Jump to content

  • IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

    The Demonland Terms of Service, which you have all recently agreed to, strictly prohibit discussions of ongoing legal matters, whether criminal or civil. Please ensure that all discussions on this forum remain focused solely on on-field & football related topics.


Recommended Posts

Posted
4 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

 

Lamb- Please refer to my last 3 interviews

  • Like 3
Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, spirit of norm smith said:

It’s the bushfire that won’t go out !!! 

McClure is the unflushable tu rd.

Edited by Demonstone
  • Like 4
  • Haha 1
Posted
5 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Lamb- Please refer to my last 3 interviews

Not now, they already have what they want, and the Club report will include a lobotomy on the Media. Their lack of ethics, intrusive activities and their plagiarising of each other.

Posted
17 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Lamb- Please refer to my last 3 interviews

When do you reckon it's too close to the deadline to say this and be able to PR your way out of it if things change?

I reckon 2 - 3 days, at least then there's time for good offers to come in, saying it the day before is a much tougher sell:

"Sorry I can't remember saying something like that as recently as yesterday"

"We were committed to and had faith in Oliver, right up until the last minute." 

Posted
58 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

McClure is the unflushable tu rd.

Eventually all this flushing will result in him being undeterred

  • Haha 4
  • Clap 1
Posted

McClure and Morris best chums.

  • Vomit 1
Posted
7 minutes ago, Demon Disciple said:

He ruled out trades for Kosi & Clarry, though i note he remained quiet on Petracca. He's Gone🤯Trac ruled out month ago   What about pick 9 for Houston 

Posted

Good article by Robbo in the HS.

Mark Robinson: In the professional era, Clayton Oliver needs to accept he’ll be a Demon in 2025

The Dees have walked a tightrope with Clayton Oliver and he can whinge and moan if he wants about a failed trade, but he must be ready to give his best to the Dees in 2025, writes Mark Robinson.

Footy changed for many of us when Alastair Clarkson handballed two club greats – Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis – to other clubs at the end of the Hawks’ dynasty.

The four-time premiership heroes became commodities and they were no longer needed by Hawthorn.

With comforting words from Clarkson, it was basically off you go lads, thanks for everything.

Professionalism has grown year-on-year in this billion-dollar industry, but this was a different kind of professionalism. This was a ruthless business decision from a club looking after its best interests.

The romanticism of being a one-club player, and all those lovey-dovey words such as loyalty, camaraderie, integrity, respect and trust, didn’t mean much in the end.

Clubs do what they have to do – in their best interests.

Which brings us to Clayton Oliver.

I’m bored of the Oliver headlines generated by certain media people – presumably having spoken to Oliver’s management – wanting the football world to feel sorry for the Melbourne midfielder. Oh, Oliver doesn’t want to be there and wants to go to Geelong.

He will take a pay cut. And he’s cleaned out his locker.

All because he’s upset because the club decided to shop him.

Well, boo hoo. I find it difficult to feel sorry for Clayton Oliver. He’s got mental health woes, sure, but find someone in this world who hasn’t. That’s not being dismissive of Oliver’s issues, but it is the reality for everyone, for mental health is a national epidemic.

Oliver’s may be extreme, but at the same time, he has extremely high-level care and assistance available to help him.

For sure, Melbourne has had its challenges dealing with real-world problems in the cocoon world of AFL, but those challenges, in part, have been delivered on a platter by Oliver.

That’s not sheeting home all of Melbourne’s off-field drama to him, but there is a question to be asked: Did the bad culture influence Oliver or did Oliver help bring the bad culture?

The Demons have walked a tightrope with the 27-year-old for some time. Stupidly, they put him on a bumper deal that pays him $1.3 million per year when they were aware of his mental distress. His volcanic off-field behaviour may have come later.

For at least two years now, Melbourne has tried to help him. Medically and psychologically. They have cuddled him and cared for him. They have forgiven him and they encouraged him and they have also eyeballed him.

