If he doesn't leave (which is now unlikely) then how would we explain his attitude this season? (let's not forget that he was largely ordinary in 2012 & 2013 like most of our players from those 2 years)

Considering what he's been asked to do this season (play as a KPF), I reckon his form this season has been an improvement on his previous 2 years so it could be argued that he's improved. Not too good to not too bad might be the best way to describe his form from 2012/13 to this year.

I reckon he's only ever had one year we're he's been really switched on (2010) The rest of the time he's played without an apparent desire to be a dominant player (given his natural ability) Because of that lack of real desire, it turns out that he's just not that good a player.

If he leaves and we can turn the "possible" decent compo in our favour, we'll have won out on the deal.

It has been designed by the players to allow easy movement.

It was never meant to be "fair"

We just have to get better at luring the players we want.

Luring players? Gee, we'd need to get better if we want to become a club of destination, wyl.

I would happily blame Chip for leaving.

He has used the line of "I will wait to see the direction of the club" yet has done nothing himself to help move the team forward, instead spending the year treading water.

As for the no success line, that is not guaranteed for anyone when they play footy.

Gary Ablett Snr., Bob Skilton, Robert Harvey, Robbie Flower, the AFL/VFL road is strewn with some of the greatest players to ever pull on a boot who never experienced the ultimate success, but what set them apart was they never stopped meeting their own high standards and trying to drag their team mates along with them, they didn't cry about it or wait for someone else to put their hand up.

The fact of the matter is that Chip and many of his modern contemparies think that football somehow owes them a premiership medal whether they put in the required work both on and off the ground, I manage a staff of about 60 and if any of them put in a shift like he has this season he would be lucky to retain his job much less receive a golden ticket, if his workrate both physically and mentally don't improve markedly he will struggle to cement a place at a top club.

If or when this does happen it will reflect how terrible he has been this year when he had such a great opportunity to help lead us forward but decided that would be all to hard.

His actions have smacked of someone who wants success but are unwilling to pay the required price.

^^

double like

I would happily blame Chip for leaving.

He has used the line of "I will wait to see the direction of the club" yet has done nothing himself to help move the team forward, instead spending the year treading water.

As for the no success line, that is not guaranteed for anyone when they play footy.

Gary Ablett Snr., Bob Skilton, Robert Harvey, Robbie Flower, the AFL/VFL road is strewn with some of the greatest players to ever pull on a boot who never experienced the ultimate success, but what set them apart was they never stopped meeting their own high standards and trying to drag their team mates along with them, they didn't cry about it or wait for someone else to put their hand up.

The fact of the matter is that Chip and many of his modern contemparies think that football somehow owes them a premiership medal whether they put in the required work both on and off the ground, I manage a staff of about 60 and if any of them put in a shift like he has this season he would be lucky to retain his job much less receive a golden ticket, if his workrate both physically and mentally don't improve markedly he will struggle to cement a place at a top club.

If or when this does happen it will reflect how terrible he has been this year when he had such a great opportunity to help lead us forward but decided that would be all to hard.

His actions have smacked of someone who wants success but are unwilling to pay the required price.

Frawley has played 138 games for 112 losses.

He has had 26 wins in his entire career to date.

To pluck out just one of your examples, Robert Harvey passed that mark by his third season. By the time he had reached Frawley's stage in his career, he had been a part of 70 wins.

I don't wish to be a Frawley apologist. No-one is more disappointed in the latter half of his season than me. But I'd love to see a record that compares with his. It is shocking, to say the least.

Many players of his ability would've tried to leave long before now, but he chose to stick around and for the lions share of his MFC career has given his all. His motivation has finally been worn down after 8 years of crud and that's disappointing. But guess what? He's human. He's fallible.

It's very easy to make Frawley the villain here. To lump him in with Scully and others.

It takes a bit of pause for thought to think about the factors that have not been in his control.

There's two sides to every coin. I can sympathies with Frawley but his demeanor and body language has been appalling all year, and he should put his money where his mouth is. He is a leader at the MFC and needs to drive standards. Instead, he seems content to let everyone else do the hard work and, failing that, he wants to blame them when the team doesn't win. If he has no intention of staying, man up and say so, instead of taking the match payments and contributing nothing on field.

I would happily blame Chip for leaving.

He has used the line of "I will wait to see the direction of the club" yet has done nothing himself to help move the team forward, instead spending the year treading water.

As for the no success line, that is not guaranteed for anyone when they play footy.

Gary Ablett Snr., Bob Skilton, Robert Harvey, Robbie Flower, the AFL/VFL road is strewn with some of the greatest players to ever pull on a boot who never experienced the ultimate success, but what set them apart was they never stopped meeting their own high standards and trying to drag their team mates along with them, they didn't cry about it or wait for someone else to put their hand up.

