the doug thomas saga

[bayman]

it is obviously continuing & i think very sad


maybe doug should've cross to glenelg, with the big bucks we offered him in the late 60's

[Wedgie]

Christ he looked terrible in the pic, here's a link to ths tory for those that don't get the Advertiser, he just wont let go!
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,21370501-21546,00.html

[Snaggletooth Tiger]

Looks like there's a helluva lotta bad blood there! (pun intended)

[Adelaide Hawk]

Seems like Doug has never heard the one about the club being bigger than the individual. You'd think after a lifetime of work and failing health, you'd want to be free of unnecessary stress, but I guess we are all different.

Doug, you're a legend of the club. Former Coach, Captain, State player, and 29 years in the top job, you've given it your best ... time to let go mate. It's someone else's turn.

[Ian]

Christ he looked terrible in the pic, here's a link to ths tory for those that don't get the Advertiser, he just wont let go!

I thought he looked worse in Darwin last Feb.

[blueandwhite]

I have some empathy for Doug Thomas who has been a fantastic servant of the West Adelaide club over many many years. However I feel that the article in todays rag was extremely biased in favour of Mr Thomas. The journalist (and I use that term very loosely)in question is making a very good living from sensationalist jounalism, ie making up his own mind on an issue and then traipsing around collecting statements to support it. I think a far more balanced story would have seen much more of the clubs' version of events ,then leaving it to the reader to make up his own mind. I'm sure that officials at the wafc would probably agree with me.
It is also most unfortunate that the chief footy writer at ruperts' rag has seen fit to write one of his very rare stories on the sanfl and come up with this very poor advertisement for the league.

[johntheclaret]

I have some empathy for Doug Thomas who has been a fantastic servant of the West Adelaide club over many many years. However I feel that the article in todays rag was extremely biased in favour of Mr Thomas. The journalist (and I use that term very loosely)in question is making a very good living from sensationalist jounalism, ie making up his own mind on an issue and then traipsing around collecting statements to support it. I think a far more balanced story would have seen much more of the clubs' version of events ,then leaving it to the reader to make up his own mind. I'm sure that officials at the wafc would probably agree with me.
It is also most unfortunate that the chief footy writer at ruperts' rag has seen fit to write one of his very rare stories on the sanfl and come up with this very poor advertisement for the league.

Having read the article, I agree with you blueandwhite. Only a small mention of Wests response, re the results of audited accounts having something to do with it.
From my understanding, WA are suggesting that from the audit, they believe DT has already had his severance pay by other means. Another article talks about car allowances and paying private bills etc. All seems a bit foggy to me. Not that I know nearly enough about what has happened. Sad story though after so many years with the club.

[am Bays]

In Rucci's defence there were two articles one, based on Dougs view and the other a more balanced piece where he took more of the clubs view i.e. quoted their media statement......


http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,21370502-24397,00.html

NB not trying to defend Rucci here just ensuring this site sdoesn't fall into his modus operandi of only taking one side of the story - as a rule....

[johntheclaret]

In Rucci's defence there were two articles one, based on Dougs view and the other a more balanced piece where he took more of the clubs view i.e. quoted their media statement......


http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,21370502-24397,00.html

NB not trying to defend Rucci here just ensuring this site sdoesn't fall into his modus operandi of only taking one side of the story - as a rule....

Agree 1980TM. I thought the second (depending on which way round you read them) represented the clubs view a bit more.

[Dogwatcher]

I'll further defend Rucci here (ughhhh - it hurts), but the piece was a profile piece on Doug Thomas, his history with the club and where he's at with the saga. It was only going to give his point of view the most consideration. Not bad journalism, a line too many are always quick to throw out when a piece is written that doesn't necessarily agree with their opinion.

[ca]

I have some empathy for Doug Thomas who has been a fantastic servant of the West Adelaide club over many many years. However I feel that the article in todays rag was extremely biased in favour of Mr Thomas. The journalist (and I use that term very loosely)in question is making a very good living from sensationalist jounalism, ie making up his own mind on an issue and then traipsing around collecting statements to support it. I think a far more balanced story would have seen much more of the clubs' version of events ,then leaving it to the reader to make up his own mind. I'm sure that officials at the wafc would probably agree with me.
It is also most unfortunate that the chief footy writer at ruperts' rag has seen fit to write one of his very rare stories on the sanfl and come up with this very poor advertisement for the league.

