And another one bites the dust - Cook

[Pipefitter 2,147]

I think it's good that we are biting the bullet and declaring we've made a lot of mistakes and cleaning out all these speculative picks that are going nowhere. I would have thought Gysberts would have deserved another chance but there are obviously some work ethic or attitude problems we don't see from the outside.

[old dee 23,664]

Let the "We should have taken Darling" posts begin.

No need to GTG

The proof is now out there.

All confirmed.

Story over.

[DeeZee 7,361]

Im not surprised about cook because he has shown no form whatsoever.

But Gysberts??? Surely he is ahead of Couch,Magner,Bennell.??

This one will come back to bite us....you dont consistently rack up 25 plus possesions every week, if your no good.

Maybe Neeld has firm recruiting plans, for players in exact positions and Boak is already signed.

mmmmmmmm? dont know......

,

[Jonesbag 487]

Bring on the changes baby!!!!

Its time we cut these duds who have been having a free ride up until now.

Let the neeld axe be swung.

Bate your up next, Morton dont get too comfy

[rjay 24,784]

The exodus of players is one thing but as the toll mounts who are we going to replace them with? The list of available experienced "name" players is dwindling -eg Boak gone, Cloke not wanted, Tippett going north if anywhere. If we replace all our losses with draft picks or fringe players from other clubs, I fear we are going to sit in the doldrums for many, many years.

I would hope the plan is a bit more than just cutting players and I'm sure that it is but I get where you are coming from.

Maybe a few good trades plus the draft, there doesn't seem much left in the free agency list that would add to our list.

The next couple of months will be much more interesting than this season has been for us.

[rjay 24,784]

I think it's good that we are biting the bullet and declaring we've made a lot of mistakes and cleaning out all these speculative picks that are going nowhere. I would have thought Gysberts would have deserved another chance but there are obviously some work ethic or attitude problems we don't see from the outside.

Has it been stated by the club that Gysberts is gone or is it speculation?

[beelzebub 23,308]

Obviously they will go shopping in all the unobvious places.

You can bet the recruiting dept have spent all year looking at them too !!

[nutbean 8,838]

Interesting on Cook - shown nil but is still a baby in terms of KPP's.

I have not agitated for specific players to be chopped but have agitated for not doing the same as we have always done-accept middle of the road. We only see the output on the field and dont get to see close up what a Neeld would see and hear from his players. He obviously has certain expectations and I would suggest that the likes of Cook has not only shown little onfield but also little off-fieled and probably has not made the noises that Neeld wants to hear.

Whilst I may not agree on retention or deletion of specific players, I am happy for Neeld to gut this playing list and say to one and all - my way or the highway.

[beelzebub 23,308]

Interesting on Cook - shown nil but is still a baby in terms of KPP's.

and hopefully this might hook some other club. Weve had a chance to see him up close and come away cold. There might be that club that thinksotherwise and they are welcome. ( welcome to cough up somethng too..lol )

[Weedster 174]

No surprises so far, but I'll be disappointed if we lose Gysberts.

I agree. Gysberts has shown he can play. Had a shocking run with injuries, but has a huge upside if developed properly - coaches have that responsibility

[beelzebub 23,308]

I agree. Gysberts has shown he can play. Had a shocking run with injuries, but has a huge upside if developed properly - coaches have that responsibility

and an even bigger responsibility is to well..invoke the Kenny Rogers clause.

The club's been evaluating players all year. I dont hink Jordan passed !!

[diesel 420]

Why are we telling people that he would be delisted otherwise?

Surely that reduces his trade value...

If he's been told in his exit interview that there's not going to be a spot on the list for him next year there's no way of hiding it. His manager knows, therefeore the whole football world knows.

[Vanilla Gorilla 204]

I think this decision epitomizes the direction Neeld is going with the list. There must be some significant reason why he is prepared to delist a highly drafted, highly rated, former AA youngster. Reading between the lines here, it must mean that Cook didn't display what Neeld has called "elite behaviours." For a kid to languish in the VFL is one thing, but he obviously doesn't have the hunger, drive or commitment to be an elite AFL footballer. You might have talent, but these fundamental traits are inherent - and without them all the talent in the world will be useless.

For the coaching staff to make such an early call on Cook, they must have recognized this. Good result and goodluck moulding the rest of the team into a unit that are prepared to put in the hard yards to achieve success.

[Tony Tea 2,806]

If you are struggling to get a kick in the "thirds" of a club which is, if you ignore the newbies, on the bottom...

