Dom Barry steps away from AFL

[Mad_Melbourne 872]

We did extend his contract for two more years, just a few months ago. Obviously the football department saw some potential in him, that many of the posters in this thread did not.

was going to make this exact point. Roos not only was responsible for his resigning but heaped praise on him at his end of season interview from what i heard.

i remember i was lucky enough to have purchased this "recruiters experience" or something of the kind, and it coincided with Jesse Hogan presser, but had a chat with Todd Viney about either of Jed Anderson and Barry and he said how Barry addressed key issues that our list was deficient on as opposed to Anderson.

Dom Barry performed well as a tagger in the vfl and I personally think he did battle well against Hill, despite other posters having the opposite opinion.

Good luck to the fella, would not be surprised to see him on our rookie list if he ever does return.

[DubDee 21,092]

Has he nominated Geelong or Hawthorn as his 'club of choice' yet.

I agree with all who say the draft age needs to be raised. It is too young and not only do kids not know what they want out of life but clubs can't reasoanbly predict if a player will make it at AFL level. Bodies havent developed, its a huge step from schoolboy/TAC level footy...i would make it a 21 year old draft age and create a legitimate u21 state league.

I reckon Joel Selwood would disagree with you, he'd prefer his couple of premiership medals I would think!

Everyone is getting carried away with raising the draft age stuff - so a few lads quit to do other stuff or draft picks arent gaurunteed, so what? I'd rather be able to see Selwood, Judd, Wines etc tear it up on the big stage in their first years, and the ones that arent ready can play in the 2s and train in a professional environment

[daisycutter 28,641]

One of the questions Roos apparently asks draftees is if they really want to go on to be the best AFL footballer they can be, if they have a burning desire or if they have always just been very good at playing football. Perhaps Dom wasn't asked this question a couple of years ago

that's a very leading question fndee

what makes you think the draftee wouldn't just answer with the "required" answer?

interviewee 101

[monoccular 16,297]

I would exclude Clark and Scully from the once a demon always a demon sentiment.

Chip???

Another indigenous player quits.

Wonder if this will have some ramifications on later end of the draft picks.

At risk of being accused of racism or stereotyping, I am certain that this on top of the Wona and Jurrah walkouts will undoubtedly have an adverse effect on clubs' thoughts on indigenous players. Cannot help but.

I doubt trying to run with Brad Hill against Hawthorn this year did his confidence much good, it was a tough lesson

Are you suggesting that because it was a hard lesson he shouldn't have been given the role? Maybe, IF that was a factor, it is best that we know that before investing any more in him.

Yes I think the demands of AFL life can take it tolls. Our recruiting of Dom after being in the Ballarat school system appeared less risk than being from NT to adjust to Melbourne city living.

Unfortunately now with Wona, Jurrah & Barry leaving, our indigenous NT playing stocks are zero.

Wish Dom all the best.

As mentioned above, we will have to think really hard before treading that path again.

[poita 3,667]

Good luck to the fella, would not be surprised to see him on our rookie list if he ever does return.

Why would you waste any more time and effort on a guy who (a) doesn't wan't to be there and (b) wasn't that good to begin with? It's not like he was Liam Jurrah who was basically the team's best forward from his first game.

Just put this one down to (yet another) poor contract extension from Roos and co and move on.

[monoccular 16,297]

that's a very leading question fndee

what makes you think the draftee wouldn't just answer with the "required" answer?

interviewee 101

Maybe some are honest? (exclude 8, 11, $)

[daisycutter 28,641]

Maybe some are honest? (exclude 8, 11, $)

maybe some are mono, but that doesn't make it a reliable yardstick

[IWAP 168]

Sounds like they aren't ruling out the possibility of him returning.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2014-11-12/barry-steps-away-from-afl

“The Melbourne Football Club will be working with Dom and will be making a submission to the AFL under the exceptional and compelling circumstances. This would, if approved, allow the opportunity for Dom to reengage with the Melbourne Football Club, should Dom rekindle his passion for AFL.

[What 18,810]

good, now we can use pick 40

cya dom

[Bay Riffin 1,426]

One of the questions Roos apparently asks draftees is if they really want to go on to be the best AFL footballer they can be, if they have a burning desire or if they have always just been very good at playing football. Perhaps Dom wasn't asked this question a couple of years ago

He may have answered Yes. what do you do then ?

[Rod Grinter Riot Squad 5,636]

Well looks like I differ from most here, as I reckon that Dom is a loss. He has silky skills with pretty good pace. Have been impressed when I first saw him train in his first preseason and while he hasn't developed as quickly as I predicted then I have little doubt he would have turned into a very good AFL footballer.

I was happy when we signed him up to a new 2 year deal and am bummed we have lost him.

Losing yet another indigenous player to a rural community is undoubtably going to damage the draft prospects from kids with similar backgrounds, sad but true.

[BrisbaneDemon 1,501]

Read my post, again HE DID NOT TURN UP UNFIT...clear now

Sorry princess, ill make sure i read everyone of your posts in fine detail.

[Deecisive 1,658]

hopefully the afl will cut us some slack so that if he decides to come back he can rejoin melbourne at a later time, i.e. maybe next year as a player/rookie. in the meantime going home for a while may be the thing he needs to really experience the change in his life that being home full time is going to give him, and may this can help reignite his passion for football. ideally we should try to get him to visit the boys in our NT games.

[pantaloons 2,019]

He's done us a solid favour. Good luck to him with the rest of his life.

