The tall poppy syndrome Norman was describing seems alive and well today in the case of Tom Scully.
The intensity of editorial comment spiked in recent weeks with the words "traitor" and "liar" being directed at a 19-year-old whose crime, it seems, is to be the most sought-after young footballer in Australia.
It's a unique situation for a second-year AFL player to be placed in, brought about by the unprecedented right of the Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney to sign uncontracted players.
Is it unreasonable for a young man to consider an offer that would essentially guarantee his financial future? We're talking about a 300 per cent pay rise, or a $3 to $5 million difference over the life of the contract. In any other profession there'd be no debate - you'd take the money every time.
When news-breaking journalists Eddie McGuire and Mike Sheahan are on the record saying that Scully will be at GWS next year, history suggests their sources are good. There have certainly been discussions between Tom Scully's people and the Giants.
However, when directly questioned about it by Sheahan and other seasoned journalists at a press conference called to address the speculation, the young man handled himself well: "No, there's been no approach. Absolutely not. Definitely haven't spoken to GWS and definitely haven't signed anything."
Maybe we should take him at his word.
GWS are on the money throwing everything they can at Scully to get him to Sydney next year - and Scully would be well advised to think it over.
I got some insight into what an outstanding young man Tom is when travelling around South Africa with him and another 29 of the country's best young footballers three years ago. He had a humble way about him, but he was confident and stood out with a fanatical desire to improve himself.
Although he was one of the youngest in the group, he quickly became a natural leader. It was interesting to watch a group of elite young athletes in a place like Africa, a long way from home and completely out of their comfort zones.
Towards the end of the trip many were homesick, tired and desperate to get home, but Tom quietly went about absorbing every piece of information he could.
It was no surprise to see him have such an enormous impact over 21 games in his debut season. His 40 possessions (including 19 in the last quarter) on a big Friday night in wet conditions against a top-four Western Bulldogs side was as good a first-year game as you'll ever see.
Equally as impressive were his 24 possessions after spending three months out of the game to help Melbourne to their biggest win of the year two weeks ago. Only a handful of players in the league would be able to recover from injury and play that well in their first game back - and Scully is only 19.
Comparisons always sound hollow, but Scully has the potential to have as much impact on the game as Chris Judd; and at the same time, he reminds me of a young Nathan Buckley.
A precocious teenage Nathan Buckley was bold enough to spend only one season with Brisbane before pursuing his dream of playing for the Magpies. Their circumstances are very different but there is a similar sense of greatness around Scully as there was around Buckley.
For a young man who grew up a Richmond supporter and has only played 23 games for Melbourne, it's astonishing to me that Tom Scully's loyalty is being questioned. GWS may feel they've got him across the line, but perhaps the best long-term decision Scully could make would be to sign with the Demons.
Imagine Tom Scully captaining Trengove, Watts, Morton, McKenzie, Gysberts and co. to the next Melbourne premiership. The financial benefits of a move to GWS might be hard to overlook in the short term, but a case could be made that the life-long earnings of a one-club Melbourne captain would be greater in the end.
Whatever Tom Scully's decision, try walking in his shoes and consider whether you'd deal with this unique opportunity any better.
The views in this articles are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
