Why the need to go down 'media street' with all of this is baffling.  Destabilising and distracting. Serves no useful purpose. .Angus should politely decline all interviews or, at the very least, give bland responses. Clearly he has an ego . This is less than ideal 4 weeks out from a final series.

19 minutes ago, sue said:

But who knows what he means.  It could mean some other club chasing him wants him to play in the mid-field but he does not want to, so may reject them even if they offer more $.  We don't know.   

 

I still haven't seen any evidence of "It is well known that he wants to play more in the midfield".  He may, but jokes about Brownlows may be just that: a joke. 

The question was put to him about  whether playing more midfield time was part of the decision making and he gave the answer above. How much black and white does it need to be for you? 

It's been widely known he wants to play more midfield time. 

You're trying to find excuses in covering up the reality of what he wants, and that's significant midfield time.

1 minute ago, dazzledavey36 said:

The question was put to him about  whether playing more midfield time was part of the decision making and he gave the answer above. How much black and white does it need to be for you? 

It's been widely known he wants to play more midfield time. 

You're trying to find excuses in covering up the reality of what he wants, and that's significant midfield time.

No I'm not.  I don't have any personal feelings about this to make me scratching for evidence that he won't go.  I just ask where is the evidence that "it is widely known"?  And I maintain his answer to the question is ambiguous and taken with other statements he has made about being happy on the back line, we have no real evidence of his intentions.     I presume you are not putting any weight on jokes about Brownlows.

I reckon it's time to shut up the Shop three to four weeks before the Finals..

50 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

We saved this guy's career by moving him out of the midfield. He was one head knock away from retirement.

He has to see what the club has given him, and not just be solely focused on himself. I understand he has to get the best deal, but I really wish that I could tell these kids that money is not the be all and end all. Finding a good workplace with a great culture is so much more important than a bit more cash in the bank. Long term, it leads to far greater happiness. 

 

Yes and no Jaded.

He has every right to look at what's best for his future from a playing perspective but also financial. 

If he wants to financially set himself up well leading to life after footy then he has every right too. Gus has a sharp business mind and this is his last opportunity to cash in to set himself up. Again, what's the issue with that? If it's not with us then he'll certainly find that at another club.

I don't even see Gus as a money hungry grub as some might say. As he said on SEN, this will be his last big contract deal he'll get, so all he's doing is doing his absolute due diligence in making that it'll benefit him well moving forward.

 

12 hours ago, sue said:

What is the evidence that he wants to play inside mid?

 

From the recent SEN interview:

"It (position) is certainly something that comes into calculations,” Brayshaw stated.

“I’ve heard all sorts of theories about where I play my best footy… I’m really loving playing on the half back flank this year.

“It came a bit out of nowhere and I absolutely love being a part of that group.”

10 hours ago, Deenooos_ said:

Well said, couldn't have said it any better.

Wrote a similar post in the LJ thread. It speaks more to their character than anything else. They are already earning 5-7x the amount of $$ than any other average person working a normal job yet it's not enough. You can't buy success or loving teammates, that's a fact.

Let's hope we're wrong...

 

10 hours ago, Ron Burgundy said:

What I’ve come to realise as the most bizarre element in these whole Brayshaw and Jackson re-signing or leaving threads for me is this - why do I actually give a stuff about what these two kids/young adults do?

I’ve got triple the life experience and education of both of them put together (yep, I’m a but older - bit I’m also classier, just ask anyone). I just can’t quite believe myself at the moment. I listen to podcasts daily with astrophysicists, Nobel prize winners, leading scientists, talented artists, acclaimed writers - the list goes on. I’m a professional with extensive life experience traversing many different aspects of life’s great journey.

And yet I regularly log in to Demonland hoping to read the latest rumour as to whether Brayshaw and Jackson, two kids relative to the age of most interesting adults, have signed a contract extension with the MFC. I work with junior professionals daily who are much more accomplished than these dudes - and yet no one notices them. I feel bloody pathetic. In myself.

These guys are both required players at a footy club with a very long and enviable history. A club which (presently) loves each of them. A club which is super grateful for their contribution and their efforts. And yet they now seem to be stringing the club on. Surely they loved the euphoria of what happened less than a year ago. Surely that bonded them to this joint forever. Yet no one appears to know what they will do going forward - assuming this is actually the case, I reckon that’s pathetic and it shows a lack of class and respect.