[Lucifers Hero 37,232]

It isn't just us loosing classy indigenous players - Dayle Garlett walked out on Hawthorn last year to go back to WA.

Maybe it is modern footy that makes it hard for these guys. In the past when offence was the go and doing the exciting stuff was the go it worked really well. But now 'two-way-running', defence, fitness, structures etc etc it just isn't enjoyable for them. So they end up going home. Sad trend for AFL footy.

[DemonFrog 1,347]

Dom who?

[Pennant St Dee 11,367]

I doubt trying to run with Brad Hill against Hawthorn this year did his confidence much good, it was a tough lesson

"Dom that is the level you need to get to and maintain week in week out to play at this level, go out and see if you're up to it"

Nothing to do with confidence more as you say a tough lesson and a challenge.

To Dom best of luck in your life away from MFC and thanks for making the decision now as opposed to mid pre season when the list is finalised

[Cards13 9,117]

So Wona, Jurrah and Dom Barry have all walked out on the club. Reportedly all to head back to their homeland and re-connect with their communities.

The reasonable question is why? Is it cultural issues, work load or commitment or all three? Or the MFC?

Whatever the reason you would think that is going to make recruiting of indigenous players a lot more difficult.

The AFL, indigenous players and community leaders need to look at it. How can we assist in a transition to and from the "city"? Players with rare skills like LJ are losses to the game and it seems to be bigger than one club, the AFL and even a state. Is there a way to ease the transition and allow players to spend more time in season with there communities if needed,

[Leoncelli_36 2,264]

Sounds like they aren't ruling out the possibility of him returning.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2014-11-12/barry-steps-away-from-afl

“The Melbourne Football Club will be working with Dom and will be making a submission to the AFL under the exceptional and compelling circumstances. This would, if approved, allow the opportunity for Dom to reengage with the Melbourne Football Club, should Dom rekindle his passion for AFL.

I will be honest and expect to cop some flack for my view, but I am sick of the MFC saying they will continue to support these players that walk out on the club. Jurrah, Clark and now Barry. I know it is probably all about being socially responsible and player welfare but I am getting sick of it. This generation of players are a bunch of fragile pea hearts who have no loyalty and are all looking for the easy ride to success. End Rant

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

I will be honest and expect to cop some flack for my view, but I am sick of the MFC saying they will continue to support these players that walk out on the club. Jurrah, Clark and now Barry. I know it is probably all about being socially responsible and player welfare but I am getting sick of it. This generation of players are a bunch of fragile pea hearts who have no loyalty and are all looking for the easy ride to success. End Rant

I won't give you flack, just say that you have no idea whatsoever what is required to a. get drafted and b. stay on a list, that's why you are posting about players and not being posted about, yes they have a dream job, but the pressure it puts on young guys is ridiculous for something that is a sport

[old dee 22,952]

I won't give you flack, just say that you have no idea whatsoever what is required to a. get drafted and b. stay on a list, that's why you are posting about players and not being posted about, yes they have a dream job, but the pressure it puts on young guys is ridiculous for something that is a sport

Sadly it is not SPORT any long saty. it is now a dog eat dog world.

I miss the older days but there is no going back.

One day it will probably drive me away.

But as you suggest it is a tough world for very young men to operate in.

I do not envy them one bit.

[jackaub 1,402]

Read my post, again HE DID NOT TURN UP UNFIT...

How do you know that? It was reported to be the case.

[Sir Why You Little 34,717]

Contracts are mostly about affording the player some security. Yes, they offer the club some security too, but at the end of the day you can't force the player to stay if he doesn't want to, you never have been able to and wouldn't want to anyway. So no, contracts are not worthless, nor are they worth anything less than they were in the past.

I know you won't get it.

No there is no point forcing a player to stay...

Just as there is no point signing on the dotted line if you do not intend to honour said contract.

I do get it & don't be so condescending...

[Sir Why You Little 34,717]

I didn't think you could sink any lower than you have the past, but congratulations you have managed it, he didn't return unfit, he trained last week, and I stood next to him, what he is going through is something non-indigenous people would never be fully able to understand, he has done the right thing by the Club, what would you have preferred, he stayed unhappy and spent the year in Casey Development Team

I have spent large chunks of time out in the red dirt, so i am not a complete novice.

When you sign a contract it is a commitment...Both ways

If he was unsure, don't sign.

The signing of indigenous players by this club over the last 5-8 years has been an absolute disaster...

Matt Rendell was 100% correct

Edited November 12, 2014 by why you little

[rjay 23,970]

It isn't just us loosing classy indigenous players - Dayle Garlett walked out on Hawthorn last year to go back to WA.

Maybe it is modern footy that makes it hard for these guys. In the past when offence was the go and doing the exciting stuff was the go it worked really well. But now 'two-way-running', defence, fitness, structures etc etc it just isn't enjoyable for them. So they end up going home. Sad trend for AFL footy.

The AFL, indigenous players and community leaders need to look at it. How can we assist in a transition to and from the "city"? Players with rare skills like LJ are losses to the game and it seems to be bigger than one club, the AFL and even a state. Is there a way to ease the transition and allow players to spend more time in season with there communities if needed,

It's not just indigenous players.

Gysberts found modern footy hard, Blease struggles with it...there are a heap of players who just don't cut it and head back to suburban or country footy, some give the game away all together.

The 2 way running and defensive game, the scrutiny, the professionalism. It's not for everyone.

Look at the great country footballers that turned their backs on the VFL in the 70's and look at their peers who went on to great careers. Everyone is different, kinda makes the world go round.