFL this week, while Josh Hunt and Nathan Vardy are expected to return through the reserves team next week.

The news is not as good for defender Jared Rivers, who could miss another three games with a posterior cruciate ligament strain.

Geelong coach Chris Scott yesterday said a decision on Johnson would be made later in the week.

"He's some sort of chance. He'll be disappointed that I've rated him some sort of chance, he's very confident that he'll play, our medical staff think he's a chance but there's just more work that needs to be done before we can make a definitive judgement," Scott said.

"Steve has a bit of input but the medical staff has more, they're the ones that need to make that judgement.

"Only he knows how he feels so that's where he comes into the decision-making process and I'm clearly third in line when it comes to making that decision.

"In terms of his preparation to play AFL football through the pre-season, he's got a lot of work behind him and we're confident that if he's available and he comes into the team, that he'll be able to perform to a high level based on that preparation."

Scott said there would be no rush on Rivers, who missed Sunday's comeback win over North Melbourne after injuring his knee in the season opener against Hawthorn.

"He had a little bit of a strain to his PCL. The prognosis was somewhere between two and four weeks, so we're banking on three but if it is four it wouldn't surprise us," he said.

"He won't play until he's absolutely ready to play his best footy."

It had been anticipated that Hunt may return to the VFL this week after battling glandular fever and a related shoulder injury, but Scott said he was no certainty to play this week.

Scott said of a Vardy return this week: "It's unlikely but it's not impossible, I'm expecting that he will play the week after."

Guthrie will definitely play in the VFL after overcoming a calf injury sustained in the warm-up to Geelong's last practice match of the pre-season against Collingwood.

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What you missed on TV last night

Cameron Schwab's resignation from Melbourne dominated the agenda on AFL 360. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: Herald Sun

DID you miss last night's AFL television shows? Rewind and catch up here on all of hot topics and big issues discussed.

AFL 360

* Not surprisingly, the state of the Melbourne Football Club was at the top of the agenda - following the resignation of Dees chief executive Cameron Schwab.

* Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson said he had no more confidence in the Dees now than he had yesterday.

* Gerard Whateley called for Don McLardy's head, declaring the Melbourne board should elect a new president tonight to continue the leadership overhaul.

Melbourne president Don McLardy and coach Mark Neeld. Source: Herald Sun

* Both experts agreed Schwab handled himself extremely well at his resignation press conference. Whateley said Schwab "performed in a way he hasn't performed in the last 18 months."
* Whateley said if the leadership exodus didn't continue the club faced a player and/or supporter exodus at the end of the season.

* Whateley said it couldn't be as simple as failed recruiting at the Dees, rather their development of players had been sub-standard.

Everyone has high expectations on Jack Watts. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

* AFL stars Brad Sewell and Robert Murphy joined the program. Sewell confirmed he would definitely miss Sunday's blockbuster against Collingwood, but said he hoped to return when Hawthorn battles Fremantle in Round 4.

* Both players agree the Etihad Stadium roof should remain closed for all matches. "It's there for a reason, so we may as well use it," Sewell said.

Geelong v North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, Docklands. Brad Scott talking with the AFL's ( Graham Finn ? ) ground manger after the loss about the roof policy after the loss. Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: Herald Sun

* Murphy said Hawthorn looks a serious premiership contender this season, and Sunday's 50-point annihilation of West Coast was a "powerful reminder" of what they can do. Check out a full match recap at Live HQ.

*Murphy said the pressure Fremantle applied against his Western Bulldogs on Saturday was unbelievable. "Their pressure was up there with anything I've played against," he said of Ross Lyon's side.

Fremantle forward Michael Walters has kicked six goals in the opening two rounds. Picture: Michael Klein Source: PerthNow

AFL INSIDER

*

The boys briefly touched on Melbourne to start the show. Former Brisbane Lions superstar Alastair Lynch questioned whether Dees players would seek to get out of the club.

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Fans killed off Schwab, says Demetriou

Melbourne FC has confirmed the resignation of chief executive Cameron Schwab after a disastrous start to the season

Andrew Demetriou believes pressure from Demons fans resulted in Cameron Schwab's resignation. Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL has denied any involvement in Cameron Schwab's removal, saying last night it was a Melbourne decision in response to supporter backlash.