[MadAsHell 4,212]

The exodus of players is one thing but as the toll mounts who are we going to replace them with? The list of available experienced "name" players is dwindling -eg Boak gone, Cloke not wanted, Tippett going north if anywhere. If we replace all our losses with draft picks or fringe players from other clubs, I fear we are going to sit in the doldrums for many, many years.

Andrew Gaff,

Koby Stevens,

Ben Jacobs,

Aaron Cornelius,

Jarred Moore,

Jack Viney,

Paul Marschall,

Jake Neade,

Khan Haretuku

That's who I'm hoping our replacements will be.

[Bitter but optimistic 22,216]

Andrew Gaff,

Koby Stevens,

Ben Jacobs,

Aaron Cornelius,

Jarred Moore,

Jack Viney,

Paul Marschall,

Jake Neade,

Khan Haretuku

That's who I'm hoping our replacements will be.

The problem is we are not the only club chasing and I'm also wondering just how attractive we look at the moment. The reality is that Viney is the only certainty from this list.

[Philthy 284]

Why are we telling people that he would be delisted otherwise?

Surely that reduces his trade value...

Because if clubs are interested in him they will need to deal with us before he slips into the Psd/rookie draft which may decrease that teams chances of picking him up.

[olisik 4,060]

Dees putting it all on the table early. We are ahead in trade game already, dees are utilizing players managers to find new homes/potential trade scenarios for us.

Well played MFC.

[The Reverend 1,736]

Neeld is, it seems, a man of his word. What this means is that we won't be signing any more duds looking for an easy ride. Players that choose to come to Melbourne will be those who understand what it takes and who are prepared to give their all. There will be a clear understanding out there that to pull on the red and blue means you will be held to account. I'm sure there are plenty of players out there who will relish the opportunity to be part of a club that is clear about its intention to be successful.

[Hells Gates 505]

The problem is we are not the only club chasing and I'm also wondering just how attractive we look at the moment. The reality is that Viney is the only certainty from this list.

Very good points. All good and well to offload but replacing them with better players is the bigger issue. Free agency will fizz out, lets hope the trade/draft brings the goods. I hear we are shopping Martin and Coll are interested, wonder what they would cough up, he's also still signed up for another year.

Its all good and well to replace with Magners & Couch's but at the end of day they are just good VFL players.

[Neita3000 37]

Very interesting. I'll happily admit I was wrong. Thought he would definitely get another contract or at the minimum a rookie list position.

Thank Barry, you piece of crap

[Jaded No More 68,830]

I gotta say that this is disappointing.

Not only did we stuff up the draft selection, we clearly failed to develop Cook, and now it seems Neeld doesn't want to invest another year or two in this kid.

I suppose if you don't have it you don't have it, but we've persisted with so many poor players who we knew were never going to make it, like Bate (who Neeld insisted on keeping), and yet we won't give Cook an extra pre-season under Mission.

I have no issue with the clean out, but to get rid of kids like Cook and possibly Gysberts for such a low return, is not going to leave us much better off. The chances of picking a good player with the third or fourth round pick we'll get for Cook, is close to zero.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

The words "sense of urgency" are ringing in my ears. Either you show something now or you are out.

[old dee 23,664]

I gotta say that this is disappointing.

Not only did we stuff up the draft selection, we clearly failed to develop Cook, and now it seems Neeld doesn't want to invest another year or two in this kid.

I suppose if you don't have it you don't have it, but we've persisted with so many poor players who we knew were never going to make it, like Bate (who Neeld insisted on keeping), and yet we won't give Cook an extra pre-season under Mission.

I have no issue with the clean out, but to get rid of kids like Cook and possibly Gysberts for such a low return, is not going to leave us much better off. The chances of picking a good player with the third or fourth round pick we'll get for Cook, is close to zero.

Jaded this is not a go at you but I am really tired of the "did not develop" argument.

It is trotted out for every draft failure.

The New FD has had 12 months with Cook.

They have made their decision based on the facts they see close up.

It confirms my opinion and numerous others.

The kid is struggling to be Casey standard.

There are plenty of failures in high draft picks.

EG Thorpe at Hawthorn, high draft pick. The hawks could not "develop" him and were is he now?

It is not always " failure to develop a player"

Some do not make it from Juniors to AFL level.

Poor Choice lets get on with it.

[jnrmac 20,040]

Sounds like the 'reality bus' has run over a few players. Toot toot.

Makes you wonder with Rivers out of contract.......