Absolutely brilliant news. I really hope that nobody from Melbourne consider taking them up on whatever they are offering. We have a list that can and will take us to multiple Grand Finals. All we need is for the players to believe in each other and play for each other, and from the sound of things they are well and truly buying into it.

I have a feeling that even splashing around a truckload of money won't really help the new franchises attract top-end talent. What you'll probably find is that they get 1) mid-aged, mid-range players who think a bit more of themselves than their current clubs do and would get a good ego boost out of being offered more money at another club, 2) a few players who don't fit a team's future plans or 3) disgruntled players who need a 'change of scenery'. There's a few trades like that every year. Think the likes of McLean, burgoyne and McPhee last year or our own Joel MacDonal - not that I don't think Joel is valuable to our team, just that he was a bit disgruntled at Brisbane after his finals non-selection, was probably not in their long-term plans and is not the top-end player GC are trying to attract. They may get 1, possibly 2 really good players, but they're probably not going to get the already developed cream of the AFL nor the young guns in whom clubs have invested a lot of time and faith.

The links below are all I could find detailing player signings from late last year.

(I also chucked a cheeky Jordie McKenzie article in there)

Morton's is a 2 year contract expiring in 2011.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/84787/default.aspx

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/85298/default.aspx

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/85831/default.aspx

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/83054/default.aspx

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/81553/default.aspx

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/82514/default.aspx

On Footy Classified they were saying word is that a Port Adelaide player has signed for GC17 and that they think it is Krakouer.

Also speculation that Scott Thompson will either go there or come back to Victoria.

Judas f&$%ing dog.

I love Morton, but I worry that Fremantle will offer him some money down the track. I hope he stays. He's a gun. Surely he must see the premiership potential at MFC? We'll give a flag a real shot in a couple of years time. We've built a team already that has greater potential to anything that I've seen in my lifetime. We'll win premiership before Freo even make a Grand Final.

On Footy Classified they were saying word is that a Port Adelaide player has signed for GC17 and that they think it is Krakouer.

Also speculation that Scott Thompson will either go there or come back to Victoria.

Judas f&$%ing dog.

I don't know about you, but i'd take Thompson back in a second if he wanted.

I love Morton, but I worry that Fremantle will offer him some money down the track. I hope he stays. He's a gun. Surely he must see the premiership potential at MFC? We'll give a flag a real shot in a couple of years time. We've built a team already that has greater potential to anything that I've seen in my lifetime. We'll win premiership before Freo even make a Grand Final.

Based on what exactly?

Ridiculous irrational post.

John did a fantastic job over 5 years after 23 years of nothing-Maybe its my age but Northey woke up the demon hopefully as Dean Bailey will do.

No offence to Slug or RDB at all, But John Northey was a no name coach who got 110% out of the Demons during his time.

Northey was a brilliant coach -second only to Norm Smith in my opinion.

Northey was a brilliant coach -second only to Norm Smith in my opinion.

Agreed!

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/7415/newsid/85298/default.aspx

He resigned for 2 years.

So, he's taking two years off, and will be back after that? (LOL)

(Sorry, mate, couldn't help myself! Aint English a funny language?! Such a difference a little hyphen makes to the meaning of the same eight letters!)

All good fun.

And, the important point you make, of course, is the lad is staying.

Go Dees!

John did a fantastic job over 5 years after 23 years of nothing-Maybe its my age but Northey woke up the demon hopefully as Dean Bailey will do.

No offence to Slug or RDB at all, But John Northey was a no name coach who got 110% out of the Demons during his time.

He inherited the prodginy of Barass' & Jordan + added a few like Doug Koops from Nth Melb.

He did a good job with other peoples efforts.

Just listened to exactly what Quartermain said and pretty much word for word it was:

"I understand the Gold Coast has had a BIG crack at Morton and/or James Frawley offering big money and they've knocked them back, saying they're happy at Melbourne and they've got a bright future there..."

I'm pretty sure that's very close.

Considering from that they led straight in to the highlight of Petterd's "harmes" goal assist, I don't think they could've got the names mixed up.

