Former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas has gone on a spectacular 24-hour Twitter tirade against outgoing AFL Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick announced he will step down from his role in a press conference yesterday.
His decision was met with mixed reaction, with some labelling his tenure a success, but others celebrating his departure.
Thomas led the celebration party.
It started when the news was announced yesterday.
Then when the press conference started, Thomas poked fun at Fitzpatrick.
“Richard is very thorough and he doesn’t deal with fools lightly,” Fitzpatrick said.As distinct from himself who comfortably tolerates fools
— Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) February 15, 2017
Then Fitzpatrick spoke on some of the bigger issues he has overseen while in charge of the commission. They include:
- The Essendon supplement saga
- Melbourne tanking
- Adam Goodes booing
- Sydney COLA and subsequent trade ban
- ANZ Stadium
What is it?! Does AFL senior execs have mandate not to acknowledge any responsibility for anything bad? Where is the humility, honour, grace
— Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) February 15, 2017
Has there never, ever been a poor decision or badly executed strategy in the history of AFL. Think about it. They could do nothing better?!
— Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) February 15, 2017
I speculated on radio earlier today that my guess is a sh#% storm will evolve in next few months pointing back 2 exiting Commission Chairman
— Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) February 15, 2017
Gill says "The tougher things are the better Mike goes". Referring to Fitzpatrick. Things must not have been very tough then.
— Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) February 15, 2017
Fitzpatrick takes credit for Bulldogs flag by suggesting it proves equalisation policies were working! Extraordinary.
— Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) February 15, 2017
Seems to me every inevitable success was due to Fitzpatrick & every failure or issue was all care no responsibility - someone else's fault.
— Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) February 15, 2017
Then he gave one to Caroline Wilson for good measure.
Caroline Wilson says Goddard's tweet to Fitzpatrick was idiotic! What hope has public got when senior journo's are so easily seduced by AFL
— Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) February 15, 2017
He wasn't the only one to have a go at the outgoing AFL Chairman.
Mike Fitzpatrick highlights:
Mismanaging the Essendon drugs saga
Mismanaging Adam Goodes booing
Having the AFL play at a stadium he owned— Titus O'Reily (@TitusOReily) February 15, 2017
AFL Chair Mike Fitzpatrick retiring. Will be remembered for the smooth way he handled the Essendon supplements saga.
— Titus O'Reily (@TitusOReily) February 14, 2017
