Jump to content

Michael Evans Delisted


reynolds46

Recommended Posts

Many of the posts around the draft seem to end up discussing Evans and delisting and placing him on the rookie list. I have no real opinion on him but wondered what is the point of him hanging around (except that he is contracted) if he isn't got any long term future. I know little of him except that he is young, injured a lot and played reasonably well on debut. Can anybody provide some insight into why he is still on the list beside being 'contracted' and any upside in keeping him?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Revisionist^^

At the time Evans was showing very good signs and was a player that was actually tracking well increasing his possession count and hitting targets more often than others.

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Revisionist^^

At the time Evans was showing very good signs and was a player that was actually tracking well increasing his possession count and hitting targets more often than others.

you are forgetting - anything poor that has ever happened blame Neeld ( fallback position - blame Watts)

  • Like 11
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Many of the posts around the draft seem to end up discussing Evans and delisting and placing him on the rookie list. I have no real opinion on him but wondered what is the point of him hanging around (except that he is contracted) if he isn't got any long term future.

Totally agree. If we are going to de-list him (payout included), there's no point in re-rookieing him. We're better off selecting a kid who is still an unknown quantity, as opposed to re-selecting Evans who is a known quantity, of which there isn't much quality onfeld-wise.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

He was an average player at best initially, who has regressed significantly over the past couple of years. Far better players have come and gone during his time at the club. I am more than comfortable with the idea of delisting him, paying his contract out in full and finding a replacement.

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Revisionist^^

At the time Evans was showing very good signs and was a player that was actually tracking well increasing his possession count and hitting targets more often than others.

Also forgetting he was injured for most of that season. Why he was re-signed for 2 years was unbelievable.

If there was a semblance of some promise, a 1 year extension would have sufficed. Nothing shown subsequently to warrant his position.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites


Firstly Josh Mahoney recontracted him. He's my biggest fear at the club. Well him and Todd Viney actually. But that's for another thread.

Secondly Evans was our second best healthy young midfielder at the time behind Viney. It's a joke but it's true. I have no problem with a 2 year deal for him.

We beefed up our older midfield brigade. From Jones * 2 we added Cross, Vince and converted Watts to a midfielder. As well as Tyson as another young midfield gun.

Trengove went by the wayside. McKenzie went backwards.

A whole lot of guys - Toumpas, Michie, Riley, McKenzie, Barry (and now Newton) haven't shown that much more than Evans did in 2012.

I have little faith in Evans long term. I have some inside info that I've given to some and in some places involving what I think is happening behind the scenes. But that's enough for now. I'm not whinging about Evans getting 2 years at the time though. With how poor our list was I think he deserved it from some decent games and his 2013 was unexpectedly poor probably due to the change in coach. The expectation that Roos would improve all players equally is a myth but you couldn't expect Evans to drop off in the pecking order as far as he did. (Not blaming Roos or saying Evans is a good player or saying Roos is wrong to drop him down the pecking order, I just think the FD were right to expect him to still be around the mark last year and worth another shot in 2014).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Firstly Josh Mahoney recontracted him. He's my biggest fear at the club. Well him and Todd Viney actually. But that's for another thread.

Secondly Evans was our second best healthy young midfielder at the time behind Viney. It's a joke but it's true. I have no problem with a 2 year deal for him.

We beefed up our older midfield brigade. From Jones * 2 we added Cross, Vince and converted Watts to a midfielder. As well as Tyson as another young midfield gun.

Trengove went by the wayside. McKenzie went backwards.

A whole lot of guys - Toumpas, Michie, Riley, McKenzie, Barry (and now Newton) haven't shown that much more than Evans did in 2012.

I have little faith in Evans long term. I have some inside info that I've given to some and in some places involving what I think is happening behind the scenes. But that's enough for now. I'm not whinging about Evans getting 2 years at the time though. With how poor our list was I think he deserved it from some decent games and his 2013 was unexpectedly poor probably due to the change in coach. The expectation that Roos would improve all players equally is a myth but you couldn't expect Evans to drop off in the pecking order as far as he did. (Not blaming Roos or saying Evans is a good player or saying Roos is wrong to drop him down the pecking order, I just think the FD were right to expect him to still be around the mark last year and worth another shot in 2014).

It should also be added that at the time he was re-signed, Evans was getting his hands on the footy and showing a bit of pace. He had come off a wretched period recovering from a back injury and looking good. There was room for improvement and a return to the high possession football he had demonstrated when he made his debut (co-incidentally around the time Jack Trengove was suspended for that tackle on Dangerfield).

