Slow, small, not strong overhead (which doesn't stop him demanding the footy despite having taller opponents), can't kick over a jam tin - a small fwd who doesn't score. His only woods are defensive pressure and score assists (maybe). A sign that we are looking to progress will be Charlie not being on the list.

5 minutes ago, Robbie87 said:

Slow, small, not strong overhead (which doesn't stop him demanding the footy despite having taller opponents), can't kick over a jam tin - a small fwd who doesn't score. His only woods are defensive pressure and score assists (maybe). A sign that we are looking to progress will be Charlie not being on the list.

This.

Would struggle to get a game in any of the top 8 sides.

12 hours ago, Demon Jack said:

It was apparently mentioned on 'Gettable' today that Charlie Spargo is attracting interest from other clubs.

Out of contract at the end of this season after two injury plagued years.

Do people still see him as a part of our side going forward?

No he can go. However I have never been a fan. We need change and IMO he is one of the not required.

Our best form this year came when Spargo was back in the team at the start of the year.

There’s some chicken and egg there but there’s a lot of hidden value to go a guy who gets to the right spots both in attack and defensively.

I don’t think he’s a cream on top player either, he was vital to our build for more than just ‘21z

That said, his body hasn’t been right and he’s probably sick of being torched by our mids.

I’d imagine we’d get 3rd round compo if he signed for 3 years somewhere which isn’t a great deal for us but isn’t nothing.

2 hours ago, deanox said:

With Charlie now having over 100 games under his belt at the Dees, there is a chance there will be another Spargo running around in the future!

father-son rule is going to be killed, sadly, so of course any children he has are going to be superstars

just another way for the afl to encourage the mfcss

14 hours ago, Demon Jack said:

It was apparently mentioned on 'Gettable' today that Charlie Spargo is attracting interest from other clubs.

Out of contract at the end of this season after two injury plagued years.

Do people still see him as a part of our side going forward?

I really like Charlie, he is one of the few on our list that has high footy IQ. we have too many get ball kick ball, whereas Charlie looks for players in good positions. I hope we keep him and he flourishes under a new coach.

1 hour ago, cantstandyasam said:

I really like Charlie, he is one of the few on our list that has high footy IQ. we have too many get ball kick ball, whereas Charlie looks for players in good positions. I hope we keep him and he flourishes under a new coach.

i feel like people make assumptions about players based off one action and it just sticks with them, when was the last time anyone saw spargo hit a kick or make a movement or lead and went ooo that was high IQ, compare him to say gryan who actually week in week out does this, no we just say it about spargo because its what he needs to be doing in order to make up for his lack of size, speed and kicking penetration. output hasn't been there

its likewise for fritsch, he's selfish, he doesn't tacke, ive seen him lay lots of tackles and when he actually wraps people up they usually stay wrapped up, but hes a bit gangly and has some stiff hair so its just an easy take to make, and hes been working super hard up the ground this year getting possessions and distributing the footy which of course has resulted in less shots at goal so people say he's not doing enough to impact games anymore its hard to please

8 hours ago, Dee Zephyr said:

Your dislike for Charlie knows no bounds. So very fortunate to have actually played one game...classic. Do you actually believe what you type?

Yep

It’s not as if Goodwin didn’t give him enough chances

Harry Sharp covers him? (at least at Charlie's recent levels of performance relative to the 'set of woods' the Club values him for?)

Edited August 7, 2025Aug 7 by Timothy Reddan-A'Blew

Great football brain, and been a good servant of the club, but if he gets a chance elsewhere all the best.

MFC Premiership Player.

1 hour ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

Harry Sharp covers him? (at least at Charlie's recent levels of performance relative to the 'set of woods' the Club values him for?)

Wow! I am no Spargo fan, he is not that bad.

It will be Sparg's call but we do not have the luxury of trading out a player who is far and away our best kick inside 50.

At his best he's a super important cog in the scoring machine, smartest player going inside 50 bar Melksham. Hoping he can get back to that form, so I would retain him.

10 hours ago, Gorgoroth said:

Spargo need to be the last piece in a good team, he won't make you a good team but will do good work in a good team.

If he goes I won't care. If he stays I hope the next coach can get more out of him.

It would sad to see the tin can go

For his size / height, you’d expect him to be able to dance on a dime and have the agility of house cat on the zoomies. But I’m afraid he is not that and with his progressing age and bung achilies he’ll be even less athletic.

He maybe a good user but in the premium comp you can’t have skills and not the athleticism to back it up without being caught out.

I hope he stays but if he does it will definitely be more time in the 2’s and come in if the need arises.

4 hours ago, binman said:

It will be Sparg's call but we do not have the luxury of trading out a player who is far and away our best kick inside 50.

First you have to get the ball!

4 hours ago, binman said:

It will be Sparg's call but we do not have the luxury of trading out a player who is far and away our best kick inside 50.

I disagree with almost every part of this post.

I will concede I haven't got the data and so can't say whether Spargo is indeed "far and away our best kick inside 50". So let's assume he is.

IMO, that's useless because Spargo's unable to run or spread to AFL standard, which means he can't get separation or into space, so he can't get the ball enough, and so he can't make use of that skill.

