It's probably a case of Jack expecting that captain's coin still.. when in reality he is limited yet absolute heart and sole type player. 

As much as it would make me sad to see him running around for another team next year. Putting him on a contract of more than $500k pa is just crazy. 

A few days ago I was in the 'must keep Jack' camp.  But since it seems he is driving the move to go, which he has every right to do, it suggests the 'bleeds red and blue' we love about him isn't so strong. 

And maybe I was wrong in thinking he is the 'bellwether' for the team.  Last night there was so much genuine enthusiasm by our under 25 brigade says we have a lot to work with.  And seeing how May plays and hearing how he has helped Rivers and Weideman with their games says there are other great, or even better role models at the club:  May is knowledgeable, tough, committed, disciplined and does the team things. 

Jack had little time in the midfield last night which was odd given Brayshaw was out.  Jack doesn't have another position.  With Gus to come back in and Sparrow and Jordon being groomed for midfield roles we have plenty of coverage if he goes. 

So if Jack goes, I wish him well.  If he stays I hope it is on the club's terms.

 

The first thing I would do  with Jack if he stays would try and help him decide when to leave the ball for others, both Dees players and the opposition. He often miraculously and with courage gets balls he is not really expected to.  He could instead, wait, sweat on the opposition player, tackle and earn a free kick instead of getting the ball in an impossible position to dispose of freely.

12 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

I'll pack his bags for him. Ridiculously overrated.

4 disposals to half time..

 

1 hour ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

A few days ago I was in the 'must keep Jack' camp.  But since it seems he is driving the move to go, which he has every right to do, it suggests the 'bleeds red and blue' we love about him isn't so strong. 

 

I think he's smarting from the demotion from the captaincy. It's voted on by the players and there have been various whispers and innuendo for a couple of years he's not on the same page as some of the other players (certainly some commentators have alluded to this).  I don't think Jack feels unloved by the FD, as by some of the players and I definitely think there's something going on with the group dynamics.    He may have decided to cut ties just due to this.

I'm an unabashed Jack Viney fan and his strengths and weaknesses were on full display last night.  He gives everything he's got when he steps onto the field and has a manic attack on the ball, but he also tries to do it all himself and burns the first option too many times? He was penalised at least twice - and probably lucky not to have a couple more as well.  Last week he bowled over Trent Rivers to get the ball - there's some aspects that he needs to correct and adjust, I love his desire, but that's just dumb footy.  He needs to sit down and have a coffee with Jack Riewoldt and talk about how to play for the team and not just himself. 

We have a surfeit of players for his position and if it's his choice to leave (which would sadden me) then that opens up enough salary cap space for someone like Zac Williams who was very good again having copped a stinger to the shoulder in the first five minutes.  It could be a genuine win win for both club and player (if he can get more money at Geelong), by balancing a tough outside player with good disposal with our inside bulls -  but the nostalgic Melbourne Demon in me would need to curl up in bed with the covers over my head for a few days. 

Edited September 13, 20204 yr by grazman

Wait, this is the same Jack Viney we're all talking about? The same one who's 26 years old and has the same number of top 3 finishes in the Bluey as Nathan Jones?

He's one-dimensional, sure, but he's undeniably been one of our best players for the best part of a decade, and should have at least another 5 top quality seasons ahead of him. He's had a couple of uncharacteristically quiet games, but overall he's one of our most consistent players (a rare trait at MFC). That's not to say that we shouldn't be open to letting him explore free agency if it can benefit the team in the big picture, but some of the comments on here are borderline disrespectful to a club great I reckon. Letting him walk has the potential to come back to bite us in a big way.

5 minutes ago, Accepting Mediocrity said:

Wait, this is the same Jack Viney we're all talking about? The same one who's 26 years old and has the same number of top 3 finishes in the Bluey as Nathan Jones?

He's one-dimensional, sure, but he's undeniably been one of our best players for the best part of a decade, and should have at least another 5 top quality seasons ahead of him. He's had a couple of uncharacteristically quiet games, but overall he's one of our most consistent players (a rare trait at MFC). That's not to say that we shouldn't be open to letting him explore free agency if it can benefit the team in the big picture, but some of the comments on here are borderline disrespectful to a club great I reckon. Letting him walk has the potential to come back to bite us in a big way.

How so? 

Restricted free agency empowers the player and until recently no club would match the offer given to the RFA. Cloke stayed and then got traded 2 years later.

To get someone to move the opposition will offer overs knowing that it wont be matched and the club gets compensated. The ball is in Jacks court and this is the contract that can set him up for life. He has a family to look after and from the hub life video young Mila has changed his thinking. I am not sure what Jack would do outside of football and I certainly don't begrudge him exploring what is the very best for him and his family.

If Geelong want him they can pay for him and I suspect it will be more than we can offer and he may move. That is football today. Jack needs to weigh up the finances, his role at a club, his game style and how durable his body is. All will be revealed eventually 

 

Edited September 13, 20204 yr by Older demon

20 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

How so? 

My opinion only, but for all the talk of recruiting competitive beasts, I still think we lack fundamentally competitive players. If a game is on the line in the last quarter, Viney, Petracca, Oliver and May are about the only players that I'm confident will step up and do something special to drag the team over the line.

