BB59. your logic is sound but if it is to be applied to Robbo it should also apply equally to others who are up for renewal. Junior is also out of contract and whilst he had a good game on Sunday he has lost a yard and less efffective this year. Can't be part of plans 2011 onwards. Maybe Captaincy is saving him from same consideration?

I agree with the previous sentiments that in pure terms Newton and Miller should go before Robbo as neither of them has shown anything this year and gone backwards without any injury excuses. Likely only to be saved by fact that they are contracted in 2010 and no currency with any other clubs.

I agree.. have espoused such thoughts re Junior elsewhere. Junior might get abnother year. Newton ought to be moved on in some fashion. Miller might get interest in a trade combo ...maybe.. who knows your luck in a big town etc..

I think we'd both agree that we need to mould the new team sooner rather than later

An aspect of this many are simply missing..is sometimes its al labout the timing of opportunity. Here we can let go a player not required going forward with no real penalty other than he may opt to try his luck in the PSD for no dividend to us..so be it...No harm, no foull, he'll always be a favoured son when his career is over.

Those thinking of keeping Robbo for some reason or other next year.. consider this.. Fast forward three years..and try to look in retrospect and justify having kept him another year !! for what ?? whatdid it achieve... or rather what didnt it ??

Good post. Really good. Didn't put the boot into anyone..

I guess it comes down to:

A: Putting time into a kid, (maric? mcnamara?) let him sit in the pocket and get up to speed, gameplan etc..

Vs

B: Utilizing any experience/smarts, class and seasoned, physical strength that an ageing champ can still bring to the table..(in such a young forward line too...)

It's a hard one!!

- 'B' for me... Just... -

Good post. Really good. Didn't put the boot into anyone..

I guess it comes down to:

A: Putting time into a kid, (maric? mcnamara?) let him sit in the pocket and get up to speed, gameplan etc..

Vs

B: Utilizing any experience/smarts, class and seasoned, physical strength that an ageing champ can still bring to the table..(in such a young forward line too...)

It's a hard one!!

- 'B' for me... Just... -

Well, Bailey and Harrington think it's time to move on - rumour has it that Robbo has already been told he's no longer required.

whilst I understand the sentiments of keeping Robbo , he wont be. Better to get a new bunch of forwards learning to play together. The more they do then logically the better they become.

I think we'd both agree that we need to mould the new team sooner rather than later

Yes, why hold back the development any longer. I think Robbo knows entirely the clubs position. And I think he respects that. If he wants to try his luck at another club, good luck to him. He has been a fine servant for the club.

We at times, must all acknowledge what our coaches at Melbournefc are employed to do...that is progress, development, play the kids, turn over the list. That is what they have been doing the last two years. The club is greater than the individual. And I don't mean to put anyone down in saying that, especially Robbo.

I've loved watching Robbo over the years so it will hard to see the back of him but we are a new team now, with a new game plan, and he isn't a part of it. Sure we are going to struggle forward next year as the kids learn and fellas like Newton and Miller are the KPF's, but I see them getting less and less games as the kids get stronger and more confident. It's all about looking forward as it should be. Football is a cruel game - one day you are the rooster and the next day the feather duster - but that is the nature of the beast. Thanks or the memories Rusty but the club needs the spot to go onward.

all ready told game over, Bailey all ready indicated looking for another tall forward , pick two might not go on a mid

all ready told game over, Bailey all ready indicated looking for another tall forward , pick two might not go on a mid

John Butcher anyone?

John Butcher anyone?

Like that avatar Roost It.

Like that avatar Roost It.

Careful HT, your post has nothing to do with the thread and may be deleted

Seriously though, I found it by searching MFC Avatars on Google. There's some good ones out there. By the way how did you get the players pictures for an avatar?

Careful HT, your post has nothing to do with the thread and may be deleted

Seriously though, I found it by searching MFC Avatars on Google. There's some good ones out there. By the way how did you get the players pictures for an avatar?

Googled Liam Jurrah, there's hundreds. Then saved my choice. Image shacked it (go to Image shack site), browse for your file, select, upload. Copy into my controls - Avatar (edit). Without moving off the thread title/subject, there would be many of Robbo too.

Googled Liam Jurrah, there's hundreds. Then saved my choice. Image shacked it (go to Image shack site), browse for your file, select, upload. Copy into my controls - Avatar (edit). Without moving off the thread title/subject, there would be many of Robbo too.

Cheers HT

I’ve been amazed at the meek acceptance of Melbourne’s decision to retire/move on Russell Robertson. I know the Demon story is all about the future, but surely it’s also got something to do with trying to win games next year. Here’s my rationale as to why Robbo should stay on and why I can’t believe Melbourne aren’t being more closely scrutinised by the media for the decision:

- Despite missing the first 6 or so games this year recovering from an Achilles op, Robbo is our leading goal kicker

- Despite missing a proper pre-season he’s our leading goal kicker. Now that he’s starting to get some fitness up he’s kicking bags of goals (5 against the #5 side carlton on the weekend). We all know he can still play at this level.

