19 minutes ago, KozzyCan said:

Is the prelim weekend deadline just there so Buckley can publicly finish up his media commitments with Fox Footy before being all in with the club?

I don't think the two would be related, i know it's over a decade ago but when we signed Paul Roos we allowed him to continue media commitments beyond that point for the remainder of the season, and i'd suggest that would be exactly the same with Bucks

20 DEMON DAYS TO GET IT RIGHT

IT IS a huge 20 days for the future of Melbourne.

The Demons want to name their new coach by preliminary final weekend – which will run over September 19 and 20 – and the next three weeks will be spent going through their coaching process.

AFL.com.au revealed on Saturday more names who had taken themselves out of the Demons' coaching process after having discussions with Melbourne, including Ken Hinkley, Corey Enright and Cameron Bruce, with Danny Daly also withdrawing interest.

Nathan Buckley remains the No.1 seed ahead of the group of assistants and the Demons haven't been shy about wanting experienced options as part of the mix.

Western Bulldogs assistant Brendon Lade, Geelong pair Steven King and James Kelly and Collingwood assistant Hayden Skipworth are part of the group being identified by the Demons as key candidates, with some assistants to weigh up how hard they pursue the role. 

Ahead of the next round of interviews this week, contenders must also be shaping their views on what to do with Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver ahead of the trade period. As well as game plan ideas, culture themes, assistants they have in mind and their long-term vision, the futures of two key players must be part of discussions. 

Melbourne has gone hard at the top end of the draft in recent years, regenerating its list on the move, and has a growing squad of under-24 talent there ready to coach and get moving. 

It is the right time to explore a Petracca trade. The Dees' only ever Norm Smith medallist will forever hold a significant place in Melbourne history but this off-season of change represents a good time for the 29-year-old to find a freshness with a new club a year after his failed trade bid. 

A new coach, new chief executive and new president also marks a time for the Demons to look ahead if a deal is conducive to them for Petracca, who has four years remaining on his contract. 

A little odd that in an otherwise sraightforward article Twomey felt the need to throw in his two cents about trading Trac.

41 minutes ago, Neil Crompton said:

I’ve never backed favourites, and I have a solid dislike for most things Collingwood - but they are not good enough reasons to not select Buckley. 

However, I’m leaning towards James Kelly as our next coach. His record impresses me. Three time premiership player - so a winner. 300 odd games played - so had longevity. Been part of the successful Cats coaching team - including a premiership in ‘22. A renowned people person, and last but definitely not least, a Jim Stynes medal winner.

Buckley cannot match any of these traits/ achievements - so I’m backing Kelly for our role.

Most of this is a case of good timing, rather than anything Kelly did himself.

18 minutes ago, KozzyCan said:

A little odd that in an otherwise sraightforward article Twomey felt the need to throw in his two cents about trading Trac.

Agent favours

1 hour ago, DubDee said:

If we stick to our deadline of before prelim weekend

Bucks should be in seat within 18 days

Then I can go back to visit family in the Fair City as happy as Larry

19 minutes ago, BW511 said:

Most of this is a case of good timing, rather than anything Kelly did himself.

Haven't there been some remarks here about Kelly having trust baggage with us.

2 minutes ago, Willmoy1947 said:

Haven't there been some remarks here about Kelly having trust baggage with us.

I also have trust baggage with us 🙋🏻‍♂️

3 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Agent favours

Not sure what you mean but if Trac's agent was actually trying to get him to another club then we probably would have heard about it by now.

The stories around both Oliver and Trac potentially leaving this year have so far been purely speculative.

I think the only way any of our big name players are moved on this season is if they basically ask the new coach if they can leave. Would be very surprised if the next coach is pushing guys out a month into the job.

Edited 4 hours ago4 hr by KozzyCan

3 minutes ago, KozzyCan said:

Not sure what you mean but if Trac's agent was actually trying to get him to another club then we probably would have heard about it by now.

The stories around both Oliver and Trac potentially leaving this year have so far been purely speculative.

I think the only way any of our big name players are moved on this season is if they basically ask the new coach if they can leave. Would be very surprised if the next coach isn't going to be pushing guys out a month into the job.

I think the fact there is bugger all talk about them leaving is a good indication. This time last year the jungle drums were beating loud, this year it just that last line a journo chuck in their story to gain an extra click or 2.

30 minutes ago, BW511 said:

Most of this is a case of good timing, rather than anything Kelly did himself.

Agree with his, doesn't mean he isn't a potential wonderkind coach but for me its a lotto ala all Asst coaches..

