9 hours ago, Adam The God said:

I'm not sure how we go about being a team-first, 2021 style playing group after this.

As each day passes I fear we’re more likely to have the camaraderie of a MAFS dinner table than a premiership side

There is fault on all sides and the media only flavours it.

The mental gymnastics on here to absolve the club or to pin it on the media or his advisors is ridiculous .

Some of you look like sheep walking on its hind legs.

It’s fascinating how the media conveniently sidesteps the clear evidence of strong on-field leadership at the club. Particularly when it comes to Jack Viney and Max Gawn.

While the off-field situation might raise some eyebrows, our on-field leadership for the most part is rock solid. 

Edited September 4, 2024Sep 4 by layzie

23 hours ago, Demonland said:

 

The Media, I Caroline have decided, are not under any suspicion for BS.

1 hour ago, Skuit said:

You have to admit that "Robbie D’Orazio and Paul Connors can publicly explain their involvement in the Petracca saga if they so wish" is a pretty funny line though. 

Agree. That's gold.

Love that rather than leaving it there, Barrett goes on to explain their involvement in the Petracca saga - that's to say they apparently basically had no involvement.

If true, that's a pretty good gig - one of the highest paid players in the AFL tries to wiggle out of his contract and his managers had no involvement other than putting out some feelers mid season (ie read dinners at the Flower drum with club officials and other player managers).

20 hours ago, Big Gun said:

Regular reader but rarely post however I am finding my thoughts and emotions around the whole situation changing by the hour. What is wrong with me? It was good news over the weekend wasn’t it???

Having been a few days now since the ‘staying at MFC’ announcement, my initial happiness and joy has for some reason dissipated somewhat as my brain runs over the possible consequences and doubts are setting on how I will feel when I watch the Dees next year, and more specifically, Christian. Reading the comments posted so far, seems there are a few buckets that people will fall into:

1.  Will never look at him the same way again and will not cheer anything he does. Should have traded him this year.

2. Will never look at him the same way but will cheer him anyway while in red and blue.

3. Time will probably clear my head from negative thoughts towards him and will be back to loving him unconditionally when next season rolls around.

4. Love Christian and always will.

I think I am currently in bucket 2. Hoping to move to bucket 3 in time but will have to see how that pans out I guess.

I also have been thinking that I hope the club are putting in place a clear action plan about how this will be managed with the fans moving forward. Based on a couple of the clips shown last night on Footy Class and On The Couch, Eddie was quite clear that in his mind CP is a Dees player next year only and the big clubs have that time to get their ducks in a row to get him in 2026. There was also one that showed CP in a radio interview last year saying that Dees have small crowds and the demographic is quite old (with a look of disgust on his face). Media are going to be constantly over this whole thing again next year and while I am currently probably in denial that he will ever leave, a little voice inside says it is quite likely he will.
 

How are the club going to manage this next year? They need for fans to embrace Christian to make him feel loved but not sure many will forgive and forget. What strategies the club adopt to mitigate the anger some fans have towards him will be interesting to see. Can’t be seen to be pandering to him either. Will the club ask him to do an interview explaining events and reasons it all blew up the way it did but saying how much he loves the club and the fans. Could they go the other way and restrict his media commitments in case he might be a loose cannon and cause another media pile on. If so, this may fly in the face of ‘brand CP’5’.
Another year of continued speculation may tip some supporters over the edge. Time will not heal these wounds for many.

As Christian would put it, ‘to be honest’ I think we are in for a rocky ride folks and the club must have firm plans in place to minimise fallout from loyal supporters and not just rely on time healing our wounds.

No spelling mistakes and has the smell of someone who knows how to write sequentially.

32 minutes ago, layzie said:

It’s fascinating how the media conveniently sidesteps the clear evidence of strong on-field leadership at the club. Particularly when it comes to Jack Viney and Max Gawn.

While the off-field situation might raise some eyebrows, our on-field leadership for the most part is rock solid. 

