Football Department Review

[Baggers]

Some people on here have an extremely patriarchal, borderline fascist expectation that those who have achieved something should not be questioned anywhere, under any circumstances. As if somehow everything they say is Gospel. You take what people say on its merits, not on the status of the author.

Nicholls hasn't been involved in football for decades. He should also be aware that we've already had two tough bastards in the last 20 years, who much like their opposites (the nice guys) have gone south in rapid succession. If that's his idea of a solution, then it's no better than the average punter.

I think I get where you're coming from, Pauly.

But... (you knew it was coming, didn't you  ).

1. Big Nick is still very involved with what is going on at the CFC. He may not hold an official office, but believe me, he is involved and should be highly regarded as a mentor, as he has the credibility to be such.
It is not fascism or simply giving credibility to an opinion because it comes from a great of the club. This is wisdom. And he deserves more than to be judged simply on using a term like 'tough bastard.' You have to ask yourself, 'what does he mean by tough bastard?' To me it meant finding people with the ability to instill discipline and leadership in a tough bastard of a game.

2. Big Nick has a huge footy IQ. How he outsmarted Hafey in '72 was pure genius... and they were only able to counter it the following year with thuggery. You never lose that intelligence to immediately spot a problem and why it has come about and what works in countering that problem. His experience and knowledge of our game is of great value.

3. Many principles and values in life never change with the passing of years. People who've lived through, and eventually succeeded, at a particular profession do not lose an intelligence, instinct and knowledge for that profession with their advanced years. In fact, being a little separated from the day to day dealings in a work place, gives the elder an objective perspective combined with deep experience that is invaluable. Big Nick, and others who've 'slain the beasts in the arena' carry within them enormous knowledge and wisdom.

4. Rather than rejecting Big Nick's thoughts on our club for the reasons you state, I, personally, would seek and respect his observations - often.