- Despite being dropped for lack of defensive pressure, he grits his teeth, takes his medicine and bounces back up to the ones to kick goals. Surely a good example for younger guys at the club

- He still attracts the #1 defender each week. If this changes next year and Jurrah or Watts get the #1 defender, won’t that allow/free up Robbo to kick 40plus goals ?

- Robbo is an extrovert. Given our lamentable on field presence and leadership, surely having an extrovert on the ground geeing players up instils confidence in younger players? We’re one of the most introverted clubs going around, and we want to banish an extrovert???

- At 30plus years of age, doesn’t he qualify for veteran status and therefore half of his salary on the salary cap calculations? Why not put him on minimum wage and he’s an absolute bargain (no-one else will pick him up)

- Last year he had a career ending injury and yet fought back from it to jump as high and as good as ever. What a great example to the Colin Garlands, Wonnemirri’s of the club. Wouldn’t they benefit from him being around?

- He’s absolutely passionate about the club and passionate about playing (compare that to some others). Again, what a great example.

- Along with Davey he’s the most marketable guy we have at the club. One of the few joys of the past few seasons has been watching him launch himself for species! Doing a backflip on the announcement could actually be a marketing plus “we had so much support for Robbo, we listened to the fans and we’ll give him another crack...so get behind Robbo and the Dees in 2010”

- Imagine if we’d put Garry Lyon out to pasture like Robbo? Robbo’s played just as many games and kicked as many goals, but we’re shunting him off without so much as a question mark!

At the end of the day I want to win games and start the upward momentum. If you can identify any other player who will kick us 40 plus goals next year I’d be surprised. Or if we are that good we can’t find a spot for a 40 plus goal kicker I’d be amazed. I know it’s about the future, but surely Watts et al could benefit from learning how to lead, pack mark and kick accurately from a guy who’d die for the club.

you arent related by any chance ? <_<

Members of Demonland voted 26 to 114 against keeping Robbo so don't expect much support here. His time is up and the media agree.

Demon25:

I agree completely. He will kick 40+ goals next year if fit and still demand the number one defender. This must be good for our new forwards. He kicked 25 goals from what…… 8 - 9 games this year. That’s pretty good for the 16th team with terrible delivery for a veteran that missed a year with a serious injury and has no pre-season, yet still takes the number one defender.

Our team will be better off keeping Robbo, signing him to a one year contract.

What hurts me most is the Robbo rejected a far better paying 3 year contract with the Dogs two years ago to stay loyal to the Dees, yet we delist him despite good form and no forward line two years later. This is poor form from the Football Department.

What also hurts me is that we are going to keep a dud on our list Newton who has done nothing for our club and will never do anything except lose us games. I would much prefer to delist Newton (he is a pathetic footballer) pay out his contract and use his spot for Robbo. The FD must be able to see that Newton is the biggest dud in the AFL and only valuable if you are tanking, he is even a bigger dud than Jordan McMahon, so why no do this. Newton does not bleed for the club, for much of his time his attitude has been an embarrassment, he does not deserve to be on the list. Robbo on the other hand is a legend and 3rd highest goal kicker for our club.

I think DB does not like his lack of defensive pressure, dislikes his extravertism and hates the fact he always goes to ground. But he is a great mark and accurate kick, and bleeds for the red and blue.

I am happy with the overall performance of the FD but I strongly feel the get rid of Robbo decision wrong on every level and a decision which WILL cost us games next year.

Wake up guys -- its views like yours that has held this club back.

Sayonara Robbo

He will kick 40+ goals next year if fit and still demand the number one defender. This must be good for our new forwards. He kicked 25 goals from what…… 8 - 9 games this year. That’s pretty good for the 16th team with terrible delivery for a veteran that missed a year with a serious injury and has no pre-season, yet still takes the number one defender.

It a fallacy that in someway Robbo of recent seasons takes and copes with the No 1 defender. Too often with this match up, the opposition defender plays like a loose man in defence with little or no defensive pressure who knows that when the ball hits the ground Robbo will have little or no 2nd effort and cant effectively chase.

What hurts me most is the Robbo rejected a far better paying 3 year contract with the Dogs two years ago to stay loyal to the Dees, yet we delist him despite good form and no forward line two years later. This is poor form from the Football Department.

Good form??? Oh dear. He had a good day last week but he has some really terrible outings of recent and if it was not for experimentation and the long injury list his Casey form had not warranted elevation.

