10 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Sadly, there isn't much footy IQ among our leaders. Love Max, Viney et al but that aspect of on-field management has been a real weakness for us for a long time.

This x 1000.

On 16/12/2025 at 13:40, dazzledavey36 said:

You say the players were shellshocked? Well that to me sums us up the psychological issue of the players if they couldn't put that aside for two hours and focus on the game on hand.

On the contrary. It demonstrates how close knit they all were then. Gus was well loved and the camaraderie between players was at an all time high in 2021 and 22.

I know a few Melbourne player family members and they all say Gus was one of the most liked players in the club. Quite possibly the Mfcs cohesion imploding was no coincidence since losing Gus.

Of course the players were shell shocked. They saw their mate absolutely flattened and not moving for several minutes.

A mate they all knew had a history of concussion events and deep down they all were probably worried he could have some permanent damage.

I don't think that can be referred to as the team having " psychological errors" or whatever else your professional opinion would deem them to have.

No..... it shows to me a high spirit de corps that played it's part in finally breaking such a long voodoo.

Fair shake of the old sauce bottle Dd

On 13/12/2025 at 19:10, GS_1905 said:

The other things is the game has gone past him. Without the ability to kick, or break packs anymore, his opponent will just on the outside and stop the hand ball . He may get the odd clearance, but in the long run won’t hurt opponents .

You just keep telling Clarry that my friend.

So Clayton still takes no responsibility for his actions off field in 2022-23. Incredible really, considering what actually happened.

He almost puts the blame on the back on the Club, reading that latest statement.

Whilst he will be paid $2mill over the next 6 years…

1 hour ago, Previously known as LITD. said:

On the contrary. It demonstrates how close knit they all were then. Gus was well loved and the camaraderie between players was at an all time high in 2021 and 22.

I know a few Melbourne player family members and they all say Gus was one of the most liked players in the club. Quite possibly the Mfcs cohesion imploding was no coincidence since losing Gus.

Of course the players were shell shocked. They saw their mate absolutely flattened and not moving for several minutes.

A mate they all knew had a history of concussion events and deep down they all were probably worried he could have some permanent damage.

I don't think that can be referred to as the team having " psychological errors" or whatever else your professional opinion would deem them to have.

No..... it shows to me a high spirit de corps that played it's part in finally breaking such a long voodoo.

Fair shake of the old sauce bottle Dd

Fair shake of the bottle of excuses you're trotting out.

Have a good Christmas.

On 17/12/2025 at 10:09, Lucifers Hero said:

.Sadly, there isn't much footy IQ among our leaders. Love Max, Viney et al but that aspect of on-field management has been a real weakness for us for a long time. And as you have shown a very costly one.

We practiced tactics for 8pt up/down with 3 minutes to go last pre-season. No learnings there!

It’s a different discussion but this is exactly why I think a change in leadership over the next season or two is a necessity

Max is one of the all time great leaders in terms of his onfield output - i.e. putting the team on his shoulders

But I think we can respectfully all agree he’s not a high IQ footballer (and the same can be said for Viney)

More than ever footy demands that players not only know how to use the ball (skills) but know how to manage in game situations

For example, half of Collingwood’s success over the last few years has come solely down to them essentially having on field coaches in Pendlebury, Sidebottom and Howe who know how to manage the game (and it’s not a surprise that, in total contrast to us, they have been able to win so many close games)

Its been our biggest weakness for years, but thankfully I think many of our young players look like they could start to address it (there were so many times this year where Langford and Lindsay stood out for their composure and ability to make the right decision)

Edited yesterday at 05:541 day by demoncat

Meanwhile, lets get back to the topic at hand, which is farewell Clayton Oliver!

On 17/12/2025 at 09:26, biggestred said:

dont look at under 10 points because that becomes 0-6 in 2025. gross

A good team could well win 3 - even 4 of those realistically. If we did that we jump up to 11th, and arguably higher if that increased confidence in other matches. And if the Bulldogs had won 4 more games they would go from 9th to 2nd a couple of percentage points below Adelaide ( and quite feasibly 1st)!

