Is that envy I smell?

Reckon they'd earn more - tax is a killer eh . Seriously I think they deserve a tax break putting there bodies on the line and entertaining millions . 230 back to the gov each year is a bit much maybe they cap it at 100 k and then 200k if you earn a million

Reckon they'd earn more - tax is a killer eh . Seriously I think they deserve a tax break putting there bodies on the line and entertaining millions . 230 back to the gov each year is a bit much maybe they cap it at 100 k and then 200k if you earn a million

nobody deserves a tax break, or we end up like greece

'putting their bodies on the line' you have got to be joking me. 500k regardless of tax is a stupid amount for any individual to get, let alone someone who gets to play footy for their job. You know, footy, that thing that millions of other people do as a recreational activity. Maybe if you are an ER doctor and you literally save lives every day. Strange world we live in.

MFC Supporter Syndrome. A currently incurable malady. It's thought that a premiership will be the magic bullet, but like many such cures, it may be many years away.

It is also quite a strong bugger of a disease, and it is strongly suspected that it will take several premierships in swift succession to fully be cured of it.

It is also quite a strong bugger of a disease, and it is strongly suspected that it will take several premierships in swift succession to fully be cured of it.

Even if/when we win a premiership, half of us will sit there for the next 12 months biting our nails, wondering when the banned substance / salary cap rort news will come out and strip us of the premiership.

I'm sorry. I'd be saying to Jeremy, 'here's $400,000, take it or leave it'. He's not worth more than that.

I'm sure the club is happy to wait until the end of the year to see if any of their targets are interested in making a move to us.

They won't pay Howe more than he's worth, especially if his asking price could net us an up-and-coming midfielder like Shiel.

I'm sure the club is happy to wait until the end of the year to see if any of their targets are interested in making a move to us.

They won't pay Howe more than he's worth, especially if his asking price could net us an up-and-coming midfielder like Shiel.

I reckon after his last 4 weeks he's no longer up and coming. He has arrived!

I would love to keep Howie but if he could be used to instigate any move of Treloar or Shiel to MFC I'd sign the paperwork tomorrow.

Edited April 30, 201510 yr by Tough Kent

Clearly there is a need for clubs to trade when necessary. However, I have always thought that a club just like any employer needs to be very careful as to who they trade, how they trade and do so understanding the wider ripply effect on the players remaining. They should be judicious and respectful at all times. Many players and their managers might have become greedy and expedient but the clubs should behave professionally and maintain the high moral ground irrespective of the circumstances. We need to build a team for the next 5 years. Some level of attrition and new blood is necessary for success but a club needs to be careful over the turnover rate and the players it trades. Dismissal, redundancies and in this case trades, will always impact those remaining and affect their morale and attitude to their own future. Howe is a good player and at times with his marking ability can be inspirational or at least a team lifter. I suspect that he is well liked by his team mates. I would be very careful at trading Howe irrespective of the trade. If he was adding no value to the team it might be a different matter but at the moment he adds value. Perhaps Shiel or Treloar may provide justification to trade, however, unless Howe wants to go or decides to go for the money in the contract negotiations I would not favour a trade. So from a Club position my starting point would be that "we want to keep you." If he wants out, that is another matter.

Clearly there is a need for clubs to trade when necessary. However, I have always thought that a club just like any employer needs to be very careful as to who they trade, how they trade and do so understanding the wider ripply effect on the players remaining. They should be judicious and respectful at all times. Many players and their managers might have become greedy and expedient but the clubs should behave professionally and maintain the high moral ground irrespective of the circumstances. We need to build a team for the next 5 years. Some level of attrition and new blood is necessary for success but a club needs to be careful over the turnover rate and the players it trades. Dismissal, redundancies and in this case trades, will always impact those remaining and affect their morale and attitude to their own future. Howe is a good player and at times with his marking ability can be inspirational or at least a team lifter. I suspect that he is well liked by his team mates. I would be very careful at trading Howe irrespective of the trade. If he was adding no value to the team it might be a different matter but at the moment he adds value. Perhaps Shiel or Treloar may provide justification to trade, however, unless Howe wants to go or decides to go for the money in the contract negotiations I would not favour a trade. So from a Club position my starting point would be that "we want to keep you." If he wants out, that is another matter.