In turn, Oliver has let himself and the club down, although it must be said the Demons are thrilled with the maturity of Oliver throughout the year. Clearly, there’s people at Melbourne who wanted to trade him. And to think chief executive Gary Pert went lone wolf is laughable.

And there’s people at Melbourne who don’t want to give up on him and they include the club’s stand-in president Brad Green.

The fact is Melbourne shopped him. They let it be known that he was gettable if the price was right. As yet, there are no takers. And there won’t be this trade period.

Is it any surprise that the Demons were open to the idea?

They fluffed it by telling pork pies at the start of trade week, but other than that, they haven’t done too much wrong. Everyone lies – that’s another national epidemic – and they got caught out.

So, it looks like Oliver is staying, which brings us back to professionalism.

Football is a business, players are a commodity and, right now, Oliver is signed to a $1.3m-a-season contract. He can whinge and moan until the cows come home, but the expectation is that he returns for the 2025 season fit and energised to fulfil his contract at the Demons.

To be fair, Melbourne people say that despite the past 10 days of headlines, Oliver understands the situation. And he hopes – and the Demons hope – and footy hopes – that he rediscovers the form that had him rated as a top-10 player in the competition for many years.

Which brings us to Bailey Smith. He also has his mental health issues and also wants to get to Geelong. At 23, he said recently: “There’s a level of when you outgrow a place, or you just need a fresh change for whatever reason. I won’t get too deep into it. I feel like I’d be doing myself a disservice for the player I want to become and the person I want to become by staying in the same environment.”

We’re all for self-discovery, but the Bulldogs, who spent years managing Smith’s complex world, are all for looking after their best interests.

They want a pick better than Geelong’s No. 17, but that doesn’t look like eventuating.

Don’t send him to the draft. Take the pick and run. It’s a business, after all.

  • Like 3
  • Clap 2
Posted
9 minutes ago, djr said:

Good article by Robbo in the HS.

Mark Robinson: In the professional era, Clayton Oliver needs to accept he’ll be a Demon in 2025

The Dees have walked a tightrope with Clayton Oliver and he can whinge and moan if he wants about a failed trade, but he must be ready to give his best to the Dees in 2025, writes Mark Robinson.

Footy changed for many of us when Alastair Clarkson handballed two club greats – Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis – to other clubs at the end of the Hawks’ dynasty.

The four-time premiership heroes became commodities and they were no longer needed by Hawthorn.

With comforting words from Clarkson, it was basically off you go lads, thanks for everything.

Professionalism has grown year-on-year in this billion-dollar industry, but this was a different kind of professionalism. This was a ruthless business decision from a club looking after its best interests.

The romanticism of being a one-club player, and all those lovey-dovey words such as loyalty, camaraderie, integrity, respect and trust, didn’t mean much in the end.

Clubs do what they have to do – in their best interests.

Which brings us to Clayton Oliver.

I’m bored of the Oliver headlines generated by certain media people – presumably having spoken to Oliver’s management – wanting the football world to feel sorry for the Melbourne midfielder. Oh, Oliver doesn’t want to be there and wants to go to Geelong.

He will take a pay cut. And he’s cleaned out his locker.

All because he’s upset because the club decided to shop him.

Well, boo hoo. I find it difficult to feel sorry for Clayton Oliver. He’s got mental health woes, sure, but find someone in this world who hasn’t. That’s not being dismissive of Oliver’s issues, but it is the reality for everyone, for mental health is a national epidemic.

Oliver’s may be extreme, but at the same time, he has extremely high-level care and assistance available to help him.

For sure, Melbourne has had its challenges dealing with real-world problems in the cocoon world of AFL, but those challenges, in part, have been delivered on a platter by Oliver.

That’s not sheeting home all of Melbourne’s off-field drama to him, but there is a question to be asked: Did the bad culture influence Oliver or did Oliver help bring the bad culture?