He inherited the prodginy of Barass' & Jordan + added a few like Doug Koops from Nth Melb.

He did a good job with other peoples efforts.

Isn't that always what happens with organizations-people take over from previous people.

John Northey got us into 5 Final series running...count them.

So give the man some credit even if you are still upset that it wasn't RDB.

Based on what exactly?

Ridiculous irrational post.

I was trying to cover a whisper I heard the other night, without stipulating where it came from. I still don't intend too. But it came from an extremely reliable source. We're going to have salary cap issues in a couple of years and may well struggle to pay Cale. The club has to sign up Morton again. He along with about 15 others are priorities.

I was trying to cover a whisper I heard the other night, without stipulating where it came from. I still don't intend too. But it came from an extremely reliable source. We're going to have salary cap issues in a couple of years and may well struggle to pay Cale. The club has to sign up Morton again. He along with about 15 others are priorities.

His entire family is now living in Victoria. What would make him want to move back?

His entire family is now living in Victoria. What would make him want to move back?

I would hope he stays but we may well have trouble fitting him into the salary cap. We're going to have a gun side and like the Geelong side of a couple of years ago, someone may well be a casualty, I just hope it's not Morton.

this group strikes me being the type for everyone to take pay cuts to keep the group together, they seem to forming a great bond and a real togetherness, similar to the cats a few years ago

I hope so, mate.

I love Morton, but I worry that Fremantle will offer him some money down the track. I hope he stays. He's a gun. Surely he must see the premiership potential at MFC? We'll give a flag a real shot in a couple of years time. We've built a team already that has greater potential to anything that I've seen in my lifetime. We'll win premiership before Freo even make a Grand Final.

I wouldnt be too worried about Freo both his brothers are in Victoria and the parents have moved over here as well to live. Speaking to a friend who is quite close with the family since they moved here Cale is really enjoying it at Melbourne and wants to be a one club player, no interest in moving, i actually ran into him at a golf day at the start of the year, once he knew i was a melbourne supporter he apologizes for the last couple of years and told me there are exciting times ahead.

Top quality bloke he is even after the golf day they had presentations, lunch etc. and as he was leaving he went out of his way to come up and say good bye. Cant wait till he is back in the side!

I'm glad to hear the one club player comment. That settles me down a little bit.

I wouldnt be too worried about Freo both his brothers are in Victoria and the parents have moved over here as well to live. Speaking to a friend who is quite close with the family since they moved here Cale is really enjoying it at Melbourne and wants to be a one club player, no interest in moving, i actually ran into him at a golf day at the start of the year, once he knew i was a melbourne supporter he apologizes for the last couple of years and told me there are exciting times ahead.

Top quality bloke he is even after the golf day they had presentations, lunch etc. and as he was leaving he went out of his way to come up and say good bye. Cant wait till he is back in the side!

Did you offer him your lunch to eat too?

I'd have told him "wait here" and come back with 6 pies and tub of protein powder for him.

I love our boys if any of them read demonland i would like to send them a great big hug

I think I remember Scott Clayton (Gold Coast recruiting manager, former Bulldogs) saying that he thought Morton was the best player in his draft and one of the best young players in the game. Although that could have been my own imagination.

He did say that.

Just listened to exactly what Quartermain said and pretty much word for word it was:

"I understand the Gold Coast has had a BIG crack at Morton and/or James Frawley offering big money and they've knocked them back, saying they're happy at Melbourne and they've got a bright future there..."

I'm pretty sure that's very close.

Considering from that they led straight in to the highlight of Petterd's "harmes" goal assist, I don't think they could've got the names mixed up.

Pleasing to read.

This is obviously fantastic, but we better get used to the idea that over the next 5 years we are going to be going through a lot of nervous times, as we have a heap of talent that many sides, not just GC and GWS) are going to be trying to get their grubby hands on. Odds are we will lose one or two of them, the ones who just love money too much

Pleasing to read.

Quarters actually did say "and/or" which leads me to believe he's not really sure at all, or that he has hears conflicting stories from more than one source.

Could be all Chinese whispers.

If one of them does go I'll direct the majority of my anger at him.