The fact of the matter is that Chip and many of his modern contemparies think that football somehow owes them a premiership medal whether they put in the required work both on and off the ground, I manage a staff of about 60 and if any of them put in a shift like he has this season he would be lucky to retain his job much less receive a golden ticket, if his workrate both physically and mentally don't improve markedly he will struggle to cement a place at a top club.

If or when this does happen it will reflect how terrible he has been this year when he had such a great opportunity to help lead us forward but decided that would be all to hard.

His actions have smacked of someone who wants success but are unwilling to pay the required price.

I would not put Gary Ablett senior within a solar system of that list.

That I don't know. As explained by the source, who is in the media, divulging that information would equate to Frawley and/or his manager, by imputation, breaching the rules governing FA, as they - and it's a joke really - cannot be seen to be giving 'in-principle' agreements to any other club, before the actual FA period commences.

Disappointing, if true. He had me thinking he was a loyal country boy.

Will be [censored] to see Rivers and Chip in the geelong backline . Disgusted.

In the era of free agency the issue of priority picks or trade market value free agent compensation will be central to the fortunes of the smaller clubs like us. The bigger clubs will consistently use free agency to recruit good or great players seeking premierships from smaller clubs which will make it even more challenging for the later to build a team capable of making the top 4 and having a chance of winning the flag.

I don't blame Rivers for leaving and I don't blame Frawley if he does leave too. They're not seeking more money just the chance to play finals footy and win a flag before the end of their careers.

But for us the compensation pick is way under the trade market value of the player. And thats the key issue. Fix that or start handing out priority pics. Otherwise stop carrying on about equalisation and just let us die the death of a thousand cuts.

I would not put Gary Ablett senior within a solar system of that list.

Players who never won a flag but never stopped putting in for their clubs.

You can take it or leave it whether he should be there.

Who really cares what happens to Frawley Yaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrnn!

He will be replaced and forgotton next year if he goes so why all the comment

So you think a 26 year old defender leaving Melbourne and probably ending up at one of the strongest clubs in the AFL such as Hawthorn or Geelong, one of the clubs that wins those Premiership things will be replaced and forgotten?

Jesus wept. How do you think a Scarlett or a Silvagni would have gone playing key defence behind midfields getting right thrashed week in week out, year in year out?

Of course maybe you don't think the Hawks or the Cats are much good at list management. The Cats apparently are willing to offer him a 5 year deal.

There's two sides to every coin. I can sympathies with Frawley but his demeanor and body language has been appalling all year, and he should put his money where his mouth is. He is a leader at the MFC and needs to drive standards. Instead, he seems content to let everyone else do the hard work and, failing that, he wants to blame them when the team doesn't win. If he has no intention of staying, man up and say so, instead of taking the match payments and contributing nothing on field.

Agree that his body language has been appalling. But I would hate to see the AFL go down the Rugby League path of players announcing their departure before the season is out. Just don't think it would work, and there would be far too much pressure on the coaches to not select that player. Imagine if Frawley had announced he was leaving in Rd 11? How would the club and the fans react? We wouldn't want him to be picked in the ones, but is it fair on Frawley to have to play in the VFL when he's clearly an AFL-standard player?

Anyway I echo the thoughts of those that a) believe he is going and b) don't begrudge him for it.

I would happily blame Chip for leaving.

He has used the line of "I will wait to see the direction of the club" yet has done nothing himself to help move the team forward, instead spending the year treading water.

As for the no success line, that is not guaranteed for anyone when they play footy.

Gary Ablett Snr., Bob Skilton, Robert Harvey, Robbie Flower, the AFL/VFL road is strewn with some of the greatest players to ever pull on a boot who never experienced the ultimate success, but what set them apart was they never stopped meeting their own high standards and trying to drag their team mates along with them, they didn't cry about it or wait for someone else to put their hand up.

The fact of the matter is that Chip and many of his modern contemparies think that football somehow owes them a premiership medal whether they put in the required work both on and off the ground, I manage a staff of about 60 and if any of them put in a shift like he has this season he would be lucky to retain his job much less receive a golden ticket, if his workrate both physically and mentally don't improve markedly he will struggle to cement a place at a top club.

If or when this does happen it will reflect how terrible he has been this year when he had such a great opportunity to help lead us forward but decided that would be all to hard.

His actions have smacked of someone who wants success but are unwilling to pay the required price.

And when do we pay the final instalment of this premiership price?

Not currently worth his price tag.... But no doubt will perform well in a top 4 team........

Free agency hey....this competition is turning into a EPl were only 4-6 teams will win flags as they will raid the best players....

I guess that's the even competition the Afl are talking about!

Frawley has played 138 games for 112 losses.

He has had 26 wins in his entire career to date.

To pluck out just one of your examples, Robert Harvey passed that mark by his third season. By the time he had reached Frawley's stage in his career, he had been a part of 70 wins.

I don't wish to be a Frawley apologist. No-one is more disappointed in the latter half of his season than me. But I'd love to see a record that compares with his. It is shocking, to say the least.

