Ok, the season is well and truely over.

At some stage those players who will not be required next year will be told that they will no longer be considered for selection.

Would you guys back the idea of a farewell game?

The club should pick an MCG game. ND could annonce who will be playing their last game and all us supporters could come out and have a chance to say thankyou and goodbye. I think it would be good for our club. It would be an emotional game with plenty of spirit at the MCG (for a change).

What do you guys reckon?

Maybe the home game against Essendon or something we can play Bizzell, Brown, Holland and Ward for the last time? Make it a big send off.

I reckon the players would appreciate it and it could be the kind of thing that gets the young blokes inspired for future years.

I think the way Darren Gasper went out was tragic. Especially for a club champion.

intra-club match on a wednesday morning. at least they'll go out with a win

There are very few fairytales in football mate. And quite frankly, our team doesn't deserve one.

Personally I'm against permanent unselection of any player. I'm not a fan of Richmond's treatment of Gaspar.

How is that any different to the way Gasper was pushed out?

If some of our older players decide to retire, they should make the decision themselves, or we should not renew their contract at the end of the season.

Making a special game where they can all play for the last time, is pushy and insulting.

And besides, I don't want another Ferguson situation, where someone like Warnock, who did little wrong in the last few weeks, is dumped in favour of a 26 year old who struggles at AFL level and won't be on our list next year.

Play the kids, and if the older players deserve a game, they will get it just like Brown, Ward, Yze etc... all have.

If Bizzell starts to show something again at either level, he'll get a game.

As for Holland... over Ferguson any-day of the week thanks.

  Jaded said:

Making a special game where they can all play for the last time, is pushy and insulting.

Absolutely. This kind of thing would be a very public "hey everybody, look, we're sacking these blokes". I'm not quite sure why Gouga seems to be such a fan of the public humiliation route when it's so unnecessary.

Sorry if I sound a bit ruthless and as though I don't appreciate all that Bizzell, Brown, etc have done for the club over the years, but as Jaded said, I think this send-off game would be almost an insult to the players.

'Here you go guys.. you haven't been able to earn your spot in the side, but don't worry because we've set out a match for you to be sent off in. If you lose like we expect that you will because you haven't been able to actually earn a spot in the best 22, it doesn't matter because the season is already over.'

Nah uh. You're talking about inspiring the younger players. What kind of message does this send to them? Even if you're not the best player, you can come in and replace guys that can actually play, just because you're about to be thrown out.

Don't get me wrong. I appreciate your idea of trying to give them a good send-off and all, but I think having them do laps around the MCG in flashy cars might be a fairer and more realistic option.

  Nasher said:

Absolutely. This kind of thing would be a very public "hey everybody, look, we're sacking these blokes". I'm not quite sure why Gouga seems to be such a fan of the public humiliation route when it's so unnecessary.

me thinks MFC has suffered enough humiliation this year already.

I like the idea. Worked for the two dogs who retired that time... Croft and Garlick I think... And they won!!!

  Dappa Dan said:

I like the idea. Worked for the two dogs who retired that time... Croft and Garlick I think... And they won!!!

That's fine if they're retiring by their own choice. The initial suggestion implied them being retired, rather than them retiring...

  Nasher said:

Absolutely. This kind of thing would be a very public "hey everybody, look, we're sacking these blokes". I'm not quite sure why Gouga seems to be such a fan of the public humiliation route when it's so unnecessary.

Mate we are 0 - 8. We are already humiliated.

The media scrutiny on our club is intense and is gonna get worse. Every journalist in town is gonna have their say on our club, our coach and our players.

As an organisation we are in a very low spot. The players I listed are veterans. They have had their time. They have had their moments. I think this could be a very positive step.

It could be the club's way of saying... 'We appreciate everything you have done but it is time to move in another direction. Thankyou and good bye.'

What is humiliating about that? I think it is dignified. But we all have different opinions. I don't think it should necessarily happen. Just an idea.

Or alternatively they can be dropped back to Sandy and spend their final days for the club playing for an affiliate side. But to me that isn't any better.

If they're good enough they should be getting a game in the final round (which would be the appropriate time to annouce their retirement if they wished).

If they're not they shouldn't be getting a game regardless - if that means they end their days at Sandy...so be it.