And while those 46 hours of leadership are important, they are not formative, only performative.

The evidence of recent experiences does not suggest the off-field leadership of our on-field leaders is very strong.

17 hours ago, Jjrogan said:

 Well he did. He had car crash type injuries and he went back out there didn't he.    So yea he was definitely more at risk than others at that point. That's just a fact.   

Is this actually Joe Rogan? 

17 hours ago, kev martin said:

I believe we will get the best from Tracc on the field in 2025. He has to keep his trade value high.

Indeed he does. However I’m not sure what “the best” from Trac is going to look like, considering what I imagine will be a far-from-ideal pre-season for him. 

He’s in a tough spot if he wants to move on. Unless he miraculously pulls off a blinding season, he’ll be a 30 year-old player with a question mark over his head. 
 

 

18 hours ago, Pennant St Dee said:

And yet 3 to 4 years ago it was said Paddy Cripps best days were behind him from carrying to much of a load, yet he is probably going better now than he ever as. Danger managed perfectly during 22 and Hodge of 2012 to 2015 was far better then the Hodge of 2009 to 2011

The same players moved for money

17 hours ago, ageing Dee said:

Wow - a bit of an overstatement.

I understand and agree with the empathy, but he no more put his life on the line than any other player in the team. In fact, no more so than any other footballer in any team at any level in the country. It's a contact sport and everyone playing it is at risk of serious injury. But "literally put his life on the line"?

If he was somehow aware before the game that he would suffer life-threatening injuries and still decided to play - then yes, he would have literally put his life on the line.

Moot point but as it turned out, two of our best players, did, as it turned put their well being on the line, and look what happened. One never played again, and one nearly lost his life, coincidentally playing against the same mob, go figure.

 

3 hours ago, Webber said:

One of the things that’s remarkable to me is how blatantly the media ignore the obvious contradictions that are Jack Viney and Max Gawn to the ‘disaster’ culture narrative they’re trying to spin about the MFC (let alone the flurry of re-signings from our young guns). Here are our two greatest leaders, passionately, vocally committed to the club, both of whom drive standards of professionalism that would be the envy of any player, EVER, both just re-signing to make them one club players. Both of whom weathered the pits of this club’s recent history, then drove it to the ultimate success. How does any player not look to them as exemplars of the professionalism in loyalty we fans treasure most? How does Max Gawn’s resolve as the playing group’s leader, (arguably I guess) the best ruckman ever, a SEVEN-time all Australian, become frankly irrelevant in any media discussion about our club. Even more staggering when his media appearances around the CP5 saga were quite brilliant - consistent, empathetic, resolute. If I were a player seeking to model my career on anyone (on or off-field) it would be these two, and as a supporter, I know who I hold in highest regard as true Demons. 

Max might release his book a whole lot earlier than some Media would have NOT hoped for.

2 hours ago, binman said:

Agree. That's gold.

Love that rather than leaving it there, Barrett goes on to explain their involvement in the Petracca saga - that's to say they apparently basically had no involvement.

If true, that's a pretty good gig - one of the highest paid players in the AFL tries to wiggle out of his contract and his managers had no involvement other than putting out some feelers mid season (ie read dinners at the Flower drum with club officials and other player managers).

I think their involvement came in the form of: "hey Trac, we tried but we can't get you to Pies or Blues, please stop this nonsense". 

They are obviously trying to stay as far away from this as possible, because it does not help their credentials one little bit to have lost control of one of their biggest stars. 

2 hours ago, Adina88 said:

Disagree.  With the greatest salary and greatest contract comes the greatest responsibility.  This is on CP.  If you 'go rogue' and go outside the club, outside your personal management, and in a way that brings disrepute onto the entire club, then it's entirely on you and you've got some serious explaining to do.  I'm getting tired of the narrative that 'superhuman athlete' CP needs to be wrapped in cotton wool, can operate by his own rules, and must protected from all scrutiny.  If he ever gets back onto a footy field, I'm certain he'll be gone within 12 months, and that may be best for CP, and best for the long-term culture of MFC.  

