WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - SHANNON BYRNES

[DEELIRIOUS 156]

Amusing that if Byrnes was discussed as a potential FA a month ago the general consensus would've said, no thanks.

But now, on the back of a journos tweet, people are climbing on board and rating him.

I reckon he's soft.

I reckon Chris Scott does too..

Very standoffish for mine

[Pates 9,536]

I've actually also had a thought that he would be good for Blease, they're similar body types and Byrnes could act as a bit of a mentor to Sam as he continues his development.

We already know the list turnover is going to be big, so we should expect a few left field signings.

[MadAsHell 4,088]

Amusing that if Byrnes was discussed as a potential FA a month ago the general consensus would've said, no thanks.

But now, on the back of a journos tweet, people are climbing on board and rating him.

I reckon he's soft.

I reckon Chris Scott does too..

Don't think there have been to many soft 2 time premiership winning players?

[Axis of Bob 10,205]

He is no star, but he is I mature player from a successful club that fills a role we can't currently fill. This is what free agency should be like.

[dazzledavey36 48,703]

A small player that was on a rookie list who worked his ass off for two premiership medals i think we should get. My Cats fan mate said he would be an asset to our club with his tremendous attitude and ultimate professionalism. Plus he is a small forward which we lack real bad. would free up blease onto a wing next year.

[Lil_red_fire_engine 10,151]

Comes from a strong culture. Is a mature body with speed, can find the ball and kick a goal. Fills a need. It makes me laugh the same people who think players like Petterd should be retained unless we get a mid-high draft pick turn their nose at more accomplished players like Byrnes who we get for nothing.

FA is more about filling needs with no cost but salary rather than uncovering superstars for a club like ours.

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,122]

Would be a success if we could get 20 games and 35 goals out of him next year.

Apart from Clark and maybe Blease, who would come close to kicking 30 + goals next year.

[Redleg 37,551]

Comes from a strong culture. Is a mature body with speed, can find the ball and kick a goal. Fills a need. It makes me laugh the same people who think players like Petterd should be retained unless we get a mid-high draft pick turn their nose at more accomplished players like Byrnes who we get for nothing.

FA is more about filling needs with no cost but salary rather than uncovering superstars for a club like ours.

While initially I thought, why, however on reflecting I can see why. No cost, fills a need for a year or two, experience in a strong culture, hungry to finish his career with more games and perhaps show some he still has it, pace and ability to kick a goal. Yes he might only be with you for a year, maybe two, but he brings qualities that we lack and he comes at no cost. If he shows some on our list the way to go about their football, that alone could be a big win.

[ILLDieADemon 804]

Afl.com are saying the same thing.

Melbourne are looking at Geelong Veteran Shannon Byrne written by Peter Ryan.

[Guest trenners]

Veteran Cat on Demon radar

I will be happy with it.

[Hannibal 5,814]

FA is more about filling needs with no cost but salary rather than uncovering superstars for a club like ours.

You and Bob have hit the nail on the head.

Would I want the club to trade for Burns ? No. Am I happy to have him on the list for a couple of years when we get him for nothing ? Of course.

[Philthy 284]

FFS! Some people on here have no effing idea! Whoever thinks we should not look at adding a 28 year old 2 time premiership player onto our list have sh*t for brains!

Maybe should go after another skinny kid from a private school who isn't a proven performer like Byrnes? That's right, we have be doing that for almost 5 effing years now and it has got us nowhere!!!! Pull your head in!

End Rant.

[ox_5 163]

At least he will be able to replace Moloney and Petterd as the most incorrectly spelt surname on Demonland.

[dtrinh 71]

Wrong. Makes me laugh when a Demon supporter thumbs their nose at any player, let alone a guy that kicked a combined 67 goals in 2009 and 2010 for the dominant Cats.

He will bring with him elite training principles and a winning culture. He is more accomplished than anyone on our list. He has played in many big games in September.

Not to mention this club has not had a small forward for 7 years. He will be a welcome addition to the MFC for a couple of years while the youngsters develop.