If they don’t respect this - well, that’s fine. Every human has different priorities - but, for me at least, I like Clint Eastwood movies. I like solid character. I respect individuals who embrace the intangibles in life, who embrace hardship, who embrace loyalty, who don’t sell out. Individuals who can’t be bought. Individuals who commit. Those who don’t follow the cash. These are virtues to me.

Brayshaw and Jackson have a tough decision in their minds. So they say. It’s not tough to me. But I’m not them. Godspeed to them if they decide to leave.

I really hope they stay. But I’m no longer going to lose any sleep if they leave. If they do, they’re not dudes I want my 9 year old boy to look up to and have posters of them hanging on his bedroom wall. I hope I’m wrong on this and I can whole-heartedly apologise to everyone for mis-reading the situation in due course, but right now the vibe doesn’t feel that great.

Onya Maxy, Trac and Clayton. You’re the future. I’m happy for my boy to look up to each of you.

 

Thanks RB and Deeno you have summed up my thoughts on LJ and Gus in a far more articulate and clear manner than I could attempt. I love the cross reference to Clint Eastwood as they are the characters and traits that I also respect and love. Step up or stand aside.!!

Gus stays.

(Saw it in a dream, he was holding the cup at the G with three fingers in the air - premiership #3, of course)

Either way, my guys - we good.

Edited July 27, 20223 yr by Red But Mostly Blue
typo

Listening to his younger brother Hamish on SEN WA talk about Angus and his current contract situation, it seems like the Brayshaw brothers have a very high opinion of themselves.

2 minutes ago, wheaters31 said:

Listening to his younger brother Hamish on SEN WA talk about Angus and his current contract situation, it seems like the Brayshaw brothers have a very high opinion of themselves.

Summary?

I used to care about players wanting to leave.

But not since Gerard Healy left the club to go to the Swans. Outside of Robbie, our best player in that team by a mile.

I still wonder how 1987 would have turned out if he didn't abandon the club and his brother. Turncoat. I was furious at the time. He still left.

Now i could care less - if Gus wants out, see you later.

He is not playing in our midfield. So if that's what he wants, its not going to happen  

I don't begrudge him trying to to maximize his contract, or explore his options.

But i would lose a bit of respect for him, as the great teams always have gun players who have to take a pay haircut to help the cause, Hodge being an example if IIRC. And are celebrated for that sacrifice post career. 

Edited July 27, 20223 yr by binman

1 hour ago, loges said:

Now lets pair that up with his loves playing with the backline group comment.

He has to say that otherwise it appears that he's not a team player

Some character assassination of Angus on here without any basis. What exactly has changed since 2 weeks ago aside from the media focus??

before people start saying how big his ego is or all he cares about is money, maybe have something to back it up. All that has happened is he is taking his time to sign a contract while playing great football

10 hours ago, Ron Burgundy said:

What I’ve come to realise as the most bizarre element in these whole Brayshaw and Jackson re-signing or leaving threads for me is this - why do I actually give a stuff about what these two kids/young adults do?

I’ve got triple the life experience and education of both of them put together (yep, I’m a but older - bit I’m also classier, just ask anyone). I just can’t quite believe myself at the moment. I listen to podcasts daily with astrophysicists, Nobel prize winners, leading scientists, talented artists, acclaimed writers - the list goes on. I’m a professional with extensive life experience traversing many different aspects of life’s great journey.

And yet I regularly log in to Demonland hoping to read the latest rumour as to whether Brayshaw and Jackson, two kids relative to the age of most interesting adults, have signed a contract extension with the MFC. I work with junior professionals daily who are much more accomplished than these dudes - and yet no one notices them. I feel bloody pathetic. In myself.

These guys are both required players at a footy club with a very long and enviable history. A club which (presently) loves each of them. A club which is super grateful for their contribution and their efforts. And yet they now seem to be stringing the club on. Surely they loved the euphoria of what happened less than a year ago. Surely that bonded them to this joint forever. Yet no one appears to know what they will do going forward - assuming this is actually the case, I reckon that’s pathetic and it shows a lack of class and respect.

If they don’t respect this - well, that’s fine. Every human has different priorities - but, for me at least, I like Clint Eastwood movies. I like solid character. I respect individuals who embrace the intangibles in life, who embrace hardship, who embrace loyalty, who don’t sell out. Individuals who can’t be bought. Individuals who commit. Those who don’t follow the cash. These are virtues to me.

Brayshaw and Jackson have a tough decision in their minds. So they say. It’s not tough to me. But I’m not them. Godspeed to them if they decide to leave.

