Danny Frawley says Melbourne is a laughing stock after cancelling its pre-season camp

FORMER Richmond coach Danny Frawley believes Melbourne is the laughing stock of the AFL after cancelling its commando-style pre-season camp. Do you agree with Frawley’s comments?

Melbourne players take part in training. Picture: Getty Images

FORMER Richmond coach Danny Frawley believes Melbourne Football Club is the laughing stock of the AFL after cancelling its commando-style pre-season camp.

The Demons made the decision to cancel the camp last week in light of player safety concerns.

Frawley said he believes up to 14 players from the club contacted the AFL Players’ Association in an effort to get the camp called off.

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“If I am Simon Goodwin, I’m driving to work today and you know what, I’ve got a really shitty feeling in my gut,” he said on SEN radio.

“I just can’t work it out because we (coaches and the players) are in it together but there are 14 of my boys that have gone behind my back.”

Melbourne players take part in training. Picture: Getty Images

The Demons held a similar camp last pre-season which put players through sleep deprivation, a gruelling 20km beach trek before a series of punishing physical and mental exercises.

During the training regime, Dom Tyson injured his knee while Christian Salem suffered a concussion after dropping a brick on his head.

Following the injuries, Melbourne had bolstered safety measures for this pre-season’s camp.

“I think Simon needs to get the playing group in and say, ‘Guys the communication lines are open. Have I not been honest with you guys? Have I not been upfront?’

“The Melbourne Football Club at the moment, it is a bit of a laughing stock,” Frawley said.

“What do we have a leadership group for? Let’s forget our leadership group now. You guys, if you’ve got an issue, ring the AFLPA and I’ll just coach.”

Melbourne is coming off a horror finish to the 2017 season, missing out on finals by .5 per cent after a shock Round 23 loss to Collingwood.

The club did appear to have some strong momentum heading into the New Year after securing gun defender Jake Lever in a trade with Adelaide.

However, Frawley believes there is now a disconnect between the players and coaches.

“I have spoken to a couple of people who are involved with players at the club,” he said.

Melbourne players take part in training. Picture: Getty Images

“They have said, ‘God I hope my son wasn’t one of the ones (who contacted the AFLPA).’

“I’m very confident that there is a real flatness about the coaching staff towards the players at the moment heading into Christmas.

“Undermining is probably a harsh word but when you look at it, they (the players) actually have. They have gone to a different authority out the Melbourne Football Club. To me, Goody has been let down, he really has.”

Other sporting teams, including Melbourne Storm, have run the similar style training camps.

Originally published as Danny Frawley says Melbourne is a laughing stock after cancelling its pre-season camp