The future of Aaron Davey and the way Melbourne mistreats its veterans

[Dee man 299]

I've been listening to Glen Bartlett's president's speech and was struck by the following sentences:

"We need to be professional in everything we do. I'm a great believer in organisation that survivors are very much affected by the way people leave the organisation."

This, in my opinion, has been one of the main reasons why Melbourne is such a basket case at the moment. Forcing then-captain James McDonald into retirement is the obvious example, but is only one. Champions of the club such as Adem Yze, Russell Robertson, Jeff White, Matthew Whelan, and Cameron Bruce (and probably a few others I haven't mentioned) were not given the send-off they deserved - they were victims of a youth policy and given their marching orders prematurely. Yes, it's true that their skills in the final years were not what they were in the early 2000s. But their dismissal left a massive experience hole in our club, and a sense of distrust that probably contributed somewhat to the exits of Brock McLean, Tom Scully, Brent Moloney, and Jared Rivers (I'm speculating here, but hope my point still stands)

With that said, Melbourne has a huge decision to make in the next few weeks regarding the future of Aaron Davey. Do we delist him, ask him to retire, or give him the extra year on his contract that he wants? We all know Flash is past his best, but he is one of Melbourne's most experienced players. He's a great mentor to our indigenous players, and a favourite among many young fans. If he goes, out best 22 might not change but holes will emerge in our club.

While cutting Davey's career short is probably the most pragmatic decision from a list management perspective, it's terrible business and bad for the club's culture. It makes other senior players aware that they're no longer valued when they lose their skills. As such, it increases the chances of a Sylvia or a Frawley or a Watts wanting to look elsewhere for their future.

With all that said, what is the best course of action regarding Davey's future?

[Sir Why You Little 34,599]

Cutting Davey's career short!! You must be joking he was cooked 2 years ago.

This club has been way to soft for decades.

Robbie Flower and Neita are the only 2 players who deserved "special treatment" regarding retirement.

[ThreeOneSix 953]

I've been listening to Glen Bartlett's president's speech and was struck by the following sentences:

"We need to be professional in everything we do. I'm a great believer in organisation that survivors are very much affected by the way people leave the organisation."

This, in my opinion, has been one of the main reasons why Melbourne is such a basket case at the moment. Forcing then-captain James McDonald into retirement is the obvious example, but is only one. Champions of the club such as Adem Yze, Russell Robertson, Jeff White, Matthew Whelan, and Cameron Bruce (and probably a few others I haven't mentioned) were not given the send-off they deserved - they were victims of a youth policy and given their marching orders prematurely. Yes, it's true that their skills in the final years were not what they were in the early 2000s. But their dismissal left a massive experience hole in our club, and a sense of distrust that probably contributed somewhat to the exits of Brock McLean, Tom Scully, Brent Moloney, and Jared Rivers (I'm speculating here, but hope my point still stands)

With that said, Melbourne has a huge decision to make in the next few weeks regarding the future of Aaron Davey. Do we delist him, ask him to retire, or give him the extra year on his contract that he wants? We all know Flash is past his best, but he is one of Melbourne's most experienced players. He's a great mentor to our indigenous players, and a favourite among many young fans. If he goes, out best 22 might not change but holes will emerge in our club.

While cutting Davey's career short is probably the most pragmatic decision from a list management perspective, it's terrible business and bad for the club's culture. It makes other senior players aware that they're no longer valued when they lose their skills. As such, it increases the chances of a Sylvia or a Frawley or a Watts wanting to look elsewhere for their future.

With all that said, what is the best course of action regarding Davey's future?

We'll he hasn't done enough to justify a spot on the list, but hopefully we keep him around for the indigenous lads.

Davey speaks well and comes across as a likable fella.

Onya AD.

[beelzebub 22,225]

I would have thought his egress has been enacted/

[bananas 428]

Just to play devil's advocate:

The flip side of this argument is that, once players get on in years and are on the downward slope, it's completely reasonable and responsible that the club offers them 1 year contracts at reduced wages. If a bunch of prima donnas would rather sook and look elsewhere than swallow their pride and sign on in order to lead and be positive influences around the club, what are we supposed to do? The club ain't a charity.

(OBVIOUSLY this doesn't apply in every case sited in the OP ... but I'd be seriously surprised if it didn't apply in one or two of those cases. It comes back again to culture.)

[dazzledavey36 48,878]

You can thank Cam Schwab and Chris Connelly for all these mistreat of our snr players.

[dee-luded 2,958]

... if he's such a great mentor delist him & then rookie him as a mentor,, with added bonuses.

he's finished in the AFL but he can do some good with our kids & make it worth his while $$$.

but not to use a main list spot for him.

