Does the rise of McDonald spell the end for Rivers?

[Little Richard 6,265]

Must keep Rivers, an important on field leader with valuable experience.

[praha 11,240]

Yes, dump another experienced player that bleeds red and blue in favour of young "talent" that's played a handful of great games.

Such a direction has worked wonders for the club since 2011...

[s-t-i-n-g-a 439]

Given our over supply of backs and shortage of forwards I wouldn't mind a swap of Shultz for Rivers. They are similarly as effective in their respective positions and of similar age. They both have their limitations but structurally this would benefit our side. I think Shultz has improved since crossing over to Port and whilst no star would be an efficetive 2nd big after Clarke and he a lot cheaper than Cloke leaving plenty of cap space to lure a mid.

Anyway it wont happen because Rivers is a FA and Shultz just signed a contract.

[BarnDee 287]

no , must keep

[Little Goffy 14,639]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The better our midfield gets at putting pressure on, the better the value we get from Rivers and his particular strengths, like reading the play, knowing when to zone off, when to move to assist another defender, that sort of thing.

Plus, given that he is getting a useful game even when all of our tall defender options are present (Frawley, Garland, Tom McDonald, and Rivers) it hardly seems like we have a great need to ditch him for lack of space..

[Harcourt 146]

I'd say Rivers is the least of our problems. Keep him.

[Hannibal 5,814]

It's one thing getting rid of under-performers, or half dedicated, lazy footballers and another thing to get rid of a senior player who's in the leadership group and has stood up under adversity. One that will in all likelihood deservedly finish top 3 in the B&F.

Clubs still have a fabric and while ours has been sorely tested we have to start being a club that rewards performance.

[IRW 1,387]

I suppose now the spuds have been shown up on Jones they're going set their sights on Rivers.

As if MFC has so much true AFL talent that it cant handle having 4 or 5 genuine backmen on its list.

They should be looking to replace Bartram and get a tough defensive crumber long before they dump the bloke who brings it to ground 3rd man up, or magically sits in the hole when needed.

.

Dumb thread,even dumber than it would have been 2 seasons back.

Its lucky Mikey isnt here or there would be a real blue going on.

[Range Rover 1,935]

Yes, dump another experienced player that bleeds red and blue in favour of young "talent" that's played a handful of great games.

Such a direction has worked wonders for the club since 2011...

Yeah coz we were absolutely flying from 2007 - 2010

[IRW 1,387]

Yeah coz we were absolutely flying from 2007 - 2010

MFC might have gone better if Jared hadnt been injured during a good part of that time

[Range Rover 1,935]

I suppose now the spuds have been shown up on Jones they're going set their sights on Rivers.

As if MFC has so much true AFL talent that it cant handle having 4 or 5 genuine backmen on its list.

They should be looking to replace Bartram and get a tough defensive crumber long before they dump the bloke who brings it to ground 3rd man up, or magically sits in the hole when needed.

.

Dumb thread,even dumber than it would have been 2 seasons back.

Its lucky Mikey isnt here or there would be a real blue going on.

Yeah he's so damned good the FD look to have made him a priority signing... Oh wait.

Why Melbourne supporters get so sentimental about average footballers is one oif life's great mysteries.

[Jordie_tackles 354]

wouldnt be confident that Garland is a better defender than Rivers atm

[Hannibal 5,814]

Yeah he's so damned good the FD look to have made him a priority signing... Oh wait.

Why Melbourne supporters get so sentimental about average footballers is one oif life's great mysteries.

My view has nothing to do with sentiment, purely logic.

[Range Rover 1,935]

MFC might have gone better if Jared hadnt been injured during a good part of that time

Jared Rivers

Injured for much of 2007/08 but played 20 matches in 2009, 18 in 2010.

Careful IRW, you're playing with the big boys now. This 'aint the park footy of Demonology.

