Jump to content

Featured Replies

Oliver to Geelong in 2025 trading. AFL media bottom feeders will run this story for the next 12 months. It’s the bushfire that won’t go out !!! 

 
 
4 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

 

Lamb- Please refer to my last 3 interviews

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


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.

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." 

58 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

McClure is the unflushable tu rd.

Eventually all this flushing will result in him being undeterred

 

McClure and Morris best chums.

He ruled out trades for Kosi & Clarry, though i note he remained quiet on Petracca. He's Gone🤯

Edited by Demon Disciple


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 

55 minutes ago, Willmoy1947 said:

McClure and Morris best chums.

The chuckle brothers live act. 


This has been one of the worst trade periods in memory.

Script that Volkaneo 

5 hours ago, DubDee said:

Eventually all this flushing will result in him being undeterred

Dont associate that clown with me!! lol

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.

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


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

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

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. 

 

Only 12 hours until the Oliver will leave in 2025 stories start.

 

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.


Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.

Featured Content

  • NON-MFC: Round 12

    Round 12 kicks off with the Brisbane hosting Essendon at the Gabba as the Lions aim to solidify their top-two position against an injury-hit Bombers side seeking to maintain momentum after a win over Richmond. On Friday night it's a blockbuster at the G as the Magpies look to extend their top of the table winning streak while the Hawks strive to bounce back from a couple of recent defeats and stay in contention for the Top 4. On Saturday the Suns, buoyed by 3 wins on the trot, face the Dockers in a clash crucial for both teams' aspirations this season. The Suns want to solidify their Top 4 standing whilst the Dockers will be desperate to break into the 8.

      • Haha
      • Like
    • 40 replies
    Demonland
  • PREVIEW: St. Kilda

    The media has performed a complete reversal in its coverage of the Melbourne Football Club over the past month and a half. Having endured intense criticism from all quarters in the press, which continually identified new avenues for scrutiny of every aspect, both on and off the field, and prematurely speculated about the departures of coaches, players, officials, and various employees from a club that lost its first five matches and appeared out of finals contention, the narrative has suddenly shifted to one of unbridled optimism.  The Demons have won five of their last six matches, positioning themselves just one game (and a considerable amount of percentage) outside the top eight at the halfway mark of the season. They still trail the primary contenders and remain far from assured of a finals berth.

      • Love
      • Like
    • 11 replies
    Demonland
  • REPORT: Sydney

    A few weeks ago, I visited a fellow Melbourne Football Club supporter in hospital, and our conversation inevitably shifted from his health diagnosis to the well-being of our football team. Like him, Melbourne had faced challenges in recent months, but an intervention - in his case, surgery, and in the team's case, a change in game style - had brought about much improvement.  The team's professionals had altered its game style from a pedestrian and slow-moving approach, which yielded an average of merely 60 points for five winless games, to a faster and more direct style. This shift led to three consecutive wins and a strong competitive effort in the fourth game, albeit with a tired finish against Hawthorn, a strong premiership contender.  As we discussed our team's recent health improvement, I shared my observations on the changes within the team, including the refreshed style, the introduction of new young talent, such as rising stars Caleb Windsor, Harvey Langford, and Xavier Lindsay, and the rebranding of Kozzy Pickett from a small forward to a midfield machine who can still get among the goals. I also highlighted the dominance of captain Max Gawn in the ruck and the resurgence in form in a big way of midfield superstars Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver. 

      • Haha
    • 9 replies
    Demonland
  • PODCAST: Sydney

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 26th May @ 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we analyse a crushing victory by the Demons over the Swans at the G. Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show.

    • 50 replies
    Demonland
  • POSTGAME: Sydney

    The Demons controlled the contest from the outset, though inaccurate kicking kept the Swans in the game until half time. But after the break, Melbourne put on the jets and blew Sydney away and the demolition job was complete.

      • Haha
      • Love
      • Like
    • 428 replies
    Demonland
  • VOTES: Sydney

    Max Gawn still has an almost unassailable lead in the Demonland Player of the Year award. Jake Bowey, Christian Petracca, Harvey Langford, Kade Chandler & Ed Langdon round out the Top 5. Your votes please. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1.

      • Thanks
    • 46 replies
    Demonland