9 hours ago, old55 said:

If Viney could kick better he'd be a very good lockdown small defender.

Not quite following the ‘better kick’ logic for a lockdown small.

Regardless, his strength is hunting the pill - I just don’t think he has the speed or defensive consistency to sit on the most dangerous small forwards in the comp. I think people see his ferocious tackling and think that makes him elite defensively (which I don’t believe it does).

On 06/09/2025 at 09:33, ElDiablo14 said:

I stumbled upon an ad with Petracca and Dangerfield.

Of course it was about cooking, Coles sponsored.

In the video Dangerfield is wearing Geelong's shirt while Petracca is in full "civil" clothes.

Clearly the ad is footy oriented, why no demons shirt?

It was the first time I watch 2 blokes play with there sausages

2 hours ago, The Jackson FIX said:

Not quite following the ‘better kick’ logic for a lockdown small.

Regardless, his strength is hunting the pill - I just don’t think he has the speed or defensive consistency to sit on the most dangerous small forwards in the comp. I think people see his ferocious tackling and think that makes him elite defensively (which I don’t believe it does).

Even lockdown smalls get possessions in the backline where turnovers are most expensive so you need the best kicks there. Viney is still quick over the first few steps and has elite concentration and dedication to the task.

I would move CP5 and Viney into being forwards that come into the middle. I would either leave Oliver there or trade to a team willing to take most of his wage*.

This would the allow for continued growth of McVee, Rivers, Langford, etc.

CP5 you isolate and tell him to just calm down when you have the pill, and Viney you just lean on his professionalism and commitment and say ‘this gets you an extra couple years if you can pull it off’.

*A trade that doesn’t either net us a good draft hand, a player we need, or cap relief is not worth doing.

Christian Petracca (Melbourne)

On Hawthorn links

“And if it’s not Zach Merrett I think we might be discussing Christian Petracca and Hawthorn.

“I think Christian is open to a fresh start. Clearly he went through a lot this time last year and it was a really difficult time for him.

“With so many changes coming at Melbourne across the board, it might be the right time. I don’t believe he’s met with Hawthorn yet but I do believe that they have registered an element of interest.

“Clearly they’re in the market for another midfielder. They expect James Worpel to move to Geelong as a free agent. It’s been a need, especially with the Will Day (injury) situation and the unknown around him going forward.”

Good as gone I reckon, but I have no real mail on that.

Vultures need something to feed on

3 hours ago, Demonland said:

Christian Petracca (Melbourne)

On Hawthorn links

“And if it’s not Zach Merrett I think we might be discussing Christian Petracca and Hawthorn.

“I think Christian is open to a fresh start. Clearly he went through a lot this time last year and it was a really difficult time for him.

“With so many changes coming at Melbourne across the board, it might be the right time. I don’t believe he’s met with Hawthorn yet but I do believe that they have registered an element of interest.

“Clearly they’re in the market for another midfielder. They expect James Worpel to move to Geelong as a free agent. It’s been a need, especially with the Will Day (injury) situation and the unknown around him going forward.”

Nothing article.

On 07/09/2025 at 12:48, Adam The God said:

I'm keeping both Clarry and Trac. And I think that's what'll happen.

What if the Hawks offer up something decent for Trac? I’d take a top 10 pick, the bulk of his wage and a top 26 player on their list.

33 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

What if the Hawks offer up something decent for Trac? I’d take a top 10 pick, the bulk of his wage and a top 26 player on their list.

That would make me think, but I'd still keep him I reckon.

Petracca's speech at the B&F just then accepting his 2nd place (still perplexed by that) doesn't feel me with any confidence that he wants to stay...

35 minutes ago, Great Northern Summer said:

Petracca's speech at the B&F just then accepting his 2nd place (still perplexed by that) doesn't feel me with any confidence that he wants to stay...

I’d agree with that. It even struck me that all the players I saw mentioned Goody in their speeches, and then Trac was like, “Oh yea, and I almost forgot—“ and went on to mention him. He just seemed flat.

8 hours ago, Great Northern Summer said:

Petracca's speech at the B&F just then accepting his 2nd place (still perplexed by that) doesn't feel me with any confidence that he wants to stay...

It wasn’t overly inspiring

16 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

It wasn’t overly inspiring

Agreed. Wanted a bit more commitment to 2026 but I guess it’s hard to judge these things. I know Max talked about loyalty and being a one club player. Maybe a subtle message.

24 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

It wasn’t overly inspiring

I wouldn't read too much into that and what happens in 2026. I'd say he is just not an inspiring public speaker.

3 minutes ago, sue said:

I wouldn't read too much into that and what happens in 2026. I'd say he is just not an inspiring public speaker.

Yes. Some weird over-analysis of his 'speech'. Wasn't a speech for a start. It was an interview, and his responses were perfectly appropriate. You can be certain that the incoming coach will be insisting on Petracca's presence in 2026.

