First Delistings Announced

[Hannibal 5,814]

Though its sad to see a lot of these players go, most of them would not be in our best 22.

Sad ?

My reaction:

[Mono 454]

I'd say the most depressing part about our delisting of Bate is that we could have gotten the Bulldogs 2nd round pick for him last season!!!

Think we wanted a 2nd rounder, but dogs offered a 3rd. Whatever, I agree, and Bates would have at least 1 year more in the AFL (the doggies gave Sherman 3 yrs FFS).

You were correct; dogs offered 2nd rounder, we wanted 1st. Sheesh.

[DemonDave 1,078]

I think its great we've finally got a coaching panel that has the chutzpah to get rid of all the NQRs on our list in one fell swoop, rather than making the excuse of not wanting to imbalance the list with too many changes at once. I dont lament any that have been given the chop today.

Our only query next year will be depth, if we get a few injuries, which seems inevitable, a few of these players would have been the next called up. We now have to put our faith in the next wave, Evans, Taggert et al to step up.

[Carrot Top 947]

At least we can't complain that things are ever boring around the MFC.

[Maldonboy38 6,176]

On TV a few years ago when channel 10 were still boradcasting footy, Blight was asked what do you do to immediatley fix problems in a team that has been down for a long period. His answer was immediate and frank. He said, you look through the stats - those players who always play badly when the team gets flogged - and delist them.

I am not sure how this stacks up with what Neeld is doing at the moment, but considering Blight is one of Neeld's mentors I can see this philosophy been one factor in the heap of trades and delistings. Perhaps with the exception of Rivers, players like Bennell, Petterd, Bate, Moloney, have all played poorly in a lot of floggings over the past 4-5 years.

Others like Gysbert, Cook and Morrton don't match his clear emnphasis on body size.

Neeld is very much in control now.

[deejammin' 2,096]

I am always sad to see MFC players go, as I support them 100% and always want them to be the best. But I am not suprised or upset with the delistings. It is dissappointing that Morton, Petterd, Gys and even Martin couldn't get there, but they may have luck at other clubs (my bet would be Morton won't, Martin and Gys might). The only things I wish I could change about the trade period is that we had kept Rivers and managed to somehow get Ray.

[demonoid 317]

Bate will find another club. Bit disappointed to see him go but Neeld knows what he is doing. Always liked when he marked it on the HFF and banged it inside 50, plus the clutch goal he kicked in the final against the Aints in 2006.

Reckon Jetta's 1%er against St Kilda in Round 20 that ended in a goal for Sellar got him over the line. The little fella sure has a crack.

On the rookie list, Nicholson and probably Pickles will get upgrades.

that 1 per centre didn't escape my attention either. Was a bit of a career defining moment

[Sir Why You Little 35,394]

Forget 186 WYL.

Thats Just one match.

The ghosts of the last 47 yrs odd, is what we need to overcome.

Poor performances since then have not been evaded.

This has to be the fresh start the club nee'ds to move into a professional winning habit.

i agree but many on our list were involved in 186....The last 47 years before that are largely out of Neeld's control..

The Club will look hugely different when it takes the field next year.

The Media will not know how to take this...dammed if you do.....

[Dr. Gonzo 22,866]

On TV a few years ago when channel 10 were still boradcasting footy, Blight was asked what do you do to immediatley fix problems in a team that has been down for a long period. His answer was immediate and frank. He said, you look through the stats - those players who always play badly when the team gets flogged - and delist them.

When Blight first came to the Crows he immediately delisted sacred cows McDermott, McGuiness, Anderson and a couple of others from memory. Supporters at the time weren't too happy but 12 & 24 months later they were bloody ecstatic!

[45HG 1,539]

The last 47 years before that are largely out of Neeld's control..

Largely out of Neeld's control.

Unless he can jump in a time machine, the 47 years previous have nothing to do with Neeld (save a few meetings between the Pies and the Dees where he played a minor role and on a few occasions as a player).

186 is a horrible blight on our club and still gives me nightmares - it has, however, served as a catalyst for a monumental shift in direction (hopefully for the positive).

No decisions are made purely with 186 in mind, but that day forced the club to look in the mirror and choose a new path.

Whilst 9 of the players who played that day are already gone, they are not gone purely for their involvement in that game. They are gone because of a mixture of continual failure and Neeld's desire to stamp his philosophy on the list as quickly as possible

[stueyspencer no12 73]

You have to wonderiwhat the underlying issues are with Petterds attitude and application.

Couldn't get a game in our team, and unwanted even for a give away trade with another club.....

You have to wonderiwhat the underlying issues are with Petterds attitude and application.

Couldn't get a game in our team, and unwanted even for a give away trade with another club.....