The Club needs to ask Tracc one simple question: “Baring injury, can you right now, put your hand on your heart and commit to the Dees for a minimum of 3 years?”. If he can’t, or he hesitates at all, I don’t care how good a player he was, get rid of him, now. If he cannot commit, there will be no player trust. If no player trust, then I think he’ll be a cancer within the team this year. Brand Tracc is [censored] as far as I am concerned, and he’s done it to himself.

I cannot think of any organisation, sporting club, place of employment or even family, where there will some form of dissent, disagreement, disgruntlement, debate or even downright hostility from time to time.  Such is the way of the 'body corporate' and the human condition.  In fact, some organisational behavior specialists will tell you conflict, if handled constructively, can end up being beneficial to a group.

Clearly, Trac has had a traumatic experience, which understandably, has had a significant affect on both his physical and psychological well being.  It would appear - at least from the outside - that he has expressed his concerns after suffering such trauma.  Surely, no surprise there.

However, no one will convince me that similar discontent does not exist within every AFL club from time to time.  But generally, such disputes remain in-house and are not subject to the media's glare and editorial licence.  The difference in this case is that it seems clear to me that Trac's issue, along with other issues, which according to some, exist within the MFC, have been systematically leaked from within.

To me, this is of even greater concern, as the party or parties who may be involved are being destructive, for what would seem to be for their own vested self interest/s.

This is what is toxic and needs to be weeded out and therefore, in my view an external review, which is comprehensive, should be undertaken.

Any good 'business' would do so, for the sake of their shareholders (us), if for no other reason.

Edited September 4, 2024Sep 4 by I'va Worn Smith

I can sympathise with Tracc to a certain extent. A couple of decades ago I had a serious health issue leaving me unable to work for many months. I had disliked my well paying job and being absent from work persuaded me to leave my employment and try somewhere else. Having issues dealing with recovery and the thought of returning to that hated job was too much to bear. I do see some similarity to the Tracc issue and it demonstrates to me that he really doesn’t care much for us much, would rather be somewhere else and the situation is not likely to change. I just cannot see everyone being all luvvy duvvy and pretending all is fine next season. The cure for hating your job is to move on. 

It’s hard to understand from the highs of petracca love of the club after getting his 7 year contract to the current status… will we ever hear the real reasons of how he feels and what the club hasn’t done. How can you have a player who is not committing   beyond 2025 and the only question will be is Trac staying! Who’s to blame for the circus that’s been created.. let’s hope an external review is done to flush out the truth & get change as only 10 yrs ago Jackson changed the club .. perhaps he would be good to run the review 

Edited September 4, 2024Sep 4 by Demonsone

16 minutes ago, John Crow Batty said:

I can sympathise with Tracc to a certain extent. A couple of decades ago I had a serious health issue leaving me unable to work for many months. I had disliked my well paying job and being absent from work persuaded me to leave my employment and try somewhere else. Having issues dealing with recovery and the thought of returning to that hated job was too much to bear. I do see some similarity to the Tracc issue and it demonstrates to me that he really doesn’t care much for us much, would rather be somewhere else and the situation is not likely to change. I just cannot see everyone being all luvvy duvvy and pretending all is fine next season. The cure for hating your job is to move on. 