good point - but to me it is 3rd in line of the priorities discussed in this thread - one being that a genuine elite player in a trade for him has to be jumped at for the net gain, two being that paying him too much jeopardises our chances of keeping more important young players down the road (HULKAMANIA)

good point - but to me it is 3rd in line of the priorities discussed in this thread - one being that a genuine elite player in a trade for him has to be jumped at for the net gain, two being that paying him too much jeopardises our chances of keeping more important young players down the road (HULKAMANIA)

in a sense i was talking in generalities and principles although I did highlight Howe given the discussion. but the two points you make are undoubtedly valid.

I'd be surprised if we haven't been front loading the bejesus out of contracts the last few years and have plenty of cap room to play with.

Having said that, he will probably leave and we will more than probably get a decent deal back. Meh.

Well, he won't have inspired talks of greater than $400,000 with that showing today. When he doesn't have a chance to jump at the ball he's got no idea how to use his body. His kicking accuracy has dropped back again too.

An update on Howe's contract talks. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-06-16/howe-focused-on-footy-not-new-deal

Doesn't add to what we already know.

I'm no more optimistic of him staying now than early this year.

He talks of playing 'consistent' football.

I just wish it was consistently better and more energised than what he has been this year.

Even if he is going, he still owes us good service for his money.

Love Howe but I don't think he is giving us that.

I'm a little disappointed with the level he's produced this season. I expected better and he is capable of better.

I'm a little disappointed with the level he's produced this season. I expected better and he is capable of better.

I agree. He'd better accept a pay cut after his efforts this season, or he could be on the table.

Wouldn't have minded pick 7 for him, tbh.

Edited June 16, 201510 yr by Django

Glad to have it in the hands of PJ and Mahoney - they won't get taken down.

Take the top 20 pick and run

I'd be happy to let him go IF we had a replacement waiting in the wings. If we got a pick in the teens then I would rather us package that with something for a trade than drafting another kid. We need more quality, not more kids.

An update on Howe's contract talks. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-06-16/howe-focused-on-footy-not-new-deal

Doesn't add to what we already know.

I'm no more optimistic of him staying now than early this year.

He talks of playing 'consistent' football.

I just wish it was consistently better and more energised than what he has been this year.

Even if he is going, he still owes us good service for his money.

Love Howe but I don't think he is giving us that.

Even if he's gone, playing poorly only hurts his stock and contract prospects.

In sports where player movement is freer and more common (professional?), even players who know they're out the door perform well (or better) in contract years.

No point using your contract status as leverage in negotiation's if your performance undermines your value.

I think GWS will definitely offer him a contract and if we can get their first pick it would be a good outcome. We can then either use that in the draft or trade it for an established player. Think maybe Carlisle from the Bombers if he wants to leave.

I think GWS will definitely offer him a contract and if we can get their first pick it would be a good outcome. We can then either use that in the draft or trade it for an established player. Think maybe Carlisle from the Bombers if he wants to leave.

They need to lose more games for their first pick to be good. Right now wouldn't it be about pick 13?

They need to lose more games for their first pick to be good. Right now wouldn't it be about pick 13?

Without Mumford GWS will plummet - anyway pick 13 would be a good get.

I'd trade him out in a heart beat. He takes the occasional spekky, and sometimes even turns it into a goal. If he wants us to get a player or pick for him as he goes and spends the rest of his career in the ACT league then good for him.

They need to lose more games for their first pick to be good. Right now wouldn't it be about pick 13?

You wouldn't take pick 13 for Howe? I would be looking to already have a deal sown up to on trade the pick but either way I'd definitely take pick 13 for him.