I think we need a less player-driven coach, Goody was that.. we need a man manager that is also going to challenge the top-end as much as the youth & that is where I like Buckley, then King, Skipworth.

But for me, I think 2ns time round coaches that are HUNGRY are attractive, Bucks it is uber clear has learned much in his time away from the game and where he can be better as a coach, his hunger will be unrivalled for mine and that is what appeals. That alongside the gravitas & strength as a media performer is what appeals!

9 minutes ago, KozzyCan said:

Not sure what you mean but if Trac's agent was actually trying to get him to another club then we probably would have heard about it by now.

The stories around both Oliver and Trac potentially leaving this year have so far been purely speculative.

I think the only way any of our big name players are moved on this season is if they basically ask the new coach if they can leave. Would be very surprised if the next coach isn't going to be pushing guys out a month into the job.

Also seems like a large part of the process is the plan around trade week which I love!!!

18 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Agent favours

I think it is just more Cal and is nature, its his area/remit and he can't help himself but view things through that lens.

18 minutes ago, Travy14 said:

I think the fact there is bugger all talk about them leaving is a good indication. This time last year the jungle drums were beating loud, this year it just that last line a journo chuck in their story to gain an extra click or 2.

Completely agree. It's all based on the stories from last year and both their form being down.

Bit like the Steven May story from last week where the author basically supposed that we want him gone and the Dogs would be a good fit, before finding out the Dogs have no interest at all in him.

32 minutes ago, KozzyCan said:

Not sure what you mean but if Trac's agent was actually trying to get him to another club then we probably would have heard about it by now.

The stories around both Oliver and Trac potentially leaving this year have so far been purely speculative.

I think the only way any of our big name players are moved on this season is if they basically ask the new coach if they can leave. Would be very surprised if the next coach is pushing guys out a month into the job.

If anyone is crazy enough to want Oliver they aren’t going to admit to it now. Nor are the demons going to put it in the public for the 3rd year in a row.

Team Tracc overpaid their hand last year. They’re going to be more considered this year. The new coach is a great excuse for club and player to slow play any media rumblings.

I might be wrong, but didn’t Trac flick his agent, now his current agent isn’t accredited to engage in trade negotiations?

29 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

If anyone is crazy enough to want Oliver they aren’t going to admit to it now. Nor are the demons going to put it in the public for the 3rd year in a row.

Team Tracc overpaid their hand last year. They’re going to be more considered this year. The new coach is a great excuse for club and player to slow play any media rumblings.

Teams will want Oliver if we pay half his contract, but I think we have been clear that's not going to happen. Unfortunately, things getting into the public hasn't been our strong suit in recent times.

Yeh exactly, all a waiting period till new admin come in and Coach, and Trac was a Collingwood supporter as a kid, I'm only guessing but surely he would be excited to work under Buckley if he does become our next coach.

3 hours ago, The Jackson FIX said:

I also have trust baggage with us 🙋🏻‍♂️

Cupboard Geelong supporter, eh.

Now I'm in the camp that if some club offered a good deal for Oliver, they should look at it. Still, the last 2 games he played were like late 21 games a bit more composure with the ball and better running patterns so maybe with a new coach and role he could reinvent himself into an important player again, as for Trac gee there is a lot of work to do with his kicking to advantage maybe more forward than midfield now it is all going to be interesting how things pan out.

3 hours ago, KozzyCan said:

A little odd that in an otherwise sraightforward article Twomey felt the need to throw in his two cents about trading Trac.

He always fails to express the benefit in terms of MFC. We have heard the benefit for Trac, Hawthorn, but has he really explored whether its the right move for MFC. Personally i think it is, but thats besides the point. Failing to do so, always creates a perception in the media that we will offload him for a bag of chips. If he was however to say, Dees could get Hawks #7 and future first, then crack on.

4 hours ago, KozzyCan said:

A little odd that in an otherwise sraightforward article Twomey felt the need to throw in his two cents about trading Trac.

When Twomey has mail, you can generally take it to the bank. He’s a reliable news breaker.

But from the moment he decided to start doing a trade, free agency and draft podcast which runs from as early as February, it became clear that his major existence in the AFL media landscape is to provide constant trade/FA content.

So if he wants to write about our new coach, it is perfectly consistent with his existence that he’d chuck in an otherwise unnecessary comment on trading Trac.

And it’s no surprise at all that he’s advocating for a trade. That’s, again, the point of his existence.

I’m straying dangerously close to @Clintosaurus levels of conspiracy theory here but it is in the media’s interests that more players get traded each year. The more trades/moves, the more content, and trade-related content sells, big-time.