The Truth about Tommy Walsh

[Devilhead]

Speaking with a very good friend of Tommy Walsh - ex Kerry team-mate and in constant contact with him - Tommy left the Saints for one reason only and his name is Tadgh Kennelly

The Irish connection was too strong for him to turn Sydney's offer down - not the money - if it wasn't for Tadgh he would still be at the Saints - apparently Tommy did initially struggle being away from home and many of the younger players weren't as welcoming as the older guys that said by the end he was enjoying himself unfortunately his friendship with Tadgh and Tadgh's experience with crossing over from Gaelic to Aussie Rules was enough to lure him away

Apparently also Tommy struggled with a back problem in the first half of last year which set him back -he is also extremely grateful to Saints for giving him a start and depending how his career progresses would consider returning - he loved his time at the Saints and we did everything right unfortunately with these Irish blood is thicker than the Bays water

[saintbrat]

that is certainly the impression I have gained... he played with Tadgh in an Ireland Championship and would be using him as his 'family' contact here....

[joffaboy]

Sounds like BS.

Went for more money. Why not just admit it.

[Thomas]

T.W.

Utter CRAP! Money and perceived better oppotunity to get games was the ultimate factor, and I don't blame him.

[saintspremiers]

Sounds like BS.

Went for more money. Why not just admit it.

Agree. If he loved Tie so much he could've pissed off earlier.

[Dr Spaceman]

People can say this is BS, or that is crap.

But how many of us really know and does it really matter anyway?

I personally reckon it was a combination of everything.

Yes money and opportunities would have been a significant factor.

But I suspect he would have felt isolated and at times wondering whether it was all going to be worth the effort. And an enthusiastic approach from an acquaintance, an Irish legend, would have been hard to resist.

[CeilidhSaint]

Spaceman - what worries me was why players weren't welcoming...competition for spots or...?

[Winmar]

Is there really a lack of Irishmen in Melbourne? Couldn't he make friends with Australians at the club?!

[Dr Spaceman]

Spaceman - what worries me was why players weren't welcoming...competition for spots or...?

From all reports they were CS. Entries on Twitter for example often included or mentioned Tommy.

However It's also been reported that the "Sandy" guys were treated very differently from the "Saints" guys and a lot of that must be because that's how Ross wanted it to be.

Local guys in the same boat would've had a lot more support from family and friends than Walsh.

Whether he should've got a game last year we can all debate. And we can also debate that if he had've whether that would've made a difference. I just think that as things turned out he was ripe for the picking and the Swans came a pickin'

[philtee]

Thanks Devilhead.
Nothing more to add.

[clarky449]

Sounds like BS.

Went for more money. Why not just admit it.

Agree. If he loved Tie so much he could've pissed off earlier.

Maybe he wont admit it because thats not why he left. No doubt Money played a factor but the OP does make me wonder.

[gringo]

Hope they can get married and move back to Kerry together after being dropped by the end of the year.

[defacto]

its a bit early to make a call on walsh. he's only been in the system 2 years. played a handfull of nab cup games. he is yet to make his debut and has only played consistent vfl football at best.

this is his 3rd year. he'll play senior football for sydney and will develop from there. how far he progresses is an unknown.

what is known is he isnt in saints colors anymore so lets move on. we got pick 35ish. we could be ahead in 10 years time, who knows...

[stevie]

People can say this is BS, or that is crap.

But how many of us really know and does it really matter anyway?

I personally reckon it was a combination of everything.

Yes money and opportunities would have been a significant factor.

But I suspect he would have felt isolated and at times wondering whether it was all going to be worth the effort. And an enthusiastic approach from an acquaintance, an Irish legend, would have been hard to resist.

I'm shattered, Doc. A serious post by you - no punchline or emoticon?

I fear for this forum...

[joffaboy]

Sounds like BS.

Went for more money. Why not just admit it.

Agree. If he loved Tie so much he could've pissed off earlier.

Maybe he wont admit it because thats not why he left. No doubt Money played a factor but the OP does make me wonder.

You contradict yourself. You say he wont admit it but no doubt he left for money

[The Redeemer]

Is there really a lack of Irishmen in Melbourne? Couldn't he make friends with Australians at the club?!

Dumb comment. Here was a kid moving essentially away for employment and from this he might have felt isolated. The Swans offered a familiar face and he left to join.

Just because they play football does not mean that they are devoid of all emotion.

[Dr Spaceman]

People can say this is BS, or that is crap. 

But how many of us really know and does it really matter anyway?

I personally reckon it was a combination of everything.

Yes money and opportunities would have been a significant factor.

But I suspect he would have felt isolated and at times wondering whether it was all going to be worth the effort. And an enthusiastic approach from an acquaintance, an Irish legend, would have been hard to resist.

I'm shattered, Doc.  A serious post by you - no punchline or emoticon?

I fear for this forum...  8-)

Most unfair stevie!  How dare you accuse me of never contributing serious commentary 



I seem to recall a post of mine back in 2009........

[Ross who?]

I can tell you this:

A/He got on very well with the younger guys
B/He left for more than double our offer
C/Deal was done a fair way before the end of the year
D/If Tom had known that RL was leaving he would of seriously considered staying

This info I heard from several young players (Some now delisted) following trade week. Some will say BS, I am just sharing what I heard.