Edited August 18, 2013 by dee-luded

[ThreeOneSix 953]

You can thank Cam Schwab and Chris Connelly for all these mistreat of our snr players.

And Neeld.... I hate to pick on MN, but Rivers and Moloney didn't appear to have a problem with CC or CS, their problem appeared to be Neeld.

[DeeSpencer 23,189]

I'd like to thank the MFC for over extending the career of Aaron Davey. For not been held hostage to Cameron Bruce. For finally stopping Adem Yze's consecutive game streak about 100 games too late.

[Ted Lasso 16,855]

moloney would have been very handy this year

[1 red eye 1 blue eye 754]

Great question, many claim he's cooked but he was still more effective and creative with the footy than most of his team mates today. I think we can read from Bartletts speech that our senior players are going to get far better treatment than has been shown recently and rightly so. So like it or not I'd say the new era begins with Davey being offered a 1 year contract, the decision will be his to go again or retire.

[Bombay Airconditioning 5,941]

Look at Geelong, if Ling, Harley, Scarlett, Mooney(maybe not best example) all played on for that extra year or two they wouldn't still be pushing for a flag. A complete rebuild is no longer sustainable, 2-3 kids must be introduced every year, then you will have a good mix of age/experience. Players have been cashing in on us in recent years this must be stopped.

[dazzledavey36 48,878]

And Neeld.... I hate to pick on MN, but Rivers and Moloney didn't appear to have a problem with CC or CS, their problem appeared to be Neeld.

Wrong Rivers and moloney were part of a large group of players that pleaded with Don Mclardy on the eve of 186 to have Schwab and Connelly removed. They were both hated by the players and that is a fact.

[ThreeOneSix 953]

Look at Geelong, if Ling, Harley, Scarlett, Mooney(maybe not best example) all played on for that extra year or two they wouldn't still be pushing for a flag. A complete rebuild is no longer sustainable, 2-3 kids must be introduced every year, then you will have a good mix of age/experience. Players have been cashing in on us in recent years this must be stopped.

Probably the least of our problems really.

Realistically David Neitz could still play now and be our best forward.

[ThreeOneSix 953]

Wrong Rivers and moloney were part of a large group of players that pleaded with Don Mclardy on the eve of 186 to have Schwab and Connelly removed. They were both hated by the players and that is fact.

Combine that with the fact that Neeld was also hated and it's unstandable that our players want to see the club stable - before they sign.

If PJ had his own colours, I'd wear them.

[jnrmac 19,064]

moloney would have been very handy this year

What? Just like last year? Turn it up

[jnrmac 19,064]

Cutting Davey's career short!! You must be joking he was cooked 2 years ago.

This club has been way to soft for decades.

Robbie Flower and Neita are the only 2 players who deserved "special treatment" regarding retirement.

Nail. Head.

[CBDees 3,162]

Aaron was far from our worst today (and rarely is). I like the lad! He adds excitement when we bring him on.

[Machsy 2,858]

It's all about effective, open and honest COMMUNICATION.

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

I'd like to see Davey get another year.

[Earl Hood 5,789]

Cutting Davey's career short!! You must be joking he was cooked 2 years ago.

This club has been way to soft for decades.

Robbie Flower and Neita are the only 2 players who deserved "special treatment" regarding retirement.

Interesting comment given PJ's comments that one of the clubs problems is that we emptied the locker room of experience and leadership. I had stamped Davey's papers some weeks ago but I watched him today amongst the ineptitude around him and wondered if he is not worth a one year extension at basic wages. We all know Davey has deficiencies and he may need to a be a super sub going forward but gee he does have the ability to kick to a target. Oh and it's not just about the ability to hit a target, it's about looking for a target.

I say this after watching today Colin S and Trengove get the bal and just bomb it high and long into the forward line. And when they and everyone else does that we can then put sh&t on Davis and Fitzy not leading out and kicking a lazy 3 or 4.

A good side would work out a game plan the got the ball in Daveys hands at all costs and protected him from feral taggers. But we are in survival mode as a team, every man for themselves.

[Watts Jurrah Dunn? 735]

Yes we've got a few wrong, but now's not the time to be generous.

Davey's 4 year contract on $500k a year was generous enough.

Make a song and dance for him in the last round but he is finished. Small forwards need explosive pace and good engines so they can work up and back. The game has passed by the man who created forward pressure.

Thanks Aaron but goodbye.

[Gorgoroth 12,331]

I think the way the Doggies have gone about it with Gia, is an example we could easily follow.

[fredblackham 17]

There is no one on the list that can replace him as small forward next year. With a forward line that will be hopefully made up of the land of the giants, it will create quality crumbs. For simple football reasons he will go on one more year, leading the way for barry, toumpas and maybe blease.

[Choko 493]

We might yet Yarran in the Watts swap... then we have that crumber.