Who else finds it amusing that Brock has been referred to as "playing hurt" recently in the media? The phrase, "Brock needs to be rested for the rest of the season" was uttered by about rd 8 in 2007,2008 and 2009.

We've all watched him "playing hurt" for the last three years. This guys body is absolutely shot.

From The Age:

Industry suspicions that Carlton over-spent in giving Melbourne draft pick No. 11 for Brock McLean last season were given more credence yesterday when he was axed for the match against his former club.

The 24-year-old, who played his 100th match last week, was omitted with fellow recruit Lachie Henderson in favour of key forward Jarrad Waite and defender Ryan Houlihan, who return from suspension and injury respectively.

The player snared by the Demons with that No. 11 draft pick, Jordan Gysberts, has retained his place after a sound debut last week.

The Age:

Industry suspicions that Carlton over-spent in giving Melbourne draft pick No. 11 for Brock McLean last season were given more credence yesterday when he was axed for the match against his former club.

Suspicions ?

I think the feeling among posters here at Demonland now, are of the opinion that they felt quietly confident that the MFC got a bargain deal out of this at trade time. Some were of the opinion that with the increase in rotations and the game getting quicker that Brock's game and his body might not cope with the rigours of the game today. Then again, some were disappointed in losing Brock, having been touted as a future Captain.

Enter Jordan Gysberts, courtesy of pick 11 in the ND. Unearthing a 10+ year player (disputable at this stage but I'm quietly confident), with quick hands, evasive skills in close, ball magnet.....Demon supporters are entitled to smile.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Although i'd love to seen him get lined up by Beamer. Ah Well,

Maybe Carlton are protecting him. Have heard a few whispers that there are a few boys who were very keen to face Brock in an opposing jumper.....

I scrolled through some old Brock McLean emails from 12 months ago and there are some posters that must wish they hadn't posted blue murder when Brock was traded.

It does look as though Hannibal was right all the way through that period. Not only were we KOTD I think we got more.

Fascinating reading.

Its looking like a spanking deal considering Ball went in the mid 20s.

Go Dees.

Looks like either Brocky or Ratts have shirked facing up to a comparison with the 'future' MFC side!

Alternatively, perhaps this is evidence of success of Chris Judd's mentoring Brock of how to "face" the challenge of playing against your former side for the first time as he was reported earlier in the week as doing.

Maybe he spoke to Robbie Warnock too???? B)

Dees will only be better next time we meet the baggers with a full season behind our new No 5 gun and other young players!!!! Cant wait.

I scrolled through some old Brock McLean emails from 12 months ago and there are some posters that must wish they hadn't posted blue murder when Brock was traded.

It does look as though Hannibal was right all the way through that period. Not only were we KOTD I think we got more.

Fascinating reading.

Its looking like a spanking deal considering Ball went in the mid 20s.

Go Dees.

Absolutely. I wasn't exactly screaming blue murder (not that you're accusing me of it, I know) but I'll put my hand up and say I wasn't keen on the trade: I thought McLean would be handy in the next couple of years in taking some of the pressure off our young midfielders, protecting them physically and providing a good on-field example in a club bereft of senior leadership. Even thinking long-term, while I was resigned to the fact that he wouldn't be the superstar we'd initially hoped he'd be, I thought he could still be a solid contributer, and would possibly even have thrived in an environment where he is not one of the first midfielders tagged, as he had been.

He is now playing in that sort of environment, and has barely fired a shot. I doubt he'd be getting a regular game at Melbourne. I'm happy to eat humble pie on this one.

Right now it's honestly hard to imagine a future where we haven't come out well ahead in that deal.

And for the record, my opinoin at the time was that it was unfortunate and a shame to lose someone who was so apparently commited to the club, but would be a win-win for everyone.

I guess I was half right about the win-win.

Wow, thinking back on it - he had all the limitation of Luke Ball without the stirling record. Only a little younger, even more injury-limited, even slower. I wonder if us getting 11 for Mclean had a hand in the Saints expecting more for Ball? That'd be a good bit of comedy.

Saw Ryan Houlihan at the Physio on Thursday (my Physio works for Carlton, and there's always a couple of the Blue boys in there. Saw Yarran, Kane Lucas and the big Fev, who still goes to see them when in Melbourne, as i came out of the treatment room.)

Houlihan looked really really proppy.

Possibly a late change perhaps?

Could still see Brock in action against his old side yet...

Billy Brownless said tonight Brock wasn't sore and was "really, really" pissed to be dropped for this game.

Was he as pissed as he was a few years ago when he was with Nathan Carroll in Greece and later in Germany during the off season?

Absolutely. I wasn't exactly screaming blue murder (not that you're accusing me of it, I know) but I'll put my hand up and say I wasn't keen on the trade: I thought McLean would be handy in the next couple of years in taking some of the pressure off our young midfielders, protecting them physically and providing a good on-field example in a club bereft of senior leadership. Even thinking long-term, while I was resigned to the fact that he wouldn't be the superstar we'd initially hoped he'd be, I thought he could still be a solid contributer, and would possibly even have thrived in an environment where he is not one of the first midfielders tagged, as he had been.

He is now playing in that sort of environment, and has barely fired a shot. I doubt he'd be getting a regular game at Melbourne. I'm happy to eat humble pie on this one.

For sure. For instance this thread. I wasn't exactly screaming blue murder either, but I'll put my hand up, that back in September last year I was happy for him to take a pay cut and stay. For the same reasons you mentioned two sheds.

That said, some preferred to watch with interest and make comment later.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Right now I hope the Dees crush the Blues later today. Go Dees !

I was un happy I will admit, but then again Chook was my Fav player, I love any who wear the #5 tho as the Ox was and still is my Fav Melbourne player.

the icing on the cake for melbourne will be next year when brock lines up on Gysberts. and Gysberts kills him in the centre.

and in the same game scully lines up on judd. and judd ends up tagging him for the rest of the game.

the above is not an 'IF' but rather a 'when'

Was he as [censored] as he was a few years ago when he was with Nathan Carroll in Greece and later in Germany during the off season?

Brilliant!

So lets offer Carlton a deal in trade week this year.

We get Kreuzer. (We need a back up ruck who can play araund the ground). In compensation, we take Brock back.

Or is that offering them too much?