[plugger66]

I can tell you this:

A/He got on very well with the younger guys
B/He left for more than double our offer
C/Deal was done a fair way before the end of the year
D/If Tom had known that RL was leaving he would of seriously considered staying

This info I heard from several young players (Some now delisted) following trade week. Some will say BS, I am just sharing what I heard.

He didnt deserve a game a fair way before the end of the year so it seems money was the sole reason for leaving. I dont mind any player leave for money but I dont get why he was upset with RL a fair way before the end of the year. Heyney says Gday to.

[Dr Spaceman]

I can tell you this:

A/He got on very well with the younger guys
B/He left for more than double our offer
C/Deal was done a fair way before the end of the year
D/If Tom had known that RL was leaving he would of seriously considered staying

This info I heard from several young players (Some now delisted) following trade week. Some will say BS, I am just sharing what I heard.

He didnt deserve a game a fair way before the end of the year so it seems money was the sole reason for leaving. I dont mind any player leave for money but I dont get why he was upset with RL a fair way before the end of the year. Heyney says Gday to.

I don't know so I'm only guessing.

But it's possible Tommy realised he didn't deserve a game but nonetheless was unhappy with Ross. Maybe a lack of communication. Maybe a lack of encouragement. Maybe a lack of inclusion.

It may not simply be a case of whether or not he got the chance to run out with the seniors in 2011. It may have been how he felt about his prospects going forward.

But hey, who really knows?

[Ross who?]

I can tell you this:

A/He got on very well with the younger guys
B/He left for more than double our offer
C/Deal was done a fair way before the end of the year
D/If Tom had known that RL was leaving he would of seriously considered staying

This info I heard from several young players (Some now delisted) following trade week. Some will say BS, I am just sharing what I heard.

He didnt deserve a game a fair way before the end of the year so it seems money was the sole reason for leaving. I dont mind any player leave for money but I dont get why he was upset with RL a fair way before the end of the year. Heyney says Gday to.

Yeah hope Heyney gets a good go at Blues. Was played in a different spot every week at Sandy! Ask him about Tommy's opinion of RL, but somebody else commented to me that Tommy was "dissapointed" he had already signed with Swans, when the RL thing came out.
Possibly having to play down back at Sandy a lot didnkt sit well??

[Mr Magic]

I can tell you this:

A/He got on very well with the younger guys
B/He left for more than double our offer
C/Deal was done a fair way before the end of the year
D/If Tom had known that RL was leaving he would of seriously considered staying

This info I heard from several young players (Some now delisted) following trade week. Some will say BS, I am just sharing what I heard.

He didnt deserve a game a fair way before the end of the year so it seems money was the sole reason for leaving. I dont mind any player leave for money but I dont get why he was upset with RL a fair way before the end of the year. Heyney says Gday to.

I don't know so I'm only guessing.

But it's possible Tommy realised he didn't deserve a game but nonetheless was unhappy with Ross. Maybe a lack of communication. Maybe a lack of encouragement. Maybe a lack of inclusion.

It may not simply be a case of whether or not he got the chance to run out with the seniors in 2011. It may have been how he felt about his prospects going forward.

But hey, who really knows?

Even if he was unhappy with Ross, why make the move.
Ross was gone. No reason to leave then.

Watters had already been appointed before the decision to ask for a trade was announced.

Unless the decision to go to Sydney was made earlier?

I have absolutely no idea what the reasoning was behind the move.
I have no reason to disbelieve the op and if it's true then that says an awful lot about the character of Tommy Walsh, IMO.
He repaid the time, money, effort and faith St Kilda put into him by 'loyally' jumping ship at the earliest opportunity.

Yes it's true that there is little loyalty by Clubs towards players when they decide it's time for them to go.

But gee wouldn't it be nice for those who engineer their own departure to actually tell the truth about the circumstances of why they're going?

More opportunity
More money
They employed my brother/father/sister/mother/cousin
Better facilities for me
Better lifestyle
Better women

[Dr Spaceman]

I know Mr M. No one is going to know the absolute truth unless we kidnap Tommy and strap him to a lie detector.

Like many of us, I'm just trying to make some sense of it all

[Mr Magic]

I know Mr M. No one is going to know the absolute truth unless we kidnap Tommy and strap him to a lie detector.

Like many of us, I'm just trying to make some sense of it all

Sounds like a plan Doc.

But it gives us something to pontificate/argue/debate about whilst we await the real stuff.

It's times like these I miss roger.
Last I saw I believe he was pretending to be an Adelaide supporter on BigFooty.
Or maybe he was always an Asdelaide supporer pretending to be a Saints supporter?

[saintly]

its a bit early to make a call on walsh. he's only been in the system 2 years. played a handfull of nab cup games. he is yet to make his debut and has only played consistent vfl football at best.

this is his 3rd year. he'll play senior football for sydney and will develop from there. how far he progresses is an unknown.

what is known is he isnt in saints colors anymore so lets move on. we got pick 35ish. we could be ahead in 10 years time, who knows...

i think its both tommy and and longmire has sstated when he got drafted that he will play round 1, so i assume the must improve 10 fold in 4 weeks, we will see.