He doesn’t hate the job though 

The people who work there - who knows I’m sure there are some that are frustrating but I’d be shocked if he could walk into another AFL club and not find DHs and huge egos it goes with the territory 

I’m happy to take his grievances on face value that some things needed to change (we all agree on that) - if they do I can’t see why he wouldn’t be happy to see out what is a very lucrative contract 

If he still sees the grass greener somewhere else in a year or two I’m resigned to the fact he may PO but I want us to work that trade to our best advantage and preferably not to Collingwood or Carlton 

1 minute ago, Sydee said:

He doesn’t hate the job though 

The people who work there - who knows I’m sure there are some that are frustrating but I’d be shocked if he could walk into another AFL club and not find DHs and huge egos it goes with the territory 

I’m happy to take his grievances on face value that some things needed to change (we all agree on that) - if they do I can’t see why he wouldn’t be happy to see out what is a very lucrative contract 

If he still sees the grass greener somewhere else in a year or two I’m resigned to the fact he may PO but I want us to work that trade to our best advantage and preferably not to Collingwood or Carlton 

Maybe a trade..Trac to Cats, Scott to Dee's, 

 

 

43 minutes ago, I'va Worn Smith said:

I cannot think of any organisation, sporting club, place of employment or even family, where there will some form of dissent, disagreement, disgruntlement, debate or even downright hostility from time to time.  Such is the way of the 'body corporate' and the human condition.  In fact, some organisational behavior specialists will tell you conflict, if handled constructively, can end up being beneficial to a group.

Clearly, Trac has had a traumatic experience, which understandably, has had a significant affect on both his physical and psychological well being.  It would appear - at least from the outside - that he has expressed his concerns after suffering such trauma.  Surely, no surprise there.

However, no one will convince me that similar discontent does not exist within every AFL club from time to time.  But generally, such disputes remain in-house and are not subject to the media's glare and editorial licence.  The difference in this case is that it seems clear to me that Trac's issue, along with other issues, which according to some, exist within the MFC, have been systematically leaked from within.

To me, this is of even greater concern, as the party or parties who may be involved are being destructive, for what would seem to be for their own vested self interest/s.

This is what is toxic and needs to be weeded out and therefore, in my view an external review, which is comprehensive, should be undertaken.

Any good 'business' would do so, for the sake of their shareholders (us), if for no other reason.

All true. Although conflict and disagreement is absolutely constructive in the right culture and extremely helpful. The blog below is a simple but powerful tool for teams.   

https://www.executiveagenda.com/resources/blog/five-dysfunctions-team

The problem we have, is a complete breakdown in trust at all levels, amplified by the recent leaks.

Winning Games will cure everything. 
That is the challenge for the MFC

3 hours ago, Willmoy1947 said:

The same players moved for money

I don’t think so 

Cripps has not moved

Danger would have got more money from Melbourne based club, but there was a desire to be close to Moggs Creek

Hodge was like Lewis and Mitchell moved on to other clubs as the Hawks evolved

5 hours ago, rpfc said:

And while those 46 hours of leadership are important, they are not formative, only performative.

The evidence of recent experiences does not suggest the off-field leadership of our on-field leaders is very strong.

Why?

3 hours ago, Watson11 said:

 

The problem we have, is a complete breakdown in trust at all levels, amplified by the recent leaks.

That's a very long bow. 

I might argue that there is evidence of trust at all levels, for example mutiple players recommitimg to the club in the last 2 months, two of whom, kolt and Windsor, who did not need to do so for another two years.

And I might posit that for all the bluster from tracc, and the whispers about koz (who if crunch came to crunch, we probably agree to a trade if he really needed it done) both are staying.

And in regard to leaks, it is supposition not fact the club leaked.

I'd say it's more likely in the koz example that it was his player manager who leaked to the media.

I mean the alleged info about him being homesick was supposedly discussed in his exit interview.

Goody and the player. And perhaps someone else from the fd.

Who else is privy to that info - his manager, who may have been with him, and if not would have briefed him before and debriefed after the interview.

And who i might add benefits from a potential move financially.

Edited September 4, 2024Sep 4 by binman

2 hours ago, IRW said:

Maybe a trade..Trac to Cats, Scott to Dee's,

DEES: Hi Chris, It's the MFC. Would you like to Coach us?

DEES: Chris! Chris! .... are you still there? .... Chris ... Chris .... I think he hung up.