The Demons have walked a tightrope with the 27-year-old for some time. Stupidly, they put him on a bumper deal that pays him $1.3 million per year when they were aware of his mental distress. His volcanic off-field behaviour may have come later.

For at least two years now, Melbourne has tried to help him. Medically and psychologically. They have cuddled him and cared for him. They have forgiven him and they encouraged him and they have also eyeballed him.

In turn, Oliver has let himself and the club down, although it must be said the Demons are thrilled with the maturity of Oliver throughout the year. Clearly, there’s people at Melbourne who wanted to trade him. And to think chief executive Gary Pert went lone wolf is laughable.

And there’s people at Melbourne who don’t want to give up on him and they include the club’s stand-in president Brad Green.

The fact is Melbourne shopped him. They let it be known that he was gettable if the price was right. As yet, there are no takers. And there won’t be this trade period.

Is it any surprise that the Demons were open to the idea?

They fluffed it by telling pork pies at the start of trade week, but other than that, they haven’t done too much wrong. Everyone lies – that’s another national epidemic – and they got caught out.

So, it looks like Oliver is staying, which brings us back to professionalism.

Football is a business, players are a commodity and, right now, Oliver is signed to a $1.3m-a-season contract. He can whinge and moan until the cows come home, but the expectation is that he returns for the 2025 season fit and energised to fulfil his contract at the Demons.

To be fair, Melbourne people say that despite the past 10 days of headlines, Oliver understands the situation. And he hopes – and the Demons hope – and footy hopes – that he rediscovers the form that had him rated as a top-10 player in the competition for many years.

Which brings us to Bailey Smith. He also has his mental health issues and also wants to get to Geelong. At 23, he said recently: “There’s a level of when you outgrow a place, or you just need a fresh change for whatever reason. I won’t get too deep into it. I feel like I’d be doing myself a disservice for the player I want to become and the person I want to become by staying in the same environment.”

We’re all for self-discovery, but the Bulldogs, who spent years managing Smith’s complex world, are all for looking after their best interests.

They want a pick better than Geelong’s No. 17, but that doesn’t look like eventuating.

Don’t send him to the draft. Take the pick and run. It’s a business, after all.

Great article

What does the club do if Clayton shows up in poor shape at preseason

I really hope he doesnt but there is a degree of lack of trust in his behaviour

Posted
3 minutes ago, Kent said:

Great article

What does the club do if Clayton shows up in poor shape at preseason

I really hope he doesnt but there is a degree of lack of trust in his behaviour

There is not a chance in hell Gawn or Brad Green let that happen

  • Haha 1
Posted

wow, Mark Robinson, thanks for separating the hysteria with common sense and reality! I'll never call you S-lobbo again ☺

Posted
35 minutes ago, Kent said:

Great article

What does the club do if Clayton shows up in poor shape at preseason

I really hope he doesnt but there is a degree of lack of trust in his behaviour

He is training hard. 

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Posted

Love how that article just tags on a Bailey smith reference - write a proper bloody structured narrative article.

Anyway, he makes some good points and I hope we can all move into a successful 2025 for Clayton.

  • Like 3
  • Thanks 1
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    TRAINING: Monday 17th February 2025

    Demonland Trackwatchers were on hand at Monday morning's preseason training at Gosch's Paddock to bring you their brief observations of the session. HARVEY WALLBANGER'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Gentle flush session at Gosch's this morning. Absent: May, Pickett (All Stars) McVee, McAdam. Rehabbing: Great to see Kentfield back (much slimmer), walking with Tholstrup, TMac (suspect just a management thing), Viney (still being cautious with that rib cartilage?), Melksham (

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    MATCH SIM: Friday 14th February 2025