League chief executive Andrew Demetriou echoed Melbourne president Don McLardy's assertion that this "was a club decision".

Schwab was effectively axed as Demons chief executive yesterday, despite assertions from McLardy in yesterday's Herald Sun that it would be wrong to link Schwab to the club's shocking start to the season.

Demetriou said last night the league was satisfied with the Dees' off-field progress, but was alarmed by two defeats by a total of 227 points.

"There was enough pressure being borne by supporters and others, the board has decided to act," Demetriou said. "I think that's what happened."

"The groundswell of what happened at the weekend, it was almost tsunami-like," Demetriou said.

"It's been horrible since the weekend.

"I think supporters of Melbourne expect their board to act decisively and to acknowledge they need to make change, and that's what they have done."

Schwab, who was contracted on August 27 last year for a further three years, had a standard three-month termination clause.

The Demons yesterday stated Schwab's reputation with supporters was the main reason he was removed.

"The unity of our club is absolutely vital and at the moment we have a divided supporter base. Cameron, for whatever reasons, fair or unfair, polarises that," McLardy said.

On Sunday, McLardy declared full support for Schwab.

"What we saw on the ground on the weekend, you can't link it directly to our CEO and say if we sacked him it would solve our problems," the Herald Sun reported McLardy saying.

Support for Schwab evaporated yesterday morning and by mid-afternoon he'd been asked to step aside.

A board meeting will be held in the next 24 hours, with discussion to centre on the search for a new chief executive.

Demetriou would not entertain questions about the possible granting of a discretionary draft pick or picks to the Demons.

"We haven't even thought about it," Demetriou said.

The AFL Commission in February last year dropped the priority pick system that gave extra draft picks to teams that met set criteria.

The league's new guidelines give the AFL Commission discretion to award extra draft picks based on performance.

AFL executives would make a recommendation to the commission based on premiership points, percentage, finals appearances and injury rates. Greater weighting is afforded to recent seasons.

The precise formula is kept secret.

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Roos must respect Swans to win: Harvey

North skipper Brent Harvey tells Drew Petrie to settle and take a shot at goal Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

SUSPENDED North Melbourne star Brent Harvey refuses to buy in to talks of Sydney's "soft start" to the 2013 season and knows if his teammates don't turn up with the right attitude on Saturday they will get blown off the park.

The Kangaroos host the reigning premiers at Blundstone Arena, missing 34-year-old veteran Harvey who is sidelined until round seven following two separate reports in last year's elimination final loss to West Coast.

While North dropped its opening round clash to Collingwood and blew a 41-point lead against Geelong last Sunday, the Swans have beaten the bottom two sides from 2012 in Greater Western Sydney and Gold Coast to start their premiership defence.

Mullett a real rising star

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire is just one who has criticised the Swans perceived easy start to the year, but Harvey is adamant there are no easy weeks in the AFL.

"I don't think there is a soft draw in any aspect of football any more because every team you come up against, if you drop your guard you are going to get beaten," Harvey said yesterday on a visit to Bellerive Primary.

"Even the bottom teams, that is just the reality of football.

"They are the reigning premiers, you take them lightly and you are going to get belted.

"We know what to expect every single time you play against the Sydney Swans, and that is a one-on-one, hard contest and it is something we will be waiting for."

Harvey admitted last week's loss to the Cats, who trailed by seven goals at one stage late in the second quarter and only hit the front in the dying stages through a free kick and 50m penalty to Jimmy Bartel, was a bitter pill to swallow.

However he is confident the club can open its account sooner rather than later and the panic button has not been reached for.

"Against Geelong we probably shot ourselves in the foot and lost it being 41 points up, it is something we don't want to get in the habit of, losing games where we have been up by a fair bit," the 346-game veteran said.

"I'm sure the message Brad [Scott] was sending was we played some really good football and if keep playing like that, wins will come.

"They are all must win games, we don't want to drop any games but in saying that it is round three and there have been plenty of teams that have come back from round three to make finals."

Saturday's game is a near sell-out, with only a handful of tickets remaining.

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