In 2014, Pickles went backwards. His form at Casey was just so so and when he came into the Melbourne team (for 3 games, 1 goal), he really struggled and on performances doesn't justify a place on the senior list. As alluded to elsewhere, he can take his contract payment and disappear into the sunset or, he has another option - to cop it on the chin and work his butt off like Nev Jetta did and resurrect his career. That's what football was all about once upon a time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Firstly Josh Mahoney recontracted him. He's my biggest fear at the club. Well him and Todd Viney actually. But that's for another thread.

Why do we have to get rid of everyone?

Jackson promoted Mahoney.

Is that not a sign that our chosen saviour thinks he has promise?

Is it his lack of experience that concerns you?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Firstly Josh Mahoney recontracted him. He's my biggest fear at the club. Well him and Todd Viney actually. But that's for another thread.

1. I highly doubt Mahoney makes contract decisions alone.

2. Lets assume he was responsible. Is it really worth hanging him out to dry over offering a 2 year extension when in hindsight it should have only been 1 year?

Edited by UTAH
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why do we have to get rid of everyone?

Jackson promoted Mahoney.

Is that not a sign that our chosen saviour thinks he has promise?

Is it his lack of experience that concerns you?

His lack of experience. That he was trained as a coach by Bailey and Neeld and educated as an administrator by Schwab. That the initial plan was for an experienced head of football until Jackson (rightly or wrongly) settled with Mahoney.

That he was part of the group to so eagerly contract some ordinary players prior to trade week. That he seems keen to give out 2 year deals (Evans/Barry). That we seemed to be caught on the hop on the potential of the saints getting their hands on to Frost. And that in general he doesn't sound like the sharpest tool in the shed when interviewed.

Plus a delisted player straight out told me he's a bit of a battler.

Time will tell.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


1. I highly doubt Mahoney makes contract decisions alone.

2. Lets assume he was responsible. Is it really worth hanging him out to dry over offering a 2 year extension when in hindsight it should have only been 1 year?

Someone above blamed Neeld. My point was only to say it was Mahoney (who does the contracts) combined with Viney (list manager at the time) who were involved in recontracting Evans, not Neeld.

I didn't blame Mahoney for the decision. As I said i too would've given Evans a 2nd year. I couldn't forsee him having such a poor year in 2014 that he was rated as he is now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Evans has proved to be a major disappointment.

His senior games were disgraceful, looked out of place and turned the ball over badly. As already stated the feedback he received from his Casey performances was very ordinary.

Very lucky to still be on the list

The only thing more ordinary than his Casey performances were the rest of the team and the relationship between MFC and Casey and just as importantly the relationships between the Melbourne footy department and the players playing at Casey.

No doubt some of those players weren't up to it. Others were whingers who probably weren't ever going to have an attitude change. But I do believe there is enough blame for both sides and hence why I'm very pleased with the appointments of Plapp, Byrnes and McCartney.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The only thing more ordinary than his Casey performances were the rest of the team and the relationship between MFC and Casey and just as importantly the relationships between the Melbourne footy department and the players playing at Casey.

No doubt some of those players weren't up to it. Others were whingers who probably weren't ever going to have an attitude change. But I do believe there is enough blame for both sides and hence why I'm very pleased with the appointments of Plapp, Byrnes and McCartney.

Is Evans a mate of yours?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is Evans a mate of yours?

No. This isn't about Evans. I have no problems with him being delisted. Nor anyone else who was delisted or traded in this trade period or in any others recently. With maybe a tinge of regret over Jamie Bennell.

I'm simply passing on some things I have heard.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

No. This isn't about Evans. I have no problems with him being delisted. Nor anyone else who was delisted or traded in this trade period or in any others recently. With maybe a tinge of regret over Jamie Bennell.

I'm simply passing on some things I have heard.

Fair enough mate. Your points are valid.

Personally I don't think Evans will make it past Casey in 2015 but we can hope that he and others can beat the door down.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would hope we now have the systems in place to pick up if Mahoney's no good.

I don't think a whole lot would get past Jackson.

It's hard to tell with Mahoney. He might have been an alright coach with a forward line to work with or he might have found his niche as a football administrator.

I think he's squeezed in an MBA as well and while that doesn't guarantee he has a clue, it shows he's committed to the cause and self-improvement, unless of course, he got it from Deakin.