I really hope they stay. But I’m no longer going to lose any sleep if they leave. If they do, they’re not dudes I want my 9 year old boy to look up to and have posters of them hanging on his bedroom wall. I hope I’m wrong on this and I can whole-heartedly apologise to everyone for mis-reading the situation in due course, but right now the vibe doesn’t feel that great.

Onya Maxy, Trac and Clayton. You’re the future. I’m happy for my boy to look up to each of you.

 

What an amazing resume you must have. Such a well listened gentleman. Along the journey of your Stirling academic and professional career did you come across the idea of  rational self interest? Gus has roughly 10 years to make as much as he can. If he can get an extra 100 grand a year for the next 5 years that does a lot for him in the next phase of his life. There is always a balance between loyalty and getting what you’re worth. Clarry and trac got what they are worth because they have to. They are top 5 league talent. It becomes a more complicated negotiation when you are the next tier down. We don’t know the details of any negotiations. All we are doing is implying things based on hopes and fears. Gus played the game of his life to help win us a flag. He can do what he wants after that. 

1 minute ago, one_demon said:

He has to say that otherwise it appears that he's not a team player

Wasn't asked about playing in defence so didn't have to say anything was just asked if his position came into consideration to which he replied yes 

44 minutes ago, sue said:

But who knows what he means.  It could mean some other club chasing him wants him to play in the mid-field but he does not want to, so may reject them even if they offer more $.  We don't know.   . 

No it's well known he wants to play midfield.  He may be happy to continue to play hall-back or wing with us if the dollars are right.

3 minutes ago, loges said:

Wasn't asked about playing in defence so didn't have to say anything was just asked if his position came into consideration to which he replied yes 

Huh?

5 minutes ago, binman said:

I used to care about players wanting to leave.

 

Now i could care less - if Gus wants out, see you later.

He is not playing in our midfield. So if that's what he wants, its not going to happen  

I don't begrudge him trying to to maximize his contract, or explore his options.

But i would lose a bit of respect for him, as the great teams always have gun players who have to take a pay haircut to help the cause, Hodge being an example if IIRC. And are celebrated for that sacrifice post career. 

Therein above Binman by you is - if Angus leaves -  the difference between our club (to some extent) and the much-maligned Cats , and more recently Hawks Dynasties. J. Selwood is another.

Almost to a man those player cohorts committed to less, and do whetever the club needed, for sustained flag success.

Angus may or may not have this mindset. We'll never know, but the Cats often quote this as a reason they won 3 flags.  Even the recalcitrants like Matthew Stokes werer retained and rehabilitated.

The Jackson go-home factor is fairly weak for a professional sportsman( or anything for that matter) IMO but I now don't see him as a cultural component of the club and he can leave anytime he wants.

On the other side of the coin, when the clubs had enough of you you're gone. If you have a chance to build a future take it. 

Hamish Brayshaw: “If he leaves Melbourne it’ll be for a position in the midfield and on a pretty lofty contract.”

"...I don’t think he’d leave Melbourne without a midfield opportunity elsewhere.”

 

Edited July 27, 20223 yr by Lord Nev

if he goes and jackson goes, then we simply must match whatever the offer is for gus, and force a trade

he'll be a first round compo pick, you'd think, but i would much rather match, force a trade, and get peptides' pick 7 or so and give something back the other way than get a pick 20 or so

4 minutes ago, Lord Nev said:

Andy Brayshaw: “If he leaves Melbourne it’ll be for a position in the midfield and on a pretty lofty contract.”

 

 

Thanks - finally some actual evidence from someone who would know about his preferences. 

18 minutes ago, one_demon said:

Huh?

Huh it doesn't mean he's unhappy playing defence but take the negative outlook if you must 

18 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Some character assassination of Angus on here without any basis. What exactly has changed since 2 weeks ago aside from the media focus??

before people start saying how big his ego is or all he cares about is money, maybe have something to back it up. All that has happened is he is taking his time to sign a contract while playing great football

Just listen to his SEN interview. It’s all there for you from the horses mouth. 

4 weeks out from finals, he has said he is not even close to a decision, ramped up media attention, creating a bidding war and/or pressuring Melb to add some $ to his offer. 
 

23 minutes ago, one_demon said:

No it's well known he wants to play midfield.  He may be happy to continue to play hall-back or wing with us if the dollars are right.

Is it?

It's certainly well known he wants to win flags