33 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Meanwhile, lets get back to the topic at hand, which is farewell Clayton Oliver!

He's gone mate - let it go.

45 minutes ago, Neil Crompton said:

He's gone mate - let it go.

Of course he's gone. But the doings of an ex-MFC player will always be of interest to many supporters, especially in the case of a star ex-player. So I'm happy to continue to read this thread. If anyone really wants to let it go, there is a simple solution.

On 15/12/2025 at 12:00, dazzledavey36 said:

Called us the Dees and not the Demons too. I'm glad we traded him 😆

3 hours ago, 3KZ is Football said:

So Clayton still takes no responsibility for his actions off field in 2022-23. Incredible really, considering what actually happened.

He almost puts the blame on the back on the Club, reading that latest statement.

Whilst he will be paid $2mill over the next 6 years…

I think 3kz fossils are infatuated with Oliver, judging by this posters remarks

Clarry is the best midfielder to play for us in the past 50 years and maybe more.

It's sad what has happened but here we are and Clarry has only himself to blame.

This thread will continue for years as people have been invested in him for years and are interested to see where he ends up.

He will play some good games for the Giants but it doesn't change the fact that is was 100% the correct decision to trade him

4 hours ago, DubDee said:

Clarry is the best midfielder to play for us in the past 50 years and maybe more.

It's sad what has happened but here we are and Clarry has only himself to blame.

This thread will continue for years as people have been invested in him for years and are interested to see where he ends up.

He will play some good games for the Giants but it doesn't change the fact that is was 100% the correct decision to trade him

I’m a huge fan of Clarry. I know it’s not the popular opinion on here, but I was upset that he left. Obviously, I’m not delusional and know his form had fallen off significantly, he was having issues, culture, etc. But, when I started watching footy seriously (2016 0r 2017), he had just started. I somehow ended up a Dees supporter and he was my favourite player. Here’s where I am crazy—I’ve never gotten into any sport before (except tennis)—so I’ve never been a huge supporter of any team—let alone had a favourite player (Boston Red Sox, but nowhere near how I feel about footy). So, I guess what they say is you never forget your first 😂.

I know this was the right move for him and the club now. I get that. But, it took me awhile to get there. I watch a lot of footy, so I’ll definitely be watching the Giants. Reading this thread is far out. He’s gone, some of us are devastated, some aren’t happy, there’s indifference, and then there’s people who just wanted him gone. Regardless, he played on a premiership team. He was a big part of that—why do we have to argue about him and how great or how terrible he was? He’s not here anymore. None of us was in the room or knows firsthand what happened. We’ve read edited interviews. Let it go.

My SS got me one of those videos from him for Christmas. He said he was sorry for leaving Melbourne 2-3 times, told me not to cancel my membership (running joke at work) and that he has good mates on the Demons still and we’ll get wins. And that he’s at the Giants and doing ok (or something). I loved getting it—but there was something about feeling like he needed to apologise that felt sad. He’s not a very articulate guy at the best of times. Can’t we just wish him the best and be grateful for the time he was with us? Seriously, he was a gun out there. I loved watching him.

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk. I’m a bit overtired and done so I really just over shared. Also, he could have refrained from saying “Go the Giants” cheekily at the end of the video 😂

Edited yesterday at 13:041 day by 710 Ashbury St
Oversharing apology—don’t know how to delete a post

26 minutes ago, 710 Ashbury St said:

"I’m a huge fan of Clarry. I know it’s not the popular opinion on here, but I was upset that he left. "

" Can’t we just wish him the best and be grateful for the time he was with us? Seriously, he was a gun out there. I loved watching him."

710 I was a big fan as well. From when he first started playing and he was doing things I couldn't believe. I don't think being a fan of Clarry is an unpopular opinion as he gave us some great years. I lament his leaving but at the same time as more details that came forward I can understand it. I don't pretend to have any knowledge above what I have read on here, but putting the pieces of the picture together was concerning.