[DemonWorshipper 304]

Get off your high horse RR! Rivers has been In our top 5 all year and stood up even when we were getting mauled early in the season. I think Tom Mc will be a champion for the next 10 years, but he'll be even better with Rivers around for the 3 or so years. That's a keep from me.

[Ouch! 2,266]

Jared Rivers

Injured for much of 2007/08 but played 20 matches in 2009, 18 in 2010.

Careful IRW, you're playing with the big boys now. This 'aint the park footy of Demonology.

You have almost 2 pages of people saying that they value Rivers and what he brings to the club yet you still try to push an agenda he is no good, likely to be playing the VFL, and Joel MacDonald is the person to displace him from the side...

Whilst I don't know whether I admire your determination, or pity your stubbornness, I do know one thing...

This topic does not deserve another poll!!!!

[Little Richard 6,265]

RR do you think we should get rid of Sellar and Rivers? Or Rivers over Sellar?

Without Riv on the ground we are devoid of experience and leadership.

Who is supposed to teach all our 18/19 year olds without players like Jared? The 20 year old's and the very few players we have in the 24-26 category who actually deserve a spot on the park?

[Little Richard 6,265]

You have almost 2 pages of people saying that they value Rivers and what he brings to the club yet you still try to push an agenda he is no good, likely to be playing the VFL, and Joel MacDonald is the person to displace him from the side...

Whilst I don't know whether I admire your determination, or pity your stubbornness, I do know one thing...

This topic does not deserve another poll!!!!

I think he means Tom McDonald mate.

[Ouch! 2,266]

I think he means Tom McDonald mate.

Oh bugger

well thanks for that....

[IRW 1,387]

Jared Rivers

Injured for much of 2007/08 but played 20 matches in 2009, 18 in 2010.

Careful IRW, you're playing with the big boys now. This 'aint the park footy of Demonology.

Ha ha, I wondered about it as I pressed 'post' actually,but your question about Jared remains dumb because the backline is the only relative strength MFC has had this decade. But I stand both corrected and humbled

As for the 'big boys' buddy.... as someone said earlier Ology was/is like a family christmas get together that inevitably ends up in a barney.....The 'big boys' on here are too often self indulgent or self important and nothing more. I'm just waiting for the 'trade Gys and Riv to Geelong for Scarlett' thread.

Park footy with your family is way ahead

Park footy with your family is way ahead

[Red N Blue Society 165]

Rivers=Keep. Not to be moved on.

Mcdonald is good but lets see how long he can keep his form up as he's nowhere near Rivers defensively as yet.

Rivers=Had a good year to date & provides backline leadership amongst "I could be really good Garland if I wanted to be" & also "I'm spasmodic with bad skills Joel Mac"

Frawley Rivers Mcdonald bigs. I would trade Garland first.

Galand is just a no confidence player and portrays this week after week even when he plays ok.You cant play in the AFL without confidence.

If I was Neeld I would set a fire under Garland because he can really play when he puts his aggression into it but chooses to be soft IMO.

[Johnny Karate 559]

I'd keep Rivers, he's not a star but is fairly under rated by some Melbourne supporters. I'd keep Joel Macdonald & Dunn ahead of Strauss though, FWIW.

[Range Rover 1,935]

RR do you think we should get rid of Sellar and Rivers? Or Rivers over Sellar?

Without Riv on the ground we are devoid of experience and leadership.

Who is supposed to teach all our 18/19 year olds without players like Jared? The 20 year old's and the very few players we have in the 24-26 category who actually deserve a spot on the park?

We have a 7-man leadership group chosen by Neeld to carry out those duties. Rivers isn't in it.

Re Sellar, I would offer him another one-year deal. Different type of player needed for a different type of role.

[daisycutter 29,738]

Looks like you are like little Johnny on this issue Rangey - the only one marching in step!

[Range Rover 1,935]

Looks like you are like little Johnny on this issue Rangey - the only one marching in step!

Dee-luded (post 15)! B)