What also hurts me is that we are going to keep a dud on our list Newton who has done nothing for our club and will never do anything except lose us games. I would much prefer to delist Newton (he is a pathetic footballer) pay out his contract and use his spot for Robbo. The FD must be able to see that Newton is the biggest dud in the AFL and only valuable if you are tanking, he is even a bigger dud than Jordan McMahon, so why no do this. Newton does not bleed for the club, for much of his time his attitude has been an embarrassment, he does not deserve to be on the list. Robbo on the other hand is a legend and 3rd highest goal kicker for our club.

I can stand Newton being a dud....but If he does not bleed for the Club then he goes. How dare he?

I think DB does not like his lack of defensive pressure, dislikes his extravertism and hates the fact he always goes to ground. But he is a great mark and accurate kick, and bleeds for the red and blue.

Now why is that important? Hmmm. Hey wait he bleeds red and blue! Which players dont by the way besides Newton?

everyone should put this halfwit on ignore, he means nothing.

thats not meant meant for you RR,thats for the twirp that thinks hes an enforcer.

let him sit in the pocket and get up to speed, gameplan etc.

The two are mutually exclusive. No one can sit in a pocket in the modern game.

I’ve been amazed at the meek acceptance of Melbourne’s decision to retire/move on Russell Robertson. I know the Demon story is all about the future, but surely it’s also got something to do with trying to win games next year. Here’s my rationale as to why Robbo should stay on and why I can’t believe Melbourne aren’t being more closely scrutinised by the media for the decision:

- Despite missing the first 6 or so games this year recovering from an Achilles op, Robbo is our leading goal kicker

- Despite missing a proper pre-season he’s our leading goal kicker. Now that he’s starting to get some fitness up he’s kicking bags of goals (5 against the #5 side carlton on the weekend). We all know he can still play at this level.

- Despite being dropped for lack of defensive pressure, he grits his teeth, takes his medicine and bounces back up to the ones to kick goals. Surely a good example for younger guys at the club

- He still attracts the #1 defender each week. If this changes next year and Jurrah or Watts get the #1 defender, won’t that allow/free up Robbo to kick 40plus goals ?

- Robbo is an extrovert. Given our lamentable on field presence and leadership, surely having an extrovert on the ground geeing players up instils confidence in younger players? We’re one of the most introverted clubs going around, and we want to banish an extrovert???

- At 30plus years of age, doesn’t he qualify for veteran status and therefore half of his salary on the salary cap calculations? Why not put him on minimum wage and he’s an absolute bargain (no-one else will pick him up)

- Last year he had a career ending injury and yet fought back from it to jump as high and as good as ever. What a great example to the Colin Garlands, Wonnemirri’s of the club. Wouldn’t they benefit from him being around?

- He’s absolutely passionate about the club and passionate about playing (compare that to some others). Again, what a great example.

- Along with Davey he’s the most marketable guy we have at the club. One of the few joys of the past few seasons has been watching him launch himself for species! Doing a backflip on the announcement could actually be a marketing plus “we had so much support for Robbo, we listened to the fans and we’ll give him another crack...so get behind Robbo and the Dees in 2010”

- Imagine if we’d put Garry Lyon out to pasture like Robbo? Robbo’s played just as many games and kicked as many goals, but we’re shunting him off without so much as a question mark!

At the end of the day I want to win games and start the upward momentum. If you can identify any other player who will kick us 40 plus goals next year I’d be surprised. Or if we are that good we can’t find a spot for a 40 plus goal kicker I’d be amazed. I know it’s about the future, but surely Watts et al could benefit from learning how to lead, pack mark and kick accurately from a guy who’d die for the club.

Could Robbo's demise have more to do with salaries than developing younger players?

Simple answer..no.

Could Robbo's demise have more to do with salaries than developing younger players?

I love the excitment Robbo brings as much as the next Dees fan and have marvelled at his 'airtime' regularly but I think his demise has more to do with his 'prostrateonthegroundtime'. I know "the game has changed" has become a bit cliched but in the case of Robbo it's on the money. Careful analysis reveals that he scores less than 1 in 3 times a forward 50 entry is directed towards him. Anyone care to guess how many goals are scored the other way when he fails to complete a mark?

Could Robbo's demise have more to do with salaries than developing younger players?

No.

We are looking for ways to get up to the 92.5 minimum threshold.

Players are getting frontloaded contracts to get the club up to it.

thats not meant meant for you RR,thats for the twirp that thinks hes an enforcer.

So I guess that’s for me then!!

I have an opinion, as we all do on this site and I will always exercise my right to give my opinion if I feel strongly enough about it. Is that not what these forums are all about? I respect RR and all others that have different opinions to me but I take no offence of their opinion, I want to hear these views and most importantly I RESPECT others views even if they are not my own. For the record I agree with 90%+ of RRs views, but it would not make any difference if I only agreed 10% of the time. As I respect anyone’s view who cares enough to write in these blogs.

I am no enforcer?!?!?!? If giving a different view to your own makes someone an enforcer its time you took a long hard look at yourself JACKtheRIPPER.