Yeah totally agree with you there Hogan. What Mark Neeld seems to be doing is trying to bring in players that have high level of professionalism, experience, high work ethic and players that will be able to change the culture at our club. I agree that even though he may not be the most skillful or elite player his work ethic he brings to the club will show our younger players what it really takes to become a strong team and a successful footballer.

I rekon with Blease hopefully moving onto the wings and through the midfield next year byrnes will be able to provide us with a small crumbing player who can add to our midfield rotations. Even though he's not going to catch the world alight, i think he will be a handy acquisition. Hopefully along with danyle pearce!

[titan_uranus 22,279]

He is no star, but he is I mature player from a successful club that fills a role we can't currently fill. This is what free agency should be like.

Agree.

In the end, even though he's fallen out of favour at Geelong, he has proven talent and he will fill a void, whilst adding a dose of professionalism.

At no cost, I guess we stand to lose nothing.

[Devo 104]

If he costs nothing in terms of picks or players, then why not? Fills a need and brings experience and high standards with him. Win.

[Whispering_Jack 27,959]

Just noticed he's playing for Geelong in the VFL Semi Final. Anybody watching?

[brunoc 3]

Can't believe were after Brynes he is a spud, a 28 year old spud. People saying he's got good foot skills are having a laugh obviously haven't seen him play much. The fact he cant get a game in front of guys like Murdoch, Simpkin, Sheringham etc tells you something. Hope its just a rumour.

[45HG 1,539]

Just noticed he's playing for Geelong in the VFL Semi Final. Anybody watching?

Scores level... No, now Geelong up by a point at the 24 minute mark of the last. Byrnes looks as he always has - speedy with decent disposal.

[Hannibal 5,814]

Can't believe were after Brynes he is a spud, a 28 year old spud. The fact he cant get a game in front of guys like Murdoch, Simpkin, Sheringham etc tells you something.

I'm ambivalent, but does it tell you anything when he played in two premierships for what some consider the greatest team of all time ?

I didn't think so.

[MadAsHell 4,088]

Can't believe were after Brynes he is a spud, a 28 year old spud. People saying he's got good foot skills are having a laugh obviously haven't seen him play much. The fact he cant get a game in front of guys like Murdoch, Simpkin, Sheringham etc tells you something. Hope its just a rumour.

That comment makes me wonder if you've ever seen Byrnes play for two reasons.

One because he's got very good foot skills as long as he's kicking off his left. And two because he's a small crumbing forward and the players at Geelong who you're saying are getting games ahead of him aren't competing with Byrnes for a small forward role. The players keeping Byrnes out are Chapman, Stokes, Christensen and Motlop. All pretty handy players.

[Dee_Flower 53]

Byrnes is, at the least, a good VFL standard small forward. But he's probably better than that - a good average player who could get a regular spot in half the teams in the league.

Not good enough? OK, he's not the Wiz in full flight. So what? At present, we don't even have Diamond Valley League standard small forwards.

[Philthy 284]

Can't believe were after Brynes he is a spud, a 28 year old spud. People saying he's got good foot skills are having a laugh obviously haven't seen him play much. The fact he cant get a game in front of guys like Murdoch, Simpkin, Sheringham etc tells you something. Hope its just a rumour.

Clearly you have never seen the guy play! When you are a 2 time premiership player in a team that most consider the greatest of all time, come see me.

[BarnDee 284]

Can't believe were after Brynes he is a spud, a 28 year old spud. People saying he's got good foot skills are having a laugh obviously haven't seen him play much. The fact he cant get a game in front of guys like Murdoch, Simpkin, Sheringham etc tells you something. Hope its just a rumour.

i watched a bit of the game from casey today , he seemed to going heaps better than our lot for casey yesterday , i know a spud when i see one , but ive never spoken to one , UNTIL NOW !

[DemonDan... 77]

Can't believe were after Brynes he is a spud, a 28 year old spud. People saying he's got good foot skills are having a laugh obviously haven't seen him play much.

The fact he cant get a game in front of guys like Murdoch, Simpkin, Sheringham etc tells you something.

Bingo.

Would I want the club to trade for Burns ? No. Am I happy to have him on the list for a couple of years when we get him for nothing ? Of course.

Agree with this.. I'll take the experience and advice, but only for 'free'..

Could / Would we rookie him?