wilson writes: "and the reason for that mess is crystal clear"

It's clear to me what she's saying - we should ice any ideas of getting dusty.

..... should go west young man, but will probably do just the opposite.

Crystal-Ball says stay away. says he may find another 'Nest', as it were.

for what its worth, I think a giant bird of the game will fly northward....

but what does that stork return with

Edited September 17, 201311 yr by dee-luded

wilson writes: "and the reason for that mess is crystal clear"

It's clear to me what she's saying - we should ice any ideas of getting dusty.

We certainly shouldnt be mething around with any ideas of getting this guy.

Trying to build a culture of playing for the jumper, playing for your teammates, self sacrifice to be successful and we're talking about recruiting a bloke who is looking at leaving a strong successful team who has invested alot of money on and off field as well as time into giving him the opportunity to be an elite player, just to chase dollars.

Good player, maybe Roos could sort him out but i think we have other options open to us that would be more constructive from a cultural sense, David Swallow, Luke Shuey, Rory Sloane, Taylor Adams

This is not related to Dusty exclusively but more related to recruiting.

I do hope that the club and Paul Roos are on the same page with all of this. The guys we have in charge have runs on the board and have a much better grasp of footy than I ever will.

BUT...

We are hearing all this news that we are going after X player and Z player without any real rationale or logic. We hear about Daniel Cross and that makes sense. Roosy likes ready, made mature players who will fight, scrap and claw to get the best out of themselves. Then we hear we are after Dusty Martin who is a midfielder with some runs on the board but has been recognized as a certified peanut. Then we hear we are after Darren Jolly, a bloke who is still sooky after two premierships that Neale Daniher didn't talk to him, is coming. Are our recruitment staff reading Demonland and using it as their guide to recruiting? A lot of the stuff posted on here are hypotheticals, not plausible recruiting possibilities. Where is the rationale for bringing Jolly on board besides that he played for Roos in Sydney?

I really hope this is more a case of the Hutchy's and Damo's of this world stirring the pot on behalf of their player agent mates. If the Dees fall for their BS that is afforded to them by their media platform, then we will remain stuck on square one. These blokes will be the same merchant bankers who will be potting us for bringing the same blokes into the club.

We had the same debate about Ben Cousins when he was available, and he gave good qualtiy service to the Tigers for the time he was there.

Contrary to the judgemental hysteria of some.

As Willie Nelson is meant to have said "I think it is just terrible and

disgusting how everyone has treated Lance Armstrong, especially after what

he achieved, winning seven Tour de France races while on drugs. When I was

on drugs, I couldn't even find my bike."

I'm not so sure the tiges would agree as his influence still lingers on.

Why people get absorbed in and concerned by Wilson's articles are beyond me. They almost seem to take her views personally.

I'll generally read them, sometimes I'll agree, sometimes I won't, but either way it's never a big deal.

Roos is a smart and experienced operator. I wouldn't get too hung up on a few tidbits thrown out to the media.

Don't discount some gamesmanship.

Trying to build a culture of playing for the jumper, playing for your teammates, self sacrifice to be successful and we're talking about recruiting a bloke who is looking at leaving a strong successful team who has invested alot of money on and off field as well as time into giving him the opportunity to be an elite player, just to chase dollars.

Good player, maybe Roos could sort him out but i think we have other options open to us that would be more constructive from a cultural sense, David Swallow, Luke Shuey, Rory Sloane, Taylor Adams

Agreed

There are plenty more fish in the sea. From what I hear I don't really like this kids character and not to mention he has a bit of Trengove agility about him.

We may just be sniffing around and that's fine but he does smell funny.

If we could recruit a potential star with leadership skills then we kill two birds with one stone.

Edited September 17, 201311 yr by Young Dee

We had the same debate about Ben Cousins when he was available, and he gave good qualtiy service to the Tigers for the time he was there.

Contrary to the judgemental hysteria of some.

As Willie Nelson is meant to have said "I think it is just terrible and

disgusting how everyone has treated Lance Armstrong, especially after what

he achieved, winning seven Tour de France races while on drugs. When I was

on drugs, I couldn't even find my bike."

Daniel Connors says "High"

My concern about Martin is the amount of internal resources used up to keep him on the straight and narrow. That would diminish development of other players. And how would the other players feel if they saw the mount of effort being put into him while they are (relatively) ignored?

He's a great on-field talent but I question whether the amount of ongoing effort which seems likely to be consumed would be worth it, particularly as he's not the only player who could be recruited.

I've had enough of bad press over the past 7 years, I don't want to add to the mess going in to a new season, with the press constantly on his back waiting for him to slip up. I want good, positive press for a change.

Daniel Connors says "High"

Hey Daniel, I heard it was one man of 40+ at your club, a guy called "Ben", that is responsible for all your drug and behavioural issues and you falling out with the RFC...

So simplistic and indicative of our need to blame someone other than ourselves for our failures.

Edited September 17, 201311 yr by PaulRB

What is Roosy up to?

Subterfuge.

Misdirection.

