I cannot believe what I am reading..... Good Luck!! We Love You! You were Loyal!!

Rivers has made a decision that he no longer want to be a part of our club any longer.

Not for money, not for an extension, not for game time. Simply because he does not want to be a Melbourne player any more. At a time when leaders would stand up, he has run away.

Thanks mate, thanks for helping out the boys coming though, thanks for staying true and making a difference. Maybe thats why you goy dropped off the leadership group.

I think we all come from different angles.

I wished him well because I don't give a stuff that he's going. If I wanted him to stay I'd probably be far less amiable. And I also appreciate the basket case of a club he's been subjected to for the last 5 years.

I think we all come from different angles.

I wished him well because I don't give a stuff that he's going. If I wanted him to stay I'd probably be far less amiable. And I also appreciate the basket case of a club he's been subjected to for the last 5 years.

I give a stuff about him going, but there are two reasons why I wish him good luck at Geelong.

The first is that I think we have the players to cover him, Tmac showed showed a lot this year, we have Dunn and Watts playing in the backline, Garland and Frawley, and then Sellar as depth. He would likely have a place there is if he stayed, but he's not going to be a killer blow of a loss in terms of his skills and ability.

The second is that he has been at the club for a long time and has had to put up with some truly crap years. If he'd stayed he would very likely not play in a premiership. At the cats he has a crack at doing that. He hasn't left Melbourne because he doesn't want to be here, he's left because he wants finals footy and a chance at the big one.

To me he will always be a Demon.

I think he left exactly for the reason he's given. He wants to play finals before his career is finished and he doesn't see himself doing that in any significant way with us. As far as I'm concerned both parties handled the situation well and with all due respect to each other. The club didn't move heaven and earth to keep him, but would have been happy enough to have him if he elected to stay.

Not sure we tried hard enough to keep him .. Seems that essentially we are swapping Rivers for Pederson - not sure that makes sense

Maybe we should set up a sabbatical program where our loyal players get leased to other successful clubs so they can experience finals footy and a chance at the big one.

The successful clubs could then lend us their crappy or disinterested players for a period so they could experience years in the wilderness and the wooden spoon.

Jared I liked you as a Melbourne player, but I hope Geelong fall like a stone, we rise like a phoenix, and you rue this decision for the rest of your life.

The yuckier side of trade week - just got a picture through of Riv in a Geelong polo shirt - ewwww

Now that Jared has walked. Martin must be kept. Different player yes. But he is mobile.

The yuckier side of trade week - just got a picture through of Riv in a Geelong polo shirt - ewwww

The worst bit about that pic was that it actually makes him look like a better player.

Thanks, so we are talking about Troy Davis who I do like as a potential tall defender but some have discounted because his disposal has been a bit "iffy" under pressure. I'd keep him for at least another year. He may still come to something.

We also have Jai Sheahan, a rookie, who I think has a tremendous future.

WJ

Davis looked really good pre season this year. Then went missing. Not sure if this was an injury issue.

What does Jared leaving have to do with Martin? Jared and Martin were excess, Jared wanted out so win win and Martin isn't good enough to demand a spot on our terms so if he leaves and we find someone who can replace him and play on our terms, we come out on top.

The worst bit about that pic was that it actually makes him look like a better player.

rubbish. Do not denigrate the Melbourne jumper. Geeeeelong can keep their prison outfits

rubbish. Do not denigrate the Melbourne jumper. Geeeeelong can keep their prison outfits

That was in no way denigrating the Melbourne jumper; people have become way too sensitive on here lately.

That was in no way denigrating the Melbourne jumper; people have become way too sensitive on here lately.

but you said he looks a better player wearing prison hoops...

Big Loss Jared Rivers. Riv will be good for Cats. He's got that Cat Look going for him already . The unbrushed hair look. GFC boys always give me the impression they've all just rolled out of bed and chucked the boots on. ...and they all can play. Win some lose some.

but you said he looks a better player wearing prison hoops...

Really? I suggest you read my post again... I believe I said that the pic makes him look like a better player.

Really? I suggest you read my post again... I believe I said that the pic makes him look like a better player.

exactly. And i am disagreeing...

What does Jared leaving have to do with Martin? Jared and Martin were excess, Jared wanted out so win win and Martin isn't good enough to demand a spot on our terms so if he leaves and we find someone who can replace him and play on our terms, we come out on top.

I like Davis as well - looks like a goer. IMO he needs some time to develop - needs to work on his bodying and disposal & decision making.

Like the kid but I think he's too young at the moment to take Rivers spot. Potentially could play River's role i reckon

That was in no way denigrating the Melbourne jumper; people have become way too sensitive on here lately.

Old school here. Love the Melbourne Jumper and theme song. Keep both. Don't fart around with either. Cats Jumpers are fine as well. Actually Cats are my second favourite team. Go Hawko!

exactly. And i am disagreeing...

No, you are suggesting I was saying something that in actual fact I was not (my comment was more about his demeanor). Did you even see the photo? He wasn't wearing the hoops (it was essentially a dark blue polo with a little white trim).

I'm pleased Rivers has left. We get told how unprofessional the place is; senior players postponing time trials in the pre-season, senior players arking up about losing their free time on interstate trips (from a collingwood official who spoke with neeld mid year). As far as I'm concerned the likes of rivers and moloney are responsible for the poor culture, which is why Neeld demoted them from the LG and let them walk.

No, you are suggesting I was saying something that in actual fact I was not (my comment was more about his demeanor). Did you even see the photo? He wasn't wearing the hoops (it was essentially a dark blue polo with a little white trim).

blue polo with white trim is either Carlton or Geelong.

I rest my case.

"I am Melbourne Tony"

blue polo with white trim is either Carlton or Geelong.

I rest my case.

"I am Melbourne Tony"

Just admit you got it wrong with your interpretation of my post.

Just admit you got it wrong with your interpretation of my post.

Surely you've been around long enough to realise what you are dealing with here...

My meme had poor grammar so I removed it but seriously wyl - just stop it.

Not sure we tried hard enough to keep him .. Seems that essentially we are swapping Rivers for Pederson - not sure that makes sense

My guess is that we probably offered Riv a one year deal (which would be appropriate imo) and the Cats offered two. Hence his decision to walk. I'm not so sure we will "essentially" be swapping Rivers for Pedersen. There's a bit of water to go under the bridge in the trade period yet. I'm hopeful that we will get a second rounder as the wash-up from free agency, and I doubt we would pay that for Pedersen. There's still the potential Martin trade, and whatever else might come out of the woodwork next week.

I wish him all the best and thank him for his service, and for playing out of position as a forward for the second half of the year.

However i don't think he's a massive loss. He wasn't quick, he wasn't tall enough to be a key defender, he wasn't the greatest gut runner (he finished 2nd last in the 1000m repeat sprints early this year), and his disposal was average at best.

He reads the play well and is a good intercepter, but that roll can be covered by Watts or Sellar, with Frawley and McDonald in the key positions.

snap