47 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Agreed. Wanted a bit more commitment to 2026 but I guess it’s hard to judge these things. I know Max talked about loyalty and being a one club player. Maybe a subtle message.

There’s been some weird over-analysis of Trac’s so-called ‘speech.’ First off, it wasn’t even a speech — it was an interview. And when you strip away the media spin, his responses were perfectly normal and appropriate.

1. Injury Context → He’s coming off a major setback. Of course his body and mindset aren’t 100% yet, but that doesn’t erase his class.

2. Media Amplification → A handful of words get chopped up, reprinted, and suddenly people treat them like a manifesto. That’s on the cycle of clickbait, not on Trac.

3. On-field Reality → Whatever nitpicking people do off-field, the fact is Petracca is still a cornerstone of our best 22. Any incoming coach in 2026 would be mad not to demand he’s part of their setup.

4. Distraction Factor → Trade gossip and quote-mining are sideshows. What wins games is system, fitness, and keeping your match-winners on the park.

Bottom line: Trac isn’t going anywhere. He’s a Norm Smith medallist, a premiership hero, and one of the few players who can genuinely turn a game. You don’t trade that away because a few lines in an intervie

49 minutes ago, Redlagged said:

Yes. Some weird over-analysis of his 'speech'. Wasn't a speech for a start. It was an interview, and his responses were perfectly appropriate. You can be certain that the incoming coach will be insisting on Petracca's presence in 2026.

18 minutes ago, john delosa said:

There’s been some weird over-analysis of Trac’s so-called ‘speech.’ First off, it wasn’t even a speech — it was an interview. And when you strip away the media spin, his responses were perfectly normal and appropriate.

1. Injury Context → He’s coming off a major setback. Of course his body and mindset aren’t 100% yet, but that doesn’t erase his class.

2. Media Amplification → A handful of words get chopped up, reprinted, and suddenly people treat them like a manifesto. That’s on the cycle of clickbait, not on Trac.

3. On-field Reality → Whatever nitpicking people do off-field, the fact is Petracca is still a cornerstone of our best 22. Any incoming coach in 2026 would be mad not to demand he’s part of their setup.

4. Distraction Factor → Trade gossip and quote-mining are sideshows. What wins games is system, fitness, and keeping your match-winners on the park.

Bottom line: Trac isn’t going anywhere. He’s a Norm Smith medallist, a premiership hero, and one of the few players who can genuinely turn a game. You don’t trade that away because a few lines in an intervie

Woah what's going on here? Have you two somehow ChatGPT'd each other haha

Edited 13 hours ago13 hr by deanox

I was there, and I didn't get the feeling he wanted to be somewhere else. No one has mentioned the body language on stage between Trac, Clarry and others. They are mates and want to play together and play at MFC. For goodness' sake, Trac has just finished 2nd in our B&F, why on earth would the club want to trade him? He isn't the best at interviews, but neither is Kozzie nor Langford. Is anyone saying they are leaving?

Perspective, he is coming off a horrendous injury, some end-of-last-season issues and some self-doubt. He embraces life, trains his butt off and comes 2nd in this year's B&F he is a keeper, and all the bulltish click bait pseudo journalists are full of it and should be treated with disdain.

1 hour ago, sue said:

I wouldn't read too much into that and what happens in 2026. I'd say he is just not an inspiring public speaker.

I don’t disagree but there was absolutely no passion in his voice but as others have said maybe I am just reading to much into it

Edited 12 hours ago12 hr by Demons11

29 minutes ago, deanox said:

Woah what's going on here? Have you two somehow ChatGPT'd each other haha

When footy talk sounds too coherent, people assume AI — maybe that says more about the internet than us.

17 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

I don’t disagree but there was absolutely no passion in his voice but as others have said maybe I am just reading to much into it

But perhaps passion or excitement would have been viewed from the knuckledraggers on here as inappropriate after this failed year.

There is no winning, only losing.

And as Melbourne supporters we should really know all about that

26 minutes ago, john delosa said:

When footy talk sounds too coherent, people assume AI — maybe that says more about the internet than us.

It's the elongated hyphen that gives away the chatgptness.

Edited 12 hours ago12 hr by Adam The God

I do get the feeling the Hawks are all over Merrett and might only turn an eye to Tracc as a consolation prize.

I'm struggling to see who else in the top 10 teams would really bother making an aggressive move for Tracc.

And then Clarry has even less value.

Even if we massively discount their contracts and have them available it won't be for great picks.

Sam McClure “reporting”, with his usual disrespect of us, that “Petracca is looking around again, with Hawthorn a potential suitor, while Oliver remains hopeful he and the Demons can put aside their differences and start a new relationship under a fresh coach”.