If there’s one thing I think we can all agree our club does exceptionally well, is promote indigenous relationships. We’ve been really strong and proactive in making this happen under the leadership of Matty Whelan. 

Homesickness is undoubtedly a big issue for Kozzie, and one that I’m sure we are well aware of and working on fixing. 
I hope we give him all the support he needs in the off season, pre season and even throughout the season, to get home wherever possible. 
I also have no doubt it’s something we discussed when he re-signed only last year for 4 years.

When his mother passed away early on in his career, he was given extra time away from the club to spend in SA where he proved he can be trusted to keep up his fitness. I’m confident we can work out an arrangement where the same happens for part of this pre season. 

Losing Kozzie has to be the absolute last resort after every other avenue has been explored. 

  On 30/08/2024 at 12:10, daisycutter said:

well when people imply he has no local family support I'll keep correcting them

not saying 1 family member is always adequate but it's a huge difference to none and sisters are prettyclose

additionally i'm sure other teammates families can assist from time to time. we also have club welfare officers

so it is not necessarily as bleak as some would say

You’re right, Daise. You can have a ton of family members close by and still not receive adequate support. It’s not a given.

Not only do Ardu and Kozzy have “close friends always there” for them, they also have Ardu’s sister who is in her words “my sister who’s also my best friend” who lives near them and spends a lot of time with Ardu.

Not bleak at all. IN MY OPINION

PS: Ardu’s sister is fully settled in Melbourne

PPS: how cute is Bellanie!

Edited September 2, 2024Sep 2 by WalkingCivilWar

  On 31/08/2024 at 13:15, Moonshadow said:

I know heaps of Americans or English who move to the other side of those countries for work or study and just pick up a new life. Its common and almost expected at 18 years of age. A generalisation I know, but Australians seems more fixed to where they were raised, especially if family still remain there. It's an interesting aspect if Australian society.

In America I reckon moving for college is a big factor in people's preparedness to move cities and states.

That and historically labor has followed industry - for example black families leaving the south for work in Chicago, LA and Detroit.

And housing costs have historically been stable and affordable, which reduces barriers to moving. That's changing, with America now experiencing a housing crisis of the sort ours kicked of 25 years ago.

Interestingly, i read an article the other day that said Americans are now moving less than at any time in history.

  On 02/09/2024 at 04:06, WalkingCivilWar said:

You’re right, Daise. You can have a ton of family members close by and still not receive adequate support. It’s not a given.

Not only do Ardu and Kozzy have “close friends always there” for them, they also have Ardu’s sister who is in her words “my sister who’s also my best friend” who lives near them and spends a lot of time with Ardu.

Not bleak at all. IN MY OPINION

PS: Ardu’s sister is fully settled in Melbourne

PPS: how cute is Bellanie!

She is an absolute doll!!! 

Kozzie and Ardu should go into modelling. They can give Jacinta and Buddy and run for their money!

 

  On 02/09/2024 at 06:01, Jaded No More said:

Kozzie and Ardu should go into modelling. They can give Jacinta and Buddy and run for their money!

Better yet, they could start putting up cooking videos.

  On 02/09/2024 at 06:28, bing181 said:

Better yet, they could start putting up cooking videos.

 

Sorry @Demonland

  On 31/08/2024 at 09:09, NumberOfTheBeast said:

I don't understand this young generation and home sickness.  Home sickness isn't uncommon, but usually it goes away after 6 or so months once you settle, he has been here long enough to have gotten over it by now.

I don't think it is the kids fault, just a fact that modern young generations are coddled well into their teens and adulthood that they simply cannot cope without their parents.  It doesn't prepare them for life, all it does is reinforces their dependency.

If you can get paid the same or more to do the same job in the location of your choice, why wouldn't you move?

  On 02/09/2024 at 06:28, bing181 said:

Better yet, they could start putting up cooking videos.

Maybe all of our problems would be solved, if the MFC started an official cooking channel?

Edited September 2, 2024Sep 2 by John Demonic

  On 02/09/2024 at 07:22, Dr. Gonzo said:

If you can get paid the same or more to do the same job in the location of your choice, why wouldn't you move?

Is he going or staying 

Edited September 2, 2024Sep 2 by Ugottobekidding

He ain't leaving.

 

  On 02/09/2024 at 10:12, dazzledavey36 said:

He ain't leaving.

 

That's the AFL media in a nutshell, prioritising sensationalism over accuracy. 

  On 02/09/2024 at 10:23, Swooper Northey said:

That's the AFL media in a nutshell, prioritising sensationalism over accuracy. 

They needed to add to the click counter last week and they added this to the Melbourne pile on to get the job done in a non finals week. 

I reckon some budding Psychology or Social phd should do a thesis on the negative impact on players mental well being caused by a rapacious AFL media ecosystem.

Kysaiah Pickett, this week driving to Darwin for his off-season holiday, will also play for Melbourne next year.

He told coach Simon Goodwin after his exit interview he was homesick but has not asked for a trade and will not be granted one.

He is well supported in Melbourne where he lives with his partner and child, with his youngest sister also living near him.

His partner is also keen to remain in Melbourne.