"Fine, you don't want to be reasonable in your trade demands, we'll instead send pick X to someone else for YYYY"

Peter Jackson

"We need to return our focus on purely being a football club.

Everything else will flow from that.”

Edited September 17, 201311 yr by PaulRB

Alias...some do....and some dont.

You willing to put hard earned on ....that he will ??

Some folk just arent wired right

True and I'm certainly not too fussed if we get him or not. The reality is, he's looking for other offers and he's a real chance to end up at the Dee's. This would be why Roos has shown interest to his management and not Sloane's or Adams? Because Martin is a realistic get, the others are not. They are nothing but media rumours to get us all excited.

Pretty good midfielder with off field concerns looking for more money elsewhere.

It's the risk of hidden costs to money and reputation I would be trying to weigh up.

I think there are other midfielders available that have less risks surrounding them.

Hard call to make personally i would prefer lower risk.

Edited September 17, 201311 yr by PugtheMagician

I think it's far more likely as already intimated in the media that if Buddy goes to GWS it will only be if they adequately compensate Hawthorn ie pick 1. Which they will use to take Boyd.

Personally I hope that Buddy does go to GWS it take them out of the market and makes using the PSD a real option i.e. Martin for nothing (if we assess the risk that he poses as being tolerable - which seems doubtful) That way we can use pick 2 for someone like Swallow or Sloane.

Isnt buddy a free agent though? The AFL will decide the compo not Hawthorn (or have I missed something?). If Ablett was not #1, then would Buddy be?

This guy doesn't have a loyal bone in his body. I have great concerns about bringing a guy to the Dees, after everything Richmond did for him, and put up with from him, is thinking about leaving for a bit of extra cash.

He is a bomb waiting to explode, and could end up as the leagues new Ben Cousins or Brendan Fevola. Not what our club really needs at this point.

...however, he is just about past that immature age, and the next two or three years will have a big impact on his character for the rest of his life. If Paul Roos and his eventual successor believe that they can turn this kid into a gun midfielder, a loyal Melbourne man and a respectable human being, I'd be willing to back them in on this one.

Yes for me if it's a yes for Roos.

My concern about Martin is the amount of internal resources used up to keep him on the straight and narrow. That would diminish development of other players. And how would the other players feel if they saw the mount of effort being put into him while they are (relatively) ignored?

He's a great on-field talent but I question whether the amount of ongoing effort which seems likely to be consumed would be worth it, particularly as he's not the only player who could be recruited.

Is it any different to the resources deployed to support Liam Jurrah?

Obviously, their circumstances aren't comparable, but the time / effort / energy / money invested in their welfare is probably not dissimilar.

True and I'm certainly not too fussed if we get him or not. The reality is, he's looking for other offers and he's a real chance to end up at the Dee's. This would be why Roos has shown interest to his management and not Sloane's or Adams? Because Martin is a realistic get, the others are not. They are nothing but media rumours to get us all excited.

thsts a fair and reasonable point. It actually goes to my reason for starting a topic on other board as to the methodology of Roos at this end of the season as to garnering new faces.

Ie what does he go for

Jeez... No wonder we are basket case... Its time to man up Melbourne!!

If he where that bad, then why are Richmond even offering him a deal?

Martin would change the way our team performs straight away.....just like he did for the tigers.... How is this not good? If we got him, he would be our best player!! Who do have thats better? Jones...pfft!

Don't think!! DO!!

Is it any different to the resources deployed to support Liam Jurrah?

Obviously, their circumstances aren't comparable, but the time / effort / energy / money invested in their welfare is probably not dissimilar.

That's a good question.

Jeez... No wonder we are basket case... Its time to man up Melbourne!!

If he where that bad, then why are Richmond even offering him a deal?

Martin would change the way our team performs straight away.....just like he did for the tigers.... How is this not good? If we got him, he would be our best player!! Who do have thats better? Jones...pfft!

Don't think!! DO!!

they're not really, its a claytons effort at a contract, designed to make him & his manager look around... I heard it was a 2 Yr deal, & they didn't keep it on the table... they pulled the offer completely.

that isn't what you do when you want a player.

Trying to build a culture of playing for the jumper, playing for your teammates, self sacrifice to be successful and we're talking about recruiting a bloke who is looking at leaving a strong successful team who has invested alot of money on and off field as well as time into giving him the opportunity to be an elite player, just to chase dollars.

Good player, maybe Roos could sort him out but i think we have other options open to us that would be more constructive from a cultural sense, David Swallow, Luke Shuey, Rory Sloane, Taylor Adams

I am in full agreement but happy to see the other 16 teams focus on Martin whilst Roos and Viney work out a strategy to get David Swallow, Luke Shuey, Rory Sloane, Taylor Adams whilst they are all distracted.

I see this as a win win situation. If we can obtain Martin so be it, it's a win. Although I would concerned about his off field misdemeanors. If he decides to re-sign with Richmond it's a win as we've driven his price up and subsequently tightened the Richmond salary cap, reducing their odds as a competitor over a couple trade periods.

Ideally I would prefer the later and use the money on say a Rockcliff, Sloane, S. Selwood or even D. Swallow but if it eventuates I won't be complaining.