Edit: Joke

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    GETAWAY by Meggs

    Calling all fit players. Expect every available Melbourne player to board the Virgin cross-continent flight to Perth for this Round 4 clash on Saturday afternoon at Fremantle Oval. It promises to be keenly contested, though Fremantle is the bookies clear favourite.  If we lose, finals could be remoter than Rottnest Island especially following on from the Dees 50-point dismantlement by North Melbourne last Sunday.  There are 8 remaining matches, over the next 7 weeks.  To Meggs’

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    AFLW Melbourne Demons

    DRUBBING by Meggs

    With Casey Fields basking in sunshine, an enthusiastic throng of young Demons fans formed a guard of honour for the evergreen and much admired 75-gamer Paxy Paxman. As the home team ran out to play, Paxy’s banner promised that the Demons would bounce back from last week’s loss to Brisbane and reign supreme.   Disappointingly, the Kangaroos dominated the match to win by 50 points, but our Paxy certainly did her bit.  She was clearly our best player, sweeping well in defence.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    AFLW Melbourne Demons 4

    GARNER STRENGTH by Meggs

    In keeping with our tough draw theme, Week 3 sees Melbourne take on flag favourites, North Melbourne, at Casey Fields this Sunday at 1:05pm.  The weather forecast looks dry, a coolish 14 degrees and will be characteristically gusty.  Remember when Casey Fields was considered our fortress?  The Demons have lost two of their past three matches at the Field of Dreams, so opposition teams commute down the Princes Highway with more optimism these days.  The Dees held the highe

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    AFLW Melbourne Demons 1

    ALLY’S FIELDS by Meggs

    It was a sunny morning at Casey Fields, as Demon supporters young and old formed a guard of honour for fan favourite and 50-gamer Alyssa Bannan.  Banno’s banner stated the speedster was the ‘fastest 50 games’ by an AFLW player ever.   For Dees supporters, today was not our day and unfortunately not for Banno either. A couple of opportunities emerged for our number 6 but alas there was no sizzle.   Brisbane atoned for last week’s record loss to North Melbourne, comprehensively out

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    AFLW Melbourne Demons 1

    GOOD MORNING by Meggs

    If you are driving or training it to Cranbourne on Saturday, don’t forget to set your alarm clock. The Melbourne Demons play the reigning premiers Brisbane Lions at Casey Fields this Saturday, with the bounce of the ball at 11:05am.  Yes, that’s AM.   The AFLW fixture shows deference to the AFL men’s finals games.  So, for the men it’s good afternoon and good evening and for the women it’s good morning.     The Lions were wounded last week by 44 points, their highest ever los

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    AFLW Melbourne Demons 3

    HORE ON FIRE by Meggs

    The 40,000 seat $319 million redeveloped Kardinia Park Stadium was nowhere near capacity last night but the strong, noisy contingent of Melbourne supporters led by the DeeArmy journeyed to Geelong to witness a high-quality battle between two of the best teams in AFLW.   The Cats entered the arena to the blasting sounds of Zombie Nation and made a hot start kicking the first 2 goals. They brought tremendous forward half pressure, and our newly renovated defensive unit looked shaky.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    AFLW Melbourne Demons 11

    REMATCH by Meggs

    The Mighty Demons take on the confident Cats this Saturday night at the recently completed $319 million redeveloped GMHBA Stadium, with the bounce of the ball at 7:15pm. Our last game of 2023 was an agonisingly close 5-point semi-final loss to Geelong, and we look forward to Melbourne turning the tables this week. Practice match form was scratchy for both teams with the Demons losing practice matches to Carlton and Port Adelaide, while the Cats beat Collingwood but then lost to Essendo

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    AFLW Melbourne Demons

    WELCOME 2024 by Meggs

    It’s been hard to miss the seismic global momentum happening in Women’s sport of late. The Matildas have been playing to record sell-out crowds across Australia and ‘Mary Fowler is God’ is chalked onto footpaths everywhere. WNBA basketball rookie sensation Caitlin Clark has almost single-handedly elevated her Indiana Fever team to unprecedented viewership, attendances and playoffs in the USA.   Our female Aussie Paris 2024 Olympians won 13 out of Australia’s all-time record 18 gol

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    AFLW Melbourne Demons 3

    EPILOGUE by Whispering Jack

    I sit huddled in near darkness, the only light coming through flickering embers in a damp fireplace, the room in total silence after the thunderstorm died. I wonder if they bothered to restart the game.  No point really. It was over before it started. The team’s five star generals in defence and midfield ruled out of the fray, a few others missing in action against superior enemy firepower and too few left to fly the flag for the field marshal defiantly leading his outnumbered army int

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Match Reports 6
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...