He was injured for Pete's sake. An Achilles injury.Ever tried to play anything with a damaged Achilles?

[Binmans PA 26,868]

It looks like we've left ourselves five spots on the list. Four rookies (Magner, Nicholson, Couch and Evans) look like they'll be upgraded, which leaves one pick (#4) to add to the senior list. Then the rookie list will seemingly be entirely new faces.

We may not keep Couch and Evans, which will leave two further spots. A speculative delisted free agent and our first pick in the PSD (pick #3). Their position may depend on whether we go for a delisted free agent next week.

I think I've got that right...

[Tex 68]

Cannot believe Petterd has been delisted.

He has had injury problems for the last 2 years.

Prior he was progressing very well and proving to be a match winner.

Very disappointed and furious at this decision.

I really cannot understand this.

The club needs to come out and explain there rationale behind the delistings, Petterd in particular.

Not happy.

[Dr. Gonzo 22,866]

Petterd did OK under Bailey but I would have thought the fact he couldn't get a game this year would have given a fair indication where his future lay. I can't understand how anyone is surprised by his delisting. Bennell surprises me more than Petterd and even he was 60/40 gone in my mind.

What is surprising is that neither of Fitzpatrick, Spencer or Gawn were shown the door (moreso Spencer & Fitzpatrick, Gawn only due to his injuries).

[Demonstone 20,162]

I drove past the MCG today and both thumbs on the Norm Smith statue were up.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,005]

So, we have 11 senior listed players gone and six coming in (including Viney). That gives us five live spots. Obviously pick 4 is used in the draft. Given that Evans isn't listed in the Rookie de-listings I would guess that he is going to be offered a contract, and obviously Nicho as well. That would leave us with two more spots, either late draft picks, PSD or de-listed free agents. I assume both Magner and Couch will be kept on the Rookie list for another season to fully judge whether they are up to the standard. Of course, this is only the first list lodgement right? We may yet make more cuts.

Big surprises for me:

Williams gone - He had a shocking year with injuries and a coma, but came back and started showing some real ability. I would have liked to keep him around for another year.

Davis kept - I know he has a red hot go, but he hasn't managed to crack it for a single senior game in two years when half of our list was out injured and we were playing some of the worst football in living memory. Obviously his aggression and workrate appeals and he may have a chance to push for selection with Rivers gone.

No-Brainers:

Bennell - Has repeatedly failed to produce when we needed him to. Soft, gifted. Needed to learn that his speed and natural talents weren't enough on their own.

Lawrence - Already walked

Jurrah - See Lawrence.

[rpfc 27,714]

Cannot believe Petterd has been delisted.

He has had injury problems for the last 2 years.

Prior he was progressing very well and proving to be a match winner.

Very disappointed and furious at this decision.

I really cannot understand this.

The club needs to come out and explain there rationale behind the delistings, Petterd in particular.

Not happy.

He has played as many good games in the last couple of years as you have fingers on one hand.

Maybe less...

[Hannibal 5,814]

Cannot believe Petterd has been delisted.

Prior he was progressing very well and proving to be a match winner.

Very disappointed and furious at this decision.

[LegsLeoncelli 162]

No offence to OP as a means of providing information, but so far, 4 pages of meh and counting.

Bring on 2013.

[Geddy Lee 582]

No more Bate, Petterd, Bennell, Morton, Cook.

Very happy Geddy Lee.

[Roost It 1,434]

The club didn't just get a couple of good coaches in Neeld and Craig it got a couple of cohuna's. and now it's swinging them around.

[tonatopia 278]

It think Tex has a point.

The Club should come out with a statement with a reason why each of these players were delisted.

Something like;

Petterd - Delisted due to commitment levels not meeting club standards.

Bennell - Delisted due to a weakness in his ability to get into the play and win contested football.

Bate - Delisted due to an inability to secure a position within our best 22 after 8 years of service.

and so on.

Many supporters follow players, and these supporters should be given a reason why the club choose not to re-contract players.

I believe it could be done in a tactful way.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,005]

No more Bate, Petterd, Bennell, Morton, Cook.

Very happy Geddy Lee.

But with them gone, who is left for the people on here to complain about? All we'll ever hear is Dunn and Watts!

[Dee Fan 3,247]

I was reminded today by Mono that I posted back in July that Neeld and Craig said at the time there were going to be massive changes at the club come the end of the year and I think that there will be more to come. They did say at the time they would be scouring all the leagues and competition looking for any talent that has gone unnoticed so there may be some left field selections to come.

[farmerwiz 60]

all average players who didnt stand up consistently, nor didnt have the committment or talent to get a game with a bottom 4 team

we should be giving neeld a standing ovation