Watch it go on and win this years SANFL Media award for best story.

[Coorong]

Yep read both reports and some very interesting comments made from both fronts. (particularly the line on payment of private accounts ie: water, electricity etc)

However it is my understanding he is pretty much a recluse these days? and just wonder of the timing of both articles and the special general meeting of both WAFC clubs to ammend constitutions, due soon.

Spin doctoring???????????????????????????????

[G]

I usually dont pass comment on any of Rucci's articles because I know my thoughts re-him are biased. I cant believe someone with his non footy background can be our chief footy writer. Anyway, regarding Doug Thomas I agree with the majority and urge him to let it go and retain some dignity. My mail is that he's a multi and doesnt need the cash, so fold Dougie, throw the cards in and walk with your head up.

[Dogwatcher]

Why is Rucci not qualified to write about football?
I know that his comments are often seen as biased and he makes some pretty outrageous statements some times, but....

As examples: Why is John Pierek regarded as good cricket writer? He never played a test. What about Gideon Haigh, the best cricket writer since Ray Robinson? He never played a test either? Doug Robertson's a handy football writer and Mike Sheahan's pretty good too?

God help my writing aspirations if just because I've never played at a high level I'm not going to be regarded...

Looking at the other side of it too....if you want to use the generalisation that only footballers can commentate on the game....what writing experience do they have?

[kingrooster]

Rucci has been a football writer for a lot of years, when the now defunct Football Times was going he actually had a lot to say about the SANFL. From what I can remember he was one of the major writers for FT.

[Magpiespower]

Rucci has been a football writer for a lot of years, when the now defunct Football Times was going he actually had a lot to say about the SANFL. From what I can remember he was one of the major writers for FT.

He was official historian of the PAFC from about 1981-1986 and wrote extensively for the 'Magpies News.'

Was also writing for The 'Tiser at the same time before going to New York.

I cant believe someone with his non footy background can be our chief footy writer.

LMAO!

Quick, someone pass this on to Mike Coward and just about every other sportswriter...

[johntheclaret]

I usually dont pass comment on any of Rucci's articles because I know my thoughts re-him are biased. I cant believe someone with his non footy background can be our chief footy writer. Anyway, regarding Doug Thomas I agree with the majority and urge him to let it go and retain some dignity. My mail is that he's a multi and doesnt need the cash, so fold Dougie, throw the cards in and walk with your head up.

I think he is in a no win situation with this. If he does just walk away, and WA have raised questions about private financial transactions, he would / could be seen as admitting guilt. By fighting it, he is heaping stress and strain on himself and his family, maybe at a time when he should be relaxing. And of course will be fuelling the fire of speculation and doing serious damage to the club, both financially and operationally as it would surely be affected on field by what would be going on in the courtroom. If he is innocent, and forced to fight to prove that, for someone who has been associated with one club for so long, it must have a huge emotional affect on them. IMHO

[G]

I agree you dont have to have played at the elite level to pass comment and or report on the game but it does add creditability. Also because someones been doing the job for 10 years or so doesnt automatically mean they are doing a good job. I think Rucci's main interests in sport are Soccer and Hockey and then footy. Also re- Doug Robertson, surely you guys arent trying to tell me that his match reports and best players lists are not usually fiction.

[Dogwatcher]

I agree you dont have to have played at the elite level to pass comment and or report on the game but it does add creditability.

Speaking of which - what's creditability?

[Dogwatcher]

I agree you dont have to have played at the elite level to pass comment and or report on the game but it does add creditability. Also because someones been doing the job for 10 years or so doesnt automatically mean they are doing a good job.

How is Rucci not doing a good job? Most people that criticise the man make blanket statements and just bag him because everybody else does.
But you're right - just because someone has been doing a job for 10 years doesn't mean they're doing a good job. But, I never said he was.
Having said that he's a very good analyser of the game, no matter what people say.

Also re- Doug Robertson, surely you guys arent trying to tell me that his match reports and best players lists are not usually fiction.

I can't tell you if his work's fiction - I don't get to see many of the games he writes.
But I do enjoy reading his match write-ups.
What evidence do you have that his work is fiction?