Last night he got caught holding the ball at a crucial time, but at least he was trying to make something happen. We have too many players that go into their shells when the other side gets a run on IMO.

Also, I'm still scarred by the 2007-2013 years and what a Viney-less MFC midfield can look like.

33 minutes ago, Accepting Mediocrity said:

My opinion only, but for all the talk of recruiting competitive beasts, I still think we lack fundamentally competitive players. If a game is on the line in the last quarter, Viney, Petracca, Oliver and May are about the only players that I'm confident will step up and do something special to drag the team over the line.

Last night he got caught holding the ball at a crucial time, but at least he was trying to make something happen. We have too many players that go into their shells when the other side gets a run on IMO.

Also, I'm still scarred by the 2007-2013 years and what a Viney-less MFC midfield can look like.

gotta add langdon to that.

In a way this is a similar discussion to the Nathan Jones 300-games one. Sentimentality and club-culture vs. hard-headed list management. I don't like where this one is going though (and that recent quote was just ugly). Most of Jack's life has felt predestined, but losing the captaincy wasn't in the script (and also not something I supported). Even with his evident limitations (and I think they were being overstated a little bit last night), I want Jack Viney in my football team every day of the week. And I want him to be happy. The club needs to sort this out pronto. Never has it been harder to imagine one of our players in another team's colours. The fact that Geelong reportedly want him as a Selwood replacement should be enough to give us pause and reflect on his worth to our club. 

i was listening to the abc radio when they were questioning jack

first up, brendon goddard really hates the mfc - no idea why, but it's apparent in his commentary

secondly, jack clearly didn't want to answer the q, but he was pretty unequivocal in that he wants to be at the dees in 2021

personally, i think the option is there to make the move if he chooses to do so and we deem the compo sufficient or we can negotiate an equitable trade 

Can't understand why anyone would think we'd be improved by Jack leaving.

29 minutes ago, Grr-owl said:

Can't understand why anyone would think we'd be improved by Jack leaving.

Depends on what we get in return.

No one wants him to leave for nothing.

Everyone has a price. If we got an A-grade skilled outsider I'd be ok for Jack to play elsewhere

14 hours ago, Pickett2Jackson said:

Hes gone.   Cats must have made a real nice offer.

13 hours ago, A F said:

What a strange way of putting it. It's very rare a quote sounds awkward and avoidant, but he's nailed it with that one.

He's gone I'd say. Question is are we pushing him or has he made his own decision?

Don't know how you can be so definitive from the Tweet. 

If he was straight up asked if he wants to say and responded straight away with "Absolutely", surely that could be a sign the other way?

Would have to listen to it to know for sure. 

As much as I love Jack, he needs to seriously work on developing some sort of right foot.

Oppositions now solely play against his left side, knowing he’ll eventually have to switch back on to his left leg If he’s on his right.

2 hours ago, Grr-owl said:

Can't understand why anyone would think we'd be improved by Jack leaving.

Greater efficiency and balance from stoppage and contest.

4 hours ago, whatwhatsaywhat said:

i was listening to the abc radio when they were questioning jack

first up, brendon goddard really hates the mfc - no idea why, but it's apparent in his commentary

secondly, jack clearly didn't want to answer the q, but he was pretty unequivocal in that he wants to be at the dees in 2021

 

I heard it to. And came to a different conclusion. Which was that he has fully considered leaving. Explains a bit i reckon

1 minute ago, binman said:

I heard it to. And came to a different conclusion. Which was that he has fully considered leaving. Explains a bit i reckon

no, i heard it that way too - he'd considered it, but he wanted to be at the dees

i wouldn't blame if he chose to go to the cats; it'd just me another reason to loathe those player-stealing country bogan of a state and federally-funded football club

26 minutes ago, whatwhatsaywhat said:

no, i heard it that way too - he'd considered it, but he wanted to be at the dees

i wouldn't blame if he chose to go to the cats; it'd just me another reason to loathe those player-stealing country bogan of a state and federally-funded football club

I don't reckon he does want to be at the dees

10 minutes ago, binman said:

I don't reckon he does want to be at the dees

Maybe he does want to be at the dees but on his terms. 

No player is bigger than the club.  Hope the club sticks to its guns.

Edited September 13, 20204 yr by Lucifer's Hero

All emotions aside, we'd be crazy to match a big offer from Geelong from a value perspective 

Jack leaving would be a massive win if it allowed us to bring a ready made winger (Williams or similar in). 

Fills a need and also lifts the output of Brayshaw & Harmes. 

When we are [censored] weak - Viney is still trying.

He has his flaws but he ain't chicken.

51 minutes ago, Smokey said:

All emotions aside, we'd be crazy to match a big offer from Geelong from a value perspective 

True, although Geelong aren't known for making crazy offers.  

The quote from earlier doesn't give away much.  Another straight bat answer that really doesn't tell us anything.  With finals still on the line, of course Viney is going to say he wants to stay.  You don't say otherwise at this point in the season no matter where your head is at.

Miss out on finals this weekend and I'd say we will hear pretty quickly of his intentions.