I think it is not only reasonable, but the common view, that Clarry was a loved MFC champion who for a variety of reasons fell away in form and effectiveness. The reasons and causes have been well covered and if he regains champion status it will be through hard work and desire, which no doubt would be triggered , at least in part, from the cataclamstic change.

I agree with you and I wish him well but also reluctantly understand why we had to part ways. Footy will be a little sadder without him on our field - but the off-season should be better.

Edited yesterday at 13:581 day by Left Foot Snap

I'm a massive fan as well, but at the end of the day he stitched us up.

Consumed so much club resources purely to get him right, and finally looked to be getting back near his best. Got told how it was gonna be at his exit, and spat it.

Glad he's gone, and full disclaimer, my opinion only. The only way that trade makes sense is if he's on a 3rd strike.

Now I'm not a betting man, even though I'll have a little something on Mister Me tomorrow, but I'd be very tempted to punt on Oliver not playing too many more games of AFL, if any. Will probably be phrased as a career ending XXXXXX injury.

Batter up

1 hour ago, BigBadBustling said:

I'm a massive fan as well, but at the end of the day he stitched us up.

Consumed so much club resources purely to get him right, and finally looked to be getting back near his best. Got told how it was gonna be at his exit, and spat it.

Glad he's gone, and full disclaimer, my opinion only. The only way that trade makes sense is if he's on a 3rd strike.

Now I'm not a betting man, even though I'll have a little something on Mister Me tomorrow, but I'd be very tempted to punt on Oliver not playing too many more games of AFL, if any. Will probably be phrased as a career ending XXXXXX injury.

Batter up

Hmm, he does have a premiership medallion and Im assuming still lots of money. He'd miss out on more if his years are numbered but he should be able to eke out a comfortable existence (as long as he's not throwing it away on the GG's, beer or other recreational substances.)

Edited 21 hours ago21 hr by Go Ds

3 hours ago, BigBadBustling said:

Now I'm not a betting man, even though I'll have a little something on Mister Me tomorrow,

I also have Kaddari in race 3 at Yarra Valley today, but I am not a betting man, so I will watch my horses and Clarry go around, with no betting on their performances.

On 16/12/2025 at 20:12, BW511 said:

@dazzledavey36 you are the king of retrospectively picking people off or giving them the ‘I told you so’

You are so staunchly against Oliver but revel in bullying the hell out of anyone whose opinion differs from yours.

This thread could be many different things for many different members, he’s had an enormous impact on the club even if the last few years were not ideal.

By all means, have an opinion but there is absolutely nothing to say yours is more important than anyone else here.

You must be new here

1 hour ago, Redleg said:

I also have Kaddari in race 3 at Yarra Valley today, but I am not a betting man, so I will watch my horses and Clarry go around, with no betting on their performances.

And his father was a mudder? And his mother was a mudder?

I think the move will be best for both parties. Rather Oliver at Melbourne but it was always gonna be difficult for both parties to overcome the past two years.

When’s this thread going to end 😂

Someone in 25 years still will be posting about how we should or shouldn’t have traded him for sure!

21 hours ago, Willmoy1947 said:

You just keep telling Clarry that my friend.

I don't need to tell him anything. He has had a solid 2 years to prove everyone wrong. He may still do so at GWS, but i think the odds are low.

On 16/12/2025 at 10:51, The Taciturn Demon said:

If Collingwood were mediocre, what were Carlton?

You can give me every single excuse in the world and I'll never believe we did well to get 'so close' against THAT Carlton team.

I think Carlton were a much lesser team

We were terrible on conversion and our I 50 count was huge.

Injuries again as well.

Also blues were playing on confidence and one of those strange rolls teams sometimes get on.

4 hours ago, GawnOfTheDead said:

When’s this thread going to end 😂

Someone in 25 years still will be posting about how we should or shouldn’t have traded him for sure!

Yeah, some people have very long memories, a good preventative for Dementia and Alzenhiemers!

Edited 10 hours ago10 hr by picket fence