Many players of his ability would've tried to leave long before now, but he chose to stick around and for the lions share of his MFC career has given his all. His motivation has finally been worn down after 8 years of crud and that's disappointing. But guess what? He's human. He's fallible.

It's very easy to make Frawley the villain here. To lump him in with Scully and others.

It takes a bit of pause for thought to think about the factors that have not been in his control.

Then show some balls and say so.

His mantra so far has been I want to play for a club heading in the right direction as long as it does so without me having to contribute.

His AA year was superb, but he has not improved on that since and has regressed steadily.

He is at the point in his career where he should be a leader that can drag team mates along with him, through his actions on the field and off it.

Pathetic that he was waiting for the club to improve when he is one that should be driving that from within.

Yes there have been factors out of his control but he has done nothing with those within his control and made no effort to positively effect the others.

I'd rather have an 8 year key position player than start over again but it seems that is the cards we will be dealt.

So you think a 26 year old defender leaving Melbourne and probably ending up at one of the strongest clubs in the AFL such as Hawthorn or Geelong, one of the clubs that wins those Premiership things will be replaced and forgotten?

Jesus wept. How do you think a Scarlett or a Silvagni would have gone playing key defence behind midfields getting right thrashed week in week out, year in year out?

Of course maybe you don't think the Hawks or the Cats are much good at list management. The Cats apparently are willing to offer him a 5 year deal.

He'll end up like Moloney. On the scrap heap.

He'll end up like Moloney. On the scrap heap.

or a Key Defender in a team that plays finals and even wins some.

Funny how all this talk about "equalization" (absolute burocratic rubbish as far as I can tell) only began after the introduction of free agency.

The AFL, and the players association, knew exactly what would happen once players could choose which club they belonged to. "Equalization" is just another pathetic smokescreen by the AFL to give hope to supporters of clubs who, realistically, won't be anywhere near the top 4 for half a decade. They know the consequences for the code are dire if fans realize this, hence the smoke screen.

All the rubbish policies they've introduced will do nothing to help clubs like us. They just have to give the illusion that it's an equal competition, but fixturing, the draft, academies, COLA, etc. proves otherwise.

or a Key Defender in a team that plays finals and even wins some.

the way he's played this year? Really?

I would happily blame Chip for leaving.

He has used the line of "I will wait to see the direction of the club" yet has done nothing himself to help move the team forward, instead spending the year treading water.

As for the no success line, that is not guaranteed for anyone when they play footy.

Gary Ablett Snr., Bob Skilton, Robert Harvey, Robbie Flower, the AFL/VFL road is strewn with some of the greatest players to ever pull on a boot who never experienced the ultimate success, but what set them apart was they never stopped meeting their own high standards and trying to drag their team mates along with them, they didn't cry about it or wait for someone else to put their hand up.

The fact of the matter is that Chip and many of his modern contemparies think that football somehow owes them a premiership medal whether they put in the required work both on and off the ground, I manage a staff of about 60 and if any of them put in a shift like he has this season he would be lucky to retain his job much less receive a golden ticket, if his workrate both physically and mentally don't improve markedly he will struggle to cement a place at a top club.

If or when this does happen it will reflect how terrible he has been this year when he had such a great opportunity to help lead us forward but decided that would be all to hard.

His actions have smacked of someone who wants success but are unwilling to pay the required price.

Been a lazy bugger since day one,along with Col,JW and a few others.

This bloke picks his time to go,not the team player we need.

Contract player who plays for contracts,no thanks,lazy barstard and set terrible selfish attitude for other backline group.

Not currently worth his price tag.... But no doubt will perform well in a top 4 team........

Free agency hey....this competition is turning into a EPl were only 4-6 teams will win flags as they will raid the best players....

I guess that's the even competition the Afl are talking about!

If our compensation pick is pick 3 just wait for all the outrage from the other clubs. I've already heard hawthorn people spluttering that how can frawley be worth pick 3 when all they got for Franklin was pick 19. They just don't get it, want their cake and to eat it too. Gives me the you know whats.

I'm not sure how AFL fans and media can just brush off talks of other clubs offering Frawley or any other free agent deals before free agency begins as though it's not a big deal. It's probably just scuttlebutt and maybe they haven't spoken to him, but if they have, it's tampering and any club guilty of this should be stripped of draft picks and fined heavily, and player and manager suspended.

Chip appears from the other side of the fence to have ambled through much of this season as though his mind is elsewhere. The solution clearly isn't in the idiotic NRL method of having someone still run around in your colours after committing to someone else for the next season. The current system needs to be policed heavily and if that means someone gets an enormous paddling on the backside to set an example to the rest of the league then so be it.

Of course, unless we are the first ones to stuff it up blatantly, then just give us a small fine.

Chipper was a complete liability last night Absolutley didnt care and played lazy rubbish football Let him go and become somebody elses problem

Chipper was a complete liability last night Absolutley didnt care and played lazy rubbish football Let him go and become somebody elses problem

Thing is he will try his arse off at his new club, that's what makes it worse.