    A couple of Demonland Trackwatchers made their way out to Casey Field's for the Melbourne Football Club's Family Series day to bring you their observations on the Match Simulation. HARVEY WALLBANGER'S MATCH SIMULATION OBSERVATIONS Absent: May, Pickett (All Stars), McVee, Windor, Kentfield, Mentha Present but not playing: Petracca, Viney, Spargo, Tholstrup, Melksham Starting Blue 18 (+ just 2 interchange): B: Petty, TMac, Lever, Howes, Bowey Salem M: Gawn, Oliver, La

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    TRAINING: Wednesday 12th February 2025

    Demonland Trackwatchers braved the scorching morning heat to bring you the following observations of Wednesday's preseason training session from Gosch's Paddock. HARVEY WALLBANGER'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Absent: Salem, Windsor (word is a foot rash going around), Viney, Bowey and Kentfield Train ons: Roy George, no Culley today. Firstly the bad news - McVee went down late, which does look like a bad hammy - towards the end of match sim, as he kicked the ball. Had to

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    MATCH SIM: Friday 7th February 2025

    Demonland Trackwatcher Gator ventured down the freeway to bring you his observations from Friday morning's Match Simulation out at Casey Fields. Rehab: Jake Lever and Charlie Spargo running laps.  Lever was running short distances at a fast click as well as having kick to kick with a trainer. He seems unimpeded. Christian Petracca, Kade Chandler, Shane McAdam and Tom Fullarton doing non-contact kicking and handball drills on the adjacent oval.  All moving freely at pace.  I didn’

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 2

    TRAINING: Wednesday 5th February 2025

    Demonland Trackwatchers were out in force as the Demons returned to Gosch's Paddock for preseason training on Wednesday morning. GHOSTWRITER'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Kozzie a no show. Tommy Sparrow was here last week in civvies and wearing sunnies. He didn’t train. Today he’s training but he’s wearing goggles so he’s likely got an eye injury. There’s a drill where Selwyn literally lies on top of Tracc, a trainer dribbles the ball towards them and Tracc has to g

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS: 2024

    Whichever way you look at it, the Melbourne Football Club’s 2024 season can only be characterized as the year of its fall from grace. Whispering Jack looks back at the season from hell that was. After its 2021 benchmark premiership triumph, the men’s team still managed top four finishes in the next two seasons but straight sets finals losses consigned them to sixth place in both years. The big fall came in 2024 with a collapse into the bottom six and a 14th placing. At Casey, the 2022 VFL p

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Special Features

    MATCH SIM: Friday 31st January 2025

    Veteran Demonland Trackwatcher Picket Fence ventured down to Casey Fields to bring you his observations from Friday's Match Simulation. Greetings Demonlanders, beautiful Day at training and the boys were hard at it, here is my report. NO SHOWS: Luker Kentfield (recovering from pneumonia in WA), also not sure I noticed Melky (Hamstring) or Will Verrall?? MODIFIED DUTIES (No Contact): Sparrow, McVee (foot), Tracc (ribs), Chandler, (AC Joint), Fullarton Noticeable events (I’ll s

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 2

    TRAINING: Wednesday 29th January 2025

    A number of Demonland Trackwatchers swooped on Gosch's Paddock to bring you their observations from this morning's Preseason Training Session. DEMON JACK'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Beautiful morning at Gosch's Paddock. Very healthy crowd so far.  REHAB: Fullerton, Spargo, Tholstrup, McVee Viney running laps. EDIT: JV looks to be back with the main group. Trac, Sparrow, Chandler and Verrell also training away from the main group. Currently kicking to each other ins

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 1

    TRAINING: Wednesday 22nd January 2025

    Demonland Trackwatchers were out in force for training at Gosch's Paddock on Wednesday morning for the MFC's School Holidays Open Training Session. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS REHAB: TMac, Chandler, McVee, Tholstrup, Brown, Spargo Brown might have passed his fitness test as he’s back out with the main group.  Sparrow not present. Kozzy not present either.  Mini Rehab group has broken off from the match sim (contact) group: Max, Trac, Lever, Fullarton

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...