He also has no other strings to his bow - he isn't a long kick, he doesn't kick goals, he doesn't apply strong forward pressure (or at least no better than the other players vying for his spot in the 23 already on our list), he's slow, he's short, and he can't/doesn't play midfield.

IMO Spargo is the quintessential example of our poor list management. We take and hold too many players who we laud for having a known or potential elite AFL trait, but who can't impact games because they lack too much in other areas.

So for mine, it's not Spargo's decision, it's ours, and the decision should be to let him go.

3 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

IMO Spargo is the quintessential example of our poor list management. We take and hold too many players who we laud for having a known or potential elite AFL trait, but who can't impact games because they lack too much in other areas.

So for mine, it's not Spargo's decision, it's ours, and the decision should be to let him go.

Agree with this

Spargo got picked a lot at the expense of Bedford, and Toby has gone on to be a gun at GWS.

And I'm still bitter about it. This is who I think of when people talk about Goody playing favourites.

8 hours ago, cantstandyasam said:

I really like Charlie, he is one of the few on our list that has high footy IQ. we have too many get ball kick ball, whereas Charlie looks for players in good positions. I hope we keep him and he flourishes under a new coach.

I agree but he just doesn't get enough of the pill to impact. He plays a small forward role yet has no offensive scoring weapons other than the odd assist.

He pops up once in a while and shows that he does have the ability to find time and space even without wheels but aside from that he does not have the weapons to see him ahead of the likes of Koz, Chin, Tracc

9 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

I disagree with almost every part of this post.

I will concede I haven't got the data and so can't say whether Spargo is indeed "far and away our best kick inside 50". So let's assume he is.

IMO, that's useless because Spargo's unable to run or spread to AFL standard, which means he can't get separation or into space, so he can't get the ball enough, and so he can't make use of that skill.

He also has no other strings to his bow - he isn't a long kick, he doesn't kick goals, he doesn't apply strong forward pressure (or at least no better than the other players vying for his spot in the 23 already on our list), he's slow, he's short, and he can't/doesn't play midfield.

IMO Spargo is the quintessential example of our poor list management. We take and hold too many players who we laud for having a known or potential elite AFL trait, but who can't impact games because they lack too much in other areas.

So for mine, it's not Spargo's decision, it's ours, and the decision should be to let him go.

2 minutes ago, Graeme Yeats' Mullet said:

Agree with this

Spargo got picked a lot at the expense of Bedford, and Toby has gone on to be a gun at GWS.

And I'm still bitter about it. This is who I think of when people talk about Goody playing favourites.

Hard to argue with TU's assessment.

Always a premiership player and MFC legend but i feel the game has well and truly past him by.

He had his moment in the sun but injuries and the game see him well off the pace and superfluous to our needs from here imho.

There has to be balance with a small forward, offensive balance. Not just dour defensive efforts and a few assists. Unfortunately Charlie doesn't have the offensive side / weapons / spreading ability (as per TU's summary) to justify his place from here.

I wouldn't put my house on Sharp making it but he at least has speed and the ability to get from contest to contest quickly as well as closing speed to pressure opponents i50 and up the field that Spargo lacks. I'm not saying he'll be a massive improvement or a better alternative either. But he does have a few weapons you can work on. He also sharks well and kicks the odd goal.

Edited August 7, 2025Aug 7 by Demon Dynasty

15 hours ago, Dee Zephyr said:

Your dislike for Charlie knows no bounds. So very fortunate to have actually played one game...classic. Do you actually believe what you type?

He is probably a ripper bloke, I don't personally dislike him at all, and I was responding to the thread. I.M.O he is a very limited footballer.

39 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

I disagree with almost every part of this post.

I will concede I haven't got the data and so can't say whether Spargo is indeed "far and away our best kick inside 50". So let's assume he is.

IMO, that's useless because Spargo's unable to run or spread to AFL standard, which means he can't get separation or into space, so he can't get the ball enough, and so he can't make use of that skill.

He also has no other strings to his bow - he isn't a long kick, he doesn't kick goals, he doesn't apply strong forward pressure (or at least no better than the other players vying for his spot in the 23 already on our list), he's slow, he's short, and he can't/doesn't play midfield.

IMO Spargo is the quintessential example of our poor list management. We take and hold too many players who we laud for having a known or potential elite AFL trait, but who can't impact games because they lack too much in other areas.

So for mine, it's not Spargo's decision, it's ours, and the decision should be to let him go.

Quintesential arguments all!

On 06/08/2025 at 22:45, dazzledavey36 said:

This is my understanding from speaking to a family member of his a month back, but Charlie is currently assessing his options at the end of the year.

I think he wants a fresh start, but I dont know entirely know whether there is interest or not as we didn't discuss opposition club interests.

Doesn't matter where he is, he'll be in the VFL

Goodwin's loyalty to his premiership side was his downfall

I have a soft spot for Spargo. You can see him thinking through the play and looking for good options, and he often succeeds in identifying them.

He's held back a lot by the physical side; there's not one aspect where he is even above average.

I'd be sad to lose him but this is not a Nibbler 'underrated stalwart' situation.

I don’t understand it when people talk about Spargo’s high footy IQ. Doesn’t get enough of the ball to have said IQ