It was a gamble on both parts. The club held up our end of the deal but Harley obviously has [censored] going on in his life that is bigger than footy. 
 

On the upside, I did win a carton of beer off a mate who bet we wouldn’t get more than 3 games out of him. ?

I'm confused.   I thought the plan this year was to get him to play a few games.  A huge achievement and he didn't re-injure his calf. 

Then he does a proper pre-season and next year we see what he can do.  

 

9 minutes ago, one_demon said:

I'm confused.   I thought the plan this year was to get him to play a few games.  A huge achievement and he didn't re-injure his calf. 

Then he does a proper pre-season and next year we see what he can do.  

The covid breach was the last straw.

Was always a risk on both parties but regardless I think we made the right call to give him a shot. His goal after the siren against the suns was one of the highlights of the year for mine. I really hope despite his latest indiscretion, that he's got his life back on the right track.

no loss purely from a football point of view .Harleys body was never right for AFL footy and i am confident that we would never be able to get it right no matter what was attempted  .Another of our feel good stories that came to a sad end.

3 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

The covid breach was the last straw.

But wouldn't his on field value next year have been more valuable than the recent bad PR and 50k fine? Obviously not...

6 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

The covid breach was the last straw.

What were the earlier "straws"?

I’m far from impressed with how this bloke has conducted himself. He’s shown his true colours imv.

He’s fed us a bull crap story about why he left the hub. Hasn’t the decency to face the club to explain himself. We gave him an opportunity, got him fit and back on the paddock and all we have to show for it is a $50k fine (a support salary). I don’t know whether not being offered a contract led to this behaviour but its no excuse.

Well done to the medical team. We have many inadequacies in the club but it looks like we’re elite in one area at least.

1 minute ago, The Lobster Effect said:

But wouldn't his on field value next year have been more valuable than the recent bad PR

I would think so.   We need his foot skills badly. 

15 minutes ago, one_demon said:

I'm confused.   I thought the plan this year was to get him to play a few games.  A huge achievement and he didn't re-injure his calf. 

Then he does a proper pre-season and next year we see what he can do.  

You can't give a contract to someone that's actively trying to avoid talking to the club, his employer.

If you're asked to come in for a job interview and you don't show, it can't then be a huge surprise that you don't get the gig.

Just now, Wobbly Bob said:

What were the earlier "straws"?

His career as a whole he's 28 not 18.

Ah, I see.   A strawman.

Thanks for your service Harley, and the $50k fine. All the best. 

A shame for him and an even bigger shame for the person who doesn’t have a job next year because we need to cover Harley’s $50,000 fine. 
Just a crap ending all around. 

Edited September 28, 20205 yr by Jaded

Waiver the fine Gil, you mustard blazer floppy hat wearing thunderbird looking weirdo. 

Melbourne gave him an opportunity and Harley had one last chance to test/prove himself.

Lack of VFL didn't help but seemingly (from an outsive POV) he either lost the appetite (or has more important things going on his life) or knew his body wasn't up to it. With Burgo in charge you assume the club gave him the best chance of succeeding medically but unfortunately it didn't seem to work out but at least he got back on the pitch and had one last good memory. 

The COVID indiscretion/fall out does leave the experiment with a sour taste unfortunately though. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Waiver the fine Gil, you mustard blazer floppy hat wearing thunderbird looking weirdo. 

Very subtle?.  I'd suggest we pay the fine and separately ask the AFL to fund a position in the club justified by some fairy tale that the MFC and AFL concoct.

11 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Waiver the fine Gil, you mustard blazer floppy hat wearing thunderbird looking weirdo. 

And the 4 week suspension too!!

Oh well. We rolled the dice. And 50k isn’t the end of the world. Damn shame about his whole career though. Talent running out his wazoo, but brain farts and injuries robbed the game of some great moments 

12 minutes ago, sue said:

Very subtle?.  I'd suggest we pay the fine and separately ask the AFL to fund a position in the club justified by some fairy tale that the MFC and AFL concoct.

4 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

but the cardigan !!!!

Disappointed he refused to speak to the club. 
he has cost us a job next year

 

Cut short he had something to offer himself and the club. Bennell just needed to lift a notch wrapping him in cotton wool and having him ready  2021.   

Bennell made his own decision he must live with it. IMO he club did the best they for him.

46 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Waiver the fine

*  Waive