He has little close family in Adelaide and his mother lives more than three hours east of Perth so the club will surround him with care in indigenous welfare boss Matt Whelan, Goodwin and assistant coach Mark Williams.

There are only three indigenous players on Melbourne’s list - Steven May and Shane McAdam are also indigenous - while Port Adelaide has seven and West Coast six.

  On 02/09/2024 at 10:30, Demonland said:

 

There are only three indigenous players on Melbourne’s list - Steven May and Shane McAdam are also indigenous - while Port Adelaide has seven and West Coast six.

What was the point of this tidbit? Is Ralph suggesting that only indigenous players can offer each other support? 🙄

  On 02/09/2024 at 08:29, John Demonic said:

Maybe all of our problems would be solved, if the MFC started an official cooking channel?

Been there, done that...
https://www.grandoldflag.com.au/publications/18ej8pqvzsmnzc2rb96s6t7j0zlhck

  On 02/09/2024 at 10:30, Demonland said:

Kysaiah Pickett, this week driving to Darwin for his off-season holiday, will also play for Melbourne next year.

He told coach Simon Goodwin after his exit interview he was homesick but has not asked for a trade and will not be granted one.

He is well supported in Melbourne where he lives with his partner and child, with his youngest sister also living near him.

His partner is also keen to remain in Melbourne.

He has little close family in Adelaide and his mother lives more than three hours east of Perth so the club will surround him with care in indigenous welfare boss Matt Whelan, Goodwin and assistant coach Mark Williams.

There are only three indigenous players on Melbourne’s list - Steven May and Shane McAdam are also indigenous - while Port Adelaide has seven and West Coast six.

Isnt AMW also indigenous?

  On 02/09/2024 at 10:59, sisso said:

Isnt AMW also indigenous?

I think his family are from Timor.

  On 02/09/2024 at 11:06, Jack Vineys Anger Manager said:

I think his family are from Timor.

Ok didn’t know that 

  On 02/09/2024 at 10:40, Jaded No More said:

What was the point of this tidbit? Is Ralph suggesting that only indigenous players can offer each other support? 🙄

Would suspect it’s in reference to kinship, seems like it’s just been thrown in as an afterthought though.

  On 02/09/2024 at 10:30, Demonland said:

Kysaiah Pickett, this week driving to Darwin for his off-season holiday, will also play for Melbourne next year.

He told coach Simon Goodwin after his exit interview he was homesick but has not asked for a trade and will not be granted one.

He is well supported in Melbourne where he lives with his partner and child, with his youngest sister also living near him.

His partner is also keen to remain in Melbourne.

He has little close family in Adelaide and his mother lives more than three hours east of Perth so the club will surround him with care in indigenous welfare boss Matt Whelan, Goodwin and assistant coach Mark Williams.

There are only three indigenous players on Melbourne’s list - Steven May and Shane McAdam are also indigenous - while Port Adelaide has seven and West Coast six.

Kozzie's Mother passed away in 2021 and we gave him time off to deal with the sad time for he and his family.

Ricky Mentha could join the Dees this off season and he is another indigenous player, which would bring the number to 4.

Edited September 2, 2024Sep 2 by Redleg

  On 02/09/2024 at 10:40, Jaded No More said:

What was the point of this tidbit? Is Ralph suggesting that only indigenous players can offer each other support? 🙄

It was a drive-by sniper comment.  Until recently we had Toby Bedford and have never shied away from recruiting indigenous players or NGA players.  Maybe he should produce a ladder of which clubs has the most indigenous players !!!

He needs to get his facts right.  I totally trust @WalkingCivilWar report that Ardu's sister lives in Melbourne not Kozzie's sister as Ralph reported.  Also, iirc Kozzie's mother sadly passed away in SA several years ago where as he says she lives 3 hrs from Perth.

Ralph like many of his cohorts is an 'unreliable witness reporter.  Worth keeping this handy when reading their reports.

 

 

Edit:  My bad:  thanks to @Dee Boys for clarifying it was Kozzie's 'old Mum' who passed away.  His Mum is in WA.

Edited September 2, 2024Sep 2 by Lucifers Hero

  On 02/09/2024 at 10:30, Demonland said:

Kysaiah Pickett, this week driving to Darwin for his off-season holiday, will also play for Melbourne next year.

Sheesh Ralphy, making it sound like we are the lucky ones contracted players want to play for us. 
Sick of eejit reporting 

  On 02/09/2024 at 12:48, Lucifers Hero said:

It was a drive-by sniper comment.  Until recently we had Toby Bedford and have never shied away from recruiting indigenous players or NGA players.  Maybe he should produce a ladder of which clubs has the most indigenous players !!!

He needs to get his facts right.  I totally trust @WalkingCivilWar report that Ardu's sister lives in Melbourne not Kozzie's sister as Ralph reported.  Also, iirc Kozzie's mother sadly passed away in SA several years ago where as he says she lives 3 hrs from Perth.

Ralph like many of his cohorts is an 'unreliable witness reporter.  Worth keeping this handy when reading their reports.

 

That's pretty